In most cases, clefts are detected during ultra sounds but my youngest son was being stubborn and would never show his face during ultra sounds and so his went undetected until birth. We were took totally by surprise because we don’t have any history on either side of clefts that we are aware of. At first I wished I would of known before birth so we could of prepared our self for what was to come but then again I’m glad I didn’t know until birth because I would of spent my whole pregnancy worrying.

Preston was born with a Bi-lateral Cleft Lip and Palate. He was immediately transferred to another hospital out of town that was better equipped to teaching him how to eat. This was extremely emotionally hard for me. I wasn’t able to hold my son before being transferred and my husband had to leave soon after he was born so he could be with our son. So there was no bonding time for me and my son and the void was even bigger because I couldn’t share my grief with my husband. I wasn’t able to join preston and get to hold him until he was four days old. At first we were terrified to death cause we didn’t know what was to come. All we knew for sure was our little boy was headed down a long road filled with surgeries. During our first week Preston was assigned a plastic surgeon and orthodontist. The orthodontist fitted preston with a top partial that would close his palate and allow him to be able to suck alittle better. Which brings to mind a very funny story about bringing Preston home from the hospital. One of our other sons, Tyler who was seven at the time, went with us to bring Preston home. Tyler was very curious and concerned about his baby brother. On the way home Tyler was riding in the backseat admiring his baby brother when preston began to cry and while doing so his mouth piece managed to fall out. Poor tyler freaked out and started crying that his brothers tongue fell out of his mouth. At the moment it wasn’t funny, but after we explained to tyler what had happened and more about the mouth piece he was ok and laughed it off.

But, It was a very scary time for me. At first, I hated to change his mouth piece because I was scared I would put it in wrong and he would swallow or choke on it, which he couldn’t but the fear was there so most of the time that was dad’s job until dad had to go back to work so I had to learn to not be scared and eventually I wasn’t and it became something of the normal like it was something everyone had to do with newborns.

For the first Six months of Preston’s life it seemed like all I done was travel to diffrent doctors. Thankfully though Preston was a pretty healthy little boy other than his cleft. I remember we used to get the comment, “Aww, I’m sorry” when someone would see Preston. Our response was no need to feel sorry for us. We are blessed with a wonderful healthy little boy. Yeah, he has a cleft and yes, he does have a long road to travel but it is all cosmetic.

Preston’s first surgery to repair his lip was delayed because after his plastic surgeon kept postponing Preston’s surgery we decided to look into other options. We learned of the Jacksonville, Florida Cleft Team at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital. We made an appointment and was very pleased with the team of doctors that all worked together and would all see him at the same time during his visits there. So as soon as we left we called his local Pediatrician, Dr. Michael Cooper and discussed our visit and changing doctors because his plastic surgeon was in one county and his orthodontist was in another. So he agreed that would be the best decision because the cleft team in Jacksonville would work closely with our local pediatrician. I’m so glad we made the decision we made even though I was hesitant at first about even going to meet with the cleft team because I wasn’t sure about changing everything and preston’t surgery was already behind. So at Seven months old on December 30, 2005 (Tyler’s 8th Birthday) Preston had his first surgery.

Preston’s first surgery was so hard on my husband and myself. We were so scared, as any parent having a child put under for a major surgery. We were told his surgery would last around Three hours so when the Fifth hour rolled around we were really starting to freak. But Preston came through like a little trooper. We stayed over night at the hospital and was released later on the next day. His new look was beautiful, but at times I felt myself missing the old smile that I had came to love.

As of today, Preston is 2 1/2 years old and has had his lip repaired, his palate closed, tubes put into his ears and earlier this year had the tubes replaced. He is a wonderful thriving little boy. Most children born with cleft have some speech problem but preston is doing wonderful with his speech and when tested we were told he didn’t need it. I guess that is thanks to his older brothers for he has learned from them. Preston still has many surgeries to come but believe me nothing holds him down for too long. So, I’m pretty sure he will do very well.

If there was anything I would say to someone that is expecting a child that will be born with a cleft lip or palate it would be, ” Don’t worry. Just thank the Dear God above that it is something cosmetic. For there is much worse defects and health issues your child could of been born with. And, If you see someone staring at your child, don’t get offended and upset. Most likely they are curious so take a minute and answer any questions they have. We had several children just stare at preston and then ask “what’s wrong with your baby.” Some parents got totally embarrassed and others just wondered there selfs so instead of getting upset or hurt we just took the minute to educate others.

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