Matthew's CT Update

The long awaited results of Matthew's CT Scan came (of course, after many nagging phone calls to the doctor's office by yours truly) by early afternoon today. 

Dr. W finally returned my call after reviewing Matthew's CT Scan. I have to admit before her call, the only thing I could think of was, this can only be bad news if they've received the scan earlier today and have NOT called me back yet. Are they trying to decide how to tell me that my baby is sick???

So, you can imagine the relief that I had when when Dr. W called and told me the following.

Matthew's CT Scan did NOT show any evidence of any masses or lesions in either his brain or skull bones. It did however show that there was an abnormality with the asymmetry of his skull. This probably was caused by his fetal position while in utero, which could be linked to his Microtia/Atresia.  Dr. W told us that we have nothing to worry about unless the abnormality continues to grow, which in that case we would have to come in and see a specialist to correct it, so that his skull and brain can grow normally. This is highly unlikely and will be something that will be part of Matthew's "normalcy" and for that he is "extra special" even with his "little ear."
Because the CT scan was done and because we never had one done when he was in the NICU the first 5 days of his life. I was also concerned about the internal structure of his "little ear." Dr. W. confirmed that Matthew indeed did not have the complete structure. He did have an ear canal but it was small and closed. The small bones of the ear were not all present and his ear drum did not seem to be present. However, she did mention that this CT Scan was NOT thorough because it didn't take it's images by "slice." I'm sure when the time is right we'll have another CT Scan specifically for his "little ear" and we'll have more information. But for now, it's safe to say that the only thing really working in his "little ear" is his "little auditory nerve." We'll take what we've been blessed with and teach him how to embrace his LUCKY EAR.

I am extremely happy that there are no masses or lesions. These past few days were the longest days of my life and it made me realize just how important my role as his mother is.  Often, I forget how to be a mother, because I'm engulfed by the responsibilities. I forget how to enjoy being a mother and embracing all the great triumphs and small obstacles I'm endured with. It's hard for me to accept that I'm doing an "okay" job in this motherhood thing.

When I had my first son, I was seriously thrown into a world that was completely opposite of what I had "dreamt" it to be.Partly because I was so young and another part was because I had absolutely no clue what I was doing.  I used to watch shows like Growing Pains, Leave it To Beaver, Silver Spoons and thought that those shows were the "norm" and the kind of life that I grew up with was soooooooo out of the ordinary. Now, I'm a mother of three, I stay home with them, I love being with them, and I sacrificed a lot of my personal goals to ensure that there childhoods would be as close to those sitcoms as possible. But I never EVER knew that motherhood would be this hard, so trying on me emotionally, so demanding of me physically, and so mentally draining. My "job" as mom never ends and I hope it never does end, because worrying about these boys each and every day, has been the GREATEST and most REWARDING job, role, and responsibility achieved.

Comments

[Christie]

So happy that you received good news. I know this is easy for me to say, but try not to think much about his inner-ear structure. As the doctor said, the CT scan was not detailed enough, and unless you have one of the top doctors in the country look at the CT (Dr. Roberson or Dr. Kesser), I wouldn't worry until it's time to worry ;o) Like I said, easy for me to say ;o) Have a great weekend!

[marsha]

It's great news. The inner ear and the auditory nerve is what is the MOST essential. So it's great that those are functioning. Those little bones in the middle ear are for mechanical conduction and I heard there are many ways to fix and/or amplify for that, unlike sensorineural loss. What did they tell you about future options? I'm curious what the technology is like these days.

[Nell@SheSnaps.com]

Praise God for good results! I can't imagine what it was like for you to wait so the results.

Nell
SheSnaps.com

[tinnitus cure]

Here's one that belatedly came to mind: "GREAT"!