Well guys, here we are 10 weeks away from our trip to see one of the best pediatric plastic surgeons in Santa Monica, Dr. Sheryl Lewin. We are all nervous and excited! I hope all of our followers are just as excited.

We have a pretty interesting itenary. We fly out of BHM at 6:55 and arrive at LAX around 1. From there we have to get our rental. I guess that's the next thing I will cross off my list, and meet a family member that already has us booked from the 9th to the 25th oh June.

The next morning we meet Dr. Lewin and her wonderful staff for pre-op. Then the following morning at the crack of dawn we arrive at the surgical center to get the show started. This stage can last between 10 an 12 hours and is one of the most complex reconstructive surgeries that exists. It takes a skilled Dr whose is also an artist. We lucked up with Lewin.

I am a bit nervous how Hayden will Handel the long surgery and recovery. He will have to wear a special dressing on his ear for sometime.

I will be there for the rough part but on the 17th I will fly back to sweet home AL and return to work. My mom will then fly out to LA the same day to provide Cole with some help and Hayden with some TLC AKA extreme spoiling.

We really don't have much if any in the budget for them to see the attractions, but I'm sure they will make it to the beach. Oh yeah, Lego Land is a must. There are so any things to do there and knowing my mom she will make sure they have a great time.

I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at the big reveal. It makes me sad that I will miss such a huge life stepping stone!

Well that's enough right now.

BTW show your support for Hayden during this time by ordering a Microtia Awareness shirt with his name on it. That would totally surprise him to have his very own shirt. And yes, a portion of the proceeds go directly to him.

www.booster.com/earforhayden

Cole, Hayden, and I really appreciate the kindness you have showed us. May you all be blessed.

The Heards

Well we just booked three one way tickets to LAX for June 9th. I saw an amazing low fair ticket sale through southwest. Now, I know it may be a gamble but since we are unsure of the day Hayden will be released to come back to AL and that I may return slightly before them for work, it seemed the way to go. I am so excited!!!

In addition, our family has experienced something really special this week. I wanted everyone to know we are grateful for you all.

We are somewhat uncomfortable posting our personal address or phone numbers after having been hacked once; however, you can directly contact us via email. There is a contact button in the top left of the page.You can also send your messages from this blog by clicking on the link below.

[email protected]

Recently, The Anniston Star had a large write up about Hayden. Shortly after the article hit the stands, the associated press (AP) picked it up. From there the story was published in many news papers throughout the nation. Can you believe we were printed in the Anniston Star. Even more exciting, Hayden's story was published in the electronic version of the World News.

If you want to read the fabulous article, click on the link at the bottom of the first page or http://article.wn.com/view-mobile/2013/12/06/Ala_boy_faces_ear_surgery_for_rare_birth_defect_s/.

Thanks for the inquiries. We are really new to this, as are most families raising for ear reconstruction. Please be patient with the admin of this site.....ME!

:-D

Hey guys, this is Summer, Hayden's mom of course. We are really excited about Hayden's weebly page. A special thanks to S. Brewer for her help!

A quick update for everyone, Both of our benefits were a success. A special thanks to the individuals and businesses, from the community, who donated. And let's not forget the family that donated the awesome vacation. I sure know the winners, The Lambert family was super excited.

As I am sure most of you know, Hayden and Cole traveled to Florida to get a prosthetic ear in December. Our goal was to get him more comfortable with having two ears. That has not been as easy as I thought it would be. He is afraid people will laugh at him or it will fall off. Needless to say, he said that he would wear it anywhere but school.

The Center for Custom Prosthetics in Naples Florida treated Hayden like a king. He enjoyed the experience of having a "Face Off" ear made and was even given a camouflage ear for a souvenir. A special thanks to David Trainer. Dr. Trainer has an amazing gift!!!!

Now for an update on fundraising... We have raised a total of 6200 in three months. I have been told by other families in the same boat, this is pretty outstanding. We are working really hard to get this page viewed by as many people as possible. I have also reached out to some hearing healthcare related organizations. I hope for the best but realize the lack of a non-profit status makes it much harder to get people to take you seriously. It's sad that you have a few people take advantage of fundraisers like this and give all of them a stigma.

On that note, if anyone has any questions for Cole, Hayden, or myself we do have a contact button. We will immediately get a notification of the message. We want to be as transparent as possible. We owe that to all of our wonderful donors!!!

We are a GO for June 11,2014. Prior to surgery, we will be required to pay a 7500 pre-surgical fee. That protects the doctor, with all of the potential insurance issues with a mostly cosmetic procedure then we will have to book flights, find a rental and a roof over our heads for two weeks. Did I mention all of this will take place in an area outside LA where everything is expensive.. Wow! I have said a lot. It's almost time for his annual hearing test, It brings back all of those fears that we experienced shortly after his birth with the M/A diagnosis. Which honestly, I must say I made myself when the attending had no idea what to call Hayden's little ear. Having your office manager bring OAE and tymp machines to the bedside is a mix for disaster.

I guess it was at that point, Cole made me put all of the pediatric audiology books in the basement and told me to be Hayden's mom not his audiologist. There is so much I can say about our experience as a a member of the M/A family, but honestly when I look back, I would not have it any other way. I am just so glad I get to call Hayden mine!!!! In addition, I want to give a big hug to our extended M/A family which consists of a few wonderful support groups.

Once again, we are so thankful for all of our followers and supporters. It really just affirms that we are blessed. Lastly, I look forward to the" big ear experience." People take their ears and hearing so for granted. I know Hayden will appreciate his new look. I just pray he is as proud of two ears as one of my patients is when they hear for the first time in years.

Warmest Regards ,

Summer

I didn't realize how stressed I had become over all of the aspects related to reconstruction. Some of these include: Are you doing this for your child or is this the decision that was reached because you love your child so much you want to prevent, if possible, the days he MAY have his feelings hurt by others.

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Hayden is self aware and extremely proud of his Little Ear. When a kid at school asked him about it, he replied with, "A Bear Ate It Off." I think I have also heard him say something along the lines "I got into a wrestling match, and that's REALLY what happened. I love my child's since of humor.

On top of that, I really LOVE my husband more than he will ever know. He called it, told me I was trying to juggle too many things at one time, and he recommended I not deal with BCBS, any type of fundraising planning, NO ear related activities. It was amazing how when that weight was lifted, I felt much more calm and at ease with what a God has planned for my son.

You know, sometimes you must also see things through the eyes and heart of a child. About a month ago, Hayden sat down on the couch by me and with tears in his eyes said, "Momma, you have always told me God made me special. Do you not think that way anymore?"

Can you say golf ball in my throat!!! I think those words the first time I heard them, were chopped up to "Oh, he is just scared." But now I realize what he is actually telling me. "Mommy it's my ear and why not let it be my decision to reconstruct when I want too.

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For the record: Hayden you are the most special person in the whole wide world and you will always be special in everyone's eyes. I just want to prevent you from any psychological trauma from well Insecure Bullies. I always want to be able to protect you and prevent pain in any way, form, or fashion.

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Currently, Hayden is still scheduled to see Dr Lewin this summer,we are still fundraising for the slightly over 14000 we are currently lacking. Dr. Lewins office has been amazing, responding to my lot of an est 10 emails a day (which no longer occurs), personal phone calls from Dr Lewin herself, just to say, "Don't worry, I promise it will all work out." And if we don't have the funding by the summer, we will approach it and reassess the timeline. Cole seems to think this has been a quick decision we have reached and that just maybe a little more time (6 months to a year) would allow us to save.

I never dreamed how hard it is to fundraise. Esp when what minimal support you are receiving is not from those that go on about the greater good. My support system had been Hayden, Cole, all of the M/A friends I have med over the the year. There are some super standout families walking in our very same shoes.

Some ideas for fundraisers are currently being kicked around by The Amazing Singer/Songwriter Kelli Johnson. I hope us girls can brainstorm something amazing, that our friends, family, and the community would love to come too. Seriously, I just love Kelli's music, great friends, a good time. And finally for a good cause. I am also thinking some kind of silent auction (with some REALLY nice stuff).

Well, I knew a lot of people have been keeping up with the page and blogs. How do I say this.....my WONDERFUL hubby grounded me from this page and any other ear related tasks and get some good rest.

Goodnight Guys

Please comment or message us

Silent Auction Donations would be much appreciated. Silent Auction coming SOON!!!!

We already got a yes from Griffens in Talladega.

Cole, Hayden, and I really appreciate all of the support you have shown us.

Well. I have been pretty frustrated and upset for the past two days. I have been dealing with BCBS of Alabama Peehip. One minute they say one thing and the next minute something else, last time I spoke with them they said Hayden would be covered if medically necessary and the surgeon said she could take care of that. So we figured everything would be taken care of at the out of network rate subject to our deductible. Well today, I called back and asked if they would send me am authorization approval letter. I supplied the with CPT codes. They then proceeded to tell me one was not covered. After further discussion and a transfur to a supervisor, I was told it would be covered only with the medical diagnosis of hearing loss and that payment would depend on the improvements in his hearing. Well, I am assuming since we are not going to put Hayden through a canalplasty they are going to rule this cosmetic and deny everything.

That is so disheartening. I mean a child can have his ear bitten off by a dog and the insurance will reconstruct it but be born without one and you are pretty much left to fend for yourself.

I am awaiting to hear from the surgeon but it sounds like costs are about to skyrocket. According to the insurance specialist, BCBS is the most difficult insurance company to deal with and they always deny the claim. Seriously. I am just so confused right now, I have no idea what to do. If Hayden's claim is denied we would be left paying an astronomical bill we can't afford.

I just wish The Lord would take this off of me and show me the way. Maybe this is Gods way of telling me that Hayden's needs to stay the way God made him, which is what we have taught him his whole life.

The only reason we decided so quickly on reconstruction is because because of all the reform in the healthcare system and that the surgeon we chose, like many was possibly going to a cash only system.

Cash only options for microtia repair are astronomical as if 20,000 isn't already.

Summer