More Follow-up & Cheerios
We were back at CHEO for two more follow-up appointments this week. On Wednesday Emma saw the E.N.T. team to have another scope exam. to check on her paralyzed vocal cord. As you might imagine, the procedure isn't fun for Emma (a thin, flexible fibre-optic tube is passed through her nose to her larynx to see if her vocal cords are moving), but at least it is over quickly.
Unfortunately, the exam showed that Emma's left vocal cord is still paralyzed, most likely as a result of the PDA surgery she had when she was 2 weeks old. When one of the cords is paralyzed, the open cord allows food or liquid to slip into the trachea and lungs. Emma will have another feeding study to assess her aspiration risk in a couple of weeks, and we'll continue adding thickener to her milk and watching her very carefully while she's drinking. The doc. said that her right vocal cord is compensating well and is moving over to make up for the paralyzed cord, so we're hoping her voice quality won't be significantly affected. There is a slight possibility the paralysis may resolve over the next 6-12 months, so Emma will be going back for another scope procedure in the late fall.
In better news, Emma also had a follow-up appointment with the ophthalmologist today. Even though she had Stage 1-2 Retinopathy of Prematurity while she was in the NICU, the doc today confirmed that Emma's eyes were "beautiful" with no evidence of the ROP. For now her vision is fine and she doesn't need glasses. Yay!!!! As she is at higher risk of developing other vision problems as a result of her prematurity, she'll have to be followed closely, but we don't have to go back for another year or so!
In other news this week, Emma tried Cheerios for the first time. Actually, the Cheerios are used as part of her physiotherapy exercises to work on her fine motor skills/"pincer" grasp. Emma wasn't actually able to get the Cheerios in her mouth, but she got some help from her Big Sister :)
Unfortunately, the exam showed that Emma's left vocal cord is still paralyzed, most likely as a result of the PDA surgery she had when she was 2 weeks old. When one of the cords is paralyzed, the open cord allows food or liquid to slip into the trachea and lungs. Emma will have another feeding study to assess her aspiration risk in a couple of weeks, and we'll continue adding thickener to her milk and watching her very carefully while she's drinking. The doc. said that her right vocal cord is compensating well and is moving over to make up for the paralyzed cord, so we're hoping her voice quality won't be significantly affected. There is a slight possibility the paralysis may resolve over the next 6-12 months, so Emma will be going back for another scope procedure in the late fall.
In better news, Emma also had a follow-up appointment with the ophthalmologist today. Even though she had Stage 1-2 Retinopathy of Prematurity while she was in the NICU, the doc today confirmed that Emma's eyes were "beautiful" with no evidence of the ROP. For now her vision is fine and she doesn't need glasses. Yay!!!! As she is at higher risk of developing other vision problems as a result of her prematurity, she'll have to be followed closely, but we don't have to go back for another year or so!
In other news this week, Emma tried Cheerios for the first time. Actually, the Cheerios are used as part of her physiotherapy exercises to work on her fine motor skills/"pincer" grasp. Emma wasn't actually able to get the Cheerios in her mouth, but she got some help from her Big Sister :)
posted by Laurie at 23:01
3 Comments:
This sight of those two girls interracting and laughing is purely the best. Ever!
That's great news from the eye doctor!!!
How cute that Emma had help with her Cheerios! Sarah (my 24 weeker) refused to eat Cheerios until a few weeks ago but she is a Gerber Sweet Potato puff addict. Emma will be yelling for the box of Cheerios before you know it!
Tooo Cute and YEAH! For the positive test results.
Cheerios are an aquired taste...she'll get it.
;)
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