ROYAL OAK, MI –A surgeon this morning began removing the ear that has been taking shape on Charlotte Ponce's forearm, so he can transfer it into place on the side of her head.

The 12-year-old girl from Spring Lake showed no sign of nervousness going into the eight-hour operation on Thursday, July 10 – just excitement about what it will mean.

“She said she couldn’t wait to get her ear pierced as soon as the doctor says she can,” said her mother, Sharon Ponce. “She wants dangly earrings and rose earrings. And owls. She said she loves owls.”

The procedure to create a new ear for Charlotte has been done only twice before, said Dr. Kongrit Chaiyasate, the Beaumont Hospital plastic surgeon who has done about 10 surgeries to repair injuries inflicted to Charlotte’s face by a raccoon attack when she was an infant.

On April 15, Chaiyasate removed rib cartilage and carved it into the shape of an ear, then inserted it under the skin of Charlotte’s right forearm. The skin has molded to the ear shape.

Charlotte went into surgery about 8:30 a.m. An hour later, a nurse told her parents, Sharon and Tim Ponce, that the surgeon had begun working on her arm.

SENDING CARDS

Cards from well-wishers have buoyed Charlotte’s spirits and helped her get through the healing process as she has undergone a series of surgeries to repair injuries from a raccoon attack.

Charlotte would love to receive notes of encouragement as she recovers from surgery.

Cards may be sent to P.O. Box 397 Fruitport MI 49415.

Follow her progress on Facebook



“She said Charlotte is doing great. They are starting to take the ear out of her arm, and everything is going fine,” Sharon Ponce said.

Media from Detroit and national news outlets were at Beaumont to meet Charlotte and report on the procedure. The attention is a welcome distraction, her mom said.

“It blows my mind that this little girl from a little town in Michigan” draws so much attention, she said. “It’s phenomenal. It’s gone everywhere.”

Charlotte already has earrings ready for the day when she can wear them. She has received gifts from well-wishers, including about 10 pairs from patients of Chaiyasate.

Chaiyasate has said he is amazed by Charlotte’s strength. She rarely cries or complains during recovery. Even when she got blood tests and an intravenous tube inserted Thursday morning, she didn’t flinch, her mom said.

Only once did she show any sign of concern – when the doctor said he might have to shave a bit of the hair around her ear. Charlotte, who hopes to be a hairdresser someday, had a splash of pink color added to hair this week. She was adamant that she didn’t want it to be cut.

“She gave me a look like – ‘I don’t want them to cut my hair,’” Ponce said. “But they said hopefully her hair will cover that up.”

During the operation, Chaiyasate said he will also fill in Charlotte’s right cheek a bit. Although he will do further work on scars in the future, this is expected to be the last major surgery for Charlotte.

Sue Thoms covers health care for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her at sthoms1@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.