Another month

Toby had several more appointments in the past few weeks.

The physical therapist said that what I thought was a lingering limp from an injury is just some poor or uneven muscle development in his legs.  So nothing to worry about there.  Chalk this one up to a mother's overactive imagination.

The allergist did a bit of testing:

Each spot marked received a prick.  All the results are negative.  However, this is the expected result until he is a bit older and has gone through more "seasons".  Meanwhile, his symptoms continue to be treated.  Toby now receives a steroid by nasal spray.  He is still somewhat congested but finally able to breathe some through his nose.

(The allergist had formerly considered a career in the NICU and was quite familiar with the problems preemies face.  He kept asking me about different complications Toby could have experienced and was quite impressed with how well Toby has done since his humble beginnings.  Every thing he named reminded me of how gracious God has been and how much He deserves praise for how well Toby is doing.)

Last week, he had a pulmonary function test to generate some data for the doctors to work with.  It was not done when he was younger because of some  potential complications and this was the last chance to do it for a few more years.  Toby was almost too big for the apparatus plus old enough that the specific anesthesia they use is sometimes  ineffective.  He can have the test again when he is old enough to cooperate, probably in about three years.

It was an interesting test and they were able to get some good data.

 Toby was put to sleep and a mask was sealed onto his face.  He received oxygen through this for the duration of the test. 

The vest around his middle was sometimes used to force all the air out of his lungs.

And sometimes the box he was in was even closed up to measure displacement.
Overall, the results are good.  His lung capacity is now normal.  He has a few other problems not unexpected with his lung problems but nothing which requires a change in treatment.

Tomorrow, it is back to the feeding clinic doctor in Grand Rapids.  I will save the nutritional update until after that.

Yesterday, he got his new glasses.  The style selection was somewhat limited by other considerations; but it turns out, you just can't stop cute.