(Banner from the Group for July-Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month)
Yesterday, was the 6 month anniversary of a Mommy Group that I am in. When Emma was first born and we were having trouble with her eating, I looked all over for information to help her with her feedings. I looked at information from hospitals, moms, random research…I searched everywhere! LITERALLY! One day I was on Facebook, and I search Cleft Lip/Palate or something to that effect, and found a group called “A Cleft Mommy’s bond of Friendship”…this group was a God Send to Darrick and I! I was able to connect with these moms on a different level because they knew exactly what I was going through (my thoughts, feelings, concerns) they had been in my shoes literally and they were there to help!
Back to Yesterday…since the anniversary was yesterday the creator of the group had a surprise for the members. She kept telling us she had something for us but it was a surprise…well at 9:00am yesterday the surprise was revealed. It was a slide show of all the babies! It was AMAZING!!! I cried the first time watching it as I sat with Emma in my arms, and I showed my mom and nephew last night and cried through it a second time. I am getting ready to cry again just writing about it. It had quotes, testimonials, and pictures…and it showed not only the children but the parents as well! I felt so HONORED to be a part of this group! When I found these ladies Emma was in the hospital and they were giving me support, now I am able to give other moms support because I made it through that obstacle, and now we are on to surgery on July 24!
Being a mom to a Cleft Lip/Palate baby has been an experience like no other! I knew I was taking on a lot when I found out I was pregnant. I knew being a mom was SERIOUS BUSINESS…but when we found out she had a cleft lip I didnt know what to expect! I heard that she would have surgery and then she would go on with life like any other child…WRONG!
No one ever told Darrick and I that we along with the rest of the family would have to be advocates for Emma! When she had feeding problems in the hospital the Occupational Therapist kept telling us don’t worry she will catch on, do go out spending a lot of money on bottles…well what do you know we tried a few based off suggestions of other moms and one of them worked!!! Although, there are no other problems with Emma and her development, she goes to see an Occupational Therapist every other week so they can monitor her development! Emma has to have tubes put in her ears during this first surgery to prevent further problems with her ears…Thank God we haven’t had ANY ear infections!! Emma had to have a feeding tube in order for them to let her go home from the hospital, because she wasn’t eating 100% of all her feeds by mouth! Well once we got home Mommy, Daddy became the nurse and the occupational therapist and today Emma is eating 100% by mouth, and eating solids!!! Whoop Whoop!!! We also go see a dentist on a weekly basis due to the mouth piece that she is using and to monitor the growth of the lip and palate and prep it for surgery! Its an ongoing experience…it doesnt end with surgery! And Darrick and I would do it ALL OVER again if we had to, to ensure our child is getting the proper care she needs.
Since its Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month…everyday there are statuses the creator of the group post with Cleft Facts…I have re-posted a few on my status.
Today’s status hit HOME…so I will share it with you!
Below is the status from today…I changed it a bit to fit my personal experience…
Patience – Love – Comfort – Support –
As a cleft mommy, I had to have a whole different sense of patience with Emma which came very easily for me. When a cleft baby is born, most mommies blame themselves and I for one did alot of blaming even after I learned I did nothing wrong. As a mommy, it’s hard not to.
As a cleft mommy, I had to have a whole different sense of patience with Emma which came very easily for me. When a cleft baby is born, most mommies blame themselves and I for one did alot of blaming even after I learned I did nothing wrong. As a mommy, it’s hard not to.
Patience – Love – Comfort – Support –
We learn how to feed our babies with special bottles in special positions and constantly worry if they’re gaining weight.
Patience – Love – Comfort – Support –
Some of our babies need taping/NAM’s to prepare them for surgery then we go through pre – op, surgery, waiting room, post – op and recovery. At this point, we become nurses too!
Patience – Love – Comfort – Support
Our babies go through many evaluations and therapies. At this point, we become their guidance counselors, teachers, and therapists.
Patience – Love – Comfort – Support
Our babies get older and wonder about their scars and speech.
Patience – Love – Comfort – Support –
A Cleft Mommy has an amazingly hard emotional, physical and mental job but I’d do it over and over and over again because the love I have for Emma is unconditional and the greatest gift in the world!
Don’t let the World Change Your Smile;
Let Your Smile Change the World!
