Ch.. Ch.. Changes

Happy New Year! We are getting ready for some major changes at the Waterman house in 2008. Ken had the unbelievable luck of receiving two great job offers in the last 3 months. Though we are still in the "thinking about it" stage, this will be a major shift for all of us. I try not to focus on the challenges we still face with Kenneth but it is hard not to consider them. After all, I will be tasked with recreating our whole infrastructure of doctors, therapists, teachers, playgroups, etc. Not to mention finding work myself.

I know everything will work out in the end--this isn't the first time we've moved. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead because with them are great rewards. Here's to 2008!

Break in Routine

We had a few weeks off from PT due to scheduling mishaps and illness. I knew it might be tough returning but I had no idea how hard it would be for Kenneth. We spent most of the 45 minute session trying to bring him out of a tantrum. Jacob thought that the break in routine was too much for him; Kenneth likes his routine.

Finally at the end of the session, we were able to get him to do a few things. I left feeling like we were taken through the ringer. It just goes to show you, we are not the ones in control of these young bodies.

Potty 101

I didn’t think it would be so easy to get results. We have been putting Kenneth, fully clothed, on the toilet to get him accustomed to sitting. Little did I know that the first time we decided to go without clothes, he would have a bowel movement. I was shocked and happy at the same time. Now we have something new to add to our repertoire. Another stage begins.

Mama and Me

MRI Report and Consult

We had our face-to-face meeting with the neurosurgeon today. Grandpa was visiting during the week so we took him along. It was nice to have a third set of ears to hear the news. Again the doctor said there were no significant changes in the MRI since the last one (a year ago). There remains residual fluid around the left lobe that did not drain completely after surgery. Shunting would help drain that but it is not without risks and is a lifelong proposition. The overall consensus was let’s not introduce a shunt since Kenneth is doing well overall and not showing signs of pressure or weakness.

As for Kenneth’s head increase, his chart reflects a proportionate growth rate and he continues to be in the upper percentile. The doctor wants to see him in six months rather than a year, just to monitor the growth. So I walked out of his office breathing a sigh of relief.

Our little boy has come a long way since that week in December 2 years ago.

MRI Report

The doctor called me at 5:00pm today. I had been waiting all day for his call. Thankfully he had good news. He said Kenneth’s MRI “did not change significantly from last year.” Thank God.

He asked a lot of questions about how he was doing and specifically wanted to know about any unusual signs of weakness in the right side of his body. I assured him Kenneth was fine and never showed symptoms of weakness on either side of the body. With that said, we still have a question mark about the increased head size. So we’ll see the doctor on Monday as scheduled.

MRI Follow-up

We went in for Kenneth’s follow-up MRI today. The procedure went fine. His waking from anesthesia was a bit more bumpy. It was the worst I’ve seen him after these scans. He was very upset, angry and didn’t want to sit or lie on the bed in recovery. We really just waited him out until he let us offer him a drink of apple juice. Then later came the warm welcome of goldfish crackers. Every child loves them. After about 45 minutes we were able to persuade him to go to the car and head home.

Thankfully he did not get sick in the car. And he even ate a bit during dinner. I was happy he recovered well.

I am waiting for the doctor’s call on the radiology report. We go in to see him on Monday for a face-to-face consult. Keep us in your prayers.