Well THAT explains a lot!

So yesterday was a big day for us...a diagnosis was made, not that it was a surprise or anything, but we learned a lot.

Kathryn finally got to see a Geneticist. Dr. Superneau, and let me tell you, he is the best doctor i've ever met! He took his time, was very thorough and understanding, and left no questions unanswered! 

Needless to say, Kathryn has Neurofibromatosis. I kinda figured that. But what is interesting is people with NF are highly likely to have some type of learning problem...like ADD, ADHD, slow learning, memory problems, Dyslexia etc. well GEE... so THAT'S what is the cause of all these learning delays we already found out about... and the doc recommends she go see a development Dr. about ADHD...he's certain she has that. yeah...well that explains a lot of Kathryn's behavior... he said that it's basically caused by anxiety (for her at least) when she is put in situations that aren't familar to her...like being at church (she never wants to sit still) or at a DOCTORS office...at the store, etc. and soon will be when she is at school. so we should figure out how to handle this before she starts school...obviously.

so what else does this diagnosis mean? well, she has a few neurofibromas and is sure to develop more of them, so we just have to monitor her to make sure none of these are causing problems or pain (they usually don't do either) and they can be removed if necessary, but they aren't very noticable so no worries unless they bother her. she also most likely will develop these internally, and so she needs to be examined yearly for:

1. hearing

2. eyes

3. blood pressure

4. yearly pediatrician visit

5. ADHD and speech issues

and that's it. she'll live a normal life, will be more tan than most (lots of cafe au lait spots and freckles + unusal pigmentation genes) and will always have vision problems, and will need special attention when it comes to finding out how she learns best. 

so now we get to see how to deal with her attention problem.

besides all that... i am finally feeling sucessful for one of my "money making" endeavors. the "plate lunches" are a success at Trendsic, so next week i'm bringing them to my dentists office and hope i can get one more business to jump on board and i'll be set. i'm ironing out the kinks and i'm doing great. now i just need to find someone who might be interested in watching my kids while i deliver the meals. and i would be able to pay them! yay! so hey, any one interested? it would be from say, 10:30 or so (depending on how far away you live) to 12:30...