Boy update

Ok, sorry, this has been a long time coming.  An update on the boys.

Oliver

Oliver had his operation on the 28th March.  This was to replace the ear bones that were removed last February due to cholesteatoma.  He was called in for 8am, the earliest ever.  He was through to the waiting area by 10am, and under the knife by 10.30.

As I say, the earliest ever.  We had Seb home that day, so Seb and I went home for lunch while Paul waited.  I took Seb back to the hospital after lunch, and Paul took him to get Isaac.  I was called through to recovery just after, so about 3pm.  The doctor was more than pleased that there was no more cholesteatoma.  He was able to put this titanium prosthetics in to replace the bones, and finish up some other things.  Oliver came round fairly quickly, and we refrained from giving him too much morphine.  We had the same nursing staff as last february, they remembered us!  This was one of the smoothest operations.  Hopefully it will be the last.  We were home by 4.30, the earliest ever.

Oliver is recovering well.  He has antibiotics, which will stop today.  He has been in some pain, so has been taking some strong pain medicine.  Since we started the ear drops to dissolve the packing around the new 'bones' he has been complaining of more pain.

It could be the drops making everything move a bit.  Or it could be the fact he is returning to school tomorrow, after his follow up appointment first thing.  He is not to do any physical activity or recess at school.  He is not to run around, jump around, or anything like that for 2 months.  2 MONTHS.  Very hard for a 8 year old.  We were going to do him a birthday party at the end of next month at a local trampoline place.  We will have to see what the doctor says......

Isaac

Ok so those who follow the blog will know that we have had some issues with Isaacs behavior at school.  It got so bad before spring break, that Isaacs teacher requested a meeting with us.  This took place in the second week in March. Isaac general behaviour was discussed, and it was agreed by all that he is a lovely boy who needs help managing his emotions.  We agreed to some form of parent coaching/training/therapy.  I asked for Isaac to be assessed for any learning difficulties there maybe, as I had noticed some things in his reading.  I also told school that I had given Isaac an incentive that if he behaved at school that week I would take everyone out for donuts.

Here he is eating that donut.

School assessed his learning, and everything seemed fine.  In conversation in the meeting and between the teacher and the learning assessor person, it was though that Isaac may have some sensory issues.  He chews a LOT, he does not like crowded places, loud noises or new things.  I have strategies to deal with these things at home, but school do not.  One of the coaching/training/therapy people they recommended was an occupational therapist (OT), and after Isaacs assessment, his teacher was very keen that we get in touch with this OT.  To be honest, we had no idea who we would use, and how we would even make that decision.  Its hard to be told your son most likely needs therapy.  Any whoo, long and short of it, Isaac has an assessment at the OT's office later this month.  This gent actually goes into school, so would be able to assist both Isaac and his teacher in finding ways to deal with his issues.

His behavior has been exemplary since spring break.......

Sebastian

Ah the monster.......

He has been assessed again for his speech, this time by a company his school uses.  They say he does not make his early sounds, the 'm', 'p' and 'b' sounds.  These need to be sorted first. He does not move his lips when he talks, and makes his sounds from the back of his throat. I am awaiting a call back from them to arrange speech therapy sessions.  They will do them in school time though, which is much better for all concerned.  he is a chatter box, full of life.  He thinks he is a monster truck, and our sofa is the course.  His most clear words are 'I want'.  His speech is so much clearer than it has been ever.  He is coming along nicely, but is a little behind on most things.

In the summer I shall be taking him to the doctors to find out how I go about getting him assessed for developmental delays.  I think this will make the transition into English education easier when we return home next year.  If we were in the UK, Seb should be starting school this September. 

So there you have it.  That is the boys, pretty much.  They are hard work, but can be very rewarding.  They are growing into these little people, I have no idea how they are going to turn out, but I hope they are going to be good......

Oliver's operation - round 2

So Oliver had to be at the hospital at 11.15 yesterday morning.  I stayed home with the other 2 and took them to Dollar Tree and for a McDonalds.  

Oliver was eventually taken in for surgery at 2pm.  Poor boy had not eaten since 9pm the previous evening.  Lucky for Paul, he had taken lunch with him.  We arranged to swap over at 3.30, as this should be half way through the operation.

We did the swap, and Paul took the boys home leaving me as the only person in the waiting area, along with the 2 receptionist.  I took my lap top so was able to do some Uni work.  About 5.45, one of the nurses from the recovery area came out, and asked me to come through, as it shouldn't be long.  

Oliver's doctor eventually appeared about 6.45.  Another epically long operation, over 4 hours.  Dr Alexander explained that when they opened him up, they had found a small amout of cholesteatoma hiding by the ear drum, in a place they could not see using the camera.  It was really small, like a couple of millimeters.  But the fact it had grown back made the doctor chose not to reconstruct the ear bones (it was a hard decision, apparently).  He worried that if he had reconstructed the ear bones using the titanium plates that the cholesteatoma would have come back again, leading to a much more complicated operation to remove.  It would basically involve removing the wall of the ear candle next to the mastoid bone, and would leave Oliver with a large ear cavity, and issues with water getting to the inner ear for the rest of his life.  Having since looked this up, it is not nice.  It has cosmetic and auditory implications forever.  In 60% of cases, after the first removal, cholesteatoma does grow back, but because it is being checked for, not to the same extent.

The doctor also fitted a tube from his ear canal to his nose cavity to enable fluid to drain more easily.  He found dried blood in the ear cavity from the last operation, which would not have helped the healing process.  He also took some cartridge from his ear and put it at the base of the ear canal for the prosthetic to be fitted to next time round

The doctor is confident he got it all this time.  Oliver has a follow up in 10 days time, and returns to school in 9.  He is not to do any P.E or recess for 2 weeks.  And no water in the ear till the follow up at least.  Again every one was really nice, we came away with 4 prescriptions. One anti-nausea, one antibiotic, one very strong pain killer and one for ear drops.  The ear drops begin in a few days time, everything else being administered now.

The nurses were interesting this time. 2 men, both skin heads, one lean, one not so lean.  They were keen to get him moving, unlike the ladies last time.  We were out in just over an hour.  And Oliver was not sick in the car.  He saved that one for when we got home.  

Last night was very unsettled.  Oliver slept on the sofa, then we moved his bed into our room (thank good ness for big houses).  He was sick a lot last night, and barely kept any water or medication down.  He had some toast to morning, and has been snacking ever since.  He is currently on the sofa where he has been most of the day.  He is in quite a bit of pain, despite the medication, so we are doing our best to keep him comfortable.  The next few days will be very lazy, but I managed to get the other 2 out today.

Isaac and I hit up a community yard sale near by.  We spent $12 and came away with a toys dragon, Jenga, 2 books, 3 car magazines, a Clemson baseball cap, and 2 sets of Melissa and Doug wooden toys.  A pretty good haul.  Then we went and checked out Simpsonville Farmers Market.  A lovely little market, where I picked up some spicy hot habanero chilli peppers for Paul.  Watch this space for what I do with them!

Sebastian went for a hair cut this afternoon.  She didn't do a great job, but I had a coupon so it only cost $10 with tip.  Makes a nice change from the fortune I normally spend on him at specialized children's salons.  

I will keep you posted with Oliver's progress as the week goes on.  Don't think there will be many photos on #yearofoliver for a few days......