Cruz's Cranio Journey
Our beautiful baby boy came into our lives in late 2012. He is our third child and from shortly after birth we noticed that his head was of a different shape. As the weeks and months went by his head shape did not improve and we tried for 12 months to get his head assessed by a range of doctors and paediatricians but kept getting shrugged off. A few days before his first birthday we consulted a new paediatrician for something unrelated and as soon as we walked into his office he noticed Cruz's condition and confirmed his suspected diagnosis of Sagittal Craniosynostosis via scans that afternoon.
Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the fibrous sutures in an infant skull prematurely fuses by turning into bone, thereby changing the growth pattern of the skull. Because the skull cannot expand properly it compensates by growing more in the direction parallel to the closed sutures. This growth pattern results in abnormal head shape and abnormal facial features and does not provide enough space for the growing brain. This leads to possible visual impairment, sleeping impairment, eating difficulties, or an impairment of mental development combined with a significant reduction in IQ.
Cruz will undergo major surgery in Adelaide, SA in early March 2014 called a Cranial Vault Remodel (CVR). His skull will be removed, cut up and reconstructed. This will allow more room for his brain to grow and develop and give his skull a more normal appearance. He will also have extensive pre-op and post-op appointments and procedures including CT scans under general anaesthetic and consultations and tests with an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist, an Ophthalmologist, a Neuro Surgeon, a Social Worker, a Geneticist and Craniofacial Surgeons. We are relocating to Adelaide for a month for Cruz to have his upcoming surgery and he will continue to be seen regularly by these specialists until adulthood.
We greatly appreciate all support and we will contribute 50% of all funds raised to the Australian Craniofacial Foundation. Please also show your support by sharing this awareness of Craniosynostosis with your friends and family.
Many thanks from the bottom of our hearts!
