Peyton's Ear Surgery!

As most of you know, Peyton is going in for another surgery in the morning. Her surgery is scheduled for 9:30am. For those who have been asking what this is all about, here is a brief description. About a month after we got back from Charleston at the end of last year, Peyton had an ear doctor appt and they found some problems. The first thing they saw was a hole in her eardrum and they prepared us for a possible procedure to skin graph it. The doctor wanted another doctor in his practice to take a look at it, so we went back in and that doctor found something more serious. They found a skin cyst that had overtaken her middle eardrum. The guys here locally didn't feel comfortable doing the surgery required to remove it, so they called in a specialist from Raleigh, NC. He came in and confirmed the cyst findings.

The doctor explained to us that this cyst was like cancer in the sense that when he goes into her ear, he has to remove it all, along with the skin cells or it will grow back. Tomorrow's surgery will involve the doctor going in behind Peyton's ear and removing the skin cyst and cells. He also will do some sort of temp fix for her middle ear drum (since the skin cyst has defected her middle eardrum). The second surgery in 6 months will involve the doctor rebuilding her middle eardrum so that she can regain full hearing and to follow up to see if any more skin cells have developed. For about the last 4 months, Peyton has really struggled to hear and that hearing loss continues to get worse.

This surgery like all surgeries has risks. Some of the risks are facial paralysis due to the surgery taking place all around main nerves that control muscles in the face. Also, they will be working in close proximity to the back bottom part of her brain. The doctor feels very confident about his ability to remove the cyst and fix the problem. The surgery itself should last about 1.5 to 2 hours. They are planning on keeping Peyton in the hospital for 24 hours due to her history. Peyton will have a very tough recovery that will last 8 weeks. During this recovery time, she will be very limited as to what she can do.

Karen and I would ask that you guys pray first and foremost for Peyton as she goes in for surgery. She is nervous and anxious. She really begins to struggle when the doctors take her from us and into the operating room. They give her a sedative to help her relax, but she still gets really upset. Also, please pray for the surgery itself and that it is a success. Karen and I can't help but be reminded of our last episode in Charleston. We know that doctors can and do make mistakes and we are trying really hard to not think about that and focus on this surgery going smoothly. Please pray for our sanity throughout the process as well. One more thing, please pray for our other kids as they are going through another day or two without mom and dad and Peyton in the house. This is a very difficult time for them as well.

It is a really good feeling and it blesses our heart to know that you guys care enough to pray for our family and specifically Peyton. We wanted to get the word out, yet again, as we know Prayer works. Thanks for all that you guys do.

Red and Karen