"A New Kind of Normal"

It has been a long time since we posted. I guess it's because things don't seem out of the ordinary for us anymore. Shea doesn't wear her teeth around home more than she does, and we don't really notice anymore. She keeps her Super Glue and Fixodent close by in case there's a mishap, but there isn't a big reaction from any of us anymore when the teeth are dropped, broken or falling out! Shea has a number of doctors' appointments, but it's just what she's gotten used to, so to us it's like the title of a book by Carol Kent -- "A New Kind of Normal."

The appliance that was surgically implanted in Shea's hard palate was intended to grow bone vertically and horizontally so that there would be bone in which to implant her three front teeth. As some of you may remember, she had a surgery where they grafted bone from her hip, and it was unsuccessful. At another surgery they grafted bone from her skull, and it was also unsuccessful. This was Dr. Nunn's and Dr. Mill's last resort and was a surgery neither of them had ever performed before. After looking at the x-rays, it looks like Shea has grown some good hard bone! We are thrilled and grateful that it appears this surgery was successful.

This Saturday, June 7th at 9 am Shea will have another surgery where this appliance will be removed. We're praying that it will be a quick and uneventful procedure, but there is the chance that her bone has grown around the appliance which could make it difficult for them to remove. Thankfully, Shea will have anesthesia for this operation. Please pray for a quick removal of this appliance and for a great recovery. Shea has had a number of long and major surgeries, and so it's exciting for us to see the end of the road that slants somewhat downhill -- easier and much closer to the finish line! If all goes as planned, Shea's final surgery should be in November sometime!

Thank you for your love and faithful prayers.

The Hickoks