For the past week, George has sustained quite the battery of exams, pokes, prods, and the like. He did very well considering what he's been through. So far, from the looks of it, George is built like a tank, inside and out.
For those of you who haven't been around to witness it, George has a peculiar barking cough. In the past few months, he has discovered that he can cough and push out his air very forcefully and make this really cool honking noise. Combined with an asthma episode, he can produce quite a racket that would make most people think he was on death's doorstep. Rachel and I have grown quite used the noise and the odd stares at the grocery stores and restaurants, etc.
With this "honking" behavior increasing, we've been concerned with him causing damage to his airways, and wondering if there was any underlying problem that needs be treated. Since George was already scheduled by his neurologist for a brain MRI at the hospital, his pulmonologist decided to do a bronchoscopy on the same day, and spare him going through two ordeals instead of one.
Without boring you with all the details, he found that George has mild tracheomalacia, but nothing that would explain the bad cough. The brain MRI also came out normal.
George also had visits to his pediatrician, the pulmonologist, geneticist,and otolaryngologist. On top of that, he had visits from the physical therapist, the occupational therapist, the speech and language pathologist, his special education teacher, and a therapist from the Board of Education and Services for the Blind. Phew, what a week!
Despite his challenges, George is doing extremely well. Through trial, experiment, and creativity we are learning more and more how to help him connect to his world. Although he doesn't speak or understand words, he has learned to communicate love and happiness. He has a courageous spirit and we love him and are proud of him.