Hi everybody, it's me Narissa I am back! I have not been on the computer for awhile. We had to get a new one cuz our last one broke. Now I can write again and hope to raise more money for the babies still waiting for families in China.
On my list of favorite places I would like to help, I put Grace-Hope for Children because I was in a foster home through them when I was waiting for my family. I also put Love Without Boundaries because I want to help other babies have smiles too. The last I put was Mass Eye and Ear Hospital in Boston because that is where my surgery was done, and my great surgeon does research to help other people with facial paralysis get smiles. Dr. Hadlock also does volunteer work in other countries to help children have surgeries that their families can not afford. I hope that someone can read my story and help one of these places so other children can smile.
I have made more red thread thank you's and would love to send them to the places above so they can forward you one if you make a donation and tell them that you did so because I asked!
I saw my friend had a chart on her blog to show how much money was raised to help her family adopt her new sister. Mom doesn't know how to put one of those on my blog. If anyone can help her, please let her know. I want to be able to show how much money I raise for the babies.
I hope everone is having a good summer. I am happy to be out of school but I already miss my friends and teachers. I can write again soon, and I will ask mom to put some pictures on too.
Narissa
Monday, June 18, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
A little about Narissa's surgery
Yes this blog is Narissa's. She wanted it for her birthday so she could help raise money for others to smile. Today I want to tell you a little more about Narissa's surgery. Maybe she can help someone else with facial paralysis think more about options.
Narissa came to us at the age of 3 with right side facial paralysis. In Jan 2011, she had a nerve graft transplant where a nerve was taken from her lower leg and attached to a nerve in her non paralyzed side of the face. It was brought over under her nose to the right side. In Aug of 2011 when we knew the nerve had survived the transplant, she was scheduled for the 2nd stage of the surgery. In this stage, a muscle would be taken from her thigh and transplanted into the paralyzed side with the nerve being attached the objective being that when her left side smiled, the nerve would also make her right side smile.
Well, just days before the scheduled surgery, a MRI was done that showed there had been a much larger surgery done on her in China than we knew. The stage 2 had to be cancelled as she had no blood supply on the right side of the face. I was devastated. I felt that I had let her down. Dr. Hadlock on the other hand would not leave this alone. She contacted surgeons around the world to ask for other opions. She brought me in and explained in detail for over an hour what she thought.
Craig and I prayed for many hours and felt that we should still try the stage 2. Good thing Craig was thinking. He made me realize that had we known of the added problem we still would have gone through with trying. We were just blessed that Dr. Hadlock found the problem before being in the O.R.
In Jan 2012, Narissa underwent stage 2. Along with Dr. Hadlock and her team, was a vascular surgeon. Two arteries were transplanted before Dr. Hadlock could even start her proceedure. Narissa was in surgery somewhere in the 10 hour range. She said it felt like she fell asleep and then a minute later woke up. Ask Craig if I made it feel that way!
Dr. Hadlock explained because of the added problems, the risk was higher for rejection. The chances of success have been lessened, but she still felt it was worth a try. She also explained that it could take a year to see any movement.
WELL 3 months and a week later, yesterday during follow up, We saw movement! It is VERY VERY slight, but VERY VERY exciting! It tells us that the nerve, arteries, and muscle all survived transplant!
I am not sure who was the most excited, me or Dr. Hadlock, but I can tell you that I am beyond happy.
I called Craig right away to share the excitement. THEN I got on the train and became overwhelmed. It was everything in my power to hold back the tears.
For all the first I missed out on with Narissa, her first tooth, or step, or word this is a far greater reward. A tiny little movement. I can't explain my happiness right now, but I can say I am thankful.
I am thankful to a Father in Heaven who hears my prayers and answers them. He blessed us first to let us be Narissa's family. He blesses us with the healing power of the priesthood. He blessed us to live right here so close to Dr. Hadlock, one of only a few surgeons in the world that specialize in facial paralysis. He has blessed us with the ability to see His love. I could go on and on.
So for anyone reading that has facial paralysis, there is hope. Sorry this was so long, but I hope it will help someone along the way. Please stay with us as Narissa gets her next fundraising hope in action. Thanks for reading Ruthie
Narissa came to us at the age of 3 with right side facial paralysis. In Jan 2011, she had a nerve graft transplant where a nerve was taken from her lower leg and attached to a nerve in her non paralyzed side of the face. It was brought over under her nose to the right side. In Aug of 2011 when we knew the nerve had survived the transplant, she was scheduled for the 2nd stage of the surgery. In this stage, a muscle would be taken from her thigh and transplanted into the paralyzed side with the nerve being attached the objective being that when her left side smiled, the nerve would also make her right side smile.
Well, just days before the scheduled surgery, a MRI was done that showed there had been a much larger surgery done on her in China than we knew. The stage 2 had to be cancelled as she had no blood supply on the right side of the face. I was devastated. I felt that I had let her down. Dr. Hadlock on the other hand would not leave this alone. She contacted surgeons around the world to ask for other opions. She brought me in and explained in detail for over an hour what she thought.
Craig and I prayed for many hours and felt that we should still try the stage 2. Good thing Craig was thinking. He made me realize that had we known of the added problem we still would have gone through with trying. We were just blessed that Dr. Hadlock found the problem before being in the O.R.
In Jan 2012, Narissa underwent stage 2. Along with Dr. Hadlock and her team, was a vascular surgeon. Two arteries were transplanted before Dr. Hadlock could even start her proceedure. Narissa was in surgery somewhere in the 10 hour range. She said it felt like she fell asleep and then a minute later woke up. Ask Craig if I made it feel that way!
Dr. Hadlock explained because of the added problems, the risk was higher for rejection. The chances of success have been lessened, but she still felt it was worth a try. She also explained that it could take a year to see any movement.
WELL 3 months and a week later, yesterday during follow up, We saw movement! It is VERY VERY slight, but VERY VERY exciting! It tells us that the nerve, arteries, and muscle all survived transplant!
I am not sure who was the most excited, me or Dr. Hadlock, but I can tell you that I am beyond happy.
I called Craig right away to share the excitement. THEN I got on the train and became overwhelmed. It was everything in my power to hold back the tears.
For all the first I missed out on with Narissa, her first tooth, or step, or word this is a far greater reward. A tiny little movement. I can't explain my happiness right now, but I can say I am thankful.
I am thankful to a Father in Heaven who hears my prayers and answers them. He blessed us first to let us be Narissa's family. He blesses us with the healing power of the priesthood. He blessed us to live right here so close to Dr. Hadlock, one of only a few surgeons in the world that specialize in facial paralysis. He has blessed us with the ability to see His love. I could go on and on.
So for anyone reading that has facial paralysis, there is hope. Sorry this was so long, but I hope it will help someone along the way. Please stay with us as Narissa gets her next fundraising hope in action. Thanks for reading Ruthie
Friday, April 27, 2012
Harris!
Well I think, at least I hope I have finally gotten a picture of Harris posted. We have been thinking and praying for all of the babies that had surgery last week and hoping they are doing well. Thank you all for your help. Remember donations are always needed. We have a lot of red thread gifts waiting to be sent, just let LWB know that Narissa sent you.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
LWB have helped 49
It has been a very happy and busy week for the medical team at Love Without Boundaries. They have done 49 surgeries and are now on their way home. With saddness I have to say that Nathaniel was not able to have his surgery. He weighed less than expected so he will just have to fatten up before he can be done. Please keep him in your prayers. On a good side, a rural baby had surgery in his place. So for those of you who helped Nathaniel, know that your donation went to a great use. It is so special to know that a rural child whose parents love him but could not afford surgery has been helped. This child can now stay in the loving care of his birth mother and father and not need to be an orphan to have this life changing surgery. It made me cry. I cried for Nathaniel who has to wait, but for Ci I cried tears of joy knowing the difference this turn has made. Just because this trip has come to a close, don't forget that LWB helps year round to many programs. We love to hear of the donations that come in so please continue to help. There are a lot of red thread gifts waiting to be delivered!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Harris is done!
We got word that Harris did have his surgery Tues morning China time! I think Nathaniel may have had his surgery also, but his picture is not on LWB site so I don't know for sure. Please keep both boys and all the others that are in need in your prayers. Visit LWB to see all the updates. So exciting!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
GREAT NEWS!
We got word from LWB that both Harris and Nathaniel are fully funded! Both boys will have their surgeries next week. Thank you to all that helped get the word out, and for those that sent a donation. If you did donate, and didn't tell LWB that Narissa sent you, please let me know and I will make sure you get your red thread thank you.
LWB told us that when they arrive in China on Sunday, there will be many families that come to them for surgery that are just too poor to pay. They will welcome any donations toward these families. Remember tell them Narissa sent you and you will get your thank you! I am asking for you to tell them she sent you because it makes a diference to her, she gets so excited everytime we talk about the help that these kids are getting. I am so proud of her desire to help and any show of help that I get to tell her about just makes her want to work harder. I can't think of a better desire.
LWB told us that when they arrive in China on Sunday, there will be many families that come to them for surgery that are just too poor to pay. They will welcome any donations toward these families. Remember tell them Narissa sent you and you will get your thank you! I am asking for you to tell them she sent you because it makes a diference to her, she gets so excited everytime we talk about the help that these kids are getting. I am so proud of her desire to help and any show of help that I get to tell her about just makes her want to work harder. I can't think of a better desire.
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