Medically speaking- our family has had our share this last month. For those of you who hadn't heard, my dad was diagnosed as having a tumor on his pituitary gland. It was larger than an inch around and affected his vision, hormones, and mood to name a few. They moved rapidly and scheduled surgery to have it removed. They went up into his nose, broke a bone, and cut it out. He had a few complications and spent a few days in ICU recovering and has since been able to come home. He is still having problems with his vision, balance, and connecting thoughts at times, but we are so grateful for all the prayers and fasting in his behalf. We truly felt that it was a miracle that the tumor was found and taken care of as quickly as it was.
Also during this time, Shelby and I had decided to follow our Developmental Pediatrician's advice and have Wyatt tested before he enters school next year by a
Neuro-
pyschologist to determine an official diagnosis. We have had many 'guesses' on Wyatt over the last six years, but this was the real deal. Wyatt and I traveled back to Boise and he spent a long 5 hours doing various tests. Then this last Friday, Shelby, Wyatt, and I returned again for 2 more hours of testing and the results. Wyatt's official diagnosis is 'Acquired Brain Injury'. According to
MRI's we've had done in the past, Wyatt probably suffered from a stroke when he was in
utero, or during the birth process that has injured his brain. All of the things he struggles with and his various
symptoms, all stem from this brain injury. He doesn't have Autism or
ADHD, which actually might be easier because I would have more information and know exactly what to do to help him best. Instead, every brain injury is different. We don't know exactly what Wyatt will learn to do and when. We have some information now on exactly what he can and cannot do at this point in time and ways to help him, but we have to be creative and find ways teach him at home and at school. One of those ways is through a medication we've started giving him to help with his over-sensitivity to stimuli through his senses. We're hoping that once we can help him not get so over-stimulated we might be able to help him learn through his difficulties.
I'll be honest- it wasn't what I thought I was going to hear. It wasn't as clear-cut as I wanted. Instead- I'm terrified of how to best help Wyatt. On the other hand, being creative and learning as we go is how we've been doing things so far- but school will present a whole new set of problems and hurdles.
I so appreciate all of my friends who have brought meals to my family through this trying last month- have called to check in me- have remembered the days of Wyatt's appointments and called to find out the results. I am so very blessed in the people that my Heavenly Father has sent into my life. I love you all!!!!
My sweet baby boy is 7 months old. By the end of this week- he'll have 10 teeth. That's right- and 6 of them have come through in the last 4 days. CRAZINESS! He is starting to army crawl- he has the sweetest giggle, the saddest whiny cry, and the absolute best cheeks for kisses. I think I may have over-kissed them though, because today he learned how to do the kissing noise himself and does it whenever I walk into the room :)
Yesterday Livvy pulled out her Dora table and stool and set up her center in the living room. She would sit there, pretending to be able to read :), writing her to-do list, drinking Pepsi from her tea-kettle, and eating chocolate chips from a ziploc baggie. Think she's been watching her mom much? I just thought this was hilarious for all of you who know me well :)
Of coarse- Wyatt spent much of the evening with his ears covered- but he still enjoyed it.
The trapeze were also really neat- I love having kids- it gives you the excuse to be a kid again and enjoy all these super fun activities!!
My sweet Dad- he'd had brain surgery just over a week before this- but he would not miss Fallon's graduation for anything!
Fallon was trying sooo hard to get all the monkeys to smile.
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