The Early Intervention team was just here.
Basically they left it to me. He is not measuring behind his adjusted age at all, and actually ahead in a few areas.
He was actually evaluated at about 3 weeks adjusted. (He's 5 weeks adjusted today.)
He evaluated as follows from the Developmental Therapist:
Gross Motor: 1 month
Fine Motor: 1 month
Relationship Inanimate Objects: 1 month
Language/Communication: 2 months
Self-Help Skills: 1 month
Relationship to Persons: 1 month
Emotions/Feeling states: 2 months
Coping Skills: 2 months
The Occupational Therapist only shows the following:
Grasping: 1 month
Visual-Motor Integration: 1 month
but commented that the scale they use isn't really set up to show everything that she'd like noted.
Her comments:
Robert is an adorable 17 day adjusted male that has a loving and supportive home. He demonstrates developmental strengths that include alertness, emerging flexion, good appetite, and natural reflexes for prematurity. Robert will benefit from increased suction while eating, controlled swallowing, monitoring nipple flow, continued breast feeding skills and continued strengthening.
While they were here, he was awake and getting ready to eat, so they all got to see him in a perky mood. There were lots of oohs and ahhs and how alert he was. He was clearly curious about all the activity. (There were 4 of them.)
I opted to go ahead with therapy. While I don't really think he NEEDS it (yet) I'm more comfortable having too much therapy than too little.
We'll just go with OT once a week for a while, then spread it out further as things proceed. The main thing is that they will help with the breastfeeding which is my biggest goal at this point.
On an unrelated note, Robbie has thrown up a small amount of blood twice now. Once yesterday and once today. It's just been a small brown streak but it's really not what I want to see.
I spoke to the pediatrician who agreed with me that it's probably his gastrostomy healing, but we'll keep an eye on it. For now, he gets more Mylanta (fortunately he loves the stuff.) If it continues, we'll up his Pepcid. And if it continues after that, he gets an extra visit to the pediatric GI specialist.
But if you could send some good vibes for a healthy tummy, I'd appreciate it. I know that eventually this will all seem a distant memory, but these constant feeding issues are really exhausting and worrisome.
--Trish
Thursday, October 9, 2008
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15 comments:
You've got them!
I hope that the scary blood episodes stop.. those are super worrisome, I'm sure. And I think you made the right decision on the OT. It can't hurt, right?
One of the biggest challenges with the tiniest bit of blood in his tummy is that it will cause him to barf.
I'm sure they told you what to watch for, but dark red or brown blood is old blood, and should be gone in a few days. Bright red blood is frank blood, and that warrants a trip to the ER.
I think the OT choice is a great one. .
I am glad the OT went so well. You are obviously doing a fantastic job.
Eeck, sorry about the puke incident. Hope it is very short lived
good tummy prayers sent your way!
aww he's already an overachiever! :) well he always has been actually! =D He's so cute. I'm sorry those GI issues are worrisome. I'm sure, like you said, it'll all be a distant memory soon! :)
I'm so proud to know you.
I will send prayers/thoughts that his tummy gets much better. I wish I could meet him and you.
Sending lots of good thoughts and vibes on the GI issues!
I just wanted to let you know that I think its great you are taking advantage of the early intervention. My sister did the same with my nephew and even though it was tough to work it out with her and her husbands, work schedules, the benefits have been huge.
Best wishes with everythig - I check in on you guys all the time!
Hi - I want to say thanks for your journaling - it is great :) I am a mom of a 24-weeker, she's 8 months actual now and doing fine. We had our share of ups and downs, but it gets better, so hang in there! I had similar low-milk supply issues and tried everything, fenugreek, blessed thistle, beer, oatmeal, Reglan - nothing worked really except the Domperidone which worked so well! It boosted my supply for a long while so I could get more milk in the freezer, I pumped more often while on the dom (every 2 hours at times) just to stockpile while the getting was good. If you really run out of milk and formula is a no-go, there are actually milk banks with milk from donor moms who have extra - but it is very expensive I hear - like $4-$6 per ounce maybe more. Alternately, there is a website called Milkshare where super-generous moms donate their extra milk to you for free - you just pay for shipping (or do local pickup) and supplies. Sounds odd perhaps, another mom's milk, but if your little one cannot do formula & your milk is gone, it may be the next best thing. We did this for our daughter and she is absolutely thriving! I thought it was a bizarre concept at first, but now it is just a blessing, the donor moms are a godsend and so very kind and giving (they will send you their health records if you want too). Hope this helps and good luck - Robbie is adorable! (((Hugs)))
Aww, what a great report! Glad he seems to be doing well overall; the OT help with BFing makes a lot of sense. I'll pray that things heal up and no more spitting up blood!
Congrats on the great OT visit! I hope breastfeeding gets easier. I also hope his tummy is OK. Keep us posted.
Awesome visit! I'll be thinking of you and pulling for Robbie's tummy to heal up soon!
I am so excited to hear the EI appt went well today. That's awesome, Trish!! Way to go Robbie and mommy!
Saying big prayers his tummy problems ease up soon.
Take care!
And I thought my reflux was bad... poor Robbie! I send him the healing spirit of antacids.
What a great report! It must be such a boost, especially after the ounce-by-ounce struggles. And it must help that he is held in so many hearts through the love that you have poured into this writing.
Glad to hear he is doing so well - hope that little tummy heals quickly!
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