Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Can you hear me now...Good.

Matthew's last appointment at the Children's Hospital was a check up with audiology and the ear/nose/throat doctor. With just one ear, we want to do everything we can to protect his hearing. He got a tube in his ear last April 2010 and a few months later had a hearing test at audiology. They concluded that he has slight hearing loss. I refuse to accept that, but believe it is rather his reactions to the way hearing is tested. Trust me- this boy knows his mama's voice!

And so this past Jan. his hearing is tested again. We go into this tiny storm shelter type of room. He is sitting on my lap and facing a nurse who is using toys and books to capture his attention. Meanwhile there is another nurse behind a 2 way mirror who will speak or make noises that will come through speakers in the room, either on his right or his left. They are watching for his reaction to her noises. Maybe with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, it may take longer for his brain to process information. So even if he can hear, does that mean he will show a reaction to this lady's voice?

An interesting thing happened. As she would make noises, he would show little or no reaction. Keep in mind, there is someone if front of him trying to keep his attention on her. But when she would say his name, "Matthew" he would look for her voice. Kind of makes you wonder if he is really smarter than we are, and knows it is not worth his time to react to every noise if he doesn't think it is directed towards him.

But also made me think about all the times I desparately want to hear a word from God, and expect to audibly hear Him saying my name, all the while missing all of those "noises" that He is using to speak to me. As a wise man often says to me- "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD" (Romans 10:17) Want to hear God's voice? Read the Bible.

They concluded that he can hear, and would test it again in about 6 months. So we had a few hours until his ENT apt, and went to the hospital cafeteria. Pretty good food and has large windows that overlook the state capital. As we were eating, Matthew's twin sister sat down at the table next to us. This sweet little girl about his age, with white blond hair, also missing one ear.

We spent some time outside and you can see Matthew enjoying the waterfall.
Finally time to see the ENT doctor. Our big concern being that he has had an ear infection pretty much everyday since October. The tube he got in April was obviously gone, and he needs a new one.

Daddy and Matthew are ready for the doctor
Still waiting for the doctor
And the doctor did come. He sees hundreds, maybe thousands of kids- but he remembered Matthew. He said "this is the baby that would only eat while he was sleeping". And more than once he commented on how much Matthew has progressed, how good he is doing. Still brings a little tear to my eye. Of course it would be perfect if he was developing at the same rate as his peers, but really he has come so far, and made huge strides. He inspires me.

Matthew will be getting a tube in his ear on Tuesday, also removing his adnoids, and doing a CT scan to understand if he has an inner ear on his right side. Right before he wakes up, his feeding button will be removed and a new one put in (hopefully one that doesn't leak!) As any mama would be- I am a little anxious. Please pray for the doctors and anathesiologist and of course Matthew.

Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3