We found out Liam has a mild hearing loss, but it is temporary and due to fluid in his ears. He never has ear infections, but has had chronic fluid in his ears for some time now. The docs are hypothesizing that this is one reason his speech is delayed. We are meeting with an ENT sometime in the new year to determine next steps but we really hope to avoid a surgery to put tubes in his ears. He's just been through so many surgeries, and the fluid will clear up and only cause speech delays, we hate to pursue it further. However, we'll consult with the experts and then make a decision. Based on this news and the recommendations that were made by the occupational therapist who did his feeding eval recently, Liam will be starting both speech and occupational therapy in the new year.
I tried to post Christmas pictures last night, but we got a new computer and I need help figuring out how to set up the e-mail account. Grr. I love technology, but trying to get everything set up on a new computer can be very frustrating!!
All the best to you and yours in the New Year!
In Christ,
Lisa
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Happy Helmet Check News!
We are very happy to announce that Liam was seen by Dr. K this a.m. who pronounced his head round enough for now. Well, he used doctor-type words that make it all sound more official, but the general gist is that we don't have to go back for 5 months and he can be helmet free for now. We'll see what he says in five months!
We are gearing up for the holidays around our house. Bill has done all of his holiday decorating outside but Lisa still doesn't even have the tree up inside. Actually, it's up, just not in the right place (Bill says it blocks our monument to stupidity--a.k.a. the too-big TV set we own) and is not yet decorated. We wonder if we'll ever get the Christmas cards mailed out this year. WHY do the days go by so quickly the older you get? Time is wasted on the young!! ;)
Liam is now sitting up on his own and Sarah is beginning to pick out words when they are written on a page! We're equally excited about both accomplishments! Wooohooo!
Next step for Liam: ABR (fancy hearing test done under sedation) at our beloved Children's on Friday. We'll post an update when we get the results!!
Thank you for all your prayers--don't stop praying for our little miracle!!
In Christ,
Bill and Lisa
We are gearing up for the holidays around our house. Bill has done all of his holiday decorating outside but Lisa still doesn't even have the tree up inside. Actually, it's up, just not in the right place (Bill says it blocks our monument to stupidity--a.k.a. the too-big TV set we own) and is not yet decorated. We wonder if we'll ever get the Christmas cards mailed out this year. WHY do the days go by so quickly the older you get? Time is wasted on the young!! ;)
Liam is now sitting up on his own and Sarah is beginning to pick out words when they are written on a page! We're equally excited about both accomplishments! Wooohooo!
Next step for Liam: ABR (fancy hearing test done under sedation) at our beloved Children's on Friday. We'll post an update when we get the results!!
Thank you for all your prayers--don't stop praying for our little miracle!!
In Christ,
Bill and Lisa
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
At long last--another update!
So sorry, folks! A friend e-mailed me asking me to update the blog, and I nearly had a stroke when I logged in this morning and realized how long it had been since I updated it! Once again, there is good reason, though! I started a new job as Director of Counseling Services on a small private university campus in our small town here. That means I'm driving 2 hours less per day. As an added bonus, I love the job (so far!). Anyway, the transition kept me busier than I had anticipated, and I should have posted a warning to all of you, but I didn't think about it.
Liam is doing wonderfully! He has been totally off all pain meds for quite some time and is happy, smiling, and loving life! The fluid builed-up is now completely gone, so his head is looking great. The best news is that at his follow-up appointment with the surgeon, he said Liam may not need another helmet! At $3000 per helmet, we were VERY excited to hear that! Besides, we like snuggling his little fuzzy noggin, and we can't do that if it's covered up with hard plastic. We'll see...
We continue to experiment with different things to get the steri-strips off his head. If anyone has any suggestions, we're happy to entertain any and all of them (well, I think we won't try the lighter fluid idea that one of Liam's uncles brought up!). So far we've tried the adhesive dissolver they gave us at the hospital, baby oil, and soaking them in water as often as he'll tolerate. He screams anytime you get anywhere near them. The surgeon says to wait it out and they'll just naturally fall off, which is what we're doing. Hard to be patient, though. We want them gone ASAP! Oh well. Small potatoes given what we've been through. Goo Gone, anyone? ;)
I need to get some Halloween pics posted. Ideally, this will happen prior to Thanksgving! ;) Liam went as the pumpkin that the Fairy Godmother turned into a coach. Guess what Sarah wanted to be...
Many, many, many thanks for the prayers you have offered and continue to offer, as well as the emotional support, cards, meals, and phone calls. We greatly appreciate all of the kindnesses extended to us over the past six weeks during this latest round of medical intervention.
What a journey of faith Liam's life has been so far!
"Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God!'
-Chris Tomlin
In Christ,
Lisa (and Bill, of course!)
Liam is doing wonderfully! He has been totally off all pain meds for quite some time and is happy, smiling, and loving life! The fluid builed-up is now completely gone, so his head is looking great. The best news is that at his follow-up appointment with the surgeon, he said Liam may not need another helmet! At $3000 per helmet, we were VERY excited to hear that! Besides, we like snuggling his little fuzzy noggin, and we can't do that if it's covered up with hard plastic. We'll see...
We continue to experiment with different things to get the steri-strips off his head. If anyone has any suggestions, we're happy to entertain any and all of them (well, I think we won't try the lighter fluid idea that one of Liam's uncles brought up!). So far we've tried the adhesive dissolver they gave us at the hospital, baby oil, and soaking them in water as often as he'll tolerate. He screams anytime you get anywhere near them. The surgeon says to wait it out and they'll just naturally fall off, which is what we're doing. Hard to be patient, though. We want them gone ASAP! Oh well. Small potatoes given what we've been through. Goo Gone, anyone? ;)
I need to get some Halloween pics posted. Ideally, this will happen prior to Thanksgving! ;) Liam went as the pumpkin that the Fairy Godmother turned into a coach. Guess what Sarah wanted to be...
Many, many, many thanks for the prayers you have offered and continue to offer, as well as the emotional support, cards, meals, and phone calls. We greatly appreciate all of the kindnesses extended to us over the past six weeks during this latest round of medical intervention.
What a journey of faith Liam's life has been so far!
"Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God!'
-Chris Tomlin
In Christ,
Lisa (and Bill, of course!)
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