Met the new Doctor today!

Today, at Dornbecker Children's Hospital, we met with Dr. Robert Collins (or is it Dr. Collin Roberts? Darn those two first names!!). Geoff and I were really impressed, hopeful, and excited with him now overseeing Noah's care. We felt like he did a great job explaining where we are currently with Noah's care and where we need to go. We also felt like he was a good listener and just generally had a great first impression.

He told us straight up that he did not see anything with this initial visit that leads him to a definitive diagnosis. He also agreed with us that although our previous pediatric neurologist thought Noah may have an Autism diagnosis, he didn't really see it. Noah makes great eye contact and is very friendly. He also has many other issues, like low muscle tone, that aren't necessarily present in a child with an Autism diagnosis. So, we are still looking for our diagnosis. Our next step will be to schedule a multi day stay where he is concected to an EEG (so, he'll look like a science project) and a video camera will be in his room to record what is going on with him physically while his brain is giving a certain reading. This will be the one time ever where we are hoping he has a seizure.

We are also hoping Noah will qualify for Oregon Health Plan (Medicare). We have submitted an application for him and are just waiting to hear back. We were told that most kids who qualify as diabled (which he does) also qualify for Medicare. Our current insurance leaves us with substancial co-pays, so that multi-day stay will be much more feasible if he qualifys.

Thank you all for checking in with us and all the thoughtful gestures many of you have sent our way. We notice and appreciate all of them and all of you. --Amy