Thursday, August 16, 2007

Hello everyone! Well as most of you know, we went in for our ultrasound last Friday to find out the sex of the baby. However, we also went to a perinatal center to check for cleft lip/ cleft palate. As it turns out, it looks as though our Baby BOY will have a cleft lip.

First, we will go meet Dr. Kevin Smith with the oral maxifacial surgeon team at OU Children's Center. Apparently, this guy is THE MAN when it comes to cleft lip or palate repair. We have heard nothing but amazing things about him from my OBGYN, the perinatal center, as well as a friend of my I graduated high school who happens to be doing his rotations under him right now!!!! Small world!! Until we meet with him, I don't have many anwers to very many questions; however, we meet with him AUGUST 30th and we will ask him as much as we can think of between now and then. Then back to the periatal center for another ultrasound to see if we can determine anything else with the palate or the severity of the lip on September 26th.

For those who don't know what this means:
This is the basics of what I am aware of.....I was born with a unilateral cleft lip (just one side effected), my palate was completely intact. I am hoping and praying that this is what our little boy has if it has to be this way!! If so, he will most likely go through several operations: 1. to close and repair the lip, 2. probably a cosmetic surgery before he starts to school to polish the lip, scar tissue, etc. 3. he will need bone grafting (take bone from his jaw to place into his gums to eventually provide support for a false tooth--bone is typically absent from the cleft side), 4. a nose repair at some point. If he does have a cleft palate, it means a whole new "can of worms" as eating will be different, more surgeries and procedures, and speech help most likely.

With each visit, I plan to post what the doctors are saying on this site. I am too good right now at being scatter brained and not remembering who all I have told and each of you are probably getting different details, I am sure of it!!

So , until the 30th, Jeff and I ask for your prayers for a miracle and for best case scenario!!

7 comments:

Cara Appleby said...

I am praying for the best and will continue until we meet the little guy...I can't wait to hear what you all think of Dr. Smith as you have heard wonderful things...I think all three of you seem to be in the best hands possible.

Cara Appleby said...

Sorry, it's me Cara that wrote the first note...looks like we need to sign our name after we post, otherwise, who knows who says what? I am still trying to figure out this whole blog thing.
Love you guys,
Cara

bil549 said...

Great idea on your part. My little grandson gets started with technology at an early age! Later.
Papa Stallings

Angela Kickbush said...

YEAH---we are so excited for you--A BABY BOY---things always work out for the BEST--the BIG GUY upstairs is watching out for you!! Love all the way for IOWA--Chad, Ang, Addison (your flower girl), Camden and Caden KICKBUSH

Brooke & Eric said...

Sounds like You both have A wonderfull plan..And we know Nothing but the best Is in the works for Baby Boy Stallings. All our prayers are with you 3 and We Love you!!
Love Brooke, Eric, & Brody

Unknown said...

The uncertainty of everything right now is so very hard but you have sooo many out there praying with you and loveing all 3 of you. I have looked up the "team" and worked with 3 of the men. Their reputations at the OU College of Dentistry (all of them teach as well) is fantastic. All 3 are very, very nice men. Can't wait for you to meet them. Mom

Anonymous said...

Thinking of all of you! LOVE YOU ALL and thinking of all of you! Let us know how things go and how you are feeling. don't forgot those belly pictures! You'll look back and they are fun to look at.
xoxoxoxo
Many hugs & many prayers!
Chris, kim,
Collin, Cora, Carter, Cameron