Cousin Quinn said...Dear Keller - Feel Better. (Then I explained he's doesn't really feel bad.) Ok - We love you. I'm going to hug you. You are a nice boy. We should play together soon! Love your cousin Quinn.

Ben and Laura Lappenga said...Mark, Hillary, and Keller-- want you to know that you've been in our thoughts and prayers this week. Thanks for setting up this blog; we'll be in touch as soon as you're ready for visitors. Much love!Ben and Laura Lappenga

Aunt Andrea said...Hi Family! The Rhoades Family sends their love. We are all keeping up on the news thanks to the blog. You have a wonderful support team for your little guy! Our prayers for tomorrow. Love Aunt Andrea

Kathy and Dennis Gougion said...please know that we love you and all of your family and are praying for Keller and his team of doctors. It is obvious that Hillary and Mark are fabulous parents and with the love and support of all of his family and friends we have confidence that his recovery will be complete. Remember that you are not alone, we are all with you in spirit. The idea of the blog is wonderful, it helps all of us feel "in touch". If there is anything that we can do to help, you kow all you have to do is ask. Be strong and God bless all of you - Love, Kathy and Dennis

Uncle David and Caitlin said...Keller, Mark and Hillary - We are thinking of you guys here in Chicago and hoping for the best in surgery and recovery. Thanks for setting up this blog to keep us informed. Keller, can't wait to see you in Chicago this summer! -Love, Dave and Caitlin

Cousin Emily Rhoades said... Hillary, Mark & Keller, I'll be thinking of you guys this week. Hopeeverything goes smoothly. The blog is a great idea andvery informative! Can't wait to hear surgery is complete. Emily

Brian, Brandy and Addison Green said...Hi Keller: This is your second cousin Addison. I can't wait until you come back and visit so we can play. Luckily us kids are so strong that I know you will get through this with flying colors (maybe Crimson and Blue colors). Please know that I am thinking of you and praying for you everday. Love, Addison

Josh and Susie Kimelman said... Nelson family....our thoughts and prayers are with you all....thank you for creating this blog and making it easier for all of us that love and care for you to keep up to date on Keller's progress.

Cindy Dilliner said...Having watched my son go through surgery on his face 3 times I can definately empathize with how you are all feeling. Be strong and know that medicine and prayer can do awesome things! I will be thinking about you all and will be following along. I know this all seems tough but in the end it will be good that "Keller won't remember any of it! Thanks for dropping me a note. We've been outside all day working and kids in the sprinkler!! Keep me posted!!

Ben and Amber Graeber said...Hi Keller, Ben and I can't wait to have you healthy and ready to move in next door. We are excited to have you back playing with Otis and Dakota. Wishing you the best in surgery and recovery. P.S. Sophia Clark (Ben's 5-year-old niece) says, "Hi Keller. Sorry you're having surgery. I hope you get better soon. From, Sophia."

Sarah Friedland said...Keller is so lucky to have all of his family coming into town to support and love him!! Thanks for creating the blog, what a great idea! It is great that you have all this information here so we can check in and know what is going to happen and see progress and updates! I wish I could be there to support you through this whole thing but know that you all are in my heart and in my thoughts and I will be sending well wishes your way all next week!

Andrew and Chandra said... what peace of mind to know it's still on -phew! we'll give a call to the hospital towards the end of the week to check in about a visit...with prayers & well wishes,andrew & chandra*

PICTURES OF KELLER (0-10 MONTHS)

Hello again...I added several pictures of Keller to give you a better idea of his head shape. His craniosynotsosis is rather hard to notice from straight on, so I specifically added shots looking down at the top of his head as well as at a profile. Please follow this link to view the album. http://kellernelson.shutterfly.com/action/

Michelle Evans said... What a stressful day! I am glad the surgery is still on and wanted to wish you all well. I will be thinking about you in the next few weeks.

SURGERY NEARLY CANCELLED

Hello everyone. Well, we are recovering from a rather stressful day. For the past 2 weeks we've been doing everything possible to keep Keller as healthy as can be. Like paranoid parents, we've been taking him to see his pediatrician every week just to hear a clean-bill-of-health report. Today's visit brought on new worries about surgery being cancelled. We've been told from the beginning, that if he has a cold, cough, ear infection or other illness within 2 weeks of surgery that we must call the surgery clinic immediately. Sure enough, Keller currently has ear infections in both ears. Arrrghh!!!! Trust me, you would never suspect it by his incredibly cheery attitude and eating/sleeping habits. With family arriving on Sunday, we had to know whether sugery could be cancelled and whether they should not bother in coming to Seattle. So after several hours of pacing, a bit of cooking and even a crossword puzzle to take our minds off of it-- we heard back from the Children's Hospital that surgery is still on! Sigh...

Great Grandma Thompson said... Hi Keller,I took at look at your blog. I was very excited by the wonderful recovery stories and pictures. I want you to know that someone in Des Moines is thinking about you and loves you very much! I can't wait to see you again and hold you! Love,Great Grandma Thompson

Bethany & Kyle said... Hi,We are thinking about all of you. I am sure it is scary but those little guys will suprise you with how tough they are! Good luck with everything and we will keep you in our thoughts. ~Bethany & Kyle

Grandpa Clause said... Hey Keller. We'll be out to see you shortly and help your mom and dad get you ready for surgery. We'll be right there with you during your time in the hospital and after you come home. Your mom takes great pictures of you. Especially the one of you standing in your bed with your hand together and smiling. You are very handsome just as you are. With a little help from the doctors the girls will be swooning over you. Grampa and Grandma Clause.

Andrew Wahl said... Hey- I love the website. Samantha and I will be following along with you. Talk to you soon-Andrew, Samantha and Owen

Mads Frederiksen said... Hi Hill. Sorry to hear about Keller. Must be worrying. But a comfort that its not an illness he suffers from continuously, and that recovery is fast - am I right? We think about you and hope - as you say - it will be a short glimpse in his long life. love, Mads

Laura Lappenga said... Hey guys, it will be a stressful week ahead for you. If we can help in any way, let us know. Also, let us know when the little guy (and you) would like visitors

SEND US A MESSAGE

We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions about Keller or Metopic Craniosynostosis or would just like to send us a message please post a comment (click the 'comment' link below the message).

Great Grandmother Clause said... Thanks for keeping us up to date on Keller, pray that all goes well and a speedy recovery. I enjoy the pictures so much. Isn't it great that we can keep in touch so quickly. Glad to hear family will all be with you.

Chandra Mullenix said... Hillary, We'll be eager to know how things are going -I looked at Children's pages a bit... what good hands you'll be in, but I'm sure you already know that! Do you think you guys will be up for visitors at any point either during your hospital stay or while Keller's in recovery at home?

Melissa Pope said... Hi Hill - thanks for creating this site. We'll be thinking of you and will check back often for updates!Best wishes -Melissa

Sarah Hoard said... Hi Hill, Wow, thank you for making this blog. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you this next month! It was great to learn about Metopic Cranio.. the stories of kids who have had the surgery are wonderful! I know as a mom you have to be strong for your kids and it seems that you are a perfect example of that. I just wish you peace and calmness through the next few weeks and we look forward to reading all about Keller's great recovery. The pic on the blog is adorable! Love, Sarah and Mike (Liam and Milo too!)

Brooke Miller said... One of the side effects of being pregnant for me, is the hormones, so I of course cried as soon as I read this. But how awesome! You both are doing an awesome job and I have no doubt that you are absolutely correct about this being a tiny blip in his life. See you soon!

Eric Walter said....I hadnt heard about this Hillary....you have Jana and I's best wishes...its so hard to have to go through anything stressful involving your new baby......I hope all is well

Haley said...Hey Hillary and Mark - The blog is a great idea...a some friends of ours have a little baby who has been in a hospital in Minnesota since June and have been using a blog to keep everyone updated here in Michigan. It seems like a great way to process what is happening in the hospital as well. Bill and I will be thinking of you all. -Haley

David Cinamon said...Thanks for this. This isn't quite the "cherished" part of infancy that a parent would want to experience, but all these memories add up to riches down the road. Best wishes to you guys. I'll stay tuned.

Jenn Weaver said...Thanks for the info. – we will definitely stay tuned to Keller’s blog. Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with you all for a successful surgery and speedy recovery for Keller. What is the date of the surgery so we can make a special point of channeling some positive energy his way that day? Take care and best wishes – we love you all!

Sarah Mosley said...Thanks for the update. I was just talking with my mom a couple of days ago and she thought Keller was having surgery sometime soon. I'll forward this email along to her too. I hope everything goes well with the surgery, and I appreciate you including us on the updates. Hopefully we can meet Keller sometime. Your postcard at Christmas was really cute!

Sean McCosh said...Hey Hillary! Thank you for sharing. I am in Minneapolis right now and had dinner with Meredith and Dan on Tuesday night. They told me the surgery was coming up, and shared a little bit more about Keller's condition. Kate and I will pray for a flawless surgery and a quick recovery. I like your blog idea. Keller will appreciate seeing this some day. Take care and let us know if we can do anything for you guys. Sean

METOPIC CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS

What is craniosynostosis? Craniosynostosis is the early fusion of one or more of the sutures (specialized joints between skull bones that enable expansion of the skull during normal brain growth) between the bony plates of the skull. When the sutures fuse too early, the skull cannot grow normally. How is craniosynostosis treated? Surgery to reshape the skull is the most common treatment. Only one incision is needed, which is made in a zigzag line from just above one ear to just above the other, within the child's hair. We have found that the scar blends in very well and is usually covered completely by the hair within months of the surgery. The neurosurgeon on the team removes the affected suture and the craniofacial plastic surgeon reshapes the skull bones into a more normal shape. The new shape is held together by plates and screws while the bone heals. The plates and screws are made of a special material that breaks down and dissolves completely in one or two years. After the operation, the child is cared for in the intensive care unit for one to three nights and then spends the rest of the stay on the ward. The usual stay in the hospital lasts three to five days. The surgery is typically performed before the baby is 1 year old, but sometimes doctors suggest just watching a child with mild craniosynostosis to see how the skull will grow. The treatment of simple craniosynostosis may require only one surgery before the baby is 1 year old.