Jude had his first US dental visit. I have no idea if he had been to a dentist in China. Just one of the many unknowns. What I do know is Li'l Dude came to us with great teeth brushing skills, but he didn't know what dental floss was.
However, he still had NINE cavities. All what the dentist called "kissing cavities", where his back teeth touched each other. Basically a direct result of not flossing. (Note to self...instill better flossing habitsin the WHOLE family!)
Meet the C's! (It's all the anonymity I'm giving you guys!)
Trish and I roomed together in college. Dean kind of took me on as an appendage when he and Trish got marries. :)
Jude and I went up to Cincinnati the night before his appointment at the International Adoption Clinic, thinking it might make the 4 hour appointment on Wednesday seem a little shorter if we were already in town. That didn't work out so hot, bc just as we rolled into town a thunderstorm struck, big lightening and thunder and torrential rain, in my little car, and the combination of new place and storm upset Jude very much. He told me last night it was the storm, but I think the strange place contributed too. But all became right with the world when Dean and Trish broke out the BBQ ribs for supper. (Trish worked a double on Wednesday so she could be off Tuesday to make L'il Dude some Fat Meat. :) ) above is Jude eating breakfast the next morning with lovely Anna.
Jude, the boy who was terrified of dogs, but now bellies down next to them to share their perspective while they gaze out the front door, was introduced to cats at the local Feeders Supply last week. He was very interested, but again tentative. He finally extended a finger through the cage to touch one, but pulled his finger back pronto! A week later, with no additional contact with a cat in between, and Mr. Man here squashes down that fear, and goes for it! It is fascinating to watch, in action. It is not that he isn't afraid. He just WANTS these life experiences. He wants me to document that these things happened. He is brave. ( and he will tell you so, too!)
This is Bella. She's a cat, so she didn't jump for joy when Stranger here sidled up to her. But sidle he did, and he touched her tail. At which point she turned to look at him with great disdain, as only a cat can. Did he shrink back?
Nah. Anna handed him a toy, and he went in for another attempt.
And the payoff! She batted the toy with him, and he smiled. Dean drove us to our appointment in my car, and WAITED for us to finish, so he could get us back to their house. When we found out about this other appointment , he caught a cab home, then stayed on standbye to talk me out of there, as I hadn't paid attention coming in bc I was riding shotgun and not driving. :) as I said, he and Trish have been so supportive!
Our appt at IAC was basically an extensive Well-child exam, the purpose of which was just to not miss any health issues that are particular to internationally adopted children, that a pediatrician Ina. Community setting might not catch bc they just don't see that many internationally adopted children per practice. This wasn't to address Jude's particular special need, necessarily. Above is Mrs. Amy, the interpreter IAC provided. She was great!
This is the Occupational therapist, Lauren, assessing Jude's hand-strength and some cognitive stuff that I don't claim to understand. We also met with a social worker, who evaluated behavior and mental health stuff. IA kiddos come from hard places, having experienced a lot of loss in their lives already. This can be compounded by poor living conditions with not enough food or other resources, and these kiddos need help, and so do the parents, in working through that grief and loss and the survival behaviors that accompany them. In our case, Jude is rolling along awesomely. Doesn't mean we won't have stuff to get through later, as he becomes more comfortable with us, and learns to trust us, but for now, he says he is doing good, via the interpreter.
As we wrapped up our appointment with the doctor, she went down the list of all the appointments I need to make or have already made:
Regular Pedeiatricians visit, to get missing a vaccinations and have TB skin test read.
ENT/audiologist for hearing test.
Ped ophthalmologist for vision assessment
I made him an appointment with our allergist, as he came to us with a runny nose, and then we plunked him down right in the middle of the Ohio River Valley Crud.
Pulmonologist
Occupational therapy to maximize his current skills and see what's what with thumb strength.
Physical therapist for a wheelchair evaluation and to preserve his joints.....whew!
So after going over this list, the doctor said that while she knew we were going to pursue these treatments at home, if we could make only ONE more appointment at Cincinnati, she would suggest we make one with their Limb Deficiency Clinic. The clinic could give us a good idea of what road to head down with his limbs, after we get overall health assessments out of the way. So she stepped out to see how long it would be before we could get an appointment with the LD clinic. She came back, almost giddy, bc their was a cancellation at 230pm! Did we want it? Seemed totally like a God-wink to me so we went for it.
Keep in mind that we had now been away from home 20 hrs and at the clinic for 5 hours. Jude had been saying, "jus' a Li'l bit, HOME" since he woke up. I had just told him we would be leaving shortly when this opening came up. :( the interpreter tried to explain, and with his usual aplomb, he said, "eat!" And rolled with the latest disappointment in his life with a characteristic shrug. We grabbed some lunch, then headed over to the LD clinic to check in. While we were waiting, the doctor from our first appointment came in, with two of her office staff. Her assistant Robin and I have had numerous conversations, and she had seen video of Jude before we brought him home, and so was a fan! Dr. Staat had gone and gotten her office staff and walked two buildings away to find us at this appointment so that her staff could meet Jude. :) during the physical with her, she was very professional and gave no hint of anything, but after the physical, she just sparkled over Jude. :) she thinks he will do great!
So on to the LD clinic. This is Dr. L. She did the first evaluation, then Dr. M. came in. Both of them didn't try to hide how fascinated they were by how Jude's joints are formed and what he can do with them. :) Again, we were met with great optimism. AND the phrase, "if you could do ONE more appointment here..." The next thing on the agenda for Jude is an MRI of his spine, and a visit with an orthopedist. Add that to the list....
This is Jude, killing time Neil he can go HOME
And this is Jude in the car.....heading HOME.
No comments:
Post a Comment