medical updates

Some updates on Silas's health...

• Hematology - Silas has had low hemoglobin levels for over a year now, usually in the 9-10 range. This has resulted in MANY doctors' appointments, finger pricks, and tests. His most recent test was a bone marrow biopsy to look at the production of his blood cells. The procedure took most of the day; they put him under with an IV, which was the most traumatic part by far. We are very thankful to report that no leukemia or myelodysplasia was found. That is actually what the doctors expected, but they wanted to run the test anyway as the final step to his blood workup. They have diagnosed him (for now) as just being anemic. Interestingly, they found that he has an above average number of red blood cell producers, which means there is obviously something ineffective about the way his body produces these cells, since there are less red blood cells than there should be.
  
•  Neurology- In February, Silas was evaluated by the Weisskopf Child Evaluation Center at the University of Louisville. He was evaluated in four areas: neurology, speech, occupational health, and psychology. Speech and fine motor both tested below average, qualifying as "developmental delays." Psychologically and cognitively, he was functioning above average, at the level of a three-year-old. The neurologist felt, after observing his gross motor skills, that he has some neurological issues that hinder his motor planning. She gave us a couple of diagnoses that don't mean much to us, but that will be helpful in pursuing therapy options in the future.

We are thankful that it seems we are FINALLY through this long phase of testing. For while we often had two or three doctor appointments every week. It feels wonderful to have it behind us and to have some closure on what kinds of issues Silas is dealing with. As we look to move on from Louisville in the near future, we will have a clean medical package to present to his next pediatrician. We are so thankful to the Lord for his kindness in sustaining us, teaching us to trust him, and for caring for our son more than we ever could.