Last July we learned our son Wyatt has a cleft lip and palate. I wasn't with my husband at the time I got the call from the doctor with the results of our 24 week ultrasound. I remember calling him and trying to choke out the words through my tears. The next couple of days were extremely difficult. I felt sad, angry, guilty... there were a lot of tears. Everything with the pregnancy had been normal to this point. Now we were dealing not only with a birth defect but a very visible one. I was grieving the loss of the "perfect" baby every parent expects. I hurt for us and for him. For the procedures he would have to endure and the adversity he would face.
When we first found out about Wyatt's cleft my knowledge of what a cleft was came from infomercials. Looking back I realize I knew almost nothing. As a way of coping I threw myself into research and planning. It helped me feel more comfortable with what we were dealing with but also was overwhelming at times as I realized how much was involved with a cleft.
We were connected with a cleft team right away. It was a comfort to meet and talk with them about what treatment would look like and develop a plan for the initial obstacles we would face. They provided us with a lot of resources and information. Over time I have also found websites, blogs and support groups on Facebook that have been extremely helpful.
It felt like quite the roller coaster for a time between when we found out about the cleft and when Wyatt was born. As we got closer to our due date the world righted itself again. We were anxious and excited to meet our little boy. There was some anxiety as we anticipated seeing the cleft for the first time but it really wasn't that big of a deal after all. I instantly fell in love with every part of him, even his cleft.
Wyatt's cleft has been a part of our lives for one year now. Looking back I can't believe all that has happened in such a short amount of time. It has not been an easy year. We have gone from learning Wyatt has a cleft to understanding what that really means. The first months after Wyatt was born were the hardest. There were many challenges such as a lot of doctor appointments, feeding and pumping, the NAM and taping, and surgeries to deal with. Things have now settled down quite a bit. These days we are busy enjoying life with our two beautiful children.
Wyatt has settled in nicely to his place in our little family. There is a brightness that beams from his big brown eyes and I can't imagine our lives without this happy little guy. What a difference a year can make.
Go Twins!
We were connected with a cleft team right away. It was a comfort to meet and talk with them about what treatment would look like and develop a plan for the initial obstacles we would face. They provided us with a lot of resources and information. Over time I have also found websites, blogs and support groups on Facebook that have been extremely helpful.
It felt like quite the roller coaster for a time between when we found out about the cleft and when Wyatt was born. As we got closer to our due date the world righted itself again. We were anxious and excited to meet our little boy. There was some anxiety as we anticipated seeing the cleft for the first time but it really wasn't that big of a deal after all. I instantly fell in love with every part of him, even his cleft.
Wyatt's cleft has been a part of our lives for one year now. Looking back I can't believe all that has happened in such a short amount of time. It has not been an easy year. We have gone from learning Wyatt has a cleft to understanding what that really means. The first months after Wyatt was born were the hardest. There were many challenges such as a lot of doctor appointments, feeding and pumping, the NAM and taping, and surgeries to deal with. Things have now settled down quite a bit. These days we are busy enjoying life with our two beautiful children.
Wyatt has settled in nicely to his place in our little family. There is a brightness that beams from his big brown eyes and I can't imagine our lives without this happy little guy. What a difference a year can make.
Go Twins!
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