An Occupational Therapist also came in during the exam to do an overall screener on Alanna for her fine motor, gross motor, speech-language and social skills because I brought up concerns with her not liking to be on her tummy. She scored within normal limits for all areas except gross motor. She still does not like being on her tummy so she is not crawling yet. She is getting Physical Therapy at our house through Help Me Grow to assist her with this skill. I have taken notes on all the exercises and do them everyday with her every day. I know my Alanna will get there with time. It's just going to be on her time.
Really Get's you Thinking: Thoughts at the High Risk Clinic!!!-My Reflection
Before I left I told Dr. Wiles how much he means to my family. I told him we will always have a special place for him in our hearts. He mentioned that he just took a call from Dr. Ward the other neonatologist that had been with him helping Alanna when she was in the NICU. I told him to tell her we said "hi" and asked if she remembered us. He looked at me with a grin and said "well I'm sure she does!" NICU's in our city get on average 1 hydrops case a year. Alanna is their one big case so she will be hard to forget. I mentioned to Dr. Wiles he must have gotten a lot of experience on hydrops from a congenital chylorax with Alanna. He said yes, he has only seen 3 cases and Alanna by far was the one pumping out the most fluid from her chest. He mentioned she was pumping out a liter a day! Can you imagine a little preemie baby born at 34 weeks pumping out a liter of fluid a day from their chest!!! It amazes me when I hear those words. It really puts into perspective how strong Alanna is. She was so sick but yet so strong. How does one so little become so strong. It reminds me of the bible story David and Goliath. Alanna beat the giant named Hydrops with her little body through the power of our Lord. I find it amazing that not a day goes by where I'm not gifted with the love of the Lord through Alanna's recovery. He shows me his love every day. The way Alanna looks at the world say's it all. When I look in Alanna's eyes I can see her appreciation of life. She has a glow about her and a look that say's I'm so happy to be here and earth is an amazing place!! When the wind blows on her, when we walk through the glare of the sun, when I spin her around and tickle her all I see is pure bliss. It's almost like she's found her little piece of heaven through her battle.
I can't wait to continue my updates and see where Alanna's continued journey brings her.
God Bless!
