I Claim It!

Cerise turned 18 months (1 year and 6 months) today. She's half way through her second year and has gone through more medical and physical difficulties than most children her age. She is a happy toddler whose personality is starting to emerge. She is a happy social butterfly who can charm her way to get what she wants. She is our darling!

Looking through my older posts about what we went through during her first few months, I get goosebumps. I could have lost her easily then. And every time a setback occurs (amoebiasis, increase in thyroid levels and liver enzymes, etc.), I am wrought with anxiety. But God has ever been faithful and constant throughout our trying times. And Cerise continues to improve and grow well.

Last week, she had to go through her routine blood work. This happens every 3-4 months and I have to psych myself up days before it happens. I've never been one who would be taken aback with blood and other medical procedures. But knowing the discomfort and pain Cerise needs to go through just makes me cringe. And on top of the usual Thyroid levels and SGPT, SGOT, the pedia gastro also wanted to check for Hepatitis and if the Hepa vaccine given is enough for her body. Kidneys were also going to be checked by the blood work. So all in all, there were 8 blood tests! My poor baby! And since she has gained weight already, my constant fear was that her vein would not be clear enough and that the technicians would have to poke and look for it. Thank God for Sir Selwyn of Maria Reyna Hospital Lab who always finds her vein and gets good blood!

We got the results the afternoon of that same day. Praise God for good results! Her thyroid levels have normalized due to the medication that she has been taking for almost a year now. Her liver enzymes were still high but have gone down quite considerably since her last blood test. Her HBsAg and Renal screenings were normal too. All in all, blood results are very good! God hears our prayers!

Today, on her 18th month, Cerise had a scheduled appointment with Dr. Cindy Llego, her development pediatrician. I love Dr. Llego! She is all positive and thorough and really is concerned about the welfare and overall development of Cerise. The improvements of Cerise that she had noted include:

• can walk with one hand held; can crawl and move around the room independently
• can say about 5-10 words
• interacts well

Upon her observation and examination, she noted the following findings:

• Very talkative, heard to speak mature jargon
• Pointed a lot to things of interest; very engaging
• Sometimes insisted on what she wants to do
• Liked to scribble
• Very comfortable in standing position, cruised

At her current age of 18 months, Cerise's skills in the following areas of development were shown to be at these levels:

• Locomotor (big muscle movements) - 12 1/2 months
• Personal-Social (self help skills & socialization) - 16 months
• Language (understanding others & expressing oneself) - 17 months
• Eye and Hand Coordination (grasping, drawing, writing) - 22 months
• Performance (non-verbal problem solving) - 20 1/4 months

As can be seen, Cerise continues to progress developmentally in all areas. Some areas are even well beyond her age! Dr. Llego says the Personal-Social and Language areas are just right for her age. Her delay would just be her Locomotor. She recommends that we continue physical therapy twice a week with Teacher Joy and developmental stimulation at home. We will repeat lab tests after 3 months. As per the geneticist, Dr. Cutiongco's advice, we should have the FISH analysis and urine organic acid profile done soon.

As soon as she learns to walk, Cerise can cease going to her therapy already. The doctor does not see the need for Occupational Therapy as cognitive wise, she seems to be very well.

Cerise is on her way to recovery and I am beyond relief!!! Her doctor has high hopes for her and believes that she will be able to catch up with children her age. I believe so too. I claim it!

This is the look she gives when you ask her to smile. :-) So adorable!