well, i took alaina in for her visit to the surgeon... her surgery is scheduled for july 11th. the doctor said that what she had was called a "thyroglossal cyst" and they are going to make an incision over the cyst, remove it and then they are going to also remove what they call a "hyoid bone" from her neck. aparrently this bone is the only bone in the body that is not attached to any other bones. its supported by muscles in the neck and it aparently supports the tongue muscle. i dont really know why they want to take the hyoid bone out, they really didnt say why. the only thing i could think of is that maybe if she were to keep it the cyst might grow back. i asked the doctor if removing it would cause any problems with her voice or being able to talk and he assured me that taking it out wouldnt do anything. its almost like the appendix.. you dont absolutely need it.. i dunno. im still scared... i just really want july to be over with.