A Henry Update: Surgery on Friday

This morning Greg and I took Henry to the surgeon to see about getting his cleft palate fixed. We were worried about having to wait for a date, and eager to hear what the surgeon would say. Henry was not so eager to be at the doctor's office for a 7:45 a.m. appointment.

Doesn't he look thrilled? 

The good news is that we won't have to wait for a surgery date. Due to an unexpected opening, rather than having to wait two or three months to have this procedure, Henry can have his surgery on Friday. Yup. This Friday.

Poor Henry doesn't know what he's in for on Friday. 

I've spent today in a rush, trying to figure out the logistics of having Henry go into the hospital Friday morning. Thanksgiving dinner is going to be Henry's last meal (at least of solid food) for awhile. Typically, we avoid going out during the morning rush on Black Friday, but this year we will be on our way to the hospital. I am going to be taking a week off from work as Henry heals.

Henry will stay in the hospital Friday night, and, depending on how he handles the pain and how quickly he starts drinking liquids, will get to go home either Saturday or Sunday. The doctor explained the surgery and the liquid diet that Henry will be on afterward as his little mouth heals. It is a very good thing that Henry likes smoothies.

Our surgeon is both a plastic and an oral surgeon, and we've been told he is excellent at this type of surgery. I'm glad that this procedure is being done so quickly, but I am also feeling overwhelmed and more than a little bit emotional. I guess that's pretty normal. Henry is, after all, my baby, and he's only two years old. I think he'll be okay, and I know that this surgery is the best thing for him.