So we got the results from Tripp's brain MRI on Thursday. And they weren't the greatest, but could've been much worse. Overall, Tripp's brain is small and the myelination is underdeveloped. Both of these are expected with his prematurity and eventually over time and with therapy will catch up with him. The unexpected was he has 3 structures of his brain that are smaller than what they should be: 1) cerebellum, 2) optic nerve, 3) mammary bodies. This has only ever been reported in one other case, and unfortunately that child passed away from complications other than the brain abnormalities. So the dr's don't really know that this means or how it will affect Tripp long term. More than likely, it will delay his motor skill development even more with his prematurity. But Josh and I are hopeful that with regular therapy and good nutrition it won't be too big of a delay. So we're just going to take one day at a time and love our little boy! A good thing is the opthamologist that checks his eyes for ROP, check them yesterday, the ROP has regressed and is Stage 1 now but she also looked at his optic nerves looked normal to her. So, like I said, one day at a time.
Our guy has had a busy week.. On top of the MRI, he had an echocardiogram, skeletal scan, esophagram, and immunizations, which suprisingly I've already gotten the results too.
Echocardiogram - the whole in his ventricular wall, the VSD, has closed but he has a PFO.. apparently this is common in preemies and shouldn't affect him.
Skeletal scan - Showed the 2 misshaped thoracic vertrbra and some bone loss in the head of his femurs, but this also is to be expected due to his prematurity and lack of movement after surgery and will correct over time.
Esophagram - This looked the same as the last one, its still narrow at the spot his esophagus and tummy were connected so they're planning to dilate it in about 2 weeks. If we're still in the hospital it will just be done, but if he has come home, we'll have to take him in and be admitted over night. So, to avoid having to go through staying the night in the hospital so soon after coming home, I think we're going to ask for him to be kept in until this has been done.
Immunizations - He took these like a champ and even though we ended up at the hospital on Thursday to get the MRI results, I got lucky and was able to miss out on him getting his shots.. But I got to love on him a little after the shots and then his Mimi loved on him and then his Daddy.. so he got lots of lovin' to make up for the mean shots.
So that's the nitty gritty of everything.. Please continue to keep the three of us in your prayers! God's love is what is getting us and most importantly, getting Tripp, through all of this!
