All The Latest on Hannah

Sleep Study

All kids with Ds are recommended to have a sleep study by age four to rule out sleep apnea. I can count at least five of just Hannah’s peers who have it / were on oxygen. Medical teams constantly ask if she’s a good sleeper (what does that entail?) and if she snores - not really. 

So we have an appointment on Dec 14th at the Upper Airway Clinic to get a look-over before scheduling the dreaded sleep study. The only saving grace is that Hannah is at the age she can be in a bed instead of a crib, so they may let us lay with her. 

The kids get all types of sensors glued to them and a nasal cannula put on. Shocking that it takes hours for these kids to fall asleep in a strange room with all this apparatus on them! :: sarcasm :: You’d think in 2017 they could invent a beanie with sensors or something of the like to take home and sleep in comfort. I digress... 

Ophthalmology 

Monday Hannah had her regular bi-annual eye exam. We can cut down patching to every other day - woo hoo! Her prescription changed slightly and will be on our 3rd set of frames. Of course I’ll stick with pink because now it’s her signature look : )

Dentist

I was nervous here. Kids with Ds can have delayed tooth eruption... but we’re past age three and still missing all canines and the bottom second teeth. 

I found a pediatric dentist in Milford that was recommended by other Moms in the Ds community - woo! They were all really great and examining her teeth went very well. Then came the actual cleaning - ugh. Hannah lost her mind and screamed the entire time - three of us were trying to soothe and restrain her while Dr. Kamp cleaned. He was fast and Hannah was fine seconds after the finished up - whew! 

Dr. Kamp did feel her canines which was good. He isn’t sure she even has her lower second teeth - ! Which he said could be beneficial if she has a crowded mouth - which is common for kids with Ds. 

So... nothing for now other than regular visits and good cleaning!

The arcade game at the dentist!

Potty

Yesterday our sitter told Tim that Hannah signed/said “potty” and actually went on the potty! Great news and makes me hopeful for the intensive training. Personally, if Hannah’s speech and potty-going are further ahead than her gross and fine motor skills, I’m okay with that - !

Neck X-ray

This is another “thing” that every child needs checked out. Kids with Ds are at an increased risk for atlantoaxial instability; excessive movement at the junction between C1 and C2 vertebrae, therefore would need corrected with surgery to prevent damage to the spinal cord - ! Sooooo hoping we have a clean xray when we do that - probably in early 2018.