Finally Feeling Better

I think I just went thru the most exhausting 2 weeks ever (well, other than during NICU time). Everyone is pretty much back to themselves except Mady who is teething really bad - majorly swollen gums and we can see whites and boy is she cranky! She still hasn't gotten back to playing much yet, mostly just wants to be held. Hopefully those teeth will pop thru soon! She has gotten closer to the dogs lately and even cuddled up with Chloe for quite awhile this morning. All 3 are back to their schedule for eating and drinking and they've all gained back a good 1/2 lb, you can tell how much better that makes them feel, having some strength back.


Yesterday morning we took all 3 for their monthly synagis shot and then in the p.m. I took Annabel to her neuro follow-up. They removed her bandage on her head and all scars are healing great! The csf and catheter cultures both came back negative so her failure was not due to any bacteria, it was simply a shunt malfunction due to clogging of the catheter. What a huge relief! Dr. Maher was quite relieved that her results were negative, he was quite worried that it was the bacteria. Thank you so much for all your prayers regarding this! So the plan for follow-up is to be
seen again in May, not requiring an MRI. Dr. Maher said that she will more than likely have another malfunction before her 18th b-day but that hopefully this shunt will last much longer.


Annabel is a lot happier, especially with singing and dancing but she is pretty testy now with therapists and doctors - I can't say I blame her too much. Yesterday afternoon we were working with her on sitting in the new position that her aqua therapist (won't be able to continue that for a few more weeks) recommended and she did well for awhile, especially when playing during sitting! Today Early On PT came and Annabel wanted nothing to do with Shirley, hopefully it will all come back over time. Thank goodness she at least allows us to work with her!



Johnathan is back to himself, checking out everything and discovering new things. He's learned how to really rock the rocking horse they got for Christmas, it is so cute and he loves it! Today during Early On he actually stood in the middle of the room unsupported for quite awhile! I think once he gets this walking done he will be off and running! That's his problem right now, he wants to move faster than his legs will let him, his upper body is always too far ahead! Him and Mady are really getting close, she finally played with him again today. He has recently started crying if she is, which is cute but isn't always convenient. I think those 2 are going to get in trouble together a lot!

This afternoon I take Annabel to her audiology appointment that she missed because of her surgery. Hopefully she won't be too cranky with the adiologist so we get accurate results! Next week is Johnathan's lung function test on Thursday so please pray that we stay germ-free until then so he can actually do the test when scheduled for once!