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...

Super Sunday Pictures

Here are some pictures from today and a few from the last few days. The yellow on her head is just iodine. Katelyn is finally home!After the surgery:



Katie with her oldest brother Casey. This was the first time Casey has seen Katelyn as he was not old enough to visit her at the hospital.
Katelyn with the boys.
Katie with Mommy.
The Jeanblanc Family together at last!

Katelyn is Coming Home!

Great News! Katelyn has been cleared to come home. Her parents are on their way to take her home now. The neurosurgeon felt that she was making good progress and that she would be fine at home. While her wound had bled a small amount, the doctor felt that everything was healing as expected. Her head size continues to decrease and she continues to eat well.

While all of you are probably watching the Super Bowl, the Jeanblancs are finally going to be home together! Praise God!

Progress After Surgery

Katelyn continues to recover well from the surgery. She started eating again last night. Her head size has decreased half a centimeter to 39.5 cm, which is a good sign. Katelyn underwent the surgery a few hours after another baby had the same surgery and that baby is still on a ventilator. Katie was off the ventilator within half an hour after surgery! (Pray for that other baby!)

Katie's parents hope that she can return home soon but the nurses will not give a time, although there is some indication that it will be on Monday or Tuesday.

With all of this going on, there is still room for celebration - Katelyn's older brother, Johnny, turns 2 tomorrow. Johnny hopes that Mommy and Daddy can bring home his sister for his birthday so that they will not be away so often.