Doctor appointments for the week...

We have completed most of our doctor appointments for the week!!!

On Tuesday both boys went in for round 2 of their ABRs (hearing tests). At least two ABRs need to be completed to make sure their was no mistake in the first one, regarding their hearing loss. The tests is a minimum of about an hour long and each boy needs to be asleep during the test. Both boys did very well. They slept at their appropriate time and were able to get the tests done quickly and easily. Owen's results were a little better this time around. He still has no hearing loss in his right ear. He still has hearing loss in his left ear but it looks like his hearing aid will not need quite as much amplification as they thought last time. His hearing looks pretty good, very close to passing, in the high tones and a little more of a loss in the low tones. Nathan's diagnosis is still exactly the same, profound hearing loss in both ears. Though we were hoping to get the boys fitted for hearing aids yesterday, we did not. We are now switching from the Sparks Clinic (where they have had all their ABRs so far) to the HEAR Center, so we are going to start the hearing aid process with the HEAR Center. Nothing at all against Sparks Clinic, we loved our audiologist there, but the HEAR Center is where Nathan needs to be for cochlear implants, so it just makes sense for Owen and Nathan to be there together.

There are a few prayer request I would like to mention with this process. First, we know God has an awesome journey for our boys and we want to travel the journey He has put in front of us. We also have seen him perform unbelievable miracles in the boys lives. We are praying that God would fully restore Nathan's hearing in His perfect way and timing. We are also praying this process would move a little more quickly than it appears to be right now. Every day Nathan does not hear is a day or more delay in his development, especially at this crucial learning time in his life. Here is a look at the process.
1) Failed ear screening right before leaving the hospital at the end of March
2) In April we went to the ENT and it was believed their was fluid on their ears. We were then told to wait until we went to the follow-up clinic at the end of May
3) We saw the audiologist at the newborn follow-up clinic who gave the boys their first ABR at the beginning of June and recommended we get into the ENT at Childrens
4) Late June we got in to the ENT at Childrens
5) Yesterday had our second ABR
6) Owen got an appointment at the HEAR Center for July 5th / Nathan has an appointment on August 3rd
7) Owen will probably have his hearing aids by August
7) Nathan will probably have his hearing aids by September
8) Nathan will have to wear hearing aids for 6 months though they may not work for him at all. We do pray these work well, though not likely, and they would fix Nathan's hearing loss.
9) In February /March Nathan may be able to get his surgery done, totally an educated guess there....leaving Nathan 15 to 16 months old before he will be able to start hearing.

Nathan had a follow-up appointment with his neurologist today. His doctor was so excited to see how well Nathan is doing!!! He is showing NO signs of any problems. Nathan's next appointment is in January. If Nathan is still looking as good as he is now, we are out of the woods in terms of developmental neurological issues. The neurologist is also going to check Owen at this time. He has not shown any signs but a preemie can suffer from problems, even if hey have not had a bad MRI.

The boys have an appointment with their in-home PT, Kristie, tomorrow. I am looking forward to the appointment because I feel the boys have grown in tremendous ways over the past couple of weeks. I can't wait for her to see them!!

No more doctor appointments this week!!! I will be sure to post on Owen's HEAR Center appointment on Monday. Also, we are asking people to pray for Nathan's hearing process specifically on Thursday evening, July 9th, at 7 p.m. We want a time where hundreds of people are lifting up Nathan's hearing to the Lord.

Thanks for all your love, support and prayers. We appreciate them more than you know. We are so blessed that God has chosen us to walk on this beautiful journey with our boys. We truly praise Him for this blessing.