Improvements!

I went to my occupational therapist Tuesday and since my visit two weeks ago I have improved greatly. She was very impressed with my sitting up. She was very happy with my improvement in movement of my left side. I am tracking better to my left also! She said I am only a month or so behind in some areas, but overall I am hitting several appropriate milestones. My mom asked about my vision and she advised that we pray that my brain continues to heal which it has been doing a lot of lately!

On Thursday July 22nd I saw my neurologist and pediatrician. My neurologist Dr. Gurbani is very impressed with my process. The diagnosis of cerebral palsy is still on the table until my next visit. While cerebral palsy or CP is a scary diagnosis it is generally put as a physical disability that affects various areas of body movement. CP can vary from trouble with fine motor skills (writing, cutting, using utensils) or a learning disability to sever difficulty walking or talking. People with CP can be geniuses or be mentally challanged. So, I could be a smarty pants that can't be a lefty. By the age of 5 we should know the extend of disabilities (if any). :) My Dr. says just to work with my left side two millions times per day and hopefully my brain will rewire itself.
My pediatrician is very impressed with my progress. She said she wouldn't have noticed my left side weakness unless my mom had mentioned it. I am petite in size, but I get to start on solid food. I am 13 lbs. 5 ozs and in the 5% percentile for weight. 15% percentile for height at 25 1/2 inches.

I also am now approved for physical therapy and vision therapy through the Regional Center, the state funded program. I have a visit from a vision therapist through Blind Children's Learning Center on Friday July 30th.

It has been an amazing journey as I turned 6 months this week!

A note from my mom: This has been a long 6 months, but these last few weeks have been so encouraging. Katie is making great strides and is improving almost daily. She still fists her left hand, but some massaging has seemed to help. Little things that others may take for granted are a welcomed sign of accomplishment for Katie. We have to teach her how to hold and grasp things with her left hand. We have to show her how to bring objects to her mouth with her left hand and make her remember that she can use her left hand. We have to remind Katie of her left toes and get her to relax her left toes. But all at the same time remembering that she is improving every day! She is making lots of sounds and learned how to keep her self in a sitting position. Katie does bounce a lot and we will have to wait and see if she is seeking sensory stimulation or if she will outgrow it. It may stop when she can move or when her vision improves or she may always bounce, we have to wait and see! We have to thank God for each milestone hit and each new thing she learns. Katie is a wonderful adorable miracle and a beautiful gift from God! He has a plan and He will carry us through this tiring and challenging time! I thank God daily for Katie and our wonderful friends and family that enable us to care for her! Thank You!!

Pictures

Physical therapy

So far this month has been productive. On June 30th I qualified for physical therapy through the state funded Regional Center of Orange County. This is a good and bad thing. Good because I can get the physical therapy I need and deserve, but bad because it means that I am at least 33% delayed in gross motor skills. The evaluator observed that some of my delays may be as a result of my vision delay. So more good news I also should get vision therapy through Blind Children's Learning Center. I say 'should' because until it is on paper I don't get my hopes up. Many services are done in home and we are praying that I qualify for an in home program.
I had another occupational therapy appointment this week and it went well. I am doing really well in some areas and my mom got exercises for me to do in other areas. I am very strong, but need to refine and develop other muscles. I bounce a lot to get more sensory stimulation. I am sitting well with support. I am rolling over more often! I am doing well overall! My therapists are happy at the progress I have made!

Please pray that my therapy starts soon and is adaquate and often enough. Pray for my body and mind to continue to heal. Pray for my vision to improve and to be able to see farther away. Pray for my parents to have peace and rest. Thank God for my amazing family and the wonderful progress I have made! Thank you for all your prayers!

More updates at the end of the month!

On May 30th I was dedicated at my church! My parents are devoted to raise me to know the Lord and His Love and how to live my life for Him. I am blessed to have such a great and Godly family!
I have an OT appointment in July, and in late July I see my Nuerologist and have my 6 Month check up. I am doing well! I have a small cold and cough, but am otherwise healthy! I am strong, but I still need to work on equal movement on my right and left side. I am making progress but there are a few warning signs that if not worked on could cause delays to crawling. My parents are working hard to get me therapy, not just monitoring visits. California Children's Services or CCS has services available but I was denied the first time. We are in the process of reappling with more doctors notes to back up my need for services. We are praying for occupational therapy, physical therapy and vision therapy! Please pray too! But at this time we would be happy with any therapy! My vision is making progress but still delayed. Just keep praying and thank you for all your prayers!
I also want to thank my friend who is a physical therapist for offering to work with Katie once a week until she qualifies for services. Thank you! Even the smallest answered prayer is a wonderful blessing! But pray big!!!

My Baby Dedication

I wanted to invite all who have prayed for me to my baby dedication on May 30th at Whittier Area Community Church at 11:15am.

Eye Doctor Report

On Wednesday I went to see the eye doctor. Dr. Mehta said my eyes are good and healthy. The part of my brain that processes vision seems to be healthy and unaffected by the bleed. The nystagmus is a sign that there is damage along the pathway from eyes to the brain. My vision is also behind, it is more at a newborn level than a three month old level, but the Dr said there is nothing that he can do since nothing is wrong. So, that is great news, but just more waiting. We have to just wait and pray that my vision gets better every day! Please pray for my vision! I do not go back to the Eye Dr. for 6 months unless something gets worse.

My Neurosurgeon said I look good as well! He said my head looks very well shaped! The shunt is working well and is draining a little too much fluid, but he said my brain will compensate and make up the difference. I go back in 3 months to see him for a head measurement.

I am smiling and laughing more often! I am getting stronger each day! My focus is on progress in the right direction, not a typical 3 month old development. I am doing great! Keep praying for my vision, no infections and that the shunt continues to work well!

Laughing!

Today I giggled and giggled again! My mommy tickled my belly and chin and I laughed!
That is the fun news and here is an update on my first two Dr. visits of the month. My appointment with the nuerologist went well! He said everything looks good! I am doing great! He just said we need to continue to pray that the shunt continues to work well, and that no infections develop.
The Occupational therapist said I am making great progress and only slightly behind in my neck strenght. She gave my mom some excerises to do with me. She was very happy that I am bearing weight on my feet and my hands. I still need prayer for my eyes. The Drs. say I have nystagmus, meaning my eyes dance and do involuntary movements. Some cases of this are outgrown and others may be life long and affect my vision and depth perception. So, please pray for my vision! My appointment with the optomologist is this week. I will let you know what he says! Thank you for your prayers!

Katelyn's Facebook Page

Since everyone seems to have a Facebook page these days, we wanted to let you all know that Katelyn now has a Facebook profile! You can add her as a friend by clicking this link to Facebook or (in case that doesn't work) by searching for Katelyn Jeanblanc.

We will still post infrequently to this blog for larger issues but their will be more small updates on her progress there. For example, Katelyn laughed for the first time today when her mother tickled her feet! Also, more pictures and perhaps even video will be posted there.

Keep Praying

I have a busy month ahead of me. I see all 5 of my Doctors within the next month. First the Pediatric Nuerologist, then Occupational Therapist, Nuerosurgeon, Optomologist and finally my pediatrician. I am getting stronger every day and seem to be on track in my gross motor skills. I can hold my head well and can lift it up 90 degrees when on my tummy. I can roll from my back to my side and back again. I have rolled from my tummy to my back once. My parents biggest concern are my eyes. They do weird movements and I still have trouble tracking. I have been told this is normal after a brain injury, but am looking forward to what the eye doctor has to say. I will keep you informed on what the doctors have to say! Thank you for your prayers!

At 6 Weeks

Time can fly by quickly. Katelyn is now 6 weeks old. Yesterday, Katie was seen by the pediatrician. She is now 8lbs 14oz and physically is doing well. However, today she was seen by the neurologist, who noted that she already is showing some signs of developmental delays. The neurologist pointed out that the way that Katie was holding her head was not age appropriate. He reminded Katie's parents that she has suffered significant brain damage and that they now have to wait to see how much the brain is able to heal. The neurologist suggested that Katelyn needs frequent stimulation - stretching her arms and legs, speaking to her, and holding her.

Coming up at the end of March, Katelyn will be seen by the neurosurgeon and an occupational therapist. At the end of April, she will have a follow-up appointment with the neurologist. Katelyn will also be seen by a hematologist who will do a test on her when she is 4 months to see if she has any blood clotting problems.

As you can tell, Katelyn and her parents could really use your ongoing prayers. Thank you for your continued support!

CAT Scan is OK!

If you missed the last post, Jess brought Katelyn to the ER last night as she noticed that the fontanels of Katelyn's skull felt harder last night. This can be a symptom of shunt failure. While they arrived at 7:00, they weren't seen until 11:00. The doctor ordered a CAT scan. Instead of sedating Katelyn, like they had for previous scans, Jess was able to hold Katelyn still enough to perform the scan.

The good news is that the scan did not show any evidence of fluid build-up in the brain and that the shunt was functioning properly. Katelyn will have a follow-up appointment at the Brea clinic for this afternoon. While the reason for the hardening of the fontanels is unclear, it was comforting to know that the shunt continues to work properly.

Trip to the ER

I wanted to let everyone know that Jess has brought Katelyn to the ER this evening. She noticed that Katelyn's fontanelles (parts of her skull) had become a little harder, which can be a sign that the shunt is not working. As a precaution, she has taken Katelyn to the ER to be evaluated by a doctor. An update will be provided as soon as we find out. Pray that nothing is wrong and that Katelyn is fine.

Update From Home

It's been a few days since my last post and I'm sure many of you are wondering how Katelyn is doing at home. Well, a couple days ago, Katelyn had weighed a little less than she did when she was discharged and the doctor was a little concerned about this. But Katelyn has regained the weight and she is 7lbs 8oz again. She continues to eat well. Her head has steadily decreased in size to 37cm - which is down from the high of 40.5cm just before the surgery. Pray that this trend continues until her head is proper size.

Katelyn will be working with an occupational therapist who will do stretching exercises and other exercises to help her function normally. However, the earliest available appointment was a month away. The doctor wanted her to begin therapy within 2 weeks, if possible. Pray that an opening will become available.

On Monday, Katelyn will be seen by a doctor of hematology to evaluate her and look at her blood test results. We hope that all the blood work will turn out normal. Thanks for your continued prayers...