For those of you less versed in medical administration (which is most of you out there), an EOB is the Explanation of Benefits that you receive in the mail after a medical consultation, which always includes my favorite line “This is not a bill.” Our first EOB arrived yesterday for all of our visits to Comer, and we anticipate enough of these arriving at our home in the following months (and years) to wallpaper most of our first floor. This afternoon Brian and I joked that the EOBs arriving from today’s day-o-specialists alone might meet our annual out-of-pocket maximum.

Today was our big surgical consult with the Craniofacial Team– and let me tell you, they were thorough. We were “warned” that this would be no 30 minute special. This team, consisting of a plastic surgeon, orthodontic surgeon, geneticist, speech pathologist and feeding therapist, and an ear-nose-and throat doctor along with their respective gaggle of interns, residents, and fellows, all met with Alexander today. We dutifully rolled our stroller from small exam room to exam room while Alexander worked his magic. While he wasn’t thrilled to have people poking around in his mouth, he smiled for just about every photograph the team took. It was pretty darn hysterical to have our little man sitting on an exam table throwing out this huge grin to a bunch of doctors more than ready for a bucket of tears– and he even did the Kelly “outstretched arms” pose complete with jubilant “la la” once for the orthodontist.  Needless to say, he made an impression.

We can’t say enough good things about the team so far– the geneticist even went searching for our next appointment doctor so we didn’t have to sit around too long in the waiting room– who does that!?!?

The result of all our appointments is pretty much what we expected. Our man needs surgery, and most likely several. Because of the size of his cleft, the surgeon wants to do several progressive surgeries rather than 1 big one. That way, his little body will better be able to adjust to the  changes, and the surgeries will have better chance for taking. (a constant risk for any cleft surgery is that holes occur or the palate closure pops back open over time). We are waiting to hear back from the surgery scheduler, but we figure we’ll hear about potential dates soon. Also, although it’s never a 100% guarantee, the geneticist was really pleased with Alexander’s progress and seemed somewhat surprised that he was able to stand with support. Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common birth defects in the world, but it is often also associated with other disorders or complications. From everything they assessed, it looks as though aside from institutionalization-related delays, our little man is right on track.

I also have to admit that after 6 appointments, I finally welled up a little at the hospital today. I know many people who are reading this have gone through similar and/or more trying experiences with their own kids, but I feel compelled to share. I made it through almost the entire day, but when we finally got to some behavioral auditory testing, it hit me how much this little guy is going through (even though hopefully he will have limited memory of it, if at all). I was standing in the control booth with one of the therapists while Brian sat with Alexander on his lap in the testing room. Luckily, I was able to pull myself together before the technician and everyone else could see, but it definitely hit me.  Knowing my little man has a long road of medical care and therapy in front of him just breaks my heart, but I am grateful his cheerful spirit and trust in us will make it easier.