Pictures of Kate Pre and Post Surgery

Hi Everybody,
Here are some pictures from before and after Kate's surgery. She is doing well. Other than the incisions behind her ears and a good chunk of her hair missing, you wouldn't even be able to tell she just had surgery. She is definitely back to her old self today.

This is what the device looks like that was implanted in Kate's head. Two were implanted - one behind each ear. They have to remove some of the bone in her skull in order for it to fit in a little head. Surgery took about 6 hours.

Here's Kate picking out colors for her processor that will go on the outside of her head. Part of it will stick to the implanted device in her head by a magnet and another part of the processor can either be worn behind her ear or clipped to her shirt. I'll post pictures of Kate wearing them after her next appointment.

Anna and Matthew having some fun with the hospital equipment while we were waiting for Kate to get out of surgery.

Patti trying things out too. I think you missed your calling Patti.

This is the evening after surgery. Kate started surgery at 8 a.m. and was finished around 2 p.m. We got to leave the hospital around 5:30 p.m. that night. Here we are at the hotel by the pool area.

Enjoying ice cream...her first meal of the day in the game room area of the hotel.

Hanging out before bedtime.

This is the next morning (Wednesday morning). We had just got back from the clinic getting her big bandage removed and meeting with her surgeon. He said she did excellent through everything and everything looks about as good as it can be. She has about a 2-inch incision behind each ear.

Happy girl now that she knows we're packing up and heading home.

Half way home...we're eating supper in Fargo before the final trek home. She did awesome traveling and slept the majority of the time. We're so proud of our little trooper!

Thank you so much for all of the support and prayers that you all have sent Kate's way. It means so very much to all of us. Patti and Anna, a special thank you for spending the day of surgery with us. The time went by so much faster with you there and Matthew had a blast. Hopefully the worst is over and we can look forward to the next part of our journey...getting the processors turned on and Kate hearing for the first time! Our next trip to Mayo is in 3 weeks, April 14 and 15, when they will activate her implants. Please continue to pray that all goes well. I'll keep you all updated. Thanks so much and take care.

Love,

Christy