Quite a while ago Jolene had a checkup with her neurosurgeon where we were informed she had "Metopic Craniosynostosis", I haven't really gotten around to posting about it at all on Facebook or my blog. However, when I started this blog I really wanted to be a beacon of hope and camaraderie for other moms going through hardships with their babies, so I really think it's important for me to share this with all of you. When we first heard the doctor mumble something about her having craniosynostosis, he was casually examining her forehead. I was in shock that he would just let something like that slip out as nonchalant as if he were remarking on the color of her eyes. Our doctor has always tried to keep us calm when explaining Jolene's conditions to us, so I guess that was his intention. I tried to understand whether this was something like people having webbed toes and being double jointed, or something more serious like her Hydrocephalus. He explained to us that her prognosis was good due to the fact that we chose to have the ETV instead of the shunt done to correct her Hydrocephalus. He said that out of all the places she could have developed Craniosynostosis the front of her skull, "Metopic", is the best place, and also the only place you can have the synostosis and surgery can still be considered optional. He did let us know the risks of surgery vs. the risks of not having surgery. Together, my husband, the neurosurgeon, and I all decided at this point we would view the surgery as purely cosmetic. She does have some bulging in her forehead and a ridge has developed, but for the most part, no one even knows she's different than any other baby. There is chance it could worsen and she would most likely require surgery to correct it, but at this point it is a very risky surgery to consider for the off chance her condition will worsen. The surgery would mean a week of recovery in the PICU, a blood transfusion, and all the risk factors that come with neurosurgery, like blindness, brain damage, and death. We have been closely monitoring her condition and really feel like God is watching over her and wants us to have a peace about not choosing surgery. So here we are with a beautiful 11 month old Hydro Baby and Cranio Kid, and we couldn't be more joyous, proud, and at peace with how healthy and happy she is!