Doctors' Appointments Week

It seems like we're having a zillion doctor's appointments this week. I need to start blogging the results, so I can keep track of them all!


Monday--Ryan to Dr. Moussa: Ryan went to see this doctor, who is a pediatric optometry specialist. Ryan didn't seem to have anything wrong with his eyes, but pre-term babies are sent for this check-up as a matter of course. Dr. Moussa says about 70% of premature babies have some eye problems. Luckily, Ryan is NOT one of them. His eyesight is developing just fine. It was interesting how the doctor used a Mickey Mouse pen to test Ryan's depth perception, hand-eye coordination, and tracking of an object; patterned and plain visuals to get Ryan to look one way versus the other; and put on a little movie for him to check his visual response. The real benefit we got from this appointment is for KEVIN. While we were there, I explained about how Kevin's one eye frequently wanders, and the doctor immediately offered to see him. He thinks he can help Kevin with his eye coordination, without any surgical intervention, which would be excellent. Kevin is going to see Dr. Moussa on August 16.


Tuesday morning--Andrea to Dr. Zanganeh: Andrea went to see the allergist for her first breathing function test, and the results of her RAST (peanut allergy blood test). First, he explained the RAST results. Well, Andrea's peanut allergy is NOT going to disappear as she gets older. Her results were still "off-the-charts" high, according to the doctor. She will need to carry an Epi-Pen her whole life. She can never have peanut products. Then, a nurse weighed and measured Andrea. Andrea is 45 inches tall, and weighs about 54 pounds. Finally, the nurse administered the breathing function test. Andrea thought this was fun because as she blew into the machine, it registered on the computer screen as if she were blowing out birthday candles! Her breathing function results were excellent--102%--so the doctor says he's very happy. She'll stay on the inhaler to keep her lungs in good condition. Dr. Zanganeh said good asthma control can lessen the severity of an anaphylactic reaction should she ever have one.


Tuesday afternoon--Andrea and Ryan to Dr. Hanson: Andrea and Ryan were both due for immunizations this month (Andrea for Kindergarten and Ryan for 6 months). Ryan's measurements were great: the doctor kept calling him a "big boy!" We didn't get his length, but his weight is about 19.4 pounds. He is quite healthy. Andrea's doing well, too. She was very nervous about her "poke" (shot), but she did fine--only a few little tears.

Wednesday--Kevin's Cast Removal: Finally, yesterday afternoon, we went to Met to get Kevin's cast removed. The machine was really loud, so Kevin cried pretty hard until the physician's assistant actually started cutting the cast off his arm. Then, he kept saying, "It doesn't hurt! It doesn't hurt!" The assistant had put the blade on my hand and Daddy's hand to show how it didn't cut skin, and how it just tickles, but the noise was too much for him. He was anxious to get out of there after the cast removal, but then we had a long wait down in the x-ray area, and had to see the doctor again after x-rays. Kevin was really good, all things considered. The doctor told us that Kevin's arm healed just fine, and that he might be a bit stiff in the right arm for a few days, but just to let him start using it at his own pace. The doctor also said the one benefit of breaking a bone at such a young age is that little kids heal so quickly, and they don't need formal physiotherapy after the cast is removed. We are happy about that!