February 22, 2016

We had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Muntz this afternoon.

In preparation for countless trips to Salt Lake, we sold our gas hog SUV last year and bought a car.  With gas prices low & great gas mileage it has been a huge blessing, especially with medical bills mounting.

We love Dr. Muntz!  He is a fantastic doctor.  Kambri is warming up to him with every visit.  He removed the stitches and the bolster (the part that was holding the skin graft in place) from behind the ear.  That was painful for her, poor thing.  Oh how I wish I could take her pain away.  We've been discussing bravery a lot this week at our house.  She's convinced that she isn't brave because she sometimes cries.  You have no idea just how brave you are little one!!  You are braver than any 6 year old girl should have to be.  

Over the next few weeks as the swelling goes down the ear will pop into proper position.  Although we are thrilled about this process, it is going to take some time for us to adjust to it.  It's different.  It has changed her looks and that has been harder for us to accept than I expected.  She doesn't like to look at it and to tell you the truth, it's really hard for me too.  We just keep reminding ourselves that in the end she will be able to hear and that makes it all worth it!

We've been trying for 2 days to remove the gauze from the skin graft with no luck.  It is still stuck.  As the Larsen family would say dang stuck ;).  Dr. Muntz couldn't get it off either so he smothered it in ointment and put another piece of gauze on top of it.  The hope is that the ointment will seep through and will release it from the wound.  I never would've guessed that the skin graft would be the most painful part of this surgery.  Two of the hardest surgeries are out of the way, the next two should be a breeze in comparison.

And of course, we couldn't take a trip to Primary's without coming home with some sort of prize.  For all that she's been through, she deserves to be a little spoiled.

(we are going to be collecting items throughout the year & will be donating prizes to Primary Children's Hospital for other children to enjoy at Christmas time if anyone is interested in joining us)

We've been the recipients of so many acts of kindness and we are extremely grateful.  There are no words to describe the gratitude and overwhelming love we feel.  We are grateful for the many prayers offered in her behalf.  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!