Status updates on Lorette's progress over the course of seven surgeries.

( See below for photos)

October 4, 2009: During her second operation, a large bulk of the right-side tumor was removed, as well as her right earlobe, since it was infiltrated with the tumor tissue that caused her ear to be deformed. The skin covering the tumor was also unhealthy, and a temporary artificial graft was placed.

November 2, 2009: During her third operation, the pedicle of the skin graft (prepared from the first operation) was connected to her right cheek area on one side. The other connected to her back in order to provide adequate blood supply to the one border connected to her cheek. This required having her head turn all the way to the right with her chin sutured to the upper part of her chest. She was kept in this uncomfortable position for one month until the fourth surgery took place.

December 1, 2009: During her fourth surgery, Dr. Wolfe separated the skin graft from her back. He then partially removed the tumor on the left side of her face and used another skin graft from her thigh to cover the place where the upper back graft was disconnected.

Lorette was released in December to enjoy and celebrate the holidays in Panama with her friends and family.

January 19, 2010: Since the eyelid and eye orbit had been pulled down by the weight of the tumor, a fifth surgery was required to align Lorette’s right eye with her left. In addition, bone graft was taken from her hip to cover part of the right eye socket and a left-to-right coronal incision was done as part of the repositioning of the right eye.

The next surgery is to be performed on February 23rd, 2010. The procedures will include: excision of a plexiform neurofibroma in the left abdomen flank, revision of the right cheek flap, revision of the lower right orbital floor and excision of a left cheek tumor.

An appointment is also scheduled with another surgeon on March 9th, 2010, to evaluate if surgery is feasible to correct the contractures of Lorette’s left hand (muscle spasms resulting from a right stroke she suffered during childhood). Finally, and pending consideration, is the possibility to adapt an ear prosthesis on the right side where the earlobe was removed during the second surgery.

April 20, 2010: Lorette had her 7th surgery on April 20th.  On May 6th she had healed enough to return with her parents to Panama.  In six months she will return for additional surgeries to continue to improve the appearance of her face.  As you can see by her before and after pictures, she has come a long way.  Lorette and her family are extremely thankful for all that has been done for her and have asked that I convey this to all her donors. See Lorette's more updated photo and the great progress at the bottom of this page.

A personal note from Lorette's father to Child Foundation: "Hello Toni, we had a nice trip and really enjoyed the time spent with you for lunch . Lorette feels excelent back in her house, as well as we do. Now that we look back, it is being such a journey for Lorette's healing and we thank God that He put, you and Dr Wolfe in our lifes to make such a miracle."

Per Dr. S. Anthony Wolfe: "In a few months there will be another procedure to blend everything in better on the right, and remove some more from the left."