Nick went back to the hospital twice a week for checkups for the next few weeks. The process of moving his bones and getting them into the required positions ended up being more complicated than Melissa's was. Melissa's bones came start out forward. Nick's were moved forward but also moved downwards. The eyesockets were moved down to allow for the eyeballs to sit in the eyesockets and his upper jaw was moved vertically down to align his bite as his back teeth were touching first which was not good. This meant that the bar was moved down, and the mechanisms on the bar were moved down as well. All of this hurt of course and Nick needed a lot of emotional support to get through it.
Nick had a final xray which determined that it was time to stop turning the screws. His cheekbones had actually been over-distracted (come too far forward) so the plastic surgeon loosened the cheekbone screws with the hope that the bones would retract a bit.
It was hard to tell exactly how far forward Nick's bones had been advanced due to the manipulation, but approximately 22mm - close to an inch.
We have to watch his wounds for infection.
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| Nick 7 weeks post-surgery |
He mainly spends his time at home. After visiting his class the Monday after he got home... and seeing their shocked reaction... he hasn't wanted to go back. We have encouraged him to go to school as a visitor to various end-of-school-year events so he is becoming less of a spectacle.
Today he was chosen by our Pastor to light the first advent candle....for 'Hope'. He declined to begin with but with encouragement from me and Melissa he agreed.
At the end of church he said he wanted to be in the church concert on stage and the community Christmas Carols - I guess having everyone clap his bravery made him even more brave!
We go back to see the plastic surgeon on December 14 for a progress report. Nick will have the halo on until January/February. It is going to be a long Summer holiday.
© 2012 by Jenny Woolsey
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