Hello everyone & welcome to our blog!

Jack was born April 23, 2009 with 10 fingers, 10 toes and a clean bill of health. We, like all new parents, were beaming with delight and joy that our son had decided to join us in the outside world!

As time went on and doctor appointments came and went, we silently noticed our kiddo still had the misshapen head of when he was born. We, not knowing any better, thought it was normal and the "bump" would settle down on it's own in due time. Stefanie, Jack and I showed up at our 4 month appointment happy as can be, and left dumbfounded. Our pediatrician expressed concern with the shape of Jack's head and he sent us for a head x-ray, followed by a CT scan to check for Craniosynostosis (a congenital defect that causes one or more sutures on a baby's head to close earlier than normal. Sutures are connections that separate each individual skull bones. The early closing of a suture leads to an abnormally shaped head.). I tried to focus on what the doctor was telling us, but all I could think about was the rather large word that our doctor had effortlessly enunciated, let alone worrying about what the heck that meant for Jack. So the appointments were made with Children's Mercy Hospital.

Jack had his 1st head x-ray and CT scan at 4 and 1/2 months old. I think that may be a record in our family. Way to go son!! The plastic surgeon, Dr. Singhal, reviewed the results and informed us that Jack did indeed have Craniosynostosis, a complete closure of the Sagittal suture and partial closure of the Lambdoid suture.

Dr. Singhal recommended that we have the surgery at approx. 8-9 months. At this age, the kiddos handle the surgery better, recovery time is faster, and the amount of blood loss is lower resulting in less transfusions. The surgery will open the closed sutures to allow for future growth and development and correct the shape of his head.

We had a few pre-op appointments along the way, but nothing serious and Jack has been all smiles.

More updates to follow...

Cory & Stefanie