GongYi Home of Hope

In early March we brought Baby Isaac to Beijing for surgery on his cleft lip. Isaac’s situation is a little different from that of “Moses.” Not only is there the cleft deformity, but the center portion of his upper front gum is separated from the rest of the gum and protrudes out of his mouth right under his nose. His little lip is also separated in two places and the center portion of his lip is attached to the top of the part of the gum that is mislocated.

When we got to Beijing Dr. Xu, who has done all the surgery on our other babies, felt the protrusion was too much and would keep the corrective surgery from taking. The hospital fitted Isaac with a device to slowly pull the gum and lip down and into place and we returned home with instructions to leave the device in place 24 hours a day.

After faithfully applying the device for about a month we sent progress pictures to Dr. Xu. He called and said he felt it was the right time to take Isaac back to Beijing for surgery.

Through all of this little Isaac has been a cheerful little boy and really likes to smile and laugh. I think these babies are given a special degree of Grace to take the pain and discomfort that come with this sort of thing.

As the day approached for us to take Isaac back to Beijing I began to be filled with the real apprehension that comes with these operations. The babies are so small and to realize they are going to be under anesthesia for at least two hours is almost more than I can take. One would think that by now I would be used to it. But that simply is not the case.

I so clearly remember when “Moses” had his first surgery. On that occasion I took one of the nursery staff with me because in China someone has to stay with the patient 24 hours a day. Hospitals here only give out medication and treatment. All bathing, feeding and the other sundry patient needs must be done by family or friends. In the case of these babies, someone must be with them all the time. As “Moses” was wheeled into surgery the first time Xiao Ping and I stood outside the operating room and both of us had tears running down our cheeks.

This time, with baby Isaac, two wonderful ladies of like belief volunteered to go and help with Isaac.

Before we took him up to the surgery floor we prayed for his safety and well being. In prayer we reminded his spirit that he was born and brought to the Home of Hope for a purpose and that all was well.

Two hours later we were taken into the intensive care room where he would need to remain for the next 24 hours, and there he was. It was so cute to watch as he came out from under the anesthesia. He would turn his little head left and right, trying to reorient himself, I’m sure. He was a little irritated about his little arms being strapped to his sides so he wouldn’t grab his stitches, but as soon as he could focus on us and could recognize us, he smiled. I was so relieved and happy.

The following day found Isaac in even better spirits than the day before. Wide awake… eating good and his mouth has began to take a more normal appearance in shape as the swelling subsides a little.