My son needs surgery.
Not planned surgery but that kind of kick-in-the-gut surprise surgery that is halfway between, sure okay and It’s An Emergency.
The Long of It
If you’ve followed my blog or podcast since 2005-2006, then you know that my younger son was born with Microtia—a not-as-rare-as-you’d-think condition that gave him a very small ear and no ear canal on the right side, but a working middle and inner ear.
Here’s the cute lil ear he was born with
Here you can see the difference in size between his right (Microtic) ear and his left.
Back in 2008 we had Medpor surgery and I blogged about it here (and will blog updates there on this adventure, too). With Medpor, a surgical plastic form is placed and covered with a skin graft and then it magically (really, it looks like magic) molds itself to the form ¡et voilá! Insta-ear. It’s amazing. Later we had a canal added and, yes, he can hear now on that side.
This is the miracle ear before his canal surgery.
However. At some point that plastic frame started to poke out of the back of his ear. We only caught it at the beginning of this month and I let the surgeon know last week. He let me know we had to get into surgery asap or—and this is the scary part—if the plastic has been exposed for too long they will have to Remove It And Start Over.
We’re happy to see our surgeon again (he’s fabulous) but it’s the difference between a 2-1/2 hr surgery and an 8-1/2+ hr surgery. Plus if we start over it means more skin grafts, another 115 stitches, and recovery right as school is starting. I know you parents know how much your heart aches when your child is in a new-school situation (which he is, knows no one at the new school) and that it’s even worse when something about your child is “different.” We’re hoping the bandages from his surgery will be off and his swelling will be down so it won’t be too bad.
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So why am I writing about this here on my knitting blog?
Because we need help.
Working from home and taking care of the kids has made it impossible to try to track down a “real” job (plus, finding jobs for teachers with 10+ yrs of experience is a tad tricky in this economy) and four people on one income in the third most expensive area of the country has been…ah… challenging. Nonetheless, from my home office I’ve been blessed to be able to write patterns, edit and design for the Defarge books, teach online classes (sign-up links are in the left sidebar), teach around the country, and offer extras to my Subscriber-Supporters over at my CraftLit podcast. It’s been nice, but it’s not a living. And making “a living” would have made this surgery thing a lot less scary.
Friends in LA and the good people of CraftLit and Cooperative Press have helped us with gifts of housing and airfare, but I’ll still need to feed the kids, purchase Thing 2′s post-surgery meds, and get to and from the surgery while in LA (not to mention the further specter of going through a whole replacement surgery). So, to raise funds for the trip and any other “surprises” that get thrown our way, I thought I’d host a sale and more! (Thank you, Tara!) There are lots of ways to help that get you something nifty, too! For example, you could:
- Grab a knitting pattern! All of my Raverly Store patterns will be 10% off through Tuesday, August 28, 2012 (some are free no matter what, too!) and get my free newsletter to get links to sales new patterns as they’re released.
- Get a copy of What Would Madame Defarge Knit? vol 1 (and it makes me happy that all of the designers in the book make royalties from every purchase—because Cooperative Press rocks!).
- Take one of my sock heel classes (like an expanded version of the class I taught at Sock Summit ’09)—look to the left sidebar.
- Have me teach in your town.
- Pre-order Volume 2, What (else) Would Madame Defarge Knit? (get it hot off the presses later this year—the designers in that book will benefit too! Yay!).
- If you came here from Twitter or Facebook and aren’t a knitter, you may be more inclined to consider a CraftLit Subscription (read more about what you get with a subscription here).
- Or pick up a copy of my husband’s book (if you like mysteries but don’t want to get it as an audiobook via the above subscription or you can see if you like it by reading the first chapter at Goodreads).
- Buy a table (or forward the link to someone in the DC area who might need one).
- Or, if you’re looking for a new way to promote your business to a literate, funny, extremely nice group of crafty people, perhaps you’d be interesting in sponsoring the podcast?
- Or, if you prefer the straightforward approach, you can simply
to the cause.
And even if you don’t purchase any patterns or become a sponsor, I want to thank you for heading over here to see what’s going on. If you’re willing to Facebook or Tweet this page to anyone who might be interested in the above I would deeply appreciate it. All I can offer as a thank you is my free podcasts—and for non-knitters you’d probably prefer Just the Books, the sister show to CraftLit (all the lit with none of the craft), in case you might enjoy sticking a good book in your ear when your hands are busy doing something else. Gulliver’s Travels starts at episode 249 both on Just the Books and CraftLit and we’re almost at Part IV (the final part). If you start now, you may catch up before we’re home from the surgery!
And the next book is Jane Eyre.
Regardless the reason, here you are. You came and read, and for that I am truly grateful.
Right now I’m particularly grateful to the many pattern purchasers (hope you enjoy!) and also for the direct support of:
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The early responders made me weep with relief last week when the light at the end of the tunnel looked like an oncoming train.
You who have joined in this week have let me sleep at night. Truly. Thank you more than I can say.
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I continue to love the support this community provides. I’m sorry you and Thing 2 are dealing with this. I hope the surgery is in time so that it can be the shorter one.
Thank you, Jennifer. I’m always amazed by the wonderfulness of knitters.
is there a pay pal link where we can donate cash? My prayers are with you, your little guy and your whole family!
Yep, you can  make a donation via PayPal. Thank you SO much.
Just bought two patterns via Rav, best of luck to your family and positive thoughts coming your way!
Good luck! I bought a copy of your book so I hope that helps a little!
i will do what i can! i will spread the word too! xoxoxo
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Just bought the pedicure sock pattern. Knitty shared your post on Facebook so the word should get out. Good luck!
I am so sorry you are going through such a hard time. I also feel guilty because if that had happened to my child – in the UK- all the treatment would be free of charge.
I’ve sent a donation and will also buy something. I will send another donation when my pay cheque hits my bank next week.
I hope all the support via your blog etc. helps you and your family and I also hope the treatment is successful.
You’re so sweet, and yes, more than once I’ve wished to be in the UK.
I noticed you have 10 years of teaching experience. There is a virtual academy that is active in quite a few States called K12. The teachers teach virtually and many have small children at home. It is worth looking into if you need a job. They are always looking for great, experienced teachers who love children. Please email me anjgreenfamily@gmail.com and I will give you any and all info I have. I hope this helps in some small way.
What a great idea!
My son actually did AZVA (which used the K-12 curriculum) and we were VERY impressed. I will email you. Thank you so much!
You had me in tears while listening to your last episode. I wish I could do more but I’ve at least purchased both of the Madame DeFarge books and I’m already a subscriber which is a easy way to support you! *nudge nudge to other listeners*
Hope the surgery goes smoothly and life becomes less frantic.
I wanted to echo what Anne said upthread so eloquently – have bought your husbands book. I wish I could do more and I hope it all goes well.
Can you imagine your life without stereo hearing? Not being able to tell the direction of a siren or approaching car? Worrying about your child’s safety because they can’t hear properly?
Our adopted daughter, Abby, also has atresia of the left ear. She was born with just a tiny ear and no canal. After bringing her home from China in 2005, we took her to one of the best ear surgeons in Kansas City, Dr. Brad Thedinger. We opted not to do the reconstruction on the outer ear. Her ear lobe is normal, but the upper part of her ear is stunted. Being a girl has it’s blessings in that her hair will cover the difference.
We did do the ear canal reconstruction. She has a normal nerve and cochlea, but the three inner bones are nothing more than chips and barely functional. After drilling the hole for the canal, Dr. T. created an ear drum from facia tissue on her skull, graphed skin from her thigh for the ear canal, and gave her functional hearing.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last very long. Those 3 little bones just aren’t able to function properly. She has lost most of her hearing gains, even after repeat surgery to try and correct the situation. We have since had surgery for a BAHA implant behind the ear. This gives her close to normal hearing on that side. During the summer, she runs around without it, but it’s a must for school.
I’m heading over to your website to buy your patterns! We have great insurance that covered most of the medical bills, but know just how expensive this type of surgery can be. Even with insurance, the out of pocket expenses can run into thousands of dollars. I encourage anyone who can to support this cause and I send warm, healing thoughts to Heather’s son. He’s gotta be a brave lad to face the pain of multiple surgeries with a smile!
Thank you so much and I’m sending back tons of love to you and your little girl.
My son’s three little bones work…sort of. High pitches and whispers he can’t hear—even with bone conduction, he’ll never get those ranges on his right side. But he loves wearing his sunglasses and (as our son) will probably, one day, need glasses. We’re grateful we’ve been able to at least give him a perch for that.
And HE is actually excited about the surgery. He loves the surgeon and they gave him liquid valium before the other surgeries which (as I understand it) prevents short term memories from forming so he also has zero memories of getting the gown on, being wheeled in, having me leave. He just remembers cute nurses and pudding.
Those BAHAs are miraculous! I’m always impressed. And in fact, my son was three days old before anyone noticed his little ear. He was a smiley kid from birth. When the nurse–very nervously–showed me his ear, my only response was, “well… that’s okay. I know sign language.” I was lucky. I’d volunteered at Schools for the Deaf since I was 10. I do teach my son a little sign, but it’s for those moments you mention–the far-away-from-me-at-the-pool or near-a-street moments. I can tell him to wait, or look, or come back. I remember seeing students get BAHAs for the first time. What a wonderful thing.
Thank you so much for your help and huge hugs and love back to you and yours!
Heather, I love your podcast and I put up a facebook post about your son and your lovely podcast up today. I have also purchased a few patterns from Ravelry. I wish I could do more to support you monetarily. I wish all the best to you and your family in this latest chapter in your lives. Sending you much love.
Linda
Linda, the love and moral support mean the world. Thank you so much. And thank you for posting, too. It means so much to know you’re out there.
Hugs,
H
Wishing your son a smooth and speedy recovery from his surgery. The knitting group I meet with on Tuesdays calls itself the Madame Defarge Society…how could I not buy the book! – and I will tell all the ladies at the group to purchase a copy too! Good luck to you, m’dear.
YAY! Madame Defarge Takes the World!
You know, there’s a group out there which has a “Madame Defarge Political Action Committee—Don’t lose your head!” t-shirt! I love meeting more varieties of Defarge-ettes. Hugs to you and your group!
Heather
We all get hit “sideways” and you are commended for reaching out and allowing others to do what they can to help. We are sending a little something via PayPal. In addition, we would LOVE to connect with you re: sponsorship (plz contact us at the email listed.) Additionally, we recently came across an organization that you might find helpful: ModestNeeds.Org. Wishing you love and light!
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