On September 18th, Rhian is going to have a BAHA implanted! This is great news, as it will give her almost perfect hearing on the right side of her head, on which she has no outer ear or canal. She is very excited! It will be an outpatient surgery, her head will be bandaged for two days, it will be healed in four weeks, and the doctor will snap on the outer box after eight weeks! So, it will not be traumatic, but as with any surgery, it does have risks, so please pray that all goes well and she heals quickly. Go to this link for more info on BAHA: http://www.umm.edu/otolaryngology/baha.htm
After the BAHA surgery, we will have an Auricular (Ear) Prosthesis created/implanted for her. We have decided that it is a better option than reconstructive surgery. See this link for info and photos http://www.prosthesis.com/ear_base.htm. The “Ear Reconstructive Surgery vs. Prosthetic Ear Covering Surgery” photos are what her ear would look like after reconstructive surgery (EEK! Not a great result!); the “Osseointegrated Ear Implant” is what we would want done…
Also, Rhian's back surgeon has found some abnormalities on her CT and MRI. Good news--he may have found what is continuing to make her spine curve. (See http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tethered_cord/tethered_cord.htm) Bad news--it may require a nerve surgery to release the tethered cord as well as another spinal surgery to correct the scoliosis again. He has no definite answers or plans yet, as he must consult with a neurosurgeon, please just continue to keep Rhian and Dr. Puffinbarger in your prayers.
All of these medical plans are up in the air right now, and we only have definite plans for the BAHA.
On a lighter note: Rhian is showing her 4-H calf at the Osage County Fair! She is extremely excited. Pray that he doesn't act up for her, and that she can actually drag him around the ring! He is very gentle, but is a little stubborn about being led around. This is really just a practice run for the March 4-H Spring Show, as there is very little competition at the fair (probably only 3 or 4 steers shown). As she is new to all of this, David wants her to practice. If you want to see her show, it will be at the Osage County Fairgrounds in the Livestock building on Saturday, September 12th at 2:30pm. (Then you could stay and watch David in the OCCA Ranch Rodeo at 5pm!)
Rhian is doing really well is school so far this year. Her attitude about school has improved, and we are hoping that the adjustments we have made this year will make for a more enjoyable year! Yeah for Mrs. Carolyn Morgan and American Christian! We are so blessed to have a great school and loving classmates for Rhian.
Lastly, Rhian and Liz are both selling Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough as a fundraiser for their school, American Christian. They are selling it until Wednesday, September 9th. If you are interested (it is really, really good--I am stocking my freezer for the holidays!), please let me know. They have several different kinds, the tubs are $15, and orders must be prepaid.
Thank you for your continued prayers for our precious girl!
(All Photos by Jaclyn Holl, our fantastic babysitter...all except the last photo, of course...)
1 comment:
You know, you're a very accomplished young woman, but of everything you've done with your life, your investment in Rhian is perhaps the most important.
Post a Comment