And it begins

Yesterday Scott and I took Brinlee to Primary Children's to meet with Dr. Yamishiro who is the Craniofacial orthodontist so he could make a mold for her prosthesis hard palate. As we met with him we expressed concern about the fact that Brinlee has had an upset tummy for about a week and we weren't sure if it had to do with her formula recall or the fact that her siblings all got the flu mist last week and were throwing up over the weekend and first part of the week. Not to mention the fact that I got a cold and the flu about the same time. Dr. Yamishiro called Brinlee's plastic surgeon Dr. Morales and talked to him about the circumstances and basically they left it up to us whether we do the mold and keep her surgery date or reschedule just in case she is sick. We went to a waiting room and fed Brinlee and discussed what we should do. If they reschedule her surgery they are a month out and it wouldn't be until November 4th. She isn't sick now, so we opted to have the mold made and keep her surgery date and we will just pray she is healthy an that they are able to do the surgery. I was an emotional wreck in the doctors office. I have been gearing up for this surgery and the fact that it could be postponed threw me for a loop.

After the doctors appointment we went and got some dinner and then went back to Primary's for a surgery class where they give us a tour of the surgical unit and talk to us about what will happen and what to expect on surgery day. They also answered any questions we had. This was also very emotional for me and hard. I can't believe surgery day is coming so quickly and I am so scared. Deep down I know everything will be okay, but I am very nervous and worried for my baby and how it will affect her. I hope she handles things okay and that it isn't too painful and that it doesn't affect her feedings, etc. I think part of the reason today was so hard was because I am not feeling well, but it was hard none the less.

While we were in the waiting room I caught Brinlee's first smile on film. I have been wanting her to smile before her first surgery so this was very special for me and it made things a lot better.

All about me

My name is Brinlee Monica Buchanan. I was born on Friday August 20th at 9:13 pm at Timpanogos Regional Hospital. I weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. I was born with bi-lateral cleft lip and I was born without a hard and soft palate. My mommy and daddy were told that I would struggle with eating and that I would probably not pass my newborn hearing test. I proved them wrong by passing my newborn hearing test and becoming a champ at eating. mommy and Daddy feed me with a special bottle that they can squeeze the milk out of since I cannot suck on my own. I am growing like a weed and I am adored by my mommy and daddy and my big brothers Wyatt and Matthew and big sister Cassidy. My mommy says I am her little miracle because of how well I am excelling despite the challenges I was born with. My daddy says I was given to our family to bring them an increase of love and faith and he hopes he can be worthy of the blessing that I am. I am a beautiful baby girl who will soon be going through some very tough times, but mommy says I am strong and with the help of my Heavenly Father and a loving earthly family I will make it through. This blog is for all the people in my life who love me and want to share in my journey with cleft lip and palate.