Owen had a follow-up CT scan and appointment with his plastic surgeon, Dr. Murthy, today. I was very surprised to hear his CT was without sedation (even though I preferred it that way) and I was slightly nervous about how he'd do with lying still for the scan, but my little boy did a GREAT job!
After his scan we went upstairs to go over the scan with Dr. Murthy. I love seeing him and hearing how Owen is doing. He walked in the room and greeted us with an enthusiastic and happy "Hello" and I knew by that tone that the scan results were good and everything was okay.
He said everything is looking great. I guess time has flown by faster than he thought because he made a comment about the surgery and said "It's been what, 6 months now?" and I smiled and said "No. Next month will be a year." It's surprising to me too! Owen's plates and screws are starting to absorb and break down like they're supposed to. He said between 10-15 months after surgery is when that really starts to happen and Owen is right in the middle of that. He did mention there are still a few minor defects but all we can do is give things time and see how things heal, etc. He said his right eye socket is still slightly shallow. Along with the cranial vault reconstruction he had a frontal orbital advancement done. He did say with the amount of work Owen had done things are looking very good and he doesn't see any reason why Owen would require another surgery, the chances of a repeat CVR/FOA are very low at this point. He said we'd know more about how things look around age 3. Owen may need a revision surgery with bone putty to smooth things out but that's not an immediate concern at this point.
Dr. Murthy asked me if we had been contacted by the hospital PR department yet because the Akron Children's Hospital Craniofacial Clinic is doing a brochure about the program and they want to feature Owen in the brochure. He said when he was approached about this the first person he thought of was him. I wanted to cry right then and there! It's been my goal since the day Owen was diagnosed to spread awareness about his condition and bring attention to what Craniosynostosis really is. Even if this blog, or the news story or the brochure only ever reached one person - that would be okay with me. That would be one more child that is properly diagnosed and treated. But to have my son be a face to this, it means so much to me. I am truly honored to do this!
We'll go back again to see Dr. Murthy in September right before Owen's second birthday. I cannot believe he will be two in just 5 months! We'll probably go to yearly check-ups after that, if all is still progressing as well as they are now. I think Dr. Murthy was ready to move him to yearly appointments now - He actually made a comment and said "We'll see ya in a year.... Well, wait, let's have you come back before his 2nd birthday." Maybe he just wants to keep a closer eye on him, or maybe he knows how I am... I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. ;) His office and PA have come to know me very well with as many calls I've made and emails I've sent over the months.
Overall, things are progressing very nicely. Right around the same time as Owen's next check-up with Dr. Murthy he has a check-up with the neurosurgeon. This condition is something that will be monitored throughout his childhood.... and that's ok with me. I absolutely love the medical team Akron Children's has in their Craniofacial clinic and I absolutely love the time and attention they give to their patients. I feel very fortunate that we have such an amazing facility so close to home. Thank you doesn't even begin to describe how I feel, but they're all the words I have.
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