18 Month Post-op Appointment!

Mason had his 18 month post-op CT scan and appointment with Dr. Wrubel.  We were really worried that he would have to be sedated for his ultrasound, but he did amazing!  Glory be to God for keeping him calm and still for his CT scan!

Our appointment with Dr. Wrubel went well.  He did say for the first time, that Mason is likely facing another surgery before Kindergarten.  His big gap (and smaller ones) in his skull, are just not getting smaller.  We aren't going to dwell on the thought of another surgery, but are mentally prepared to face it when it comes along.  The good news is that his entire skull will not need to be taken apart again.  They would use the same ear to ear incision that was previously made, cut a "pancake" out of an area of his skull, cut that piece into 2 thin pieces, replace it where it came from, and then use the other piece to fill in the gaps.  He would still have a lot of swelling and bruising, but the hospital stay should be shorter and less extensive.

His next CT scan and appointment is in a year, so we will just be enjoying our little man until then. :) Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers, and love for Mason!

Here's a picture of our post-appointment breakfast with Mason.  I totally forgot to get a picture with Dr. Wrubel this time!

1 Year Post-Op!

Mason had his 1 year Cranioversary on December 10th!  It is unbelievable that it has been a year.  My life is forever changed in amazement of watching our resilient little HERO go through and recover from skull surgery.  It is amazing how fast he healed and how well he did.  You literally would never know he had his entire skull taken apart and put back together!  His scar is so faint that you have to look for it.  He does have a few holes that we are praying grow together (if they don't, he will need another surgery in the next couple of years).  His next appointment with his Neurosurgeon and CT scan will be in June.  Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!

Here is a picture of Mason taken in November.  I know I'm partial, but he is so handsome!  :)

6 Month Post-Op Appointment

Mason had his 6 month post-op appointment with his neurosurgeon and CT scan.  Everything went well, and he is healing well.  He does have some gaps that need to fill in.  We are praying every day that they fill in without any issues.  If they don't, he will have another surgery to fill them in.

Mason did SO good for his CT scan and didn't have to be sedated - HUGE answered prayer!  He was definitely confused as to why he wasn't given his morning bottle and breakfast.  Luckily, his paci held him over.  Praise God!  He laid perfectly still for his CT scan, and we were so very relieved.  

Dr. Wrubel wants to see him again in June of 2015.  He will get another CT scan at that time, to check on the growth of the gaps.  Please pray that they fill in and that he won't need another surgery!

Mason getting his CT scan

Mason with our hero, Dr. Wrubel

Surgery Days In Pictures

I am so sorry that I still haven't posted details about the surgery.  I am not emotionally ready to revisit the emotions of those days in details yet.  Those were the darkest days of my life, and I am just not there yet - I hope you all understand.  I will do it soon, I promise. :)

In the meantime, I do want to go ahead and at least post some pictures. :)

Mason turned 4 months on the day of surgery, so mommy took his 4 month picture before we left

 A great organization called "Socks for Surgery" sent Mason the cutest socks.  Please consider supposrting a child facing surgery by visiting their website! http://www.socks4surgery.com/

A very nervous mommy and happy baby Mason, waiting for surgery

12/10/13 at 7:15PM

12/10/13 at 7:10PM

Mason looked amazing when we first saw him in PICU.  Best moment to finally see our baby!

Words can't explain how worried we were when they couldn't get his pain under control.  I tried holding him to calm him, but it only worked for a little while.  It was so hard knowing that I couldn't bring him comfort.

 The bruising and swelling started to set in right before our eyes.  These pictures were around 9:00PM.

Mason had to be put on oxygen about 12 hours after surgery.  Words can't explain how hard it was to see our little baby like this

12/11/13 at 6:43AM

12/11/13 at 10:48AM

12/11/13 at 11:55AM

12/11/13 at 2:25PM

12/11/13 at 4:33PM

12/11/13 at 6:46PM

The swelling and bruising peaked 2 days after surgery.  It was so hard to see our baby be unrecognizable.  I can only imagine the discomfort he felt and the fear associated with not being able to open his eyes

 So thankful to my sister and best friend for the blood donation!  Mason needed 2 blood transfusions.

12/12/13 at 9:57AM - Mommy was FINALLY able to hold Mason again.  Best feeling ever to finally have him in my arms again and to be able to comfort him.

12/12/13 at 8:02PM

12/13/13 at 12:15PM:  
On day 3, Mason finally was able to open 1 eye!  It was like seeing him born all over again when we saw his sweet eye open!

12/14/13: Mason could finally peek through his other eye!

We debated on bringing Easton for a visit in the hospital because we didn't want him to get scared or upset.  We finally decided that it might help him to see Mason's "boo boos".  He did great and wasn't scared at all!  It was SO good to see him after being away from him.  

12/13/13 at 12:50PM: Finally out of PICU and in a regular room

12/14/13 at 7:03PM

12/14/13 at 7:03PM
Mason received this BEAUTIFUL prayer chain in his care package from Cranio Care Bears.  They are the best organization for support for Cranio families.  If you are facing surgery, please look them up: http://craniocarebears.org.  Also, please consider making a donation in honor of Mason!  

Best site ever - a smile!

His head was VERY swollen and felt like a water balloon in the back for a couple of weeks.
Side note: the incision is wavy so that his hair doesn't part when it is wet.  It is done this way to minimize the appearance

Mason and his cranio bear!

Before and after - notice how much room was given in the back of his head and how much more round his head it.  The surgeons said his brain was VERY tight in the back.  They even had to re-mold his dura matter in the back, which is not a normal thing to have to do.  So thankful that his brain has room now!

12/15/13 at 10:04AM - Ready to go home!!!  What a relief to be released by his surgeons and recover at home!

So thankful for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston!  The staff was amazing.  We were SO glad to be going home.

Thankfully, he slept the whole way home and it was uneventful trip. :)

6 days post-op!

8 days post-op!

13 days post-op, heading to our post-op appointment with his neurosurgeon!  The appointment went well, and Mason goes back again at 6 months post-op for a follow up CT scan and appointment.

3 weeks post-op before and after!  His head is much rounder!  The back of his skull was very tight and his brain was being "pinched".  It was so tight that they had to remold the dura matter around his brain as well.  So thankful for this surgery and that his brain can now grow normally!

I promise I will post some recent pictures soon!  Thank you again for your continued thoughts and prayers for our little hero!  He is the strongest person we know!

Post-op Appointment With Neurosurgeon

We had Mason's post-op appointment today (12/23/12, 13 days post surgery). Dr. Wrubel is pleased with how everything looks. He said the lumps and bumps will go away over time. The bruising and swelling is of course also still a work in progress. We go back again to see him and for a CT scan at 6 months post-op in June. Until then, we are just supposed to live our normal lives. :) 

Updates coming soon...

Hi everyone! I'm so sorry about my lack of posts since surgery! I promise I will post soon. I haven't had a lot of free time since surgery while taking care of Mason and prepping for Christmas. I also know how emotional it will be to re-hash surgery and the days in the hospital. I promise I will though, especially for the cranio parents facing surgery that need to know what happens. Will also post lots of pics. Merry Christmas!!!

The handoff

Handed my baby over for surgery at 12:35. Hardest thing I've ever had to do. My heart hurts so bad, but all of the prayers bring me a little comfort. Thank you all.