So happy to have found you all!

[Jacob's Mom]

Wish I had found this site much sooner! Jacob is scheduled for surgery on March 11, just a week and a half away. This site has been so helpful already. Any advice for preparing Jacob and ourselves for the surgery and hospital stay? Thanks!

[Wyatt's Mom]

Welcome to craniokids! I'm glad you found us!

Jacob is gorgeous! I'm sure he'll do great; they bounce back so fast.

Is there any special music Jacob likes? If so, definately bring the cd or tape with you. It will help calm him down. Bring lots of snacks for yourself. You won't have much time to go out and eat because Jacob will need you. Bring some of Jacob's favorite toys and I wouldn't get anything new that is really noisy because when their eyes are swollen shut a new noisy toy might scare him.

The hospital usually has lots of stuff to help you out. Maybe call ahead and see? Wyatt really liked stroller rides, he didn't like laying around in his bed. The hospital had a stroller for us to use. We also used nature music provided by the hospital.

I'm sure there is a list somewhere on here of what to bring. I'll try and find it and post a link.

Oh, and take pictures now, during and after. I know it sounds weird but one day he may want to see them. Also, it is so nice for the hospital staff to see what Jacob looked like before surgery and before he was all swollen; the nurses enjoy pictures! I also really liked taking birds eye view pictures. That way after surgery when things are tough (not sleeping, cranky baby) you can look at their new round head and know you did the right thing.

Sorry for the long post! I'll make sure to pray for Jacob on March 11th. Please let us know how he does!

[Mother of boys]

Welcome to CK. I'm glad you found the site. How are you doing? It was very difficult for me waiting for the surgery day. Since Jacob is 6 months, is he attached to any specific toy, blanket, stuffed animal? Bringing things along that are familiar to him and help him think of home may help (especially when his eyes are swollen shut and can't see). We took a lot of pictures too before and after. I had taken stuff to do myself while he was in surgery, but never ended up doing any of it because his surgery was early in the morning, so I ended up napping a little. Will you have any family there to help? We weren't fortunate to have that, but I know a lot of families appreciated the breaks that other family members could give them.

I know there is a list somewhere because I remember reading it before Keeson's surgery. Oh, I had actually forgotten to do this, but one of the cranio moms made one for me...a sign for his bed. I had seen that in other pictures and intended to do that, but completely forgot.

Let us know if you need any other help. I will add your family and Jacob to my prayer list.

Take care.
Pam

[*jules*]

Welcome. My little guy was born 9/02/08 and my first son was bon 09/04/02 ! So sorry your going thru this but also glad you found this site. My son is scheduled for surgery May 15th in Dallas,TX. Your little one's surgery is only 8 days before my b-day and he will definately be in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong, you are almost to the "other side" as they call it!!!

[Abby'sMom]

You've already received some great suggestions. If you haven't already found it...In the testing and surgery forum there is a sub forum about what to bring to the hospital that you may find helpful.

One additional way to prepare Jacob for the time his eyes will be swollen is to spend the next week creating a "routine" that focuses on both his sense of touch and hearing. Like gently rubbing his feet and legs while singing a particular lullaby. Do this several times a day using the same gentle strokes and songs and make sure it's something he really enjoys and responds to. That way during the time he can't see you he'll be reminded that some things in his little world have not changed.

I've added Jacob to my list of little ones to be praying for...You'll be amazed by how well you both do. :hugg

[charliesmummy]

Welcome to cranio kids this is a fantastic site. Jacob is just adorable, all i can see is he will simply amaze your when he has his surgery. It's so much harder on us parents having to watch them. Hang in there mummy your doing great xx

[mattricia]

Jacob's a little darling! Welcome to CK, so glad you've found us. You'll probably be hooked here for the next few days. I agree with the others about the "What I Wish I'd Known" thread (i think that's the name) in the testing and surgery forum. Tons of helpful info there...

Hang in there...just a few more days. We're here for you. I'll be praying for Jacob on the 11th!

[Janet]

I'm a metopic Momma as well!! My daughter had her surgery almost 18 months ago....the one thing that I was so happy to have known before the surgery was just how much she would swell up....not only her head but her whole body from all the IV liquids....as everyone said above, they bounce back so fast my fi-bug started walking 2 weeks post op. Your son is beautiful and he will do great.

[Jacob's Mom]

We're doing alright. We know that God has a plan for our little guy. And we know that His plans are infinitely better than ours! We're definitely looking forward to being on the other side. It's helping so much to read through the stuff on here. I'm so glad everyone has pictures. Your little ones all look fantastic! Thanks for your suggestions and encouragement. I'm headed straight to the Testing & Surgery forum to check for that thread.

[fitmomof2ae]

Luckily, I found this site before our surgery too! You'll find just about everything you need on here...If they don't know the answers, they'll know where to find them. Good luck with your surgery on March 11. We just had surgery on Thursday for sagittal synostosis. I'm so glad to be home and so happy I had this site to help me prepare for the surgery.

[EmmaLacey]

Welcome to CK! You have received a ton of great advice already. I really liked Mandy's idea about creating a "soothing routine" to use when they are all swollen shut and can't see. Its a hard time for both baby and Mom but we all get through it and are much stronger for it afterwards. Your little guy is adorable and I'm sure will do great after surgery. It is so surprising how fast they bounce back. You'll be on the other side before you know it and we'll all be praying for you on March 11th. Keep us posted and Good LUck!!!!

[*Jessica*]

:prayBest wishes tomorrow!!! We will be thinking of him!:pray

[tracy_girl05]

Hi there and welcome to CK! I am so glad that you have found us!!!! You little one will do great tom- he will amaze you with his strength and you will be amazed at yours as well. One thing that my daughter found comforting was lots of singing--- I wouls lay my head on her chest and sign. She would play with my hair-- makes me get teary eyed right now thinking about it. Hang in there momma- you are almost there. Please try and keep us posted-- we are thinking and praying for you.

[dannlark]

Today's a hard one, for sure... Hang in there, you're almost to the other side. You'll be there in a heart beat! Lots of prayers coming your way for tomorrow. Try to get any bit of rest you can today, you'll need it. ((HUGS))

[*jules*]

Good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking of and praying for you guys!:hugg

[Sophia's_mom]

:hugg Good luck tomorrow! We'll keep Jacob and you in our thoughts and prayers.

[Colin's Mom]

We'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Just be sure to do as much talking, singing, cuddling as you can to use all the other senses. He'll want to know that you're there, even if he can't see. If you are nursing, he may want to eat more and longer, mostly for the comfort. I would let him nurse as long as he wants if you are. Otherwise, just lots of holding and cuddling. Don't worry about all the IVs, lines, etc. It looks daunting, but you won't hurt him.

[Jacob's Mom]

Thank you all so much for all the great suggestions, encouragement and prayers. Heading to bed early tonight. I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes!

[amanda0502]

Good luck tomorrow. Jacob will do great my daughter amanda was also a metopic baby buy dignoised late. just think tomorrow you wil be on the other side i will pray for you all tonight . God Bless

[Mindy]

Good luck!! I'll be keeping you in my prayers!!

[Jacob's Mom]

So obviously we didn't make it to bed early. Heading there now though. Just wanted to thank you all again for your prayers and let you know surgery is scheduled for 9am.

[*Jessica*]

:pray:pray:pray:pray:pray:pray:pray:pray
Best wishes today Jacob!!!

[*jules*]

:pray:hugg Prayers for Jacob and big hugs for mom !!! Good luck!!!

[Chrissie x 3]

Welcome. We were are also starting our journey with our son Jacob. This site is great. Good luck with your surgery. Let us know how he does.

[evergreenmom]

for a speedy recovery!

[mrs j]

:huggwelcome to ck, sorry i didnt catch this before.
I hope everything went great, let us know when you can, sending prayers for a quick recovery.:hugg

[Sean08]

Hope everything went smoothly!! Jacob is in my prayers

[*jules*]

I read on another thread that Jacob made it thru surgery and is "on the other side", still waiting to hear how he and mama are doing post-op.

[grayridge]

Hope you are safely on the other side! Praying for your little one.

[Kate Carey-Trull]

Hope surgery went well!

[MistyHiggins]

Just saw your post and was thinking about you and Jacob. Hope all is well!

[Jacob's Mom]

Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement and especially for your prayers! Jacob is doing fantastic. It's so amazing how quickly they recover! We came home from the hospital on Monday and I'm just now getting back online. I'll try to post our story, but for now you can catch up on the details/pictures on our blog. My husband did a great job of keeping track of everything. Sorry for not posting sooner. Now that I think of it, I could have let you all know that address even before surgery. You can find it at www.gregandchristine.wordpress.com (http://www.gregandchristine.wordpress.com).

[*jules*]

:yipeeYea! I'm so glad you and Jacob are doing so well!:hugg
Just had to add, the pics are great. Don't know why but the one with him smiling in the hospital gown, brought tears to my eyes! What a sweet little guy!

[mummybeelee]

Wonderful to hear you are home and Jacob is doing so well!:yipee

Thankyou for sharing the blog and pictures. He looks amazing!!

[dannlark]

Excellent news! The pictures are great! Keep taking them as it's truely amazing how the morphing is over time. It looks, from some of the close ups of him, that his eyelids might peel. Ian's looked like your son's and about a week or so post op they peeled like sunburn might. It's from the skin stretching so much with the swelling. I'm so glad you all are home, safe and sound. Keep us posted as you can and congrats!! Job well done Mommy and Jacob!!!

[Mama Musica]

I have to tell you that your Jacob looks so much like my son as far as the ridging and the close-ness of the eyes that it took my breath away. I just read through your entire blog... I'm so glad to hear that he is doing so well. It gives me so much hope!