Tuesday 30 April 2013

What a difference 8 months makes!

helloooooooo (echo....echo...echo)
Is there anybody there?

YES, it really IS me!! its been a while eh?

Well, its been 8 months since my last post, and our world really has changed!
as you know, last time I posted, our Little man Dylan had just arrived...

I didn't talk about this at the time, because to be honest, we weren't dealing with it very well...
but our gorgeous little fella has given us a bit of a rough time...

Without writing the equivalent of war and peace...
I'll explain

 We've been having hospital appointments at one place or another more or less fortnightly since he was born.
He was born with left sided deafness, and his left ear is smaller than the right,
he also has an issue with the facial nerve on the same side.
add to that, tight muscles in his neck, which prevented him turning to the left for a few weeks...
which in turn has caused his head to become flattened on the right side....

we've seen several specialists and had LOADS of appointments, and he has been diagnosed with whats called a hemifacial microsomia... (which literally means half the face is smaller)

we have been told by the craniofacial specialist at birmingham childrens hospital that its a mild case, and that usually no intervention is needed... so at the moment we are now set for yearly reviews there...

ENT have done an MRI scan of his inner ear (this was unbelievably scary) at the moment, the news we have is that there doesn't appear to be any abnormality, so we still dont have an answer to why he's deaf...
we should be hearing from them this week...
on the plus side... after several hearing tests, and behaviour tests, we've just had confirmation that due to his right side being good... he has hearing in the normal range... phew!
we see a teacher for the deaf, who is lovely...and helps us with communication etc...
we don't see audiology or ear nose and throat for another 6 months now.... (yey!)

still....he's a little star...apart from what appears to be a mild delay in his motor skills....(due to his shoulders being tight as a result of the neck issue)
he is doing great!
we are in physio for his neck, and he's getting there... appointments have slowed down there too!

things have been tough, I'll be honest, but somehow you just get on with it...
its been difficult to just get on with life, cos there's always the next appointment looming...
But the FAB news is that next month we have NO appointments!!! we've never gone more than 2 weeks before, so this is a really big deal for us... and so far we only have a physio appt booked for June!

So thats our 8 months...
I have meant to post so many times, but I've never been good at talking about personal stuff... and people don't always want to read it!
still.... you got the shortened version...lol!

Heres a couple of 3 month old, and then 6 month old pics of trouble....
I don't have any newer ones uploaded... but will sort some out soon...

3months....

6 months...


and one of him at 3 months with his very proud and loving big bro.... who was 14 on Sunday!! OMG!! where have 14 years gone????

awww...my beautiful boys!!

anyway....

Hope you are all well and still crafting??
I've not really been keeping up with blogland...so I have no idea what's going on....

I do have lots of other news, but I'm not sure wether to leave it till another day...

yeah....i'll leave it... but trust me its E.X.C.I.T.I.N.G!!!

Take care all of you...

Hugs
Paula
xxxxxxx

34 comments:

Aunty Sue said...

Ooh Paula i used one of your images last week on my blog and since seen this image on another blog. So pleased that after a tough time things see coming back positive. From the pictures you would know anything but mums notice things. Pooh exciting news can't wait come on spill. You have 2 good looking boys and i can hear a proud mum reading this. Chin up. He's fab

Amanda said...

Sorry to hear you having been having a rough time, he is gorgeous by the way and that cheeky grin is too cute. Hugs, Amanda x

Diane said...

You have two FABULOUS boys Paula !!

hugs Diane xx

alethea said...

He is absolutely gorgeous...both your boys are!! When you see that gorgeous little face you have to forget about all the rough stuff! HUgs xx

Ali said...

Great to hear from you - sorry your have gone through sooo much with your little man - but he looks gorgeous - hope things continue to get better for you and appointments that have to be set have longer gaps between them (if that makes sense) Happy Birthday to your eldest son too xx

Jen Nelson said...

It so nice to hear from you paula

Sorry to hear you had a rough time with it.. but he is super cute!!

Hugs

Jen xxx

Crafty Mamma Mia said...

Hi Paula - awhhhh, both your "men" look gorgeous!
I'm sorry to read that things have been so tough with Dylan, but I really hope that the intervals between your appointments increases ... you'll know then that thing are getting easier! Dylan will "catch up" developmentally with others of the same age ... we struggled for years with our eldest and now you'd barely notice the difference between her and her peers!
You're doing a fab job!
Hugs, Helen x

Kimbo said...

Lovely to see you and hear your news. Sorry it's not all positive but he looks a lovely boy and I hope he continues to progress well x

Paper Hearts Handmade Cards said...

sorry to hear you have all been having a difficult time but your wee man is totally gorgeous , Karen x

SaraJ said...

Sorry to hear you've had a tough time recently, but I'm sure your smiling boys will help you through it. x

Crafty Cat said...

Nice to hear from you again. Sorry to hear you've been having a rough time but I'm glad things are getting better for you and your beautiful little man!. xxx Carol

lbwright22-loopylou said...

I'm so sorry that it has been a tough 8 months. i was wondering how you were doing. hugs to you and your family.
Dylan and his older bro look like great kids- you are lucky.
xxx

Unknown said...

Great to see you back again Paula, sorry things haven't exactly gone to plan. Glad that things are eventually getting a sense of normality for you...there is light at the end of the tunnel. Gorgeous pics, especially the one with your two sons together xx

Lawren said...

Hi Paula! The baby is gorgeous and your older son is so handsome. Time does fly, doesn't it? Glad to get an update. Take care.

Joey said...

He is beautiful hun, sending you a squish :) GREAT news you have a free May :) yay xxx

The Craft Bucket said...

Oooh Paula, good to hear from you although you have been having a tough time with your gorgeous Dylan. Glad to hear with each day life is getting better and I love those pics of both your boys. My little boy has just turned 21, can't believe it. Take care, love Jane x

Anonymous said...

Lovely to hear from you Paula! So sorry to hear what a tough time you have had but he is certainly adorable. Hope things continue to improve for you all, take care!
Helen x

Bubbles said...

so nice to hear from you. Wow what an 8 months you've all had, but bless your dear little boy he is so sweet and glad results are coming but good! Love the pic of your 2 boys, big bro sure does look proud!
I've used your images recently, still love them!
Joanne x

Kathie said...

Hi Paula I'm sorry to hear of your past 8 months. Life with a new baby is hard enough as it is with out all those extra appointments and stress. Dylan is beautiful and so cute, I look at this older brother and I have a son that is nearly 14 as well. Keep your chin up there is a light at end of every tunnel.
Hugs
Kathie
xox

Cazza said...

Wahooooo for May!! Enjoy the month with your gorgeous guys honey :o))
Lots of love
xxx

Pam said...

Your boys are so handsome!! It sounds like you have really been on a rollercoaster ride for the last few months. Glad that things are getting better and that you have received good news on most fronts. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!

Carolina Girl (Cely) said...

Two very handsome guys. So sorry you and your family have gone through so much with your little man, but also happy with positive news too. wow...they grow up so fast. It is great to hear from you and seeing the pics of both your sons.

Kym Weber said...

Bless your heart! He is absolutely darling! I pray things will start getting much better for you and your family! Best wishes!

Hugs, Kym

Heidi Brawley said...

Oh he is Adorable!!! Both of your boys are!!! Wishing you Awesome things ahead! Just take one day at a time!! it was great hearing from you in blog land!!! Hugs & Prayers to you and your family!!!!!

Nat said...

It was good to see your post, what a pair of handsome boys! So sorry you've had a tough time, hopefully now you can relax a bit and just enjoy your lovely children.
Natx

Ria Zonnestraaltje said...

Wow Paula you sure have got some rough times but your boys both are handsome and adorable, sending hugs from holland.

Hugs Ria

scrapsnsuch@gmail.com said...

He is adorable! Both boys ;>)

Jo said...

Hey You! xx :)
How lovely to hear from you, and omg Dylan is a little cutie and totally adorable. Callum looks so proud of his baby brother. A lovely photo of your boys. Sending special wishes for Dylans continued progress.
I'm stoked that Pollycraft is back, absolutely fantastic news!
Loads of love my friend, so happy you're back!
Jo xx

Rhonda Miller said...

Wow, you've had you're hands full. I know those little ones can throw you for a loop, but they're so worth it. I'm glad to hear his hearing is still in the normal range. He's a cutie.

Yoshiras time to craft said...

Beautiful boys.Praying that therapy will do all what is need to help your little handsome.

Karen said...

Ooooh it's lovely to see you back Paula, looking forward to seeing more new images too.
Dylan is such a cutie, and what a proud big brother he's got, 2 lovely boys!
I have experience with deafness, my sister is deaf, (completely in one ear and 50% in the other) and believe me it hasn't held her back at all, including flying off to Washington DC at 17, to study at Uni there, and yes she went alone. She was there for 5 years in all. She's been a teacher of British and American Sign Language. She also talks very well and can hold a conversation with anyone due to lip reading.
Stay positive and you'll get through all they throw at you.... lol.

xx

cardmaking bird said...

I'm so sorry to hear of the problems you've had with little Dylan but he's an absolutely beautiful little lad and I'm sure with such a wonderful supportive mummy like you, he'll be able to overcome anything that's thrown at him in life. I'm so glad to see you back!! Sending hugs - and give Dylan a big squeeze from me! Marie xx

♥Gemma♥ said...

OMG...welcome back to blogland Paula!!

I must say gorgeous photo's of your 2 boys and you can tell by reading this post you are a very proud mum of them both :)
hugs and xxx
Gemma

Ellen said...

I'm so glad you're back! I hope things will turn out well with your little boy. He looks great!!

Hugs, Ellen