what the doc had to say

As most of you know, Silas recently had a few tests done to check for some kind of obstruction or structural malfunction within his GI tract.  His projectile vomiting has actually decreased enough that we aren't very concerned (he hasn't thrown up in almost a month...praise the Lord!), but we mostly wanted to find out if there was a link between his past vomiting issues and his underdeveloped trunk muscles (obliques and postural muscles b/t his vertebrae). 

The tests came back normal, so it would seem that the vomiting is something he will continue to grow out of and doesn't need surgery to correct.  It also makes us unsure about whether there is a link between these two problems (vomiting and muscles).

Dr. Sturgeon, our pediatrician, gave me a call this week to chat about what to do next.  He feels that we are doing all we physically can to help Silas progress, and because he is responding so well to therapy we should wait and see whether Silas soon "catches up" to his peers.  He doesn't see a need to see him before his 15-month appointment on July 6th.  Our reaction to this decision was mixed; we really don't want to put Silas through more tests, but we would also really like to know what caused his strange condition.

The doctor also thinks it wouldn't hurt to start Silas on speech therapy a couple of times a month with First Steps (the same program we use for physical therapy).  Speech therapy may help Silas with his aversion to textures and speed up his progress in the eating department.  We're still thinking through this, but I think we will probably go for it.

Silas's physical therapist, Michelle, has her own theory about why Silas's muscles are underdeveloped.  Have you ever had food poisoning or a nasty case of the flu where you were throwing up really violently?  Those muscle spasms can make you sore for days.  Michelle thinks that maybe Silas was constantly sore during those lengthy time periods when he was throwing up so often (between 1 and 3 months old and then again from 6 to 12 months), and this could have caused him to stop using those muscles in order to avoid discomfort.  Hence the shortness and tightness.

I like Michelle's theory, but it might just be a desire to want some kind of answer...?

This is yet another opportunity to trust the Lord.  He knows exactly what caused Silas' muscular issues, and it does no good for us to give in to anxiety.  Our Father loves us more than we can imagine, and He knows what is truly best for us, even when we don't understand it.