~~~ Ricky's 7 and 8 month updates ~~~
Written Feb. 13, 2005, he is actually 9 months today!!
Ricky has his 9 month check up on Tuesday,
will update with that update ASAP :)
*CT SCAN*
In December (7 months) Ricky had a CT Scan.
They had to sedate him but he did well and the
procedure was only 15 mintutes long!!!
After a long few weeks we finally got the report
back in early Janaury.
The report showed some signs of brain damage done
due to lack of oxygen in the brain, caused by his
not breathing at birth and though it was not long
before they could resusitate him the damage was done.
It appears he may have Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy,
alot of terms in the report but this is what they want to
rule out or confirm at 18 months...
So this is likely the main reason for all his delays.
*HEARING UPDATE*
December - 7 months.
Sir Ricky had a inconclusive ABR test that appeared
to be due to fluid in ears again. ENT said that he did
have some fluid but no infection but gave
us a antibiotic to be sure.
In January, right at 8 months, he got a ear infection
and more fluid in the ears so he was put on more antibiotics.
By early February the ENT said the ears were fine and
the fluid was draining and no tubes were necessary (yet anyway),
so we had another OAE hearing test (non-sleeping one).
It showed MUCH IMPROVEMENT and he
has very mild to no hearing loss!! Yay!!
The only thing is that means that his lack of
response to some sounds and his quietness is due to
his lack of oxygen in the brain and likely the
cells that are dead maybe those. NO way to tell for
sure yet till the 2nd CT Scan is done and/or a MRI is done.
*GENETIC TESTING*
In December the ENT suggested genetic testing (as did the neurologist)
and so we did the initial questionare and now we
are awaiting an appointment to start all
that round of testing!! Oh Joy!! :(
*NEUROLOGIST UPDATE*
Saw the neurologist again in January (at 8 months),
he has now graduated from 4 month old in development
to 5 month old! Yay! :) It got jumped up due
to his rolling from back to tummy and also
he is starting to grasp things more now (toys)
though still not putting things from one
hand to the other yet. He is still not
babbling alot (only now starting, at just 9 months).
He also JUST THIS WEEKEND (the weekend he turns 9 months actual)
turned from tummy to back.. and put his pacifier for
the first time into his mouth!!
All things a normal 5 month old does....
So the neurologist now says he officially has
HYPOTONIA (moderate to severe low muscle tone),
and global developmental delays (gross/fine motor).
She predicts he won't sit before a year, and she
does not expect him to crawl before 18 months or
walk before 2 years, and those are approxamite times.
We go back to see her in March, so every 2 months.
*PHYSIO THERAPY*
My little guy is now in therapy, he goes to see the
children's hospital PT dept. every month and
the local comuntity health center brings in a
in-home therapist once a week (sometimes biweekly).
Eventually he will need Occupational and Speach therapy.
The Torticollis is pretty much resolved and now we are
focasing in on his sitting, which is still not happening :(
He gets tired out very easily but that is normal for his delays.
*MILESTONES*
As of February 13th, 2005 (9 months today!!)
Can roll both ways!! (though still hates his tummy!)
He is now putting the pacifier in his mouth by himself!
He is starting to get a little personality!! (smiling more)
Will update again with his 9 month checkup later on!!
