Here We Go Again..

A few weeks ago Owen's physical therapist sat down with me after his session to review some informal testing she had been doing on him.  She believed the same notes she was writing after each of his sessions seemed very similar to the notes his former PT was writing a few months ago. Looking back at his initial test results, almost a year old now, she doesn't feel like he has been making adequate progress for having had a year of PT.  She suggested that we get a referral to a neurologist to check if there was any internal reason for his low muscle tone.

After she left I followed up with our pediatrician and she agreed that it wouldn't hurt to see what the neurologist has to say.  Fast forward two weeks...yesterday we visited the pediatric neurologist. After lots of questions and poking and prodding on Owen, he recommended a battery of tests including an MRI,  sleep-deprived EEG, and blood work.  With these tests, he wants to check for brain development, brain maturation, any chromosomal defects, and his potassium and glucose levels. Evidently there are many syndromes, etc. that can cause low muscle tone.

I left the office feeling very overwhelmed..overwhelmed with what could be wrong with my son to the crazy amount of money this could cost.  My brain runs wild thinking about all the things that could be wrong and what this could mean for his development and future. Also while I want to do everything I can for my son, these tests can be crazy expensive.  We are still in the process of paying for all of Oliver's tests from the beginning of the year and I'm not sure we can handle any more monthly medical bills.

Jeremy and I are now contemplating our next step.  We have put in a call to the doctor to ask if we can take a tiered approach to the testing.  Can we start with the least invasive tests (like blood work) and move along if the previous tests don't provide enough information? According to our PT, the blood work can reveal/rule out many issues.

We would covet your prayers for wisdom..wisdom for us and for the doctors.  Also pray for Owen as this all will be very overwhelming for him as well. Thanks...we'll keep you updated.