Decisions...Decisions...

It's hard to believe, but the time has finally come to address the one issue we were aware of when we first met our little man...the ear...or "nub" as we affectionately call it.

We had our initial appointment with his new ear surgeon last Friday. (Remember his old guy ABANDONED us last year. To move to Utah. To start a private practice. Whatever, man. We don't hang out with quitters.) Where was I...oh right...new guy.

Dr. Owen walked me through the various options as I tried to keep Zane from swinging from the rafters. I usually have my trusty Dr wife (don't laugh...we've had something interesting conversations!) or my actual hubby to help interpret/remember all the details AND corral Zane. This time, I found myself alone for the most intricate discussion since we adopted the 2 kiddos. Me. Details. And all of this was while Zane was literally hanging from the light and checking my vitals and the whole nine. **sigh**

I'll do my best to give you all the run-down, realizing that Chris and I haven't had even a second to have the conversation it will take to make this decision! One thing to note with all of the options below, except #1, is that the nub will likely be removed completely. This is actually different than previously discussed but understandable. Just something else to process for Zane.

Option 1: DO NOTHING. We were actually tossing this option around 2-3 years ago. Zane was completely oblivious to the nub and didn't seem bothered by it in the least. Fast-forward. Zane is now very self-aware and is constantly asking when he can get his ear "fixed." He doesn't like to have people ask about it at all. Even though he understands that kids are curious, he takes it as "mean" when they whisper about his nub to their parents or each other. (He's not imagining that either, as I recognize it happening often...but I've rarely seen it happen with malicious intent.) In spite of our reassurances, he's even to the point now where he doesn't like to go new places where people will see him for the first time. So...option 1 is off the table.

Option 2: PROSTHETIC EAR. This was never mentioned before, but I'm not sure this would be a good fit for Z. No pun intended. They could attach the ear with internal magnets or posts, much like a hearing aid.

Pros: Not surgical. Don't have to worry about blood vessels, ear canal, rejection, recovery time, etc. It would also be the most realistic-looking, as they're able to match his skin tone exactly...as well as the shape, texture, and thickness of his left ear.

Cons: It's removable. It's fragile to the degree that China could chew it, Zane could take it off at-will and do no-telling-what with it. Could traumatize entire soccer teams when it falls off during a game. You get the idea. The surgeon said we could get an extra...we'd need 20. 

Option 3: RIB GRAFT surgery, combined with existing tissue from the nub, to reconstruct a new ear.

Pros: Established method that has been around "forever." Uses all of Zane's own bone/skin/tissue so there's very little possibility of rejection. There are 3 variations of this surgery so we're able to choose the one that would work best for Zane's case.

Cons: Regardless of which of the methods is chosen, the rib graft plan would actually be 4 different surgeries, separated by about 6 months each. That means the whole process would take almost 2 years. :/ He would also have a pretty significant scar on his rib as well as the recovery-time doubling. The rib-graft ear is a good bit thicker than his natural ear  because it's not possible for them to match the thin, yet flexible composition of the natural ear. It could also discolor a bit over time. We have to be concerned with blood vessels, misplaced ear canal, etc.

Option 4: MED PRO ear. This is basically a plastic ear that is created to mimic the existing ear, covered in skin grafts from Zane. These would be taken from under his arm, behind his ear, his hip, etc. This is very polarized option...doctors are either for or against it...no middle ground.

Pros: It's a one-time surgery. The plastic is more sturdy and is easier to shape into the more realistic imitation of the other ear. No rib extraction necessary.

Cons: It's the "new kid" on the block since it's only been around 20 years. I can only assume that the skin grafts would require some healing time. There is a potential for extrusion...the plastic could pop THROUGH the skin at some point. Very rare, but still a possibility. 

So...yea...there they are. 3 completely different options to choose from...piece of cake. 

He literally said Chris and I needed to google all the options...for real, GOOGLE...and decide what we think we want to do. 

In addition, there's the timeline. I asked Dr. Owens how far out we'd be looking at, once we decide what to do. He said he thinks it should be done as soon as possible, given his age and growth. When I asked if that could be as soon as next summer, he said he would say it could be late spring, at the latest. :0 So basically...Zane gets the titanium plate out of his jaw in April, it heals, and then we do the ear. Again... :0! 

In the meantime, the doctor will be discussing Zane's inner ear with Dr. K. He's not sure why that hasn't been part of the conversation yet...as that will determine how they proceed with whatever decision is made. If there's a potential that Zane could hear one day, then we need to salvage the existing ear canal, navigating around it and avoiding it at all costs. If that's not a possibility, regardless of what we do, then they will just "obliterate" the canal and save a lot of time. Pretty big part of the decision-making process.

So basically...no big deal.

Lots and lots...oh, and lots...of decisions to be made and prayed over! We appreciate all of you that choose to join us in that!  

December 11th...the day of Chick-Fil-A goodness

Well, hello there! 

I know you've been eagerly awaiting for the update about Zane from this past Monday! October 18th...that's the last time big Z ate with the rest of the family...since then, his belly has been filled with the following:

Tomato Soup
Mashed Potatoes
Yogurt
Cottage Cheese
Applesauce
Ice Cream

Then a month ago, he graduated to:

Mac 'n' Cheese
Ramen Noodles

Since October 19th. Yea...I know, right.

SO you can understand why Zane had a literal countdown going on in his room...on a calendar...X's and all. He also made his food list in order of importance:

Shrimp (tell me about it)
Pizza (sausage for the win...Mazzio's please)
Hot Dog (definition of "can't even")
Meatballs (who wouldn't)
Potato Chips (need to CRUNCH)
Doritos (there's a difference, people) 
Tacos (because we've raised him right)

With much excitement, Z and I made the familiar trek up to Iowa City this past Monday. Without much drama, he was given the all-clear to eat what he wishes...taking a little care to not go too crazy with hard stuff initially. As you can imagine, he was pretty stoked. 

There was some bad news, however...he will still be on activity restrictions until mid-January. It's all about avoiding the unpredictable...the stray soccer ball flying into his face, the tripping/falling and smacking your head on the ground, the things you never see coming that have Zane's name written all over them. 

So you can continue to pray for the little man and his friends and family in that regard. All is going great, and he has healed incredibly well...we just need to dig deep for another month and KEEP HIM DOWN. If you know Zane well, you know how difficult this part is for him!

No RECESS.
No P.E.
No PLAYING OUTSIDE.
No RUNNING, JUMPING, FLIPPING.
Not even WALKING THROUGH THE HALLWAY ON HIS OWN.

Since October 18th. He's done with the whole deal. So please continue to pray for that and praise God for all He's already done for Zane throughout this whole process!

Surgical ear appointment was today...and so we begin the new path to the next surgery...but that's an update for another day! :)

To celebrate the "half all-clear," we headed to the mall to grab some food. On the top of Zane's list? Hot dog. Wish I were kidding. But the poor guy hadn't eaten solid food (let's use that term loosely in the context of eating a HOT DOG) since mid-October so he gets what he wants in this little scenario. 

Side-note: I pinky-swear I did not deliberately sabotage his deep longing for the not-really-food top choice, but I did go to Chick-Fil-A. For a hot dog. They sell chicken. The one meat NOT thrown together in a hot dog. Oops...

BUT the poor little guy was literally DROOLING over something to put in his mouth so he declined moving to a different restaurant and happily took a cookies 'n cream shake in place of the hot dog. Not raising a complete imbecile. Needless to say, big man scarfed down some nuggets, waffle fries, and that shake in a matter of minutes! 

Let's see if I can distract him quite as easily when he wants to go outside and play...hey Zane, how about another rousing game of UNO?!? 

Better yet...just go grab some Doritos, dude. 

All will be well.