Dear Artie,

This month has been busy and wild in a lot of ways, but the biggest item on the list for you was your surgery. I’m sure I’ve written in this space before about the tumor in your  parotid gland, because it’s been on my mind for a while. While we knew going in that it probably wasn’t a serious emergency, it’s still a big deal to have your head cut open. When it was all done, though, everyone was very pleased with the outcome. Pathology gave final confirmation that it was, in fact, a benign pleomorphic adenoma. Additionally, the surgery came with the risk of (usually temporary) facial paralysis, because a major facial nerve runs right through the parotid gland. Fortunately, your surgical team took great care and completed the procedure with no damage to the nerve. That was important with band camp coming up in early August. Even though we knew that any paralysis would likely resolve within a year, I didn’t want you to start high school with a droopy face and lips incapable of pursing into a trombone-playing position. It was a great relief to see you smile with your whole face when you woke up from your sedation.

You were initially scheduled to have the surgery with a pediatric ENT surgeon in the Children’s Hospital, but at your pre-operative appointment, that doctor took a look at you, got a brief history of the situation, and handed you off to another surgeon. This surgeon is more experienced in surgery on adults, but parotid tumors are more common in adults, so it made sense to assign him to your case. We were very happy with Dr. Bayon, not only because he is kind and skilled, but because he personally went to bat to have your operation take place in the adult OR. Apparently that’s not an easy thing to get approved, and it was initially declined. Dr. Bayon wanted an OR support staff who had done this surgery before, which might not be the case in the children’s OR. He had a special face-to-face meeting with the chief of surgery and pled your case, and his request was granted. I don’t know for sure if that’s what made the difference between “mostly successful, but…” and “perfect,” but I’m so happy your outcome was perfect.

A little over a week later, you returned to your favorite summer activity, Filmscene animation camp. While you’re technically past the recommended age for the camp, the lead teacher personally and specifically told you that you could keep coming back as long as you want. I think it would be cool if you could be an assistant teacher or counselor-in-training or something. Callum might be old enough to attend the camp next year, and I know he’d feel more comfortable if you were there too. We’ll have to see what next summer’s schedule looks like and think about it further. I hate to take that away from you, because it’s something so fun and creative, and it’s a special opportunity we have living here. I always enjoy seeing the finished product, and it makes me happy to see you so proud of your work. Due to Covid precautions, each camper was only allowed to bring two guests to the showcase. Callum and I came, and he thought the film was excellent. He also enjoyed the popcorn.

You got lucky in one way, because high school marching band camp ran the same week as Filmscene camp. Freshmen only attend the last couple of practices, but we were expecting you to have to miss some Filmscene in order to attend. As it happened, the weather was ungodly hot that week, so the band teachers chose to move outdoor afternoon rehearsals to the evening. That meant you didn’t have to miss any Filmscene, but it also made for a very long (and still pretty hot) day. The next day, you did most of your work indoors, including a showcase for parents. Your participation as a freshman will be limited, but seeing what the older kids are doing should give you a taste for what your future holds. You had seemed a bit underenthusiastic about band, mostly because none of your good friends were members. However, I saw at the showcase that one of your good friends has re-joined. I really hope he sticks it out, because your high school has a great band program. The teachers seem very dedicated to building a positive community within the band program, and I hope you can find a comfortable place within it and continue your musical growth.

Your current favorites: Beat Saber on the Oculus Quest virtual reality gaming system, ice cream, pasta, Honey Nut Cheerios, root beer, sleeping late, texting with your friends, playing with Callum, and making silly jokes. A recent one: Why does Harry Potter get his potion pot and his friend confused? Because they’re both called Ron (cauldron). I’m glad you like language play, because we got your schedule for the next school year. You’re really taking French. Mon dieu.

I still love you. I always love you.

Love,

Mom