Dear Caden: Happy 2nd Cranioversary!

Dear Caden,

I sit gently holding you with wires and monitors all over your body and two JP drains hiding behind your ears. Your one year old body fits snugly across my lap. The sounds of your monitors beeping play softly in the background. Doctors and nurses mull around the unit, the harsh smells of cleaning chemicals remind us that we are not in Kansas anymore. Your head is covered in a white bandage, your face is puffy and swollen from the long, intense, traumatic surgery you just endured the day before. You keep pulling off your BP cuff and pulse ox monitoring so they place it on your foot and put your sock on. This lasts for 3 minutes before you take off your sock - it was worth a try. Your daddy and I have had little sleep, our hair is a mess and our clothes are wrinkled, but we don't care. You are still groggy from the pain medication, but you manage to give me a grin. My body which had been trying so hard to be strong finally let go and the flood gate of tears began streaming from my eyes. You raise your hand and rub my cheek, you are so brave and so strong, you are my hero.

I sit holding you with your Spider-man PJ's on, the sounds of the ocean gently serenading us on your alarm clock gently in the background. Your three year old body half hangs off my lap with your long legs swinging gently. Images of the moon and stars projecting from the turtle on your dresser now plaster the walls and ceiling of your room, transporting us into a space themed paradise.Your head is covered with your short brown hair that is a complete mess. Your face is perfect, smooth and a little sticky from the syrup I caught you trying to drink earlier today. You insist on wearing socks to bed and instruct me on how to put them on correctly, "Momma, grey goes on the bobbum." Your Daddy and I still have had little sleep, my hair is a mess and I think I have some syrup in it placed by your sticky little fingers, my clothes are stained with Jacob's spit up, but I don't care. You are sleepy from a full day of fun and laughter and you give me a silly little grin. It has been two years now since your Craniotomy and I trace your zig zag scar from ear to ear with my fingers. It brings tears to my eyes and the flood gates are once again opened, but this time it is one of happiness, joy and thankfulness. You raise your hand and rub my cheek, you whisper, "I lub lou momma. I lub lou thiiiiis much." Your little pointer finger and thumb pinched tightly shut. "It's bigger on the inside." Then you grin and kiss my cheek. You have taught me so much my Dear Caden, you are still so brave and so strong, you are still my hero.

Happy 2 year Cranioversary sweet Caden! Thank you Dr. Bollo and Dr. Buchannon for allowing God to guide your hands while doing his skull surgery. He is absolutely perfect and I still believe the area where his scar is the widest is the place where Jesus Himself, kissed Caden giving him His seal of approval while in the operating room. This road was not an easy one, but God blessed us with such a great support group. Thank you to all those that have taken this journey with us and who continue to share Caden's story to help more families and to bring awareness to Craniosynostosis

Love,
Mommy