8 Week Update

Evelyn has been with us for 8 weeks now and she's progressing really well. We've had several follow-up appointments throughout the last few weeks and it's obvious that 1) the Clinic provides amazing care for all ages and health issues and 2) Evelyn is a fighter as she handles poking and prodding better than most.

We had a repeat visit with the audiologist to confirm Evie's hearing results, and they have confirmed severe hearing loss in her left ear and profound in her right. Before leaving the office the doctors took ear molds of each ear, and we return in a couple of weeks to have Evie fitted for hearing aids. The aids will be activated same day, and from there we'll schedule recurring visits with the audiologist for 'play time' and speech therapy. While we have very low expectations that the aids will allow her to hear everyday sound, this is the route we must take in order to determine if she's an appropriate candidate for bilateral cochlear implants before her first birthday. John and I have decided on the total communication approach - which will allow Evie to learn sign and lip reading, as well as auditory/oral skills with the hope she can thrive in every environment and community.

We also met with the neurologist recently, the same doctor who reviewed our case prenatally, and he conducted an early neurological assessment. While he was careful not to give us any specific potential long-term outcomes, he helped to reinforce some positivity. He'd like to continue to monitor Evelyn closely regarding her muscle tone and development, and we'll seek out occupational/physical therapy as a precaution. The good news is that at this moment, he does not have any significant concerns or diagnoses for her gross motor skills. Again, it's the small victories!

Help Me Grow and the Regional Infant Hearing Program (RIHP) will each begin biweekly (every other week) services in which they'll work with her on occupational/physical therapy and speech/sign. Although this has been a very busy and scary couple of weeks, we are so grateful to have so many resources at our disposal.

In other news, John and I have been taking advantage of the nice weather (and babysitting help!) and have gotten out for several fun events recently, including a day trip to Ann Arbor - Evie's first of many!