Gaining an Angel

Our lives were touched today by a family that has been across the path of our lives here in our town for years. This family lost their Husband and Father. He and his wife were business clients of my own for many years. His wife was my husband's caregiver. His son was my husband's school mate. His oldest daughter is our oldest son's teacher. His youngest daughter is our cousin's dear friend. We have called them all friend and thought fondly of every one.

To town folk, their house was THE place to BE on Halloween. It THE house on "the North Side" with all the scary moving things in the windows and all the spookey ookey stuff all over. Their decorations ARE THE decorations TO out DO! That's where you made sure you went when you took the kids went trick-or-treating so that you could stand on the sidewalk and just stare in awe. When you went there, you planned to be there for awhile. Mr. Deitrich just had to come out after he got everything in the window moving and then stand with you and marvel at his creation, making sure to point them all out to you, so you wouldn't miss a thing. He loved it! Loved it, and you could see it in his eyes. He loved that the kids that used to trick-or-treat at his house when his own children were little were now bringing their own kids by.

When you saw that big red truck coming, we knew it was him, he knew it was us, and he would smile from ear to ear and give a big wave; if he could only hear all the kids in the car!

Mrs. Deitrich, your husband touched our lives and left us with such happy memories. In his passing your family in your sorrow and grief took the time to consider ours. Such a selfless and loving gesture that I can't find the words to make my brain understand what my heart is feeling.

Your family is his legacy and he will live on in you all. Kevin, Jennifer, and Kristen we mourn the loss of your father. He will be sorely missed but we will carry him on in our hearts and thoughts, forever. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of your Dad, or your family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing Jake to be part of your Dad's living legacy. I will never be able to look at my own son without love for your family.

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CALIFORNIA UPDATE PLEASE READ!!

Hello to everyone and a special hello to our ONE FOLLOWER OF THE Blog!!
WE ARE BACK FROM THE LET THEM HEAR FOUNDATION'S Microtia Conference 2008

We got better news than we ever KNEW was physically possible. Here goes! I will try to NOT make it confusing if that is possible. The Ears:
Left side Grade 1 or the more normal looking ear..
Right side Grade 3 the little peanut:

There is a grading system used to determine whether one is a good candidate for the ear canal reconstructive surgery. (Atresia Surgery) It goes like this:1-10 10 being best (but nobody ever gets scored a 10)
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The Grade 1 side was scored a 9!
The Grade 3 side was scored an 8!
The only thing better than that would be a 9 and a 9. They can't even remember when they had a 9 and a 9. HE IS one of the best candidate they have seen in years!

In addition: on the left/Grade 1 side....he HAS AN EAR CANAL!! He also has the opening in his skull.....no bone to drill through on that side and the makings of the ear canal, possibly an eardrum past the blockage which is either tissue or bony fragments but in any event they won't know what it is until they get in there. There will be little skin grafting needed on that side. The grafting needed should be to make the eardrum if it is not there.

What this all means: After the 2 Atresia surgeries and they open the one ear canal and make the other, he is expected to hear within normal range (0-30db) WITHOUT ANY HEARING AIDS.

Please!! Are you KIDDING ME!!!!! All I can say is, thank you God, thy will be done. Thy will be done.

So! Here's the anticipated schedule.
August 10, 2009 Left side Atresia Surgery
November 23, 2009 Right side Atresia Surgery
February 22, 2010 Right side Microtia-Medpor Reconstruction
JAKEY COMES HOME WITH 2 EARS!!!

August 16, 2010 Right side Medpor stage 2 AND left side otoplasty.
The plan is to make the earlobe on the right side, using some tissue and cartilage from the left ear, and at the same time, giving that left ear a little snip-snip tuck-tuck to make it stand up nice to hold glasses without bending down.

So! We are still in disbelief. Any time I talk about it, my cheeks tingle. What does that mean? Am I gonna have a breakdown or something?!?!? After ALL OF THIS that we have been through, the GOOD news is gonna BREAK ME?! Have no fear. I've got my super-cape on!

Oh, and to the parents and the children there in California at the conference with us, unbelievable. We are all in it together and for the first time ever, I didn't feel so alone. Talking with you all gave me such strength and hope.

What else we came home with: The most awesome of peace and calm I have felt in over two years. It's gonna be ok. Paul was right. AGAIN. It's gonna be ok.

To the "Fam" and the "Pals" thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts, crossed fingers, and toes, and some of ya, even eyes!
We love each and every one of you.
It's a tad busy, but life IS good.