Dr. Honeycutt said Brody looked great, therefore we can assume the shunt is either doing it's job or his body is draining and absorbing the fluid like it should on it's own. Our only problem is that Brody prefers to lay on the opposite side of his head from where the shunt is, so his head is slowly being reshaped to conform to the way he lays... not so good. In most cases the baby would be put into a cranial band/helmet for a period of time to reshape the head. His doctor wants at all costs to avoid the helmet not only for obvious comfort reasons, but also the chance that the helmet would put pressure against or around his shunt and cause complications. In the nicu the nurses would rotate him (and the other babies) and make him lay in different positions, including on his shunt. Bret and I try to do the same at home, but as Brody gets stronger, it's harder to force him :/
Our fix? Therapy, right away. We are in the process of setting up therapists through ECI Early Childhood Intervention to meet with and/or to come to our house not only for Brody but all of the babies. ECI specializes in babies at high risk for developmental problems and/or disabilities and strives to help the babies "catch up" to their actual age and reach their potential.
Looks like a lot of bottles, yeah? That's just during the night.
32 Bottles total per day.
40+ diapers a day.
This is why Baxlyn is the smallest, poor thing.
Late on a feeding... this is how they thank you.
Mommy, Brody, Kylee & Baxlyn
Multitasking is becoming one of my special mom powers!
Bret trying to get a nap in with Brody.
Are my hands full? Yes. Better Full than Empty.
Am I busy? Yes. Better Busy than Bored.
Glad to hear Brody is doing so well! YEAH! Looking at the 24hrpics, takes me back! I'm tired all over again.
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Misty
It's a bird, it's a plane, no.. it's supermom.
ReplyDeleteYou amaze me.
If I can come help babysit, you let me know. I'd love to.
Your bambinos are beautiful.
hi there,
ReplyDeletejust thought i would share a link with you for butterfly pillows. i had twins 13.5 weeks prematurely - one of my sons had hydrocepheles - and we used this pillow religiously - helps with shaping of the head and sidelining. in the nicu we were at - these pillows were used by many. anyways - it might be something you want to check out - there is a section of babies with hydrocepheles or shunts. good luck!
http://www.snuglbuds.com/butterfly.htm
I think that was one of my favorite posts of yours!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear Brody is doing well! He looks ADORABLE!!!
ECI is great, we started them around 6 months and still have them for various reasons. You will love them.
Call me or email me with any questions, cant wait to meet those cuties!!! LOVE YOU!
I can't imagine your life! The days I feel like my life is hard and I'm too busy with my two girls I'll just think of you! ;)
ReplyDelete