Doctors Week

I had planned on updating sooner than this but life got in the way.

Where to begin....? Oh yes, we've all been poorly or under the care of medical professionals in one way or another. All except Matthew who seems to be just fine.

First off, last Wednesday began a case of my worst ever water infection. Yep, one I couldn't shake off. Normally, I feel it starting and can get rid of it with a couple of pints of water or squash within a day but not this time. Full blown cystitis. Pain, discomfort, constant feeling full in the bladder was not my favourite way to spend the week! I've never had it that bad. I couldn't manage to stand for a few seconds without the discomfort and I'd never had it so bad I was losing blood. By the weekend, I was feeling a little better, I could actually walk for 10 minutes in a block. Sitting down was ok, but that gravity thing was a killer. Finally, yesterday was the first day I have felt normal.

I've been expecting to have a water infection for a while. A few weeks back I was on the verge of going to the Doctor as I believed I was suffering from kidney pain. Miraculously, once I'd told myself I'd go on Monday if I didn't feel better by the third weekend, it cleared up like magic that weekend. I'm always on the lookout for any poor health. I don't know if it's because I am a mum to 3 boys with a diabetic husband or if I am just a bit over cautious.

They say Virgoan's (like I am, well, half am) are the hypochondriacs of the zodiac. Oh, let me tell ya, sometimes I am such a hypochondriac my hypochondria moods talk to me in the voice of Stewie Griffin.

But I'm good again now.

On Monday hubby went to the Doctor as he'd been getting a pain in his thigh which he describes as feeling like he's been kicked very hard (No, it isn't me doing it!) every morning for a few months and it's now getting more frequent. The doctor said it's probably nothing to worry about too much but it doesn't fall into anything he can pinpoint right away but it could be nerve damage though it's very rare to start there as it normally gets the hands before the legs. So we left none the wiser and the Doctor sent hubby off for blood tests which we are now awaiting the results of.

Speaking of blood tests, James's results were in at the CDC appointment and he appears very healthy. No concerns with his blood though his iron levels are a little low but nothing to worry about. We were then signed off for 5 months with no real direction of what will happen between now and then. So, I rang them up and explained I am not happy with the 5 month wait and I'd like to discuss the issue further with the doctor he saw. I am awaiting her call tomorrow. He needs help now, I'm sick of the waiting here and there, the school and the CDC need to work together, have an action plan and HELP him before he gets too far behind. I am also going to fight for the Dyspraxia diagnosis to make sure he gets help. I'm a woman on a mission.

Liam had a trip to the Doctors on Monday too. That was all 3 of my T men getting help the same day. He has had a wart on his knee for some time. It's been no problem until he bumped it at school last week and now he's aware of it. He kept trying to pick at it so we got a prescription to burn it off before it could become a problem for him or get infected.

So in a nutshell, it's been one of those weeks.

Diagnosis Coming

Next week James has a new appointment at the Childrens Development Center. It's a follow up to the Griffiths Test in which some of his results came back incredibly low. For some motor skills he is way down in the 1st percentile.

With his poor physical skills and delayed speech which started off all the concerns I am just waiting to be given an official diagnosis.

From what I've read in recent days and weeks, I am very much expecting him to be diagnosed with Dyspraxia.

Dyspraxia is a learning difficulty in which a person finds Co-ordination and movement skills difficult. Whilst most of us have no trouble doing regular things, the brain doesn't quite get the message it needs when someone suffers from Dyspraxia.

I've repeatedly looked through the symptoms and have no doubt in my mind that this may be where we are heading in future appointments.

He has so many of the tell tale traits it's unbelievable. As well as delayed speech the common "symptoms" include:

Movement and co-ordination

If your child has dyspraxia, they will have problems with movement and co-ordination. They may find the following difficult:

• playground activities such as hopping, jumping, running, and catching or kicking a ball (they often avoid joining in because of their lack of co-ordination and may be at risk of becoming unfit)
• games including shape-sorter toys, building blocks and jigsaw. (He's good at Lego as he persists but that is all)
• using scissors and colouring pens (their drawings may appear scribbled and more childish than they should be for their age)
• fine movements such as handwriting, tying shoelaces, doing up buttons and using a knife and fork
• keeping still (they may swing or move their arms and legs a lot and find it hard to sit still)
• walking up and down stairs
• getting dressed  (He often puts them on back to front and struggles with buttons)

Concentration and learning

If your child has dyspraxia, they will have difficulty concentrating and learning. They may:

• do better at school in a one-to-one situation than in a group, as they are able to be guided through work
• have a poor attention span, finding it difficult to concentrate on one thing for more than a few minutes
• not automatically pick up new skills and need encouragement and repetition to help them learn
• have problems with writing stories and copying from the blackboard

These problems can be upsetting for the child.

Persistent problems

As your child gets older, these problems may start to have a different effect on them. For example, problems with muscle movement may mean they:

• find PE (physical education) difficult
• cannot take part in team games, which may have an effect how well they make friends
• may be bullied for being ‘different’ or clumsy
• may avoid certain activities or subjects, such as drawing
• are more tired, as they have to use more energy than other children to complete the same activities 

Your child may also have low self-esteem (the way they feel about themselves) as a result of these problems. 

All of this are James' difficulties in written form.

We are making progress though. The school and I are working through some activities that will help him gain strength and confidence. Today I have bought a load of different sized pencils so he can practice his grip and control and a "colour and trace" book. So he gets to colour and practice staying in the lines then he can trace other pictures and words to get the hands to work in the right way. I get James to help with cooking. I make him use the whisk and chop fruit. We play snap so he gets used to turning over thin cards. Last week we went to the seaside and he got to play on the 2p slot machines. Again controlling small things and getting them into a small space to work.

I'm encouraging the jumping along the path, splashing in puddles at the weekend.

Repetition does seem to be the theme of the household.

Because James has the signs of this, I do feel that's why Liams nursery teachers are so pushy about him getting seen too. I don't think Liam has half the problems James does. I think they are looking too far into it.

Kids with Dyspraxia become adults with dyspraxia. He just needs that extra bit of help to get him to a better level and to help his confidence and strength.

We've just applied to be put on the waiting list for Occupational Therapy. They will help him get through the things he has difficulty with. They'll be able to assess him more and give him the help he needs.

I'm ok with all this. I just want to be able to HELP him myself. As I've said to the school and the Paeditrician at the CDC, I want to help but understand that I can't do everything for him. There's a difference between helping and encouraging him to dress and dressing him. It's something he needs to learn for himself.

So maybe next week, we'll know a little bit more. Dad's off on that trip this time so it may be a case of waiting for the next set of reports before I can say too much more.