Our visit to Boston was quick, but worth the trip. We were picked up from the hotel in the morning by two wonderful Shriners - Robert Goodwin and Irwin Daub. They brought us to the Shriners Hospital for Children where we got badged and escorted up to the 6th floor. We met with a nurse who worked with us to fill out paperwork and update Jack's medical information. I sent the referral medicial information when we applied, so there were a few new things.
After we completed the paperwork our good friends Robert and Irwin showed us to the cafeteria. On the way there they showed us a wall with photos of the construction of the Shriners Hospital. In 1999, they built the new structure over the old building, so they never had to turn away any children. Once they finished the 5th through the 9th floors they knocked down the building below and completed construction.
The cafeteria, which is in the shot above, is decorated with canvases decorated by children who've been cared for at the hospital. The food was tasty too. I got an awesome salad and beverage for only $2. This place is about doing the right thing, not about profits. Imagine that in healthcare today.
With full bellies the boys napped in the waiting area on the 6th floor. You can see all the awesome toys in the background. Doll houses, play forts, matchbox cars and books galore made the two hour wait between paperwork and doctor visit very easy.
We were assigned two nurses who will assist with Jack's surgery. He did great with them, playing with their keys and shaking hands. But, when Dr. Michael Lewis started his exam Jack began to cry. He really didn't stop until Dr. Lewis left. We learned that Jack will need two surgeries to repair his palate. The first will close the hard palate, but he doesn't want to work on the soft palate yet. (To find your hard palate, put your tough to the roof of your mouth right behind your teeth. Drag your tongue backward when it changes texture and gets softer then you have reached the soft palate.)
He feels that the severity of the cleft will require the hard palate to heal before he can address the soft. He said that if Jack's lip were still open it would be easier to do all together, but his access is restricted now. He told us that the soft palate is important in formation of clear sounds, so he didn't want to push it.
We were lucky enough to take a surgery spot on May 9th. We have to be back to the hospital by May 8th. He will have his surgery early in the morning. He will stay in the hospital for about three nights. We were given a huge package of information to read though and prepare. Its overwhelming to consider in less than a month our baby will be in such pain, but we know its well worth it in the long run.
Jack must think we live in airport lounges. He's right at home with all the businessmen with his preppy little outfit. He's Daddy's little fashion plate.He has learned how to say airplane and spent the entire time watching out the window - except when he was eating bannanas.
Here is his airplane re-enactment showing us how the planes land. He stayed spunky and happy during the wait. He fell asleep as soon as the plane took off. He is the best traveler.
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