Weight: Tuesday she weighed in at 16lbs 8oz. Remember 3 months ago, prior to the gtube/nissen she was 12lbs 12oz. So almost a 4lb weight gain in 3 months. Not too bad!!
Height: She measures at 29 inches. Prior to the gtube/nissen she was 27 inches. So almost 4lbs weight gain and 2 inches.....again, not to shabby!!
Head: We go back to have a sedated MRI in November of this year. Her neurosurgeon thinks things look good (as good as things can look when half of your brain is missing). He said he is pretty sure that Bella won't ever need a shunt.
GI: This has been our toughest challenge the last few months. Bella had a gtube/nissen surgery on May 7, 2013. It took forever to heal and we had SO much trouble with granulation tissue. She was in constant pain. Finally we got the surgeon to agree that something wasn't right. He took her back to do a scope and make sure that everything in her throat and tummy looked good. While he was in there he cauterized all the granulation tissue and put in a new button. Since then, her tube hasn't bothered her one bit!! She is back to rolling over on her tummy and doesn't even seem to notice that the tube is there. I wish I could say we have had all good news in the GI department BUT not so. About 2 weeks ago Bella got sick. She ran a fever for about 4 days and then developed a nasty cough. During this time she took less and less volume by mouth, which means we were tubing more and more through the gtube. Until one day she just refused the bottle all together. So now we are battling to keep her orally eating while balancing using the tube so she can keep growing. Thank goodness for a wonderful therapist!!!
Motor skills: Bella is so close to sitting!! She can roll over from her back to her tummy but then gets stuck. Really, she is pretty far behind in the motor skills department. She is still at a 3-4 month stage. We have recently gotten her a chair that helps her sit. She loves it because she can be more involved with what is going on around her. At first I cried at the thought of her needing the chair because it is so medical and just one more reminder of how much she has to overcome. With that said, I LOVE this chair!! It gives her the independence she so clearly wants. She is working hard in therapy and I think the next thing on the list to get is some braces for her legs and her left hand. She will more then likely be getting some Botox soon too.
Cognitive skills: Bella is one smart little cookie. She know where her hair, ear, nose, tongue, lips, and belly are. She gives kisses and will blow you a kiss too. She waves bye-bye, and waves her finger at you to say no no. She also plays patty cake. She will play peek a boo and laughs at her older siblings all the time...yes, they are pretty funny.
I'm sure I am forgetting things but wanted to get this posted. We always welcome prayers and positive thoughts. Thank you for following our miracle!!
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| Bella loves listening to music! |
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| Mama and Bella |
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| Bella's new chair |
