The End of Rachel's Journey

I started this blog just over 19 years ago. Rachel was days away from turning 2 months old. I started this as a place for people to stay up to date on Rachel's Journey, and hopefully offer encouragement to other cleft affected families behind us on the same journey. And after the events of today, I have come to the realization that we have reached the end of Rachel's Journey. 

Yesterday marked 6 months since Rachel's jaw surgery. We have a 6 month post op appointment the end of next week with Dr. Martin. I think everything is settled on the outside. We'll see what he says next week about the inside. 

Today was the big day! After 3 1/2  years in this current set of braces, Rachel's braces came off!!! We had a mid morning appointment with Dr. Garcia whereas they took everything off, cleaned the glue off, took impressions for a retainer, took a couple X-rays, and took pictures inside and out for record keeping. 

This first picture Rachel took of the Xray shows a perfect side view of her new jaw alignment and the metal hardware that was placed during her jaw repositioning surgery. The second picture is like the one taken last month, except this one is with all the braces and brackets and wires completely gone.

After impressions were taken, Rachel was given a toothbrush to go and brush her teeth. She took this video in the restroom as she saw herself without braces and her new look for the first time. 

After the above checklist was done, we were able to leave for about and hour and a half while her retainer was made. We took a drive up to Oak Glen and went to the candy store and acquired a caramel apple to enjoy this weekend. We then stopped and took some cute pictures of her and her new look. 

Back to the office to get Rachel's retainer. The ortho tech gave Rachel the entire run down of taking care of her retainer, and making sure not to through away on any meal trays, etc. And then Dr. Garcia gave her the news that she only needs to wear the retainers at nighttime!! 

Rachel was given a Starbucks gift card and an appointment for when she's home on Spring Break in March if she feels she needs to have things checked on. We left a gift of homemade Christmas cookies and a thank you note and said our goodbyes. 

We went to dinner at Famous Daves tonight so Rachel could enjoy ribs and corn on the cob!! 

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It's crazy to think that this is the end of Rachel's Journey as far as her cleft journey is concerned. 

There's been some seasons where the journey was quiet, not much going on, just waiting for the next phase of the journey. 

And up until now, there's always been "a next season". But there is nothing left medically to be done. If Rachel chooses, she could have a lip revision or a nose job, but if you ask her today, she's perfectly happy with her new look and doesn't desire to have those things done. 

When Rachel was born, it was overwhelming to think about all that laid ahead of her, and for us as her parents. 

The Lord was with us every step of the way. We saw His hand on so many things through the years. Seeing us through six surgeries related to her birth defect. Countless doctors appointments, orthodontist appointments, finding just the perfect speech therapist that worked one on one with her for years, insurance difficulties and approvals and so much more. And we give Him all the glory!! May Rachel's Journey be a testament to His goodness! 

"For you formed my inward parts; 

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Psalm 139:13-14