Still no news from the cardiologist. He is supposed to be back next week so we are trying to be patient while we wait to hear.
Christopher had his first physiotherapy appointment today. I am thrilled to report that the physiotherapist found him totally boring! I mean that in the nicest possible way - the therapist was a very nice person and was great with Christopher. But at the end of her assessment, she concluded that he looks amazing as far as gross motor development goes, and there is very little to do for him at the moment. She told us that she was very glad we weren't in an exam situation, because she would never have been able to guess why he was there if she hadn't known. His left side appears totally normal in terms of motor function.
The only thing that she suggested we work on with him is increasing his "tummy time." He absolutely hates being on his tummy so we probably haven't pushed it as much as we should have. Ther therapist wondered if part of the reason he hates it is that his chest feels funny to him in the area of his scar, so she suggested that we start gently rubbing it and applying gentle pressure, to help him realize that it's okay to feel pressure on that area. She also made some suggestions about how to make tummy time more fun and interesting for him.
Christopher's next physio appointment is in two months' time. The therapist said today that we won't know for sure how his gross motor development is affected by the stroke until he starts to walk, so until then he will be monitored.
In other news, tomorrow is a big day: six weeks after the second surgery! Christopher wasn't supposed to be picked up under his arms for six weeks after surgery, so we have been doing a bit of an awkward scoop to pick him up for the past six weeks - one hand under the bum and one under the back of the neck. As he grows, the scoop gets more and more awkward, not to mention the challenge of making sure that anyone who comes near him is aware of how to lift him -- so we are really glad to be through this six-week period!
He's getting cuter by the day. He has started cooing in the past week or so, and he loves to have a "conversation" with us. He's also smiling a ton, which is adorable. I may be biased, but I'm pretty sure he's one of the cutest kids in the world! :)
NIkki - -I JUST read your post on my blog that you left in JULY. Just found it today and I am SO glad that my story could somehow help give you some relief. I have been following sweet little Christopher and keeping him in my thoughts and prayers and am so glad to see that he is boring, now. Having boring kids is one of the greatest blessings on this earth :) I totally hear you!!!! Hang in there... XO Alyssa
Posted by: Lyssboyd.blogspot.com | 08/20/2011 at 09:52 AM