Recovery

Recovery mode. Especially for our Carson Jeffrey who just underwent another ear surgery. I alluded to it previously and now we're on the other side of it.


Our referral to Dr. Shelton (a specialist) at the University of Utah hospital has been met nothing short of any expectations we may have had. Exceeding actually.


Prepped and ready for surgery!!

Carson's surgery was a success, and in Dr. Shelton's own words, stated a few times following: "it couldn't have gone better.....I was very pleased...it couldn't have gone more smoothly." He was able to remove all of the cholesteatoma that had grown back since the last surgery, getting at the root of it, and with an evident confidence in his voice said, "it ain't growing back!" Carson's ear drum contained a lot of scar tissue build up so he "tossed it out" and put a plastic one in place. The team of doctors and nurses that worked alongside him was nothing short of professional, making sure at every turn we were informed, comfortable, had questions answered, etc. Recovery following surgery was what we anticipated as far as Carson's waking up from anesthesia, his battling the nausea and sickness....didn't make it any easier to watch our son be in so much discomfort, but we were prepared. And BOTH Andy and I were able to be in the recovery with him from start to finish, something we hadn't been able to do with his previous surgeries! The nurses had such a caring bedside manner, were very accommodating, and made all the transitions as smooth as possible for the three of us. As you can tell, despite the exhaustion of the day overall and those tick-tocking moments of waiting during surgery, our experience this time around was the best we've had so far. Quite a difference from surgery number 1 to surgery number 4. And God gets all the glory. He continues to carry us through. Joshua 1:9 has been our 'go-to' verse of comfort this time around. We rest in His continuing of unfolding Carson's story in His way...yet confident in the doctor's skilled hands in looking toward the next phase.

taking a good rest with daddy--that helped a lot!

working on a popsicle...that came up later :/

ready to go home!!

And now, Carson is recovering. He's swollen. And sore. And still not quite himself. But he's a little fighter and ready to move forward. Our post-op appt. will be later in Sept...yes, another drive to SLC...and at this point, another surgery next summer to finally do the reconstruction phase. From there, hearing will hopefully be restored and, Lord willing, another chapter to Carson's story complete.

working on some legos...still not himself, but getting better!

For the rest of this faith-family, we are still in somewhat of a 'recovery mode' after our summer trek to MN, MT, and back again. The missing of family and friends never really goes away, just suppressed a bit more.



He was born August 11th!!

our new precious nephew--Joseph Albert Hinton!

Enjoying one more day at the outdoor pool with cousin Daniel!! (pre-surgery)

And I'm pretty sure I'm in a 'pre-recovery mode' just by thinking ahead to that first day of school, which happens to be Monday. :/ The school supplies are bought. The backpacks already hanging on the doorknobs. School lunch ingredients stashed in the fridge. The Kleenex stowed away in the van. *sigh*