On January 21 Natalie went to see her favorite Neurologist, Dr Franz. Really, Natalie probably would not call any doctor a "favorite" but if I had to pick one it would probably be him! I like that he always seems to be truthful yet definitely puts the focus on the positives! He also takes the time to really listen to parents and seems to value and consider their input. On this journey, I have learned that this is truly a rarity among pediatric specialists! Del took Natalie to this appointment so I did not get this information firsthand but it seems that Dr Franz gave Natalie a GREAT report at this visit.
To summarize:
-Natalie looks to him to be getting close to walking. He took notice of her much improved balance since her previous visit.
-She had an EEG after her previous visit and this was negative for seizures. She still is at increased risk for seizures due to her previous brain bleed and resulting damage, but the older she gets without having any seizures the better the odds that she won't develop a seizure disorder.
-He believes that she is definitely trying to communicate with us in words but is just not able to get them out correctly and consistently. Natalie apparently became very talkative during her appointment and told him one of her long stories! Dr Franz thinks that the communication device that Natalie will soon be evaluated for will be a great thing to improve her ability to communicate. It is clear that her receptive language skills are much ahead of her expressive language skills. (Not sure he said that last part exactly but this is pretty clear if you spend any time with her). I will do a separate post about communication soon.
-He supports getting another opinion on Natalie's vision and affirmed my gut feeling that vision therapy is probably not worth the time and money at this time. Natalie has had a prescription for glasses since this fall from her Ophthalmologist but no glasses yet. A second opinion from a developmental Optometrist was to hold off on the glasses for now and do vision therapy (which they do in their office for a rather hefty fee and not covered by insurance). So in order to get a 3rd tie breaker opinion, we are going to be seeing an Ophthalmologist in Cincinnati.
I feel like I am forgetting something so if I am, and I remember it, I will edit later!
I really look forward to your post on communication, because the little I've read about it makes me think I've been taking a lot for granted for a long time. It is fascinating, isn't it, that we're still learning so much about how human beings relate to one another?
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read one of your posts, it strikes me that Natalie's cousins will be inestimably helped by growing up in such close proximity to her. You can already see how having Natalie around forces them to communicate in a more sensitive and enlightened way--which will only help them as they grow older. (It goes without saying that Natalie's own growth is unquestionably tied to the strength of her mother and the loving family around her.)
Natalie's persistence toward communicating with those around her is such an inspiring thing to see. I'm reminded of a cool little Pearl Jam song called "Present Tense."
Do you see the way that tree bends?
Does it inspire?
Leaning out to catch the sun's rays.
A lesson to be applied.
Thanks, Jeanne, for continuing to share so much of your journey with the rest of us.
It's truly amazing when you consider the hurdles this little girl has overcome! Go Nat! :)
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