SUPER-HEARING

Meningitis, as you're aware, has a long list of issues that tend to follow in its wake. One of those is hearing loss. In addition to the meningitis damage on the rest of the brain, both inner ears were also affected/damaged by the resulting inflammation. It is standard to have a hearing test done with meningitis cases, and particularly in his, with the inner-ear damage.

So Audiology came today to perform this test, which includes some tiny ear-buds that go make a range of "audible" tones and volumes, and probes that stick to a couple spots on his head to monitor brain activity when the tone is produced. Obviously babies can't raise their hand and say, "I heard that" so they have to rely on brain activity.

She said she had to "work fast" once she started which I took to mean, "Don't ask questions or bother me until I'm done." She did say she would share results as soon as it was completed.

The test took about 30 minutes, and when she was done she said. "HE ACED IT!"

He will have to have a follow-up procedure in 4 weeks here at the out-patient clinic where they will repeat the test, and then every 3-6 months until he is one year removed from the infection because he is still "at risk" until that point.

They want him to gain little more weight than he is right now, so pray he is able to do that. Also pray that the subsequent hearing tests in the weeks and months to come will be "ACED" as well!

One of the resident doctors came by this morning and said they are very pleased with how Brock is progressing and that Neurology and Infectious Disease both want a MRI/MRV and a spinal tap on Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully they can do these together, as he will need anesthesia for both. The attending physician came in later and reiterated that he is doing great, and HOPES the results on Monday/Tuesday show good cerebral-spinal-fluid glucose levels, no worsening clots, no abscesses around/in the brain, and no lingering pockets of fluid around the brain. IF all these good things show up... THEY WILL DISCHARGE HIM EARLY NEXT WEEK!!!

Please pray that the doctors see what they really want to see so that we can finally go home, show Brock all his Christmas presents, and be together as a family eating meals, praying, and singing and dancing together again soon! If any of the above signs are not present, we'll be talking perhaps an additional 1-2 weeks on the antibiotics. Monday would mark the 21 STANDARD days of antibiotic treatment- so that's the reason for seeing how he has responded up to this point. Thank you all for your prayers, love, support, and visits- they mean so much!

"Let me HEAR joy and celebration again..." Psalm 51:8

Blessings

Brad and Taryn