Carvers Next Surgery -Less than a month away

We haven’t shared a Carver update in quite some time. Life has been busy in the best way. Our days have been filled with getting him big, healthy, and strong. It’s hard to believe he’ll be 10 months old tomorrow.

Carver is doing so well. He’s officially eating mostly solids and purées, and we’ve decided to stick with softer foods leading up to his palate surgery. He’s down to just two bottles a day, which means I was finally able to stop pumping, a huge milestone. Thankfully, we have a freezer stash we’re hoping will carry him to his first birthday. His lip recovery continues to amaze us. Some days, I can barely tell he ever had surgery. We’re still doing scar massages twice a day, and the improvement is noticeable.

Now we’re less than a month away from his next surgery: his palate, gum line, and uvula repair. Saying I’m anxious would be an understatement. It’s on my mind constantly, especially during those quiet moments rocking him to sleep while he cuddles his bottle and pacifier.

We had his pre-op appointment at the end of January, and the preparation has felt overwhelming. By March 10th, he needs to be completely off the bottle and pacifier and drinking only from an open cup. He also won’t be allowed to use spoons. For the first three weeks after surgery, everything will need to be syringe-fed to protect his repair. It sounds nearly impossible, but we’ve been working so hard with him. Thankfully, he’s showing interest in drinking from an open cup. We’re experimenting with several methods and leaning heavily on advice from other cleft moms who’ve been through this.

His chair that we’ll see him grow in until he’s 18!

Dr. K, his amazing surgeon, checking his lip repair

If he isn’t able to fully drink from an open cup by surgery day, our surgeon discussed placing an NG tube from his nose to his stomach. It would be stitched in place, and the thought of adding that to recovery is tough. We’re doing everything we can to avoid it and praying he transitions well.

He loves the reflo smart cup

And also the Lansinoh training cup

The hardest part emotionally is knowing we have to take away the comforts he’s relied on since birth. Weaning him feels unfair, especially this early. Some surgeons allow bottles after repair, but ours is strict to minimize complications like fistulas or future surgeries. As hard as it is, we trust the process and are hoping for the best while preparing for the challenges ahead. He handled his lip surgery like a champ, and we’re praying for the same strength this time.

He loves his open cups LOL

What keeps me grounded is looking ahead. Summer is coming, and with two major surgeries behind us, we’re hopeful for a season where Carver can just be a toddler: exploring, growing, and living freely. His journey isn’t over. There will likely be future procedures, nose repairs, bone grafts, possible speech surgeries, but we’re hoping this is the last of the major early hurdles for a while.

He’s also teething! Has one tooth popping at the bottom

Carver continues to amaze us with his strength. I say it all the time because it’s true, he is braver than I could ever be. Our support system has carried us through so much, and my husband Colin constantly reminds me that this season is temporary. The long nights won’t last forever, and Carver will adapt just like he always does.

10 months!

I’ll be back after surgery to share how everything went, what recovery looked like for us, and how our strong little boy handled this big milestone just before his first birthday in April.