Watch and wait.

(this entry was started 12-9) In the last week we've seen 2 neurosurgeon's (Dr. Mc Comb at CHLA & Dr. Danielpour at Cedar's) and a neurologist (Dr. Mitchell at CHLA), as well as our regular pediatrician. Lot's of eyes on Ian's brain.

The basic overview of the latest MRI is that it wasn't that much different than the last one in June. Which is good. Yes, his brain is still growing faster than a typical child but luckily he's a baby still and his skull is expanding to accommodate the rapid growth. What is creates is this big lump on the back of his head which looks crazy when he's bathing. Lucky for him he's got fabulous hair! We are a good hair family ;-)

So we just wait to see what happens in the next 6 months to a year. It's nerve wracking to think that's what we have to do, watch it grow and hope the skull continues to adjust. The thing we are watching for is that the brain doesn't compress due to lack of room. It either could compress down in the brain stem area or it could push into his spinal column, which is called Chiari malformation. There is surgery, called decompression, they can do if it ends up moving in that direction but we will hope not to have to go there. So we will wait until the next MRI to see. With Megalencephaly Capillary Malformation, the brain should slow growth at around 2 years, which will be March (or April corrected age). We are very much looking forward to that!

The best thing about all of the visits is they all agree he's doing pretty amazing, especially considering all that he's got going on. He's pulling to a stand on everything and cruising between toys and various surfaces. His cognition is starting to improve as well. In general his development is starting to really move at a much faster pace.

The osteopath we have been seeing, Dr. Dolgin, has strongly suggested we also see a doctor of Homeopathy. We have 3 hour intro appointment next week with a doctor in Westchester. We'll see what he says.

Amongst all of this, we've all been battling colds since September. A few friends of mine see a nutritionist and have had really good results helping their kids stay healthy with the supplements she has suggested. Our whole family is now on a slew of supplements, each customized to our needs. Another thing to add to the list... I can't wait for summer!