Monday, May 14, 2012

First Cleft Lip Surgery

 It's been 10 days and our little red head is seeming to be happy again!!
Oh, how we've missed that sweet smile!
Day One
 I'm sorry if this is too graphic for you,
 but you must see this to even more appreciate how far he's come
 Day Two
Day Three!
Huge difference, huh?
The first 2 days in the hospital I cried out in my prayers, through my tears,
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

I felt like Jesus.
I felt like, where did all the prayers, Masses, sacrifices, rosaries, novenas, blessings, 
from so many, where did they go?
I worried about the before the surgery, I worried during the surgery, 
(surgery took 5 hours)
but 
didn't give much thought to how painful it would be to see him the first time.
Or
how hard it would be for him, how much pain he'd be in
afterward.

All I could think of was how unbearable this was to watch my baby suffer
(he had pain meds of course, but was still in pain)
My husband and I have barely mentioned the fact that this is the first of many surgeries, 
the thought brings me to instant tears, as does my husband.

Afterward, I felt more like Mary must have felt when she met Jesus carrying the cross.
Helpless.
And again how she must have felt when they took Him down from the cross and 
placed Him in her arms.
Holding my baby, helpless, to take away the pain.

I know those prayers were there, holding us up, even though, 
we wanted to run away and try to hide from the pain, 
we made it and sweet Simeon is doing great now.
He's been eating every 2 hours since about Wednesday,
making up for lost time and keeping his mama from sleeping much!

 Before
(the day before surgery)
After
This is today!
10 days later!
He has a top lip and a complete nose!!
He still has some scabbing, but it's looking better and better every day!!

His lip is pulled very tight on top and that will push the soft tissue down 
(that big chunk in the middle) 
 the goal is within a year so he can have his palate surgery.
It's already gone down some and centered itself.
It's amazing, really, how it all works.

Thank you for all your prayers, God bless you all!!
He's crying....gotta run!!!


39 comments:

  1. Wow, Jamie, he is healing beautifully! He was truly beautiful before, just looks like a new and equally beautiful Simeon!

    We finished our novena to St. Joseph for him but started another one to St. Jude. God bless!

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  2. Thank you for sharing this. You are such an inspiration, and so is Simeon! He is a beautiful baby (before and after)!

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  3. Oh my goodness!! WHAT a wonderful difference! I am so glad that you posted these pictures so we can see how far he's come, and how great he looks now. Now let's get him chubbified :)

    ~Colleen Martin

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  4. My jaw dropped- my goodness, what a dramatic difference. I'm so glad his sweet little dimples are still there, and so VERY glad to see that smile back again.

    It must have been agonizing for you all to go through, having to watch him be in pain. I'm glad things have been improving so quickly. He's one tough hombre, that's for sure.

    I've been praying for him and you all, and I will continue!

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  5. What a sweet wee man! Oh that little face is adorable and I am so glad his healing is coming along so well. What a doll -- and we'll pray for his continued health! :)

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  6. OMG, poor baby boy. At the same time, I am amazed how quickly it has healed in only 10 days. He really does look great. Keep your faith. God will never give us more than we can handle! God Bless

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  7. Look at all those nice pictures of him...get those in a photobook NOW!
    hee hee
    sorry I am horrible and cannot help myself.

    Thanks for posting.

    His blue eyes always melt my heart.

    So glad to hear everyday is getting better.

    Hope you had a Happy Mother's Day!

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  8. Wow! What an amazing transformation...not better...just different, but both (before and after) pics are beautiful. I know the upcoming surgeries have got to be anxiety-provoking, but just think how much better-off (from a health/eating perspective) he will be...

    modern medicine is truly an amazing gift from God!

    Continuing to keep all of you in our prayers,

    The Kueters

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  9. What a sweet little face- before and after the surgery. The pictures of him just after the surgery- I can only imagine how difficult it was for him and you. Prayers for continued healing!

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  10. So glad to read an update from you Jamie! Thank you for posting the photos and sharing from your heart. It's amazing to see the difference over the last 10 days. Remarkable.
    It's so good to see him smiling again. Sorry that he's keeping you from sleeping, but glad to hear that he's making up for lost time and eating.
    We're keeping up the prayers here and sending my love!

    ps...my Cherry Berry opened last week :) Looking forward to getting together this summer!

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  11. I can't imagine the pain of holding your baby in so much pain...you must have made Jesus and Mary very happy with all your sacrifices and prayers. I can't believe how nicely he has healed already. will keep praying!

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  12. They did such a wonderful job and Simeon looks so great. Thanks for sharing these photos. It is a work in progress and all will be great. God bless.
    Odie

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  13. Oh Jamie, my heart goes out to you as you've cared for him during his recovery process. I know you'd trade places in an instant with him... if only we could spare our children pain! Sweet Simeon is doing so well, it is an incredible transformation! Love his big blue eyes. God's blessings to all of you!

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  14. That is just amazing! Thank you for sharing these pictures. I'm SO, SO sorry that he and you have to go through this. It's agony to watch your little one suffer. I'm so glad to read a little bit of a smile in your words today, though. Good job, Mama! And Happy belated Mother's Day! :)

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  15. That is just amazing! Thank you for sharing these pictures. I'm SO, SO sorry that he and you have to go through this. It's agony to watch your little one suffer. I'm so glad to read a little bit of a smile in your words today, though. Good job, Mama! And Happy belated Mother's Day! :)

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  16. Like Arley and others have said, so sorry for his pain and so impressed with his healing. Baby steps for super baby.

    Just wish I could hug you for all you have gone through and knowing there is more....

    Our Lord is the Great Physician.

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  17. You are such a strong mama! The kids and I pray a weekly rosary and without fail one of them will add Simeon to our list of intentions.

    That the body can heal that quickly is nothing short of amazing. Know that we will continue praying for him as he recovers from surgery.

    Sending many hugs to you!

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  18. Oh, Jamie! My heart goes out to you and all that you and poor Simeon have had to suffer. My kiddos have all been asking if I've heard how he was doing. He has been in our daily thoughts and prayers. I'm so happy to see how well he is healing!! Amazing! That smile is beyond precious. Thank you for the update. We will continue to pray for you all.

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  19. I almost missed this on mu dashboard! I'm so glad the surgery went well and healing appears to be going well! What amazing pictures.

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  20. Wow! My continued prayers for healing and strength.

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  21. Jamie

    I'm so confused as to what happened to my comment! I'm scanning all your comments and the one I left earlier isn't here!

    Well, basically what I said is that I'm so happy to see Simeon smile again. I've been thinking of you guys, hoping and praying that you would be holding up okay. I put myself in your place of what you have had to face and those other surgeries...you are doing such a good thing for your baby though. I know it's so painful for both of you and I can't imagine the dread you must feel. Thank you for letting us know how everything is going and we will continue to pray!
    In the meantime, Simeon looks FANTASTIC!!

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  22. Oh Jamie, so happy that sweet Simeon has gotten his smile back! I KNOW how hard it is to watch your child suffer and not be able to do anything about it. I was in agony while Sanjay suffered and fought back from his brain bleed and then, when he could no longer fight, to hold him and let him go back to God...the whole time reflecting on Mary and her suffering as her Son was crucified!The only thing that got me through it was Faith and the prayers of others...still praying for your family...and I will do so at each and every surgery that Simeon faces.

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  23. He is healing so quickly! So happy to see these beautiful pictures, and to see him smiling. :) I can so relate to what you were feeling as you were watching Simeon deal with the pain. It is one of the hardest things for a mother to experience, I think because as a mother, you are used to being able to make it all better for your children. We do have magic kisses after all. :) It's hard to know that that the future holds more surgeries for Simeon. Will be praying for all of you through the entire process.

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  24. Jamie -

    Never doubt that we stand with you. Our prayers and thoughts and wishes are with you. If you can't feel our love for you, remember to be buoyed by His love. HE is there to hold you up.

    He's beautiful and always has been. Those eyes are amazing and I'm hoping that this first surgery will help him with his eating and comfort - after the healing, of course.

    Take care of yourself and take a few minutes to have time for yourself for a little refresher, because you have to be drained emotionally and physically. Talk a quick walk around the house, listen to some music, or just close your eyes and breathe.

    God Bless!

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  25. Wow Jamie!

    It's absolutley amazing what doctors can do (with so many things).

    My thoughts and prayers have been with you, Simeon & your entire family.

    I tend to think of Mary quite a bit when I see my kids go through anything. Probably more for me, if Mary can do it, she'll get me through it too. She never fails, nor does her Son. :)

    I love the smile in Simeon's eyes...both before and after. He's very precious! Oh, and I LOVE the red hair! :)

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  26. Jamie Jo, he is beautiful! he is perfect! I can really see the healing changes in those pics from day to day. his smile is so adorable, and his eyes are beaming with joy!! You've done so well making it through this very difficult process, and I am praying for you and your family and your brave little boy !!

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  27. Just amazing! Thank you for the photos; it really helps us appreciate more of what you are all going throug. He looks great. Hang in there. God gives only enough grace for today, so don't waste today's portion on tomorrow. Sending prayers and cyber hugs. He just looks so good; I can't believe what they are capable of doing; thanks be to God!

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  28. Prayers for his continued recovery, Jamie. One day at a time is the best for a little while...he's doing so good. It's comforting to see him smile.

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  29. Wow- he really has gone through alot! We are still praying for him and all of you. Glad to see he is doing well:)
    Hugs and prayers!

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  30. Oh Jamie~Thank you for sharing your witness to the Cross. It's often much later that we realize the impact of all the prayers...I'm sure you haven't been able to see the forrest through the trees! Wow, what an amazing transformation little Simeon has gone through. We will keep praying for peace to prevail:) May God's love and abundant blessings continue to reign down on all of you!

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  31. Amazing!!!!!!!! Love that sweet boy!!! You can do this Jamie!!!

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  32. He is healing beautifully and it is wonderful to see his sweet smile again! You and your family continue to be in my prayers.

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  33. Jamie,
    Thanks for sharing these photos! How amazing that he is healing quickly. You poor thing seeing baby S as you did the first day. That would have broke my heart. I am just glad he is healing well and you have the first surgery behind you. A toast to that! ;)

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  34. When our Possible came out of heart surgery. I felt so guilty that I ever said ok to any of it. I wanted to make it better for her but it was her cross not mine. My cross was to watch and suffer by watching.

    As I sit in the hospital waiting for the babies to grow while trying to not go insane or let my blood pressure get out of control I have been thinking of your precious baby so much.

    Then seeing his face, even at day 2 with his beautiful eyes, gave me hope. My cross isn't so bad and I need to smile more.

    I can't wait to show the kids when they visit. They have asked each day but I wasn't able to check computer until I got more stable. Thank you for sharing the good, the bad and the outcome. I know that your little man will continue to grow and to heal, all while showing you how much God loves you!

    Good luck this special weekend. Thank you.

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  35. I hope that you can relax for Communion tomorrow! My two oldest have been praying for Simeon, my daughter even asked her friends at school to do so. I just shared these pictures with them and they were happy to see him recovering. They think he is so sweet.

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  36. I can't believe how amazing that surgery was! His new lip looks wonderful.

    I understand how much this much must suck for parents though. :-(

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  37. Oh Jamie, I know how hard it is to see your children in pain like that. My heart goes out to you. I am still praying for you and your family. He is healing so well!

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