Masyn has microtia and atresia, which you can read about on our blog in more detail here. One of his ears is very small and his ear canal is closed. He has no hearing in his right ear.
Nicole, his mom, had a perfectly normal pregnancy and had no idea that Masyn would be born with a birth deformity. Nicole had an emergency c-section, and Masyn was whisked off to the NICU as soon as he was born. He spent his first 5 days there to ensure that he didn’t have any other condition or syndrome, leaving Nicole in a state of shock and beside herself with worry. It felt like an eternity before the medical staff provided her with any information on Masyn’s condition.
When Masyn was a baby, they took him to Philadelphia Children’s Hospital, but he was still too young and too small for any treatment. They decided as a family not to do anything until Masyn bought up the issue of his ear himself.
Sure enough, one day when he was about 5 years old, they were driving along in the car and Masyn said, “I've got one big ear and one little one.” His mom replied, “Yes, and you can hear in one and not hear in the other one.” Masyn insisted he thought he could hear a little.
Two years ago, Masyn’s grandmother saw a piece on local TV about Little Baby Face Foundation, and they applied for Masyn to receive treatment.
Masyn had to be a certain size and age before he could have surgery. His surgery was scheduled for March 2020 and had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. Dr. Romo, our leading surgeon and founder of Little Baby Face Foundation, promised he would do as soon as he was allowed.
Masyn is currently scheduled to have his preop on December 16 and his surgery on December 18 at Lenox Hill Hospital. He will spend 3 to 4 days in the hospital and go straight home. When we asked Masyn what he thought about having surgery and what he would tell another kid facing surgery, he said, “It’s sort of scary, but not really because you’re going to be okay. And Dr. Romo is really nice and kind of friendly.”
Nicole, his mom, had a perfectly normal pregnancy and had no idea that Masyn would be born with a birth deformity. Nicole had an emergency c-section, and Masyn was whisked off to the NICU as soon as he was born. He spent his first 5 days there to ensure that he didn’t have any other condition or syndrome, leaving Nicole in a state of shock and beside herself with worry. It felt like an eternity before the medical staff provided her with any information on Masyn’s condition.
When Masyn was a baby, they took him to Philadelphia Children’s Hospital, but he was still too young and too small for any treatment. They decided as a family not to do anything until Masyn bought up the issue of his ear himself.
Sure enough, one day when he was about 5 years old, they were driving along in the car and Masyn said, “I've got one big ear and one little one.” His mom replied, “Yes, and you can hear in one and not hear in the other one.” Masyn insisted he thought he could hear a little.
Two years ago, Masyn’s grandmother saw a piece on local TV about Little Baby Face Foundation, and they applied for Masyn to receive treatment.
Masyn had to be a certain size and age before he could have surgery. His surgery was scheduled for March 2020 and had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. Dr. Romo, our leading surgeon and founder of Little Baby Face Foundation, promised he would do as soon as he was allowed.
Masyn is currently scheduled to have his preop on December 16 and his surgery on December 18 at Lenox Hill Hospital. He will spend 3 to 4 days in the hospital and go straight home. When we asked Masyn what he thought about having surgery and what he would tell another kid facing surgery, he said, “It’s sort of scary, but not really because you’re going to be okay. And Dr. Romo is really nice and kind of friendly.”
We are so glad that Masyn feels safe and well cared for at Little Baby Face Foundation, and we can’t wait to see him get the treatment he deserves. We know just how transformative surgery can be for a child like Masyn, not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Masyn, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with hope and happiness!
