Miracles

When it was clear that Daxton was going to make it, we knew we had witnessed a miracle.  What I am beginning to realize more and more is that his miracle continues.  When a brain bleed as bad as Daxton's occurs, if the baby survives, it is very likely that the brain damage is so great, that major neurological deficits will quickly become apparent.  (And the left side of Daxton's brain is covered with scarring and damaged areas.  If I can get my hands on the scans, I'll try and post a pic for you medical types!)  The doctors explained the ramifications of all that to us, but I don't think the extent of what they were talking about really sunk in.  As we continue to have (tons of) follow up visits with specialists and therapists, I am learning just how unexpected Daxton's recovery thus far has been.  

Daxton is currently getting lots of therapies. He goes to occupational therapy once a week.  That frequency will increase as he is expected to do more, ie. rolling over, sitting up, crawling, etc.  (Thankfully it is just down the street.)  And a physical therapist and speech therapist/feeding specialist come to the house.  The speech therapist, Mark, is a friend of ours, so I called him when we got home from the hospital and told him Daxton's history and that we needed his professional help and referrals.  Mark and a developmental specialist came over within a short time to assess Daxton.  They were amazed.  Mark said based on Daxton's medical charts, they were not expecting to see him acting like he was acting.  They either expected a baby so stiff that he would need meds to relax enough to function, or a baby so limp that, again, he couldn't function.  Repeatedly we have been told that Daxton just doesn't fit his charts.  


When the pediatrician saw Daxton drinking from a bottle, he stopped in his tracks.  He was amazed that Daxton had the ability to coordinate the suck-swallow-breathe pattern as well as he was.  Later in that visit, he mentioned that when Daxton smiled at me the first time I would probably cry.  I thought to myself, "Yeah, it's always such a sweet moment when a baby smiles at Mommy for the first time."  I didn't realize that the doctor considered a smile a "maybe" for my baby.  Daxton smiles, SMILES!!, all the time. He has even giggled a few times too.  He is cooing and gooing like a baby his age should.  I didn't know that the medical professionals thought he might never do those things.

 

Yeah.  He made me cry. :)

Daxton is showing some right-sided weaknesses, and he will continue to receive occupational and physical therapy to work with that. He still needs the g-tube to finish feedings.   We have a lot of developmental milestones to reach.  But for now, we are so grateful that Daxton's miracles continue.

"God has not ceased to be a God of miracles." -Mormon 8:15