Mid-Year Team Hellyer Audit

Maybe I'll just start doing monthly updates ... how about that? That seems to be the way this is going anyways. I'd like to start out by asking, "Who's been writing letters to the Pope?" When Peanut had her 1st ABR back in Feb. I asked the audiologist if there was a chance that her hearing might get better. He replied, "If you're going to bank on that then you might want to start writing letters to the Pope". So, I repeat, who's been writing those letters, because they just might be working.

Talk about a confusing week! Well, we went to Children's Memorial Hospital this past Monday (7/2) to see if Peanut might be a cochlear implant candidate. After 30 minutes of sound booth testing we were told by the Audiologist that not only is she not an implant candidate, but she doesn't think that Charlotte's hearing loss is "severe", as was originally the diagnosis. She thinks she may have more of a "moderate" hearing loss, which doesn't mean that she's not going to need to wear hearing aids, but it means that she can hear more than we thought and it may be that much easier for her to understand and learn speech.

Now, since she got the hearing aids in mid-May I've tried to have them in her ears at all waking hours, if possible. So, our opportunities to observe her responses to sound w/o the aids has been limited. I've kept the aids out for the majority of the last few days and both Brian and I feel that she is definitely responding to toys, voices and even fireworks (damn those kids across the street!). Where do we go from here, you ask? Well, her hearing aids have been turned down to a level that won't be detrimental to her ears, so our initial concern about harming what hearing she has is no longer a worry. We have also scheduled another ABR for Aug 17th. However, unlike the first 2 where Charlotte was sleep deprived and "slept" through the tests, she will this time be sedated under anesthesia. There was a bit of concern about her needing to be sedated because there is the possibility that she may need to be intubed, which in turn means she would be on the ventilator. Her lungs are so much stronger now, and her pediatrician has already told us that she feels very comfortable with Charlotte going through this procedure, but I'm sure you can understand my apprehension. I do feel comfortable knowing that the ABR will be performed at Children's, so should she need to be admitted for any reason, she's in good hands. I'm going to try and find out over the next month if there's a way she can be sedated w/o being intubated. When Charlotte had her hernia operation they were able to do it w/o using general anesthesia - they used a spinal instead. So, I have some investigating to do. But, the moral of the story is that we really won't know what we're dealing with until we get the results of the upcoming ABR.

Meanwhile, Charlotte has had 2 sessions at Child's Voice and the emphasis has been mainly on parent education. I'm learning that I need to talk to Peanut in a more simple and straightforward manner. So far, it's been very helpful.

My weekend away in KC was fantastic! It was nice to get away for couple days and recharge my batteries. Kara's wedding was beautiful (there's me and Kara in the pic). I got to catch up with some of my college buddies, and I spent a nice relaxing evening in Lawrence, KS with one of my college roommates. And while I didn't get as much sleep as I had hoped for, I did have my share of martinis and bloody marys. Sometimes you just have to prioritize.

Nana, Granddad and Aunt Susan were in town during June and we had a great visit with them. Aunt Susan was only here for a week and now she's off galavanting in Europe with one of her friends. Brian's parents left on the 30th and made it home safely after a short jaunt in San Fran. I'm so glad that Brian's family was able to spend time with Charlotte. Here's a picture of the family in our backyard.

My Psych class has been going well so far. I had my first test last week. I did well, but it was open book, so if I didn't do well then I would have been a little concerned. We have our second test and a paper due in two weeks, so I'm gonna have to start cracking some books! And unlike all the papers I handed in during college (my old roommates will get kick out of this) I don't think I can get an extension on this one. Darnit!

July is looking like a busy month. We're up to three therapy sessions a week now for Peanut. EI added OT (Occupational Therapy) so that should start up in the next few weeks. The OT is going to work with Peanut on things like grabbing objects, holding them, etc. I'm always open for new ways to work with Peanut and to enhance playtime, so this should be interesting.

Charlotte is finally grasping the concept of eating. Thank God, because eating is a big part of being a member of Team Hellyer! So far, we've only tried pears and squash, but as time goes on more gets into her mouth instead of on her face. I always thought that babies just ate. I didn't realize there was this whole learning process they have to go through.

Brian and I are doing a Segway Tour in mid-July. This should definitely be fun! I'll try and get a pic of me and Brian in our helmets and reflective vests. Scary!