Ella's surgery

So so behind...but since I am using my blog as a scrapbook I really need to catch up!!!


Ella had another surgery on May 18th. She had a P-flap constructed in the back of her throat to help with the amount of air that escapes through her nose during speech (cleft related issue). The poor girl can no longer breath out her nose since the P-flap comletely blocks airflow from the nose but her surgeon is hoping that once the swelling decreases she will have some airflow. In the meantime she is forced to breathe out her mouth which leads to a very loud snore (which the surgeon says she may snore indefinitely-poor future husband!)...She has completely bounced back at this point but continues to be on a soft diet which is hard for her. She really misses the popcorn we usually have on Fridays but I told her once she is able we will have a popcorn party!!! She seriously talks about this popcorn party all the time! So cute. Here are some pics pre and post surgery!

We love you Ella and we are so proud of how brave and strong you are!!!

Daddy and Ella pre-surgery...Daddy got to go back with Ella to the OR this time since they didn't want me back there being pregnant...it was hard to see her go back there without me since I had been there for the past 3 surgeries!

The Child-Life Specialist allowed Ella to put stickers on her mask to help decrease her anxiety...the stickers coupled with some meds really helped!! The two Child-Life Specialists that worked with Ella during our stay were just so wonderful!~

Abbie came to visit after a couple of days...she just loves Ella! Sophie stayed with my in-laws that live about 30 minutes from the hospital so we were able to see her everyday...

It was hard being away from Abbie for 3 days but I also know that Ella just loves the one on one attention she gets while in the hospital-and she deserves it~