Cakie, Cakie

Cakie, Cakie.  That's' what her big bubba calls her.  He can't decide if he prefers "Baby Cake" or  "Cakie, Cakie" (pronounced cake-ee).  Either way, she is simply delicious!

 This girl has my heart.  My how she's captured us all.  She is so sweet and squishy and just oozes with smiles and giggles.  We've spent the past several weeks trying to get some answers to the very many medical unknowns that come along with Down Syndrome- the part of DS that stinks.

In early October, we visited our cardiologist.  During that appointment, Kate had several tests including an echocardiogram.  We knew that she has a VSD that appears to be closing on it's own- praise the Lord!! What we didn't know (and our INCREDIBLE echo tech discovered!) is that she also has a PFO that may require surgery at some point.  It's a big "may" and something that we aren't trying to focus on right now.  

Our next stop was to our pediatrician.  Several things happened during this visit that left a bad taste in my mouth (nothing to do with Kate, but instead, with the medical staff including the doctor) so it looks like we are now on the hunt for a pediatrician that accepts and loves our kiddos for all God created them to be.  Since ears and hearing are a big concern for individuals with DS, the pediatrician tested Kate's hearing.  Her right ear seemed fine while she failed in her left.  Thankfully, I already had ENT appointments scheduled for the entire crew.

Stop #3- endocrinology.  The thyroid- something individuals with Down Syndrome have to have tested on an annual basis.  The results?  She is good as gold...but we already knew that.   Cakie is quite round around the edges, but we now know it is not due to hypothyroidism.:)

And last but not least- the ENT.  An eventful visit filled with tears (Hello!!  Apparently she DOES NOT like her ears to be messed with!!).  First, several tests were run to measure how well K hears at many different frequencies.  The results were that she failed both ears.  The doctor examined her, cleaned her ears and asked us to repeat the hearing tests immediately.  He was confident she would pass because her ears look very healthy and there is no fluid hanging out.  The results?  She failed again.:(  Of the 6 measurements they were looking for, she failed 4 in one ear and 3 in the other.  Kate is now scheduled for repeat testing in one month.  We are praying she passes with flying colors, but if not, a sedated test will be scheduled.  Our prayer is that she has no hearing loss but we must be realistic.  Time is of the essence when dealing with hearing loss.  If we don't move quickly, valuable time will be lost.  But, again, our prayers are focused on total healing and perfect hearing in December!!

Our Cakie, Cakie is perfect regardless of what medical challenges she may face.  I realize that more often than not, people cannot grasp why we choose "this".  "This"- yep.  That's what they say.  I want to clarify one thing.  I am tired of hearing it.  The "this" you are referring to is my daughter.  My son.  And my other daughter.  The "this" is perfection created in My Heavenly Father's image.  The "this" is love overflowing regardless of what medical challenges may lie ahead.  Because guess what?  The "this" is a child.  My child.  HIS child.  Perfection.

My heart is aching for HIS children, and I have a very important post coming.  

My heart is breaking for "THIS".

In Him,

E

Reading Johnny Tremain with big sister:)