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.