Medical Updates

Tuesday's Eye Doctor Appointment:
Ella has her appointment with the eye doctor this past Tuesday. They determined that she can see and track light, but there is a disconnect between her eyes and her brain. They aren't sure where the actual problem is and what they can do to correct it or if they will even need correction. We have another appointment in August to take a look at her eyes again. By 6 months old this should all be fixed naturally.

This pictures was before we left for the eye doctor.

Wednesday's Developmental Appointment:

• The fact that she isn't crying or making any sounds is an immediate concern. They are looking to recheck her hearing again in a few months just to be safe. Most babies with childhood meningitis end up with a hearing loss, which could be the case here. We thought we would wait and see how she would react on Thursday at the immunizations, but still no real sounds.
• She does look to see where sound is coming from. They did a test with a bell to watch her reaction and she reacted correctly.
• When they checked her eyes and hearing the doctor said she could have what's called Cortical Visual Impairment (http://www.blindbabies.org/factsheet_cvi.htm)
• She gave the doctor a small smile which is very good. I always think it's just gas, but he seemed to think she's really smiling.
• Her head measured 35 1/4", which is less than 5th percentile (they are concerned that her brain my not be growing at the rate it should)
• Her weight was 8 lbs 9 oz, which puts her at less than 5th percentile again (but at least she'd put on 7 oz since the previous week!!)
• Her length was 21 5/8", which was in the 10th percentile (she was 50th when she was born)

The final status is that she's a month behind on development, which we knew was a possiblility when she left the NICU. She's had such an injury to her brain and wasn't moved or stimulated for weeks...so she's doing really good considering all of those facts.

Thursday's Pediatrician Appointment:

Everything went perfectly at the pediatrician. She ended up changing her measurements again:

Length 21 3/4" (25th %)

Weight 8 lbs, 11 oz (15th %)

She got her immunizations, and she didn't exactly scream and cry, but she stuck out her bottom lip and wimpered. It was so cute and SO sad...I almost started crying myself.

Here's Ella with her Uncle Drew waiting on her Cousin Micah to be born yestereday!!