Noah Update #2

Ok, Noah had his speech evaluation yesterday. I don't think that I learned anything too new. They just kind of put into words what I was already seeing/hearing. They did however recommend that we get him a formal hearing test with an audiologist. It's not that he can't hear, it's more that we're not sure if he's hearing certain sounds the way he should be. Once we get our insurance's approval (gotta love the red tape) he'll start his speech therapy every week. His hearing test is scheduled for November. We also need to go through the school system here so that they can evaluate him also, and then they'll provide him some speech therapy, too. They did tell me that his language skills were great, though. So he understands everything that's being said to him and asked of him, it's just that you can't understand what he's saying because he drops sounds either at the beginning of words or at the end of words.

And today his ENT called me back and after listening to his sleep tape, he recommends having his tonsils and adenoids removed. His surgical nurse will be calling me next week to set it all up. Even though I know that this is the best for him and that it will help him soooo much, it's hard for me. That's my baby..........being scheduled for his second surgery...........they're outpatient..............they're "minor"................. but it's still surgery.................... it's still general anesthesia.................... it's still scary.

Yeah for the Eisenhower!!!!!

That's right, we're giving a "little hip hip hooray" for the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower! They left yesterday for their 7 month deployment, which means they're on their way to relieve the Enterprise and that's a very good thing!

I do feel for those sailors and their families onboard the Eisenhower. They have a long "journey" ahead of them. But none the less.............Hip Hip Hooray, the Eisenhower is on it's way!!!!!!!

(This is also my 200th post, so hooray for me, too!)

Noah Update

I'd say that 90% of the appointments I've been going to have been for Noah. First we had an appointment with the Pediatrician to get some referrals. Noah snores, a lot. He has ever since he was born. Sometimes it gets so bad that he scares me. So, the first referral: an ENT, Ear Nose and Throat specialist. Noah also has a problem with his thumbs. He can't straighten out his last little joint on either thumb. Second referral: an orthopedic specialist.

We felt like we were very lucky. When we moved here they didn't have military doctors available (they already had too many patients) so they allowed us to pick civilian doctors and still be covered 100%. The drawback to that is when you recieve referrals you still might have to go through the naval hospital. I didn't want to do that. However, our wonderful pediatrian emphasised on the referral that Noah needed a pediatric ENT and a pediatric Orthopedist, which they don't have at the naval hospital. Although there was some minor bumps, we got approval to the specialists we wanted! YEAH! That's such a great blessing!

Before we could go to the specialists appointments, though, Noah had to have xrays done. We've actually tried getting these done before, but Noah was having none of it. I mean it was so bad that short of sedating him, they weren't going to happen. I tried some bribery and took him to the Children's hospital this time. I had very little hope. He surprised me, though. He walked in did exactly what they told him to and had 5 xrays taken like a little pro.

We went to the ENT first. Diagnosis: massive tonsils. We were asked to make a sleep tape. We had to record Noah sleeping/snoring and then send it to the doctor so that they could decided how bad it is. (This why is a few posts back I said I was listening to Noah snore) Treatment: still pending....................eventually he'll probably have to have his tonsils and adenoids removed.

We also asked the ENT if his tonsils were affecting his speech, because Noah doesn't speak as clearly as we feel he should for an almost 4 year old. His pediatrian has told us that it's probably not that unusual considering he's the youngest of 4 kids and a boy, but I've still felt that there could be more to it. The ENT told us that it's not from his tonsils and referred him to their speech clinic to get a speech evaluation. That way, we'll know what the problem could be. (In case you've lost count, that's 3 referrals, 5 xrays and 2 doctor's appointments so far)

The Orthopedic appointment was next. Diagnosis: I don't think I could even repeat what the technical name for it was, but he also called them trigger thumbs. Basically, the tendon in your thumb goes through three little "tunnels". Noah's tendon, for whatever reason, isn't able to go through the first "tunnel" very well and it's building up scar tissue and making it even more difficult. In short, his tendon can't work properly so he can't straighten his thumbs. Treatment: minor surgery to open up the "tunnel". (3 referrals, 3 doctor's appointments, 5 xrays, 1 evaluation scheduled, 1 surgery scheduled, and 1 surgery pending)

Noah also had his first check up at the dentist. I was very apprehensive about it. Noah is not exactly known for his cooperativeness. But as so many times before, he surprised me. He let them take 4 xrays of his teeth, clean them, do a fluroride treatment and let the doctor check out his teeth. Amazing, not even a small objection to any of it. Diagnosis/Treatment: one small cavity due to soft enamel, we have to go back and get it fixed. No shots though, quick and painless if Noah lets it happen.............which unbelievable he did. He sat there and let them fix his tooth and I think he hardly moved at all the whole time. He was great!

The speech evaluation is tomorrow and we still haven't heard back from the ENT about the sleep tape and his tonsils. I think that's everything. So I think the count it at 3 referrals, 3 doctor's appointments, 2 dentist appointments, 1 evaluation scheduled, 5 xrays, 1 surgery scheduled and 1 surgery pending and that's just for 1 of my 4 children. And I'm wondering why my house isn't clean?!?!?!?!

A Couple More Snapshots

Noah, Vance, Myshel, Grandma Jo and McKaylie

Grandma read a lot to the kids. They loved it! This was the last morning she was here and she was still reading!

hee hee

You know Debbie, I just realized that I used the same template as you on your blog. That was completely unintentional, but kind of funny.

American Idol Live

Myshel's friend invited her to a sleep over while Grandma Jo was here. Myshel was surprised that I let her go. What she didn't know was that her friend's mom had made arrangements with me the week before and told me that they were going to take the girls to the American Idols Live concert! She didn't tell the girls they were going until they were in line for the events parking. She was completely surprised and I loved that! They had a great time, got t-shirts as you can see and even had 2 of the "guys", Bucky and Elliot, blow them kisses and Ace waved at them. It was non-stop talk about the concert for days.

At the Beach with Grandma Jo

Of course we had to take Grandma Jo to the beach. She couldn't visit us here in Virginia and not visit the beach at least once. The kids had an early release day from school, so we went to the beach that afternoon. It was a wonderful day. The weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold. There was a slight breeze. It was just gorgeous really. We walked along the beach, looked for seashells and just had a nice relaxing time. It made me miss Chad, but that was ok, too, I guess. I couldn't help but think that it would be a perfect afternoon if he was there with us. I loved that afternoon. We didn't stay for a long time, but it was really nice and I wish we had more days like that.

Appointments, Appointments and More Appointments

That's what it feels like we've been doing for the last few weeks, going to appointments. We've had dentist appointments, eye doctor appointments, pediatric appointments, orthopedic appointments, ENT appointments, and the list goes on and on................I'm ready for a week with no appointments scheduled. I'm not sure when exactly that's going to happen, but I've got my fingers crossed. I still haven't even gotten caught up completely from the two weeks my mom was here.....Phewwwww