Saturday, November 16, 2013

Update on our friends in the Philippines

I am relieved and happy to report that our friends in the Philippines are fine and were unaffected by the recent super typhoon.  They do know pastors in the devastated area and are currently there helping to care for those who need help.

Dr. Joy is working in partnership with the organization my mom and I traveled with--Advancing Native Missions (ANM).  If you are looking for a way to donate to the effort in the Philippines and want to be sure your money will be used wisely, I can vouch for the fact that ANM will do so.

To donate through them...Click here.  And I know they value your prayers even if you cannot give money.

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

Jordan's Third Surgery

Jordan had his third--and what we hoped was his last--ear construction surgery a week and a half ago.  The surgeon had to retrieve cartilage from Jordan's rib area as well as take skin from there to use as a skin graft on the back of his ear.
He had a hard time after the four hour surgery with nausea and struggling to wake up.  I wish they would have just let him sleep it off!  He probably should have been admitted overnight.  The anesthesiologist thought he would need to be.  But nope....we were heading home a few hours after he was parked in the recovery room.  I felt so bad for him because I knew that if we had just let him lie still and sleep, he most likely would not have thrown up.  UGGGGHHHHHH.

Waiting to be taken back to surgery....
And after...  So tired.

Afterwards, the doctor said he needed one more surgery to finish Jordan's earlobe and also to kill some of the hair follicles that cause hair to grow out of the top of the ear.  

Jordan has had to wear the 'helmet' since surgery but we are hoping that this Friday will be the last day of it.  

We were able to get a peek at his new ear when the bandages were changed last week but his ear was so swollen that it looked nothing like it will look when its healed. 
Which is good because it was a bit unsettling.
The doctor assured us that he was pleased with how it looked for one week post-op.
"Ahhhhh....my head can breathe!"
But not for long.  The helmet had to go back on.
I think he is an incredibly patient child.
Almost done!
Now for the fun part.  Not.
Hahaha...we thought this was so funny!  Thankfully, they taped his 'stem' down.

I am so proud of him!  He doesn't complain, he just deals with it and goes about his day.