Medical Appointments and Making People Smile

Medical Appointments: January has been a busy month full of follow up doctors appointments for Isaac, the ENT, Neurosurgery, and Orthopaedic appointments.

Overall, Isaac is getting better from an ear infection. He still has fluid in them, but it could take awhile for that to go away. No ear tubes are needed. Phew. Urology has reported that we need to meet with his team of urologists, ortho docs and colerectal doctors to begin making a plan for his "big" surgery. His big surgery is when they place his bladder into his body and break his hips to align them correctly. This big surgery is something I dread, but it will be good to have a plan soon, to begin that journey and move on. Hopefully in the next few months we will actually have a plan. The one thing I have learned about OEIS is that the only thing certain is that there will be uncertainty. Each case is unique in its own way and up until 30 years ago or so these children did not survive. With only a few children born with this condition each year, medicine is learning everyday about how to achieve the best repairs for our children. If I need to be patient to get the best repairs for Isaac, then I will be patient.




Making People Smile:
Some days it is hard to not ask, "why does Isaac have to endure such difficult medical issues?" It hardly seems fair. But I am learning, the world does not always work in ways that I think is fair. I am learning to look for the special gifts we have and not the deficits. I am learning that what might be lacking in one area, may be made up for it in other areas. Today, while taking a tour of preschools for Isaac's big brother, the receptionist was watching Isaac while he sat in his car seat while I checked out the classrooms. When I returned she kept telling me how chatty and smiley he was. She seemed thrilled to have gotten to sit with him and she told me it was such a gift to get to meet him today. I could tell she truly enjoy his presence. I realized then, he might be lacking movement in his lower body, but he makes up for it in his smile, his coo and his pleasant company he brings. His smile is a gift. His babble is a gift. His presence is a gift.