Yesterday Landon got his cast off so we could look at his arm. They are doing ground breaking procedures on his arm in order to make sure it grows properly. (Landon was born with a blood clot in his arm which lead to many surgeries and issues). The doctor is using something called Alloderm to open up the scar tissue and get more extension. We are scheduled to skin graft over it next week. (They'll take skin from his groin or back of his thigh).
Okay, I got that out. I know a few of you gasped at what this poor little guy has to go through. He is such a champion about the whole thing, so happy and okay with it, it really allows me to be positive about it! It is however, a lot to deal with.
After the doctor checked out the alloderm and his arm, Landon got to pick the color or his new cast. He chose a lovely dark blue thank you. My kid has style!
In addition to the arm we are still trying to figure out his speech issues. His first evaluator was obviously mental and said he was fine. I started to just embrace this diagnosis because frankly, I want everything to be okay. In my heart of hearts I knew I had to demand another evaluation. This one we did in home.
The lady was so much nicer and sweeter about the whole thing. She would have me ask Landon to give me things without gesturing towards them (try it, it's hard not to gesture!) I had always thought he understood more than he did! He really didn't have the words for things, he just understands things in context ie: you put on your shoes before you go, but wasn't sure what a shoe was if you asked him to bring it to you.
This was a shock to us but we tried not to freak out. Landon will have speech therapy two times a week and the woman assures us he'll be talking up a storm soon. Landon doesn't have a ton of words but he strings a few together, communicates, and answers yes and no. His latest is he wants to turn "on" and "Oss" the lights.
I know he's smart, I know he's not autistic, but I am worried and want speech therapy to start asap! I feel like we'll see serious improvements after that. I have learned that this following your instincts thing is tough. You want them to be okay but you have to make hard choices and be realistic too.
All this and managing the emotions of a two year old. If he had his way he'd watch Elmo and Bob the Builder all day while eating letter of the day cookies. Then again I'd like to sit around every day and watch Project Runway and Flipping Out eating potato chips, onion dip and drinking Diet Dr. Pepper!
I'm just sayin'!
The Mrs.
Posts
39 comments:
Your little guy sounds like such a trooper! I will keep him in my thoughts as he goes through the additional procedures and the speech therapy.
I love your blog and just want you to know that my 3 year old and I pray for Landon a lot....he's so lucky to have such a dedicated advocate in you! Best Wishes!
Jessica
You truly are a fabulous mom! You and Landon are in my thoughts and prayers!
Have a great day!
p.s. By the way, I wish I could watch Project Runway and eat chips all day too! We can dream!
My sister went thru speech therapy as a young child. Everything turned out wonderful. Landon's will go great too.
"What a champion" is right! He is too precious for words. I'm sending good thoughts and prayers for the skin graft.
Great job listening to your Mommy instincts about his speech. It sounds like you're on the right track. When Little One was a toddler, I too, noticed his lack of speech. I had to do a lot of pressing and finding the right doctor, but we ultimately found out he just couldn't hear! Fluid in his ears. After several rounds of tubes and speech therapy, he's fantastic. No problems what-so-ever. So, just keep doing what you're doing (Being a fabulous Mom!)and all will work out. Good luck!
xoxo to Landon!
~Belle
My third daughter, Lauren, wasn't walking at 1 yr. old and I asked the Dr. about it - he said to observe at home and see what was happening - I realized that her sisters were carrying her everywhere if I wasn't! So I told everyone that they weren't allowed to carry her and she was walking in a week - crazy - The Dr. really helped me step back and look at the situation - my sister didn't talk until she was 3 yrs old and my last daughter had her own language that she insisted on using - I always believe in getting help and asking for advice - and evaluating things yourself when you have information - you are a very perceptive Mom and we can all tell you are doing a great job!! Some of my daughters have had hospital visits and tests and it is hard to go through - but - we always stay strong for the sake of the child - I am proud of you for all you are doing and going through!
Hang in there! My Maggie had speech therapy from age 2.5 to 4, and she really made a ton of progress. It's amazing how quickly they respond. I thought, HEY, I have been working with her, why haven't I gotten results like thes?? But those speeth pathologists just know the right tricks, and will give you the right tools to continue to use, to work with him on language development. Watching them begin to communicate more freely is awesome!
Aw, what a sweetie!! I'm glad that things are moving along for you and that you found a new speech therapist that you like--that's always important.
Keep us posted on how he is doing! Way to go for following your Mommy instincts. He's a lucky little one.
Way to listen to your mommy instincts and be your child's advocate. Starting him so young in speech is truly the best thing you can do for him. He is a trooper and on top of it all very stylish like his mom.
Landon is such a trooper and you truly are one fabulous mom! I am praying for you all.
Landon is such a trooper! I will be thinking of him and praying for him and you guys too!
Early intervention is so key! I cannot imagine how difficult it is to hear that your child has some sort of issue, but I think you guys are wonderful parents for getting that issue resolved now! The sooner you get services, the better off Landon will be. You guys are awesome for being strong and not getting into denial, which doesn't benefit your son at all. Keep us posted! I can't wait to hear about all the new things Landon is saying! :)
My son's best friend barely uttered a word until he was 2 1/2. Then he started speaking in full sentences. If Landon can understand what you are telling him, I wouldn't be worried at all. And he will probably enjoy speech therapy! What a brave little boy you have there!
Landon is such a sweetie and is so blessed to have such wonderful, caring parents! My thoughts and prayers are always with you!
I just sweet a prayer for your sweet boy! :))
Love your blog. I used to live in BH so its nice to come home sometimes. I gave you some sparkle today! Go check out here:
http://preppycricket.blogspot.com/2008/08/diamond-award.html
You're going to have to bring me up to speed on these vision board things... I am intrigued.
And oh, yes! Publish a book. I'll be first in line to read it!!
I admire you so much for your strength and positive attitude. Please keep us posted on how Landon's therapy is going!
What a champ he surely is. I bet this is harder on you than him. I am always thinking of you guys and praying because as a mommy I can't imagine a harder thing to go through. Good for you trusting your gut. Honestly, as a pre-school teacher you can not imagine how many children have speech delays and are sent to school. We work with the therapists and sometimes we have to recommend it to parents. It just doesn't occur to them. I know he will be better than fine because he has you.
Thanks for keeping us posted.
hi again. left you an award on my blog.
What a lucky little guy to have such amazing parents :)
Landon is such a charmer. And so brave to have to go through surgeries and all the aftermath.
Mommie instincts are the best, you are FAB to folllow yours, not let the first evaluator sway you to her diagnosis. Sounds like you have lots to do but certainly the results will reward all of you.
We'll all be cheering for Landon!
Keep it up...you're an awesome mom and an inspiration for all of us gals. XOXO ali
As you well know, early intervention is the BEST intervention. Kudos to you for trusting your instincts and asking for a second opinion. I'm betting that with an empowered Mommy like you, Landon is going to make incredible strides within the first 6 weeks of therapy! Thanks so much for letting all of us learn from you both.
What a sweet and brave little guy you have - and I can only imagine how hard it is for you/hubby to see him go through that. I am sure he will come along just fine with his speech. And, BTW, I love Flipping Out, too! So funny. The maid cracks me up.
Wow! You have a lot on your plate right now! But it sounds like you are taking everything in stride. I know that I don't always feel better when people tell me I am not the only one but I will tell you anyway that about two years ago I was sobbing in a cab in Las Vegas with girlfriends because my son would not talk and my friends kids' who were the same age were speaking in sentences and singing songs! I was flipping out. (I started sobbing more likely that not because I was drinking...I had to, it was vegas!) But slowly but surely he began talking more and now he talks like a little dude. I think you have put all the right plans in place and should pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Hang in there!
He is such a brave boy and you are so dedicated at being his advocate! He is so lucky to have a fabulous mom like you and you are lucky to have such a sweet kid like him! I will pray that everything will work out for all of you.
S1 was very late to talk-then he developed a severe sutter. Started in-home speech therapy at age 2. he stopped speech in 5th grade. We stuck to it. Lots of people give up on speech problems. He is 21 now and you would never know.
He is so stinking cute! The cast is very stylish, indeed. I love your positive attitue that shows through on your blog.
I would love to hear more about the speech therapy, I sometimes wonder if my little one needs it, she just does not talk as much as my older one did at the same age.
He is so stinking cute! The cast is very stylish, indeed. I love your positive attitue that shows through on your blog.
I would love to hear more about the speech therapy, I sometimes wonder if my little one needs it, she just does not talk as much as my older one did at the same age.
you are so strong, and such a great mommy! I hope speech therapy gets off to a good start, I am sure you will see changes right away. You are so smart to listen to your mommy gut, I think it is always right.
Landon is such a cutie and so easy going to have his cast on and be fine with it! You have a wonderful child:)
- am keeping you all in my prayers. He is such a strong boy and is so happy! I can just tell from his smile. I am sure he gets his attitude from his wonderful parents.
He is quite a trooper! I have many friends who have been in similar situations and speech helped tremendously! You are right to start as soon as possible. You two are so adorable together. Reminds me of me and my little guy...when he was a little guy (of course he's 6'1'' now!)
My goodness - what a brave little boy - all my best wishes for his speedy recovery!
He is a trooper! Don't you wish we (big people) could have that attitude???? I sure do. I can't wait to hear how speech therapy goes...I know so many little men who have had it and they are completely fine...it just seems to get them over the hump in communicating with the rest of us. (((hugs for all of you!)))
Our first speech therapist for #2 said she was pretty sure she had MS...hello should be illegal to diagnose a 4 year old...county worker! Landon is a Champ. My dream afternoon was same as yours only Flipping out and then project runway while siping on a corona light w/lime
Good for you for following through on your mother's intuition. I bet that you'll see big improvements with the speech therapy. Keep us posted.
Hugs to you and Landon!
Way to keep things in perspective. So many Moms these days freak out and assume the worst. No wonder we have so many medicated, therapy driven kids walking around out there like zombies! You were so right to get a second opinion. Always trust that woman's intuition! I think it gets even stronger once you're a mom...
You're doing the right thing addressing his needs early and with tenacity! We should all take a lesson!
very good mommy thanks for the posts!Your site is excellent
Post a Comment