update on Karington

OK we went to the plastic surgeon yesterday as part of the "cleft pallet team" to check my 4 yr old daughter's pallet to see if there was problems causing her speech problems and to make her so nasal when she talks.. He said it "Looks" normal from what he can see but it sounds like the pharyngeal flap is not working and he might need to do surgery to extend her pallet back so that the air coming out of her nose when she talks isnt overtaking the air coming out of her mouth.. But hes not going to jump into surgery without knowing for certain, so he is sending us to Columbia to a doctor who can test the energy coming out of her nose vs. mouth and he will go from there. he also said that her jaw structure is "different" and that the bottom jaw receedes, while the top jaw is really narrow and protrudes, which we already knew. But the dentist we saw kinda blew it off to wait until she had permenant teeth to do anything, and he said we needed to see Dr Smiley and orthodontist whos part of this pallet team thing now. So he set up an appt with him as well. The dr we saw was dr hobbs in spartanburg and he was GREAT with karington who was scared. You would think he was a pediatrician instead of a plastic surgeon! After we got finished and was getting all the appts, he stopped back in and told me not to worry that it will all work out one way or another. So i feel better after talking to him, not to mention that the columbia dr was backed up until May So i have time to breathe! We dont have to rush into anything. Thanks everyone for all the prayers ill update after we see the orthodontist. jen

Prayers are with you! Hugs, Melony

I am glad to have a little relief. Iknow how hard it is when your babies need surgery. My youngest had minor surgery to remove a tube from her ear and apply a patch. Nothing major at all, but I would have rathered them take my hand off then do anything to her. I am glad you have some time to think about all this. Have you spoken with a speech therapist? ( Rachel). Is it possible that she will out grow these problems as her jaw and mouth grows? Keep us posted!!! Melissa

Thanks so much for the update! Sounds like she is getting the best of care. I'm glad they are being thorough before they try surgery! (((HUGS))) to you two! Keep us updated! Love ya, Elizabeth

I'm glad to hear some of the pressure is off. I'm sure she is in good hands. You guys will still be in my thoughts! Kathy

Glad to hear that you are feeling better. I hope that you get all this fixed the least invasive way! If you have any questions, call me, I'll ask my supervisor. I don't know all that anatomy stuff!!! Rachel

((((((((((((((((((((((((( hugs ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Glad you can take a breath. Dawn

I'm happy to know everything went OK for her. Sounds like your in good hands with these doctors. Mary