By Lisa Ansay —
As Suzie mentioned in the previous journal entry, there was a meeting with the maxillofacial surgical team at Barrow Neurological Institute Craniofacial Center. This meeting was to discuss the remaining facial fractures and the repair/reconstruction required for Taylor’s full recovery. These issues include: the upper jaw position (placed too far forward for function during initial reconstruction; the lower jaw (it’s position and asymmetry also impede function); the right cheek and temporal bones (still fractured with loose bones and some conductive hearing loss); the left lower eye socket (still fractured, requiring repair for reposition of the left eye); palate finishing touches to allow proper air flow through the mouth for speech.
WHEW! Seems like a lot of stuff, and it is. But this is what maxillofacial surgical teams do. They all specialize in complete facial/skull base/orthodontic reconstruction.
I have to take a moment here to add this: The Lord has been amazing. He is, indeed, The Great Physician, and indeed, the Great Casting Director. He has put in Taylor’s recovery process ALL of the “cream-of-the-crop” in their respective fields. I have been checking out the folks on his various physician teams and am astounded to learn that each and every one of them from endocrinology to plastics to speech language pathology are the serious top-dogs in what they do. Like Chief of Staff top dogs. So amazing. And these are the physicians Taylor has formed personal relationships with these past months of recovery as they are delighted in witnessing his progress. There is constant contact with all the facets of medicine addressing issues with Taylor’s recovery, and they have each provided on-going direct contact for questions, concerns, etc., via email, phone or texting. They are all quite invested, and the whole thing is all pretty unbelievable. Well….ten months ago it would have been unbelievable, but now nothing is unbelievable. SOOOO many amazing things happening in this recovery process. So many amazing contributors. So many miracles.
The team is collecting information over the next week i.e…previous dental records, head CTs, x-rays, etc., in an effort to get a clear picture of Taylor’s facial construct pre-accident. The goal is to “put him back together just the way he was.”
During previous reconstructions, plates, screws, shims, etc. were put in place to stabilize broken bones and allow for basic function. This reconstruction, will first involve a de-construction of the previous work, and a full re-assembly of facial structures. Because all structures are connected in some way (the cheekbones to the orbits, temporal bones and upper jaw) all will likely take place at the same time.
A polymer model generated from CT-scans of the head/face will be used to fully evaluate the approach for the deconstruction/reconstruction process. The teams will actually perform “surgery” on the model first, to ensure a successful outcome.
Taylor and I are in Minneapolis with family until January 28th, and finishing details for pre-surgery begins January 29th. We are anticipating surgery the first part of February.
