Jenelle's Journey

Jenelle saw Dr. Patel today for her 9 month well baby check up. We just love Dr. Patel, because she has been so concerned, and so involved in helping us with Jenelle's issues. Jenelle is weighing in at 22 pounds, and 29 inches - still in the 90th percentile for her age, which is great!

Dr. Patel is putting in for 3 referrals for Jenelle. I told her about the Occupational Therapy evaluation and their concern with Jenelle's tongue tie. We are being referred to a surgeon so Jenelle can get the tongue tie clipped. Not sure what that involves, but I hear its very easy to do. Jenelle is also getting a referral to an audiologist for a hearing test as requested by OT as well. And the final referral for Jenelle is to a physical therapist named Tim Healey. We were given his name by a friend and Dr. Patel had nothing but great things to say about him. She felt if he was covered by the insurance, it would be worth a consultation. Dr. Patel was concerned that Jenelle was only getting an hour of Physical Therapy a week and felt she needed at least 2 hours, but perhaps when the OT kicks in, that will make a difference.

Many of you have suggested we check out Jenelle's immunizations - there have been reports that immunizations can cause some of the delays Jenelle is having. Without getting too technical, Dr. Patel assured us that her office has been using the proper immunizations for over a year, so Jenelle would not have been affected by the immunization mixture (thimizerol) causing these delays. Dr. Patel said that in an infant with development delays, the immunizations are more important in order to build up her immune system. There are some concerns with giving the MMR (measles, mumps and ruebella) shot to infants with development delays, and Dr. Patel felt that when Jenelle needs her MMR (at her 12 month visit) it may be wise and safe to public services to have it done as they can give Jenelle the MMR in a separate form, spaced out on her body rather than all at once in one location. Yes, technical sounding I know, but it does makes sense to me. Brett actually started laughing because Dr. Patel and I understood each other, and he said he didn't know what we were talking about! ;)

So, Jenelle is doing well. She is not too big for her age, and she is showing some improvement, which is hopeful. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. That means so much to us right now.