Back to Boys Town for more appointments.

I haven't posted much about everything that's been happening lately. We've been busy!

Audrena has been walking like crazy, which we love to see. She has even graduated to carrying toys, one in each arm, as she walks. Our physical therapist texted Randy on Monday to say that they had a good session, and he had even noticed Audrena trying to mimic his words at times. Speech therapy has been really good, and yesterday's session was awesome. Audrena has taken an interest in "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" She gave good approximations for many of the animals in the books, and also for teacher. Wonderful! Two nights ago, she was thirsty and pointed at her sippy cup, saying, "MORE!" It was very loud and very clear. She has been saying "more" for a good while now, but this was very forceful, almost like, "Pay attention to me!"

Last week, I took Audrena to Sioux Falls for our genetics consultation at Sanford Children's Hospital. We elected to do the Otoscope testing. It's a pretty comprehensive test through the University of Iowa, and although the time frame for results is 6 months or more, it tests for some of the specific conditions that we want Audrena tested for. They also did an EKG, a urine sample, and a thyroid test, all to test for things that could potentially be related to her hearing loss. So now we wait.

We have had problems with Audrena's scar on the left side getting little sores. We attributed it to her hearing aid rubbing and irritating internal stitches that maybe had not yet dissolved. We would clean it and apply Bactroban ointment, and they would heal. Well, the situation is finally catching up with us. She has an infection, complete with pus. Audrena has an ophthalmology appointment at Boys Town tomorrow to test for Usher's Syndrome, and to have another look at the strabismus in her left eye. I have a feeling the doctor will prescribe glasses to correct it. Anyway, we also had an appointment with Dr. L. to have the packing materials removed from her ears (as part of the fat grafts on her ear drums) and also a programming appointment. I had received a call a few weeks ago that Dr. L. would not be available, and they would need to reschedule. In order for us not to make two trips, I requested that we see Dr. K. instead, so they scheduled us to see him. A few days ago, I e-mailed Dr. L.'s nurse to ask a question about the packing material removal, and I mentioned the incision area problems. She replied back that Dr. L. would be making a special time slot for Audrena, as he wants to see her himself. Given that we have this infection going on, I'm so glad that he is making time for her! Just another reason we love Dr. L.!