It's been quite a while since our last update on this blog—five years to be exact—and it's hard to believe how time has flown. Two weeks ago, Lucille turned eight, marking a milestone in her cleft lip and palate journey. Below is a side by side of the last blog post Lucille to current Lucille : )
In the spring, during a visit to Sick Kids, we learned that Lucille would start preparing for her bone graft surgery. This procedure involves taking a piece of bone from her hip and placing it into her palate to enhance the structure of the roof of her mouth. To our surprise, the surgery is now on the horizon due to the progress of her teeth, contrary to our initial expectation of waiting until she was around 10 years old. Recent appointments have involved scans, x-rays of her teeth, and meetings with her dedicated team overseeing the process. Lucille's teeth, as anticipated, present some challenges, with extra teeth appearing in unusual places. X-rays revealed four or five additional teeth in the roof of her mouth, requiring extraction 6 to 8 weeks prior to the bone graft surgery. Additionally, efforts will be made to move an adult tooth in the middle of the roof of her mouth to save it.
This week, Lucille and I revisited Sick Kids for the installation of her palate expander. This device creates the necessary space for the upcoming bone graft. The accompanying pictures showcase the device on the mold of her mouth and how it looks in place. Lucille, understandably, expressed some concern upon first seeing it due to its somewhat archaic appearance. Although it has affected her speech, she has shown improvement in the two days since its installation. Maintenance of the device is crucial, involving brushing around the brackets to prevent cavities, and addressing food particles that tend to get stuck between the device and the roof of her mouth. Lucille now uses a tool for this purpose after each meal. Her diet this week mainly consists of soft foods, with an emphasis on avoiding hard and sticky foods that could dislodge the device.
Our visits to Sick Kids have evoked memories of the first year and a half of Lucille's life when we frequented the hospital. Throughout this process, Lucille has impressed us with her awareness and resil
ience. Unlike her first two procedures, she now understands what is happening and naturally has concerns, particularly about the surgery and its uncertainties. As a family, we navigate this journey, utilizing the resources available from Sick Kids.
Below, you'll find some pictures from Lucille's recent visits, along with images of her teeth mold. She has grown into an incredible young individual—filled with love, stubbornness, creativity, perseverance, and intelligence. We'll do our best to keep you updated as we continue this journey with our superhero daughter.
You are amazing, Lucille! Xo Katye and Eloise
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