Ainta Dat Good News!!!
Well Praise God!!! That is all I can say in response to Eli's visit to Dr. Kojic today. It went amazingly well- even better than I expected. Eli passed all of the doctor's tests with flying colors. Barb and I celebrated the good news by eating lollipops in the car on the way home.
While we were in the waiting room. Dr. Kojic walked in returning from lunch break. She immediately recognized Eli and remembered his name. That was so nice for me to see. We talked out there with her for a few minutes, yes we ALL talked. Even Eli joined the conversation by showing her how good he is at talking and blowing raspberries now. She was delighted to see him doing so well.
As soon as they called us back Eli had to face the scales. No, there were not fish in the office- I am talking about weight scales. He weighed in at 19lbs!!! What a big solid 6 month old boy- solid as a rock! Before I know it he is gonna weigh more than I do. Soon he won't fit so nicely on my left hip! But for now I am enjoying every second with him and every ounce of his size.
Once we were in the exam room we had to undress Eli. He was loving being able to show off and put on a show he did! He was so excited to see the new people. He sat up for them unassisted, he talked, he smiled. He did everything a 6 month old should normally be doing.
All of us here who watch Eli regularly thought he seemed normal- but it really was a relief to have the doctor confirm that for us. Dr. Kojic seemed to pleased with how well Eli was doing. It was so wonderful to know that he is acting and developing normally too.
Dr. Kojic was so wonderful today. She took so much time with us. She answered all of our questions, and she even asked us good questions too. She also took time to ask me how I was handling the death of my husband personally. It was so nice to know she cared. She surely went beyond what her duties were as Eli's doctor today.
She played with Eli and made him laugh. I could tell she was sincerely interested in Eli and in his well being. Through all the playing she saw that Eli was a bit slower at opening and using his left hand than his right hand. But she said, with a little work, soon he should be using them equally.
Dr. Kojic also said she did not see any need for Eli to have any therapy. That was such an answer to many prayers to hear all of this from her today! When we left the hospital Eli was supposed to be having therapy 6 times a week. Now he has healed so well that he does not need any therapy at all.
I found out a lot more today about what actually happened to Eli in the accident. This news just confirmed how great the miracle is to see Eli doing so well.
Eli had multiple strokes on both sides of his frontal lobes in his brain. The strokes were cause by the brain contusions which is a fancy way of saying Eli was bleeding on his brain. The blood on his brain is also what caused the seizures he was having. The seizures and lack of oxygen during them in combination with the strokes is what caused Eli's weakness on his left side of his body. I also found out that Eli had fractures on the back of his head where it meets his neck. No wonder he couldn't hold up his head- it probably was hurting him so bad- ouch! Poor little guy.
But as I have been saying and as Dr. Kojic made clear- Eli is healing beautifully. He is doing so well. But even with this good report there are still more follow-up tests to be done. Eli has an EEG scheduled for January 28th and after that he will have to go back to the hospital to have a MRI done on his brain. Hopefully the results from these tests with again confirm Eli's wonderful progress.
Eli will still need to remain on his medicine twice a day. He is taking Phenobarbital for his seizures. He used to really hate getting his medicine but now he doesn't mind it so much. I try to get it over with as fast as possible. I always give it to him in his bouncer so he can play and be distracted while he is tasting that yucky medicine. This has helped him not notice the taste so much.
Eli is a strong boy. He is a fighter. He has been fighting so hard to get better. He was and is determined to do things and to use both sides of his body. He loves to explore his world and to learn about all that is going on around him. These traits have helped him so far in his life and I am sure they will continue to aid him as he walks down this road he will travel.
God is so good. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for Eli! Even more so- God thank you for answering our prayers with a yes. I heard someone say, or maybe I read it somewhere- I don't really remember, that God ALWAYS hears our prayers and He ALWAYS answers them. It is just that sometimes His answer is no.
I believe we have all witnessed a miracle. This was just such great news. Again Eli is such a reason for me to smile. Again I have even more reason to declare that God is good and Jesus is Lord- as if I ever needed a reason at all!
posted by Kellie # 3:08 PM
