Happy Birthday Chance !!!

Today Chance turns 6 years old. It was a very exciting day, limited only by the fact that Chance can not yet get his head wet. The doctor suggested that Chance not go to school until later in the week, but we took Chance for a brief appearance today. We took in cupcakes and let the kids decorate them. Chance was delighted to show all of his classmate his hospital p.j.'s. He told us he wanted to show his school friends his p.j.s the first day he was home. Chance of course took off for the playground with all of the other kids, so we had to help reign him in. As far as Chance is concerned, he should not be limited in any way. Chance has only had 3 doses of painkiller since the surgery. He really does not seem to be at all fazed by his surgery. We did have some extra excitement when Chance came to me and showed me that a big chunk of the tape they used to cover the wound(the stuff that is supposed to stay on for a week), had been ripped off by his 6 month old brother. Part of the tape started coming off the day after the surgery, so we called Primary Children's Hospital and were told that it was ok, just to keep the rest of the tape on. The wound bled right above the ear, where the tape ripped down to. But the wound looks ok, and half of the tape is still attached. When we called Primary Children's Hospital about the first rip, they said not to apply neosporin or anything as it might loosen the rest of the tape. So, we will just desperately try to keep the rest of the tape on. Chance was concerned about the tape because we had told him not to take it off, not because he was in pain. He was very calm about the whole thing. He just kept trying to reattach the hanging tape. Kids never end up keeping their wounds covered for as long as they suggest, do they? Not unless the wound is located in the middle of their back where they can not be reached. Chances's classmates were most impressed by his scar. The funny thing is, half of his classmates have had the same surgery themselves. They were all really little when they got their implants though, so they probably don't remember anything. Of course, everyone that has seen his scar is impressed or slightly horrified until they realize what the scar is from. We are so excited about the implant. Right now our challenge is trying to get an appointment with the audiologist who will turn the implant on, the same day that we have a follow-up with the surgeon. We want the implant turned on as soon as we are given the go ahead from the doctor! Here's to the journey!