On a personal note, my 7-year old granddaughter (2nd grade) is going in for extensive surgery tomorrow morning (Friday) at 8:00 a.m. Pacific.
Alexa "Lexie" Adams was born with a rare condition called Crouzon Syndrome, a genetic craniofacial condition where there is abnormal fusion between some of the bones of the skull and of the face that does not allow the bones to grow normally.
She will undergo surgery by Dr. Richard Hopper, a renowned craniofacial specialist, at the Seattle Children's Hospital. The surgery is anticipated to be 7-8 hours long, during which Dr. Hopper will install a Rigid External Distraction System (RED). The RED, a titanium halo, will be bolted to her skull and face for manual re-alignment of her facial features.
After surgery, Lexie will be in ICU and put into an induced coma for 2-3 days; then with the surgery over, will remain in the hospital for another 3-5 days. Although the surgery will be over, the swelling - and suffering - will have just begun. It will take another 9-12 weeks for the "turning of the screws" to bring her facial features into what we call "normal".
What I am asking those of you that are interested in doing so, is to send Lexie an E-Greeting during the next couple of days, so that Children's can print them and have your greeting awaiting her after ICU. Please go to: http://www.seattlechildrens.org/, click on "Send a Patient E-Greeting, then develop your own greeting. Our little patient is Alexa or Lexie Adams (not sure how they will register her as, but my daughter said she would try to get both).
SEATTLE CHILDREN’S HOSPITALSeattle Children's Hospital, Foundation, and ResearchOne of the best children's hospitals in the country, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Children's Hospital, Foundation and Research Institute advance pediatric care.
Thank you for your kind consideration...Marv B.
