Three years later ....

Hello everyone, it's been a long time since my last post, and as you can image a lot has happened in the past three years. The start of Covid was all bit crazy!  the brace process with the Orthodontist was going amazing. We have had Weddings, Birth's and a loss. Lockdown was hard for every one.

Xander started in Reception, Which was pretty much online for the first part. I think we were glad when we had a bit more normality, Blake was amazing during the first lock down and raised £210 for cleft lip and palate association using Facebook. 

Then in the second lockdown he raised another 400+ by doing a series of challenges! He did a running challenge, doughnut challege, circuit challenge with his school, a kickboxing challenge with his Instructor Vicki who was amazing! 

He then did a football challenge with his coach Andy who suggested a penalty challenge for Blake, Andy took the position as goaly,  Blake had to score as many goals as he could in two minutes! his coach didn't go easy on him for me the best thing was watching all his team mates encourage and support him.

The last was the best and based on i'm a celebrity, so It was a food challenge. We live streamed most of the events. Blake had a great time doing this for CLAPPA. 

Eating Challenge.

Doughnut Challege.

Football Challenge. 11 goals in 2 minutes! 2021.

The kids were amazing during the lockdown I am such a proud mum. 

As I said previously so much had happened and one of the best things was finding a best friend bam smack in the middle of everything going on,  Leanne is her name and she has been a massive support. Well we looked after each other.  I have to mention Sharon who has been with me throughout and has been amazing she hosted some of Blakes Challenges and is always ready for anything and any occations! I love them so much.

We also celebrated the Birth of Leanne's gorgeous girl Ariana. My Husband Chris was Best Man at his best friend Tristan and Sarah's Wedding! A beautiful day. When I said we had a loss, well that was out Beautiful Cat Theo. He sadly became very ill and we think had a stroke. Unfortunately we had to put him to sleep. We were all so devastated. We miss him so much. 

Me, Leanne, Ariana and my beautiful Tià.

So from my last post I told you all how Blake was getting on with his braces.. 

I can honestly say they have been amazing and the Orthodontist did an amazing job and was absolutely incredible with Blake to the point where he was happy to go see her over the year Blake got to choose different colour bands at all his appointments he had Red and White, Blue and Green and multicoloured. 

Salisbury Hospital, during lockdown. First meeting with the Orthodontist team.

Blake having his brace tightened and bands changed. Salisbury Hospital. 2021

It got to the point that his front tooth had straitened enough for the next step of Blakes journey,  The Bone Graft.

We had another Orthodontist appointment at Salisbury Hospital we got to meet Blake's new Surgeon, and we were told Blake was ok to have his Brace removed as it was all looking good. This meant the Bone Graft would de the next step... 

Salisbury Hospital, brace off 2021.

We got the call....about a month later telling us there was an opportunity to have his Bone Graft surgery with his new surgeon, but the operation would have to be in Oxford!! At John Radcliffe Hospital, there had been a cancellation and Blake was coming up next on the list. We had to make a decision pretty fast or we would lose the spot. We asked Blake and he was happy to go ahead. But as it got closer he got nervous and a little scared but we did all we could to reasure him. 

On the day we had to arrive very early with a lot of waiting, but we were eventually given a room, Chris had to stay in a hotel as only one parent could stay. Blake made himself at home, he brought his pillow, and his games and his big Gorilla Bruce ! 

Blake was 11 at the time of his Bone graft so for me this was harder than all the other surgical procedures. He was completely aware of what was going on. The process was explained in detail. Bone marrow would be taken from his thigh bone and placed into the cleft in his gum, the Bone marrow would fuse and hopefully turn into bone, and the goal would be his front tooth being able to come through. 

They told us Blake wouldnt be able to do sports for Six weeks! he had to be very carful. This was a bit of a blow as he loves his sport's. After the six weeks Blake really struggled with his fitness, Blake does Football, Swimming and Kickboxing as well as School sports. It took him quite a while to get his fitness back up. 

Blake's recovery from the Surgery was incredible he had bit of a limp and struggled to get about at first,  his face was quite swollen, and he had to be on a soft food for a few weeks, but the medication helped with the swelling and Pain. The staff were amazing and the hospital was great We couldnt be more grateful for everything they did. Blake recoved in time for Christmas.

John Radcliffe, Bone Graft 2021.

John Radcliffe, after Bone Graft surgery, 2021.

A few moths later in 2022 we recieved an appointment for a check up, Blake's surgeon was very please with the results. Then a few months down the line we had to go back and see the Orthodontist she was pleased with the progress of his teeth he has the usual xrays. There was a possibility Blake might have to have another small surgery as one of his teeth hadn't erupted.

We went to another check up in 2023 and had all the checks again, but this time he had pictures, which does make me chuckle as the mouth piece makes him look like wallace. (Wallace and Gromet) The Orthodontist told us his tooth had erupted! Fantastic news no surgery.Blake has to now wait for he braces to be put back on which will be sometime in 2024.

Blake is turning into such a lovely boy he has just received his Black belt for Kickboxing! I'm so proud of him. He works hard on school and has a great set of friends around him. I cant believe he will be 13 in June! 

Thank you for reading!