Medical Updates

Last week Payton saw her geneticist. She weighed in at 36 pounds and is 37 inches tall. She falls within great percentiles on the typical growth chart, so her geneticist is thrilled with that.

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We discussed her speech and the doc would like us to start using pictures boards here at home. Sigh. As if we need something else to occupy our time. I'd rather go more hardcore on signing, because she finally is doing great with imitating sign and using it without being cued.

*trying to remain positive*

Payton's speech is just so ready to come out of her mouth, I can tell. It is like we are standing at the top of a mountain, but we just can't pull ourselves over the peak. She has been doing really well these past couple weeks as far as imitating sounds and even imitating intonation when she isn't necessarily imitating sounds. Her favorite new word is shoes ... it is so cute. I need to make a list, but other words ... or approximations ... she has been saying is pizza, Mason, bubbles, pop, all done, dog ...

She talks all day long. We don't always know what she is saying, but I'm pretty sure she knows exactly. Last night she sat on the couch and read a book to her doll. It was so cute. She held it outward like her teacher does at school, flipped the pages and read the entire thing ... in her own way. I just sat there and smiled at her ... that chick makes my heart swell out of my body.

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We also discussed Payton's horrible eating habits with the geneticist. At times, I have been at the point of wanting to get her into a feeding clinic. She eats chicken nuggets at least once per day, if not twice. That and pizza are pretty much the only main foods she will eat. Although she is getting better and better with pasta ... finally! She does eat yogurt and of course, anything salty like chips or crackers. The only fruit I can get her to eat is mandarian oranges ... and sometimes that comes with a gag. And veggies? Forget it. That is why I give her Juice Plus ... in gummy form, which she will also finally eat.

Her eating issues have definitely given me a run for my money. Her geneticist is not completely concerned, as Payton's growth has been excellent and it is clear that she is getting the nutrition she needs. We also give her Nutrivene, so she is getting some of what she needs there too.

*Disclaimer: I did not mention Nutrivene for anyone to come here and be negative about it. So please, refrain. And for those of you who do not know what I'm talking about, just know that the use of Nutrivene is very controversial. Nuff said. :o)

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Let's see ... we also got scripts for bloodwork and we will have another set of AAI xrays done. I can't wait to see what her iron level looks like, because her Restless Leg Syndrome is out of control ... and low iron contributes to that.

Other than that, Payton is doing fabulous. She is such a strong little girl ... the doctors are amazed at just how strong she is. She fights them tooth and nail ... LOL. She is feisty, like her mama.

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I took both of the girls back to the ENT yesterday to discuss hearing, speech and tubes. Payton's right tube fell out awhile ago and the left tube is blocked. So I guess we are getting no benefit from tubes right now and the plan is to replace them. Nika's ears continue to look great. She has a little wax build up, but nothing that is alarming.

So we discussed speech and whether or not the girl's are hearing to full capacity. We never get much of a reading on the tympanogram from either one of them, but their small ear canals could be batting against us. We have decided to get a sedated ABR for both girls just to be sure and to know what we are working with. I am less than thrilled about having to sedate them, but I think having these results will help us to know what we are dealing with, if anything. I like to be proactive. Both girls will be having AAI xrays beforehand, just to make sure there are no issues with their necks in case they would have to be intubated. God forbid.

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And now ... little Ms. Payton is sick. I'm not sure if it is all the changes in weather we have had or what. She has a croup cough, is wheezing and now has a fever. Could summer come and stay please?