Hospital check up

Time definitely flies when you're looking after a small person. It's already been three weeks since my last update, life is definitely flying by and before I know it, I'll have to go back to work. Still that's not for a few months yet so I will be able to enjoy life with Thomas a bit longer.

We've not been away since our last update as Chris has been working very hard and sometimes getting just one day off a week. However, we have been back to St Georges for a check up. Thomas had another CT scan and then we saw the surgeon that carried out the operation. Thomas looked absoluted tiny in the CT scanner but did very well in not moving. Mr Stapleton said that the scan looked good although the brain had collapsed slightly and this had caused more bleeding but this time between the brain and the skull and so there was now a build up of fluid here. He had mentioned that this could be a side-effect of the operation as by removing the fluid from the ventrical you would effectively be left with a hole with nothing to support the area around it. However, as Thomas wasn't showing any signs of discomfort or sickness, he said that they wouldn't drain it and as the brain grew it would be less of a problem. We are obviously pleased that the shunt is doing its job however, it would have been better if there wasn't any more bleeding and therefore, potentially more damage to his brain.

Thomas is still progressing very well. He's smiling, laughing, making lots of vocal noises, holding his head steadily and likes standing up on our laps. He's even trying to lift his head and turn over when he's put on his tummy on his playmat. All this even though he's nearly six months old and still weighs just 10lb 4ozs, the birth weight of some babies!!

At some point later this year, he'll have a full assessment to check his development and physical ability as well as another eye test so we can only wait and see.

We still keep in touch with the Foley foursome and the twins are also doing well. Jack has been back in hospital for the reversal of the intestine operation that he had when he was just a few days old and was home by the end of the week - what a star! Tom is also doing well although being the smallest is having some problems putting on weight quick enough. Though this is more likely due to the fact that he keeps his mummy and daddy busy all day because he doesn't like taking any naps!!

We're off to Cumbria later this week to introduce Thomas to the rest of the clan so will tell you all about that next time. Today's pic is of Thomas having a cuddle with Uncle Johnny.