Post-Op Care … And Hair
May 17, 2010 7:50 AM

On Thursday, May 6th, Juliana had her latest surgery, and she was back in her own bed the next night! She had three procedures done, a revision of her left Baha hearing aide implant, a revision of the scar tissue on her right shoulder, and a procedure called "debulking," which is a step in the process of forming the cheeks on her face. Despite incisions, suture lines, facial swelling, and the accompanying soreness, she's relieved and glad to be home.

The first night or so she's very "guarded," resisting touch, and just wanted to be left alone, as any of us would be. At this point most of her wound care is done while she's sleeping.

Now it's ten days post-op. Juliana likes to participate in her "evening care." She'll put some foaming soap on a gauze pad and cleanse along the incision lines (which are mostly healed now), then spread on a bit of ointment. She's still very protective of her left Baha hearing aide implant, so I take care of that one when she's asleep.

She's been staying home from school while her incisions heal. Because she doesn't have to get up so early in the morning, she gets to watch a DVD before she goes to sleep. Her current favorite is the Chipmunk sequel with the Chipettes. She doesn't want to lay down until the Chipettes dance, so she can dance along with them. She loves to dance, and will be taking tap and ballet this summer.

Also coming this summer is something I have lobbied long and hard for—a haircut! Everyone loves Juliana's long hair. I'll just say that shampooing and combing her long hair has not been easy. Just recently she's become very cooperative, and actually helps with rinsing the shampoo out. But now she has decided she'd like a haircut.

As it turns out, there is going to be an event for "Locks of Love," on July 18th, at the Orange Park Mall, called "Kutting for Kids." "Locks of Love" accepts donations of hair to make wigs for cancer patients, etc. Their web site is www.locksoflove.org. I expect First Coast News will broadcast Juliana's haircut as it will help a good cause.

We'll post a new picture of Juliana when her swelling goes down. By the way, Juliana's new sister Danica settled right in and is happy as can be. Although the same age as Juliana, she's very small and dainty, and has acquired the nickname "Tinkerbell" or "Tink."

—Jeanne ("Party")