Matthew saw Dr. Puccioni; his neurosurgeon yesterday. Matthew had a CT scan on Monday and he was able to look at that. He said he definately sees Matthew's brain tissue expanding as the fluid is going down. He still has enlarged ventricles; but probably always will. I believe that is true for all babies with hydrocephalus. Dr. Puccioni even went as far as saying that his head looks very proportionate to his body( although by statistics his head is in the 97% and his body is 10-25% ) and that his head is rounding and filling in nicely. He was very happy with everything and said he'd see us when he's....now get this.... 1 YEAR OLD!!!! Wow, it will be nice to have 1 less appointment to think about. Basically if there is a problem with his shunt, we'll know it, and can come see him sooner if need be.
Since Matthew will be turning 6 months old at the end of November, almost all of his doctors will be seeing him this upcoming month-we have LOTS of appointments. I'm hoping to keep up with everything. No more appointments this week, but he does have a few a week for the next 3-4 weeks. Around thanksgiving we have 5 appointments in 6 days!!! whew! So, I'm guessing most of our blog updates this next month will be Dr. appointments.....and maybe some pictures too!
Stay posted...........
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Finally!!!!
I have hesitated to blog this, but I think I am ready to proclaim it, to the HIGH heavens!! Matthew is now sleeping at night; and by "professional" standards, they consider him sleeping through the night! WOO HOO! And let me tell you, I am a new woman!!!!
It all started Friday night. I don't know what happened, but he was tired; at 9 oclock. I layed him down and went to bed myself. He woke twice through the night, but went to bed fairly quickly after eating. Saturday, same thing; went to bed at 8:30 with 2 awakeningsto eat; and took two very nice naps Sunday. Sunday night, he went to bed at 8:30 again and said to Steve; boy I hate to be greedy but it sure would be nice to stretch that first feeding to 3:00 and then wake up at 7 for the day. Well, Matthew obliged nicely and woke at 3:30, chowed down and fell right back to sleep. He was up Monday for the day at 7:30. Last night, same thing, but an hour later. Bedtime at 9:30, wake at 4:30, up for the day at 8:15. Perfect. And his nap is also more scheduled. He's taking 2 naps that equal 4-5 hours together. He's more awake during his wakeful times and sleeps soundly during naps. His brain must just feel more "organized".
The pediatrician noticed yesterday when we went for our routine monthly visit. She said that he was so alert, and just a brand new baby. She said, "oh, I was so worried about him last month, but now he looks wonderful." I'm glad I didn't know she was worried about him, it would've made me nervous. He weighed 14lbs 7 oz
(up from 13lbs 1oz just 26 days earlier-for those of you with math brains that's 22 oz in 26 days) and was 24 1/2 inches tall. He had grown a inch!
I'm really hoping the sleep thing keeps up! It's been a blessing. I do love my sleep!
It all started Friday night. I don't know what happened, but he was tired; at 9 oclock. I layed him down and went to bed myself. He woke twice through the night, but went to bed fairly quickly after eating. Saturday, same thing; went to bed at 8:30 with 2 awakeningsto eat; and took two very nice naps Sunday. Sunday night, he went to bed at 8:30 again and said to Steve; boy I hate to be greedy but it sure would be nice to stretch that first feeding to 3:00 and then wake up at 7 for the day. Well, Matthew obliged nicely and woke at 3:30, chowed down and fell right back to sleep. He was up Monday for the day at 7:30. Last night, same thing, but an hour later. Bedtime at 9:30, wake at 4:30, up for the day at 8:15. Perfect. And his nap is also more scheduled. He's taking 2 naps that equal 4-5 hours together. He's more awake during his wakeful times and sleeps soundly during naps. His brain must just feel more "organized".
The pediatrician noticed yesterday when we went for our routine monthly visit. She said that he was so alert, and just a brand new baby. She said, "oh, I was so worried about him last month, but now he looks wonderful." I'm glad I didn't know she was worried about him, it would've made me nervous. He weighed 14lbs 7 oz
(up from 13lbs 1oz just 26 days earlier-for those of you with math brains that's 22 oz in 26 days) and was 24 1/2 inches tall. He had grown a inch!
I'm really hoping the sleep thing keeps up! It's been a blessing. I do love my sleep!
Monday, October 20, 2008
5 months old!
May 20, 2008- Holding you for the first time!
Bringing you home, May 31st 
One month old
3 Months old
5 months old!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Why I'm not sleeping
Here's what's keepin me up at night! Please excuse the baby immodesty as I had just finished changing his diaper and forgot to put his jammies back on! It was late ya know!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
updates of a random nature 10/7/08
I am increasingly wondering if Matthew will EVER sleep at night. I mean..for goodness sakes.. he's 4 1/2 months old. I had no problems turning the other children around, but here we are; as I start writing this, it's after 11:35 and Matthew is revving up for the night shift. Oh, what I would pay to sleep in my warm bed all night long. This too shall pass..I must remind myself...This too shall pass. We had an all nighter last night..6am before we decided it was bedtime. Oh man... it's hard to function during the day..hard to teach the kids. They are so patient with me and let me "sleep in" and are always encouraging me to go take naps; but I really do hope he figures it out soon. He is on SO much anti-seizure medication; you would think all he would do is sleep, but that's not the case!
Speaking of seizures, today is one of the first days I have not noticed any seizures! Praise Jesus!!! He also did this on Thursday, so I'm crossing my fingers. He had a trileptil level drawn on Monday and I think we should hear tomorrow what the result is and if we need to adjust his medication. Please continue to pray for these seizures to stay away; I can't help but imagine that he must feel so much better not having them.
My heart has been heavy this week. I try not to think about the future and just take one day at a time, but it's hard. My mind goes in a million different directions. I am a worry wart by trade and I do a very good job of it! I have so much to be thankful for; but Satan makes it so easy to fall into the land of self pity!
School is going..well..okay, I guess. This year has been the most difficult by far; with all of our appointments and such I feel like I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth. I'm hoping we'll get into some sort of groove though here and I think much can be resolved with little Matthew if he could start sleeping!!!
Matthew is a bit of an internet superstar! You can find him here and here and here . These are all from his very young age. I just hadn't realized he was "out there" till I was thinking about it one day! The internet has been such a blessing for me since Matthews diagnosis nearly 9 months ago. I have met so many people that I am blessed to call "friends" and have found much valuable information including Matthew's stem cell therapy.
Nothing else I can think of off the top of my brain-drained head. Off to try to get this little monster to try to sleep!
Speaking of seizures, today is one of the first days I have not noticed any seizures! Praise Jesus!!! He also did this on Thursday, so I'm crossing my fingers. He had a trileptil level drawn on Monday and I think we should hear tomorrow what the result is and if we need to adjust his medication. Please continue to pray for these seizures to stay away; I can't help but imagine that he must feel so much better not having them.
My heart has been heavy this week. I try not to think about the future and just take one day at a time, but it's hard. My mind goes in a million different directions. I am a worry wart by trade and I do a very good job of it! I have so much to be thankful for; but Satan makes it so easy to fall into the land of self pity!
School is going..well..okay, I guess. This year has been the most difficult by far; with all of our appointments and such I feel like I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth. I'm hoping we'll get into some sort of groove though here and I think much can be resolved with little Matthew if he could start sleeping!!!
Matthew is a bit of an internet superstar! You can find him here and here and here . These are all from his very young age. I just hadn't realized he was "out there" till I was thinking about it one day! The internet has been such a blessing for me since Matthews diagnosis nearly 9 months ago. I have met so many people that I am blessed to call "friends" and have found much valuable information including Matthew's stem cell therapy.
Nothing else I can think of off the top of my brain-drained head. Off to try to get this little monster to try to sleep!
Friday, October 3, 2008
When you can't...Jesus can
When you are the neediest, He is the most sufficient.
When you are completely helpless, He is the most helpful.
When you are the weakest, He is the most able.
When you are the most alone, He is intimately present.
When you feel you are the least, He is the greatest.
When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you.
When it is the darkest, He is the only light you need.
When you feel the least secure, He is your Rock and Fortress.
When you say you can't, He CAN!
cool poem, huh!
When you are completely helpless, He is the most helpful.
When you are the weakest, He is the most able.
When you are the most alone, He is intimately present.
When you feel you are the least, He is the greatest.
When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you.
When it is the darkest, He is the only light you need.
When you feel the least secure, He is your Rock and Fortress.
When you say you can't, He CAN!
cool poem, huh!
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