Post treatment #15

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't updated as frequently. We were super busy with the holidays, illnesses and festivities. Elliots treatment cleared up fabulously. No scabbing this time because it was a blending treatment, which is also why the spots cleared quickly. Elliot did not attend school during this time because he was nervous about the other kids reactions. I did not feel comfortable putting him in that position yet. Once the holiday break is over he will be back to school. :-) I'll post some pics from the last 2 weeks, starting with the earlier pics. Hope you all had a great Christmas!

At Emma and Ethan's Christmas program.

Christmas morning!

1 day post op Tx #15

Elliot woke up with some swelling this morning but nothing too bad. He said his face felt weird. He's been fine all day though. :) 

This time we are trying lavender essential oil to see if it helps the spots fade quicker, as I read that another mom tried it with great results! 

We're home! Treatment #15 is in the books!

I have to say that even after 15 treatments it is still not an easy experience for us. Anytime general anesthesia is involved it is stressful. However, today was definitely the most pleasant and quick experience we have had.

Typically after Elliot is checked into pre-op he is given Versed. This helps him relax and not really remember what is happening. It allows the doctors to take him from my arms to the operating room with no tears. Today the hospital was ahead of schedule and the anesthesiologist said we could either give him the Versed nasally (which burns and is unpleasant) or I could just walk back with him. I've done that once before and swore I'd never do it again. It was terribly uneasy to watch my son be "put to sleep." Instead, I talked to Elliot and told him that this man would take him down to get his "spots" and that mommy would be waiting when he was finished. I waited for the hysteria to ensue......but it didn't! He laid on the bed and they wheeled him away (and the nurse even came back and said he was giggling about the fish on the walls).

Once we got back to recovery when he was finished I expected tears since that's normally what we walk into. But nope! The nurse said "well he woke up chatty so we've just been talking." Not a single tear was shed today. Typically the Versed induces a type of hysteria in him for the 2 hour drive home but today it was all smiles. We will definitely be taking this route in the future! :) I am so proud of our brave boy.

Today Dr. Orringer did a blending treatment. This is a larger laser at a lower setting to help blend out the lines created from previous fading. We were in and out within 1 1/2 hours, and off to Chipotle Mexican Grill!
Now on to the adorable pics!

**Also a huge shout out to my best friend and sister by choice, Alisha, for going with me to nearly all of Elliot's treatments. :) **

Listening to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 

All smiles in Pre-Op

Smiles in recovery!

Look at that handsome, smiley boy!

Spots up close :)

Chipotle for lunch!

Next treatment

Hi everyone! Just a small update on Elliot. School has been going fantastic for him. I had a conference with his teacher today and he's doing very well. 

Elliot is scheduled for his next laser treatment on December 10th at Motts. It's been a long break so I hope he handles everything well. We still are not sure how to handle the school thing with his healing time, if you have suggestions or experience with this I would love to hear from you! 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Elliot's first picture day!

Yesterday was Elliot's first picture day at school. It is just amazing to me how fast my kids have grown. My last baby is a preschooler! At the risk of redundancy I'll just share a picture I took of him before school. I love you Elliot!

And three years ago on his first birthday with gramma.