The big cleft eval appointment

Medko spent about 4 hours at Duke Hospital today, seeing 6+ members of their cleft palate team. He glowed with all the attention - and they were great. He has a bit of hearing loss in his left ear (recent ear infection) and a bit of fluid in both. He has a follow-up with both the Ear, Nose & Throat MD and the audiologist in a month. The surgeon was pleased, and said he'd see us in a year. The orthodontist was very pleased/surprised because Medko has an overbite, and most bi-lateral cleft kids have the reverse. After a year or two, he'll take a panoramic x-ray and possibly a bone graft to make sure he has a one-piece upper jaw and bone for the roots of his permanent teeth to attach to.

The speech pathology ladies (2) were pleased with the sounds Medko was making and that we have already begun his speech therapy. They are especially pleased with his level of effort (facial expression when "ramping up" for a 'p' is quite intense) and his willingness to try many of the sounds.

He'll have an eval by the Durham County Schools staff for speech therapy from them soon.

No surgery in his future, provided we can get the fluid to drain from his ears.

YAY!!!!