Another Discharge Letter

‘Last Friday’ Kayden went in for an eye exam but first a review of his eye history.

He had a Grade 2, Zone 2 ROP at hospital discharge and his last ophthalmology assessment was a year ago. Last years clinic letter noted a small right alternating exotropia, visual acuities measured 6/15 with both eyes open on Cardiff cards acuity test at 1 metre, and low degrees of long sight and astigmatism. Not urgent issues with his vision but not a great report. Which had me confused because behaviorally he seemed to track well and showed no visual issues.

Then this years report came as a discharge letter. With statements such as Kayden is ex-prem but demonstrates excellent and equal visions.

I wrote that blurb above in April and never hit publish, it is now July 1st! This blog has gotten far away from me and the everyday is has become so normal.

We are rarely attending specialist appointments and Kayden is blending in the pack for everything bar his weight. We still can’t get anything to stick to his bones.

Last week, I did a phone consult with the pediatrician and he agreed Kayden is doing extremely well. Even ended the formal hospital letter with ‘wished the family the best for the future.’ It was also noted that I could be contacted as a patient advocate for lived experience resource for neonatal borderline viability. Very wordy but essentially to speak out from a personal parental perspective of having a child saved that wasn’t considered to be a viable gestation. Kayden’s story is an excellent case for viability and a testament to the incredible skilled medical capability of the staff and equipment available in Auckland, New Zealand. I would be honored to called upon.

So in light of all the good news, I guess ill serve up some funny recent Kayden stories of his cheeky behaviors.

He is a book lover, in particular Nee Naw and the Wonkey Donkey series. The teachers at daycare have ‘teacher only’ books that are kept high on the shelves. Well, Mr. Kayden or Kadie Kat as Sylvie calls him thought that was a challenge. He flips baskets over the make a step up to start climbing the shelves that go ceiling high and tosses the books behind him onto the floor. Then climbs down and sits in the pile of books, enjoying his spoils.

He is also a water lover. He recently made himself a personal indoor waterpark at daycare. He sat in the kids trough sink, plugged the drainage with his bum and ran both taps until overflowing. Needless to say, he is now monitored in his bathroom usage.

He is a little mischief maker , vivacious and daring.