What a spring break

Spring Break was full of appointments.

Monday – Easton visited the torticollis specialist at Mary Free Bed. She told me that she saw some improvement in Easton’s neck rotation and head position, but that’s about it. She recommended we continue with physical therapy until she doesn’t feel any tightness left in his neck muscle. She wants to see him again in 6 months – that means at least 6 more months of therapy. She stressed that if we stopped therapy now we could risk Easton developing some facial deformities b/c of his tilt. She also told me that she has had some children require 2-3 years of therapy before the torticollis goes away completely.

Tuesday – Sydney woke up after very rough night complaining that her ear hurt. This was the first time she had ever complained of anything really bothering her. Took her in to the doctor and she had a left ear infection. After one day of antibiotic and ear drops (fairy dust) she was feeling much better.

Thursday – Last appointment with Lisa for physical therapy. Filled her in on what Dr. Maples told me on Monday. Lisa believes we do a good enough job at home with therapy and the tot collar so she said she didn’t need to see us anymore. What? This seemed different from what Dr. Maples told us. I was very confused. After discussing everything we should work on at home I requested that she still see us monthly to make sure we are on the right track at home. I don’t want 6 months to go by again and not have him make any progress. It’s nice that we don’t have to go every week anymore but I am feeling the pressure to do more at home. I only see Easton 3 hours every weekday so that’s a lot to do on top of dinner, bath, and “quality play time” before bed. We’ll just do the best we can.

Friday – The worst appointment we have ever had (and you know we’ve had a lot). Not necessarily b/c of what they told us but b/c we were there for TWO HOURS!!!!!!!! Dr. Maples referred us to see an ophthalmologist to make sure that Easton’s vision was not being affected by his torticollis. Our appointment was at 1:45 (terrible time – right at nap time but it was her only opening) and we were not seen by anyone until 2:15. We finally get into a room and a nurse takes 5 minutes to ask us some general questions, push on Easton’s eyelids, and send us into another waiting room. We sat there for another 30 minutes until we are called back into the room with the doctor. She looks at Easton for 5 minutes and then decides that she needs to put drops in his eyes to dilate his pupils (which the nurse asked her if she should do 30 minutes ago and she said no). So they send us back into the waiting room with a screaming, exhausted little boy for another 20 minutes before seeing us again. After another 5 minute exam in which Easton’s eyes were closed most of the time b/c he was crying so hard the doctor tells us he has a mild case of Intermittent Exotropia – when the eyes turn outward (away from the nose) part of the time. We have never noticed him do it (and I have checked every picture I have of him and don’t see it) but the doctor said that when she covered one of his eyes the other floats away and then comes back in line when she uncovers the eye. She made it seem like it’s no big deal and that 30% of kids outgrow it. I checked online and those who don’t outgrow it need eye therapy, patching, glasses, or rarely surgery. It also said that as long as the eyes are straight some of the time the brain and eyes will develop some normal functioning – so treatment does not need to occur immediately. I’m guessing the doctor didn’t share any of this extra info with us b/c she was in a hurry to get to her other patients who had also been there for 2 hours (can you tell I’m still bitter?). She wants to see him again in 4 months and see where to go from there.