I went to the dentist this morning for my six month check-up. I sat in the chair and the hygenist starts making small talk like they do. She asked about Jacob and I told her he was doing well, getting ready to have tubes put in his ears. (The denstist said my teeth were perfect - by the way!)
The hygenist says (I shit you not), "my daughter had tubes done but, not for infections, she had a speech delay."
I said, "Oh, us too".
Then, she says (I'm really not shitting you here), she really said this, "My daughter has a submucous cleft palate with a bifid uvula."
I almost pooped. Right there. In the chair!
The ENT told us that Jacob would be fine, that this wasn't serious, that it wouldn't cause problems for him in the future, and I trust the Dr. but, as a mom, you're always concerned when your child has an abnormality. I have to help him through it if other kids are cruel. The Dr. doesn't. I'll be the one to deal with him being teased for a speech impediment. I'm the one who'll dry his tears, tell him that diferent isn't bad, just more special and that no matter how different he is, I'll always love him. That's the part I worry about.
Of course, I asked the hygenist as many questions as I could think of every time she took her teeth pickers out of my mouth. It was good to talk to another mom who's been there already. I do feel better though. She eased most all of my concerns. The Lord sure works in mysterious ways!
We did find a little flashlight and Jacob and I have a new game. He looks in my mouth, then I look in his and we say "AHHHHH". I did get to see exactly what's in there - we tried to show Daddy but, he was kinda sleepy and you have to be quick to see it. The cleft looks exactly like the 1st picture in the second link of my previous post. The uvula looks almost normal except it looks as if there is a bubble on the end of it that's shaped like a puffy/ballooned "M".
We're adjusting to the news. We're getting used to it and one day soon, it'll be mostly forgotten. We're learning more about it and it's sinking in. It'll all be okay. I know it will.
It is awesome to be able to talk to someone else who is or has gone through the same thing.
ReplyDeleteGod does provide support.
Oh my goodness! What are the odds, seriously? God sure does work in mysterious ways! I'm so, so glad to hear you had a change to ask questions to another mother who's been through the same exact situation.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure adjusting to all of this information is full of mixed emotions, and it can't be at all easy. Like you said, YOU'RE the mommy, and it'll be YOUR job to ensure everything is done to help, and to comfort him. It is a scary thought, one more thing to add to everything else in life, but you are a wonderful mother, and I'm very proud of the way you're approaching this whole situation...with much strength and a one-day-at-a-time attitude.