We went for a walk this morning. Jeff was going to let me sleep in, but after lying in bed for a few minutes thinking of all the things I needed to do, I decided to get up for our walk. It was a nice morning.
Grandpa Kenski came in the morning, and Grammy Kenski came in the afternoon. Henry weighed 12 lbs 7 ozs. Both grandparents reported that Henry played for at least an hour in his bassinet on their respective shifts. He likes to kick up against the side of the bassinet. Over the weekend, we switched the Pack 'N Play around, so that it no longer has the diaper changing station on one half. This makes the bassinet twice as large. Jeff was also able to reposition the toys on the mobile so that Henry could reach some of them and kick others. Henry likes to talk to his toys. He's very vocal when he's in the bassinet.
I called Dr. Bianchi's office this morning to schedule Henry's December appointment and to ask if they could order the non-preservative flu shot. Ruth called me back. Basically, they won't order it. They said to check with the Pima County Health Department. I had called them earlier in the morning (got the number off their website for the immunizations division, but no one answered). I explained to Ruth that I didn't really want Henry to spend an afternoon in the waiting room of the health department. He's more likely to catch something there than if he didn't get a shot at all. It didn't help. They won't order it. I said that I'd pay for any extra charges that they'd incur. No go. But she gave me a different number at the health department. Called them, and they do have Fluzone preservative-free shots upon request. So, it looks like that's where Henry will get his flu shot from the county health department on Thursday during the afternoon clinic. I plan to call them tomorrow to ask about non-peak hours and if they can arrange any appointment (considering he's still on oxygen).
Jeff and I have looked at some of the research on shots. We recognize that the results aren't conclusive about the relationship between autism and shots, but we don't want to take any risks. We'd rather be conservative about it. I don't think that it is unrealistic for doctors to listen to parents about not wanting mercury (thimerisol) in shots. I read some articles that said that many pediatricians are refusing to order the preservative-free shots because they feel it validates parental concern over thimerosal. Given that the results are inconclusive, I find it maddening that pediatricians as a group could be so arrogant as to presume that they know everything about autism, because they don't. The research is not conclusive at all. There are three major hypotheses about the causes of autism from shots. (1) Mercury in the shots causes autism, (2) An immune response is trigger by shots that results in autism. and (3) Some kids have a genetic predisposition for autism, which is facilitated by the shots. I'm guessing that a combination of 2 and 3 are the most plausible suspects. That said, I don't want to chance it with number 1. The studies claiming that thimerisol doesn't cause autism are rather weak (for a wide variety of reasons that I won't detail here). And we know of a few parents whose children developed signs of autism within a couple days of having their MMRs.
I called the secondary pulmonologist's office to make the Synagis appointment. Rhoda from Schaeller Anderson called on Friday to say that the shots had been approved. We have an appointment on Friday at 3PM for the shot. Apparently, it is a rather painful shot.
I headed to the mall this afternoon to get some new clothes. I hadn't gone shopping for clothes since I bought my maternity ware in March/April. I stopped by Babies R Us and bought Henry a bunch of the toys that he can put in his mouth. I also bought him a new tub...the current one has a terrible design that leaks every time we use it.
Jeff took Henry for a walk while I was out. We had dinner while watching the UofA vs. NAU game. Henry liked to watch the television. I think that it has facilitated his head movement. We'll be feeding him a bottle, and he'll turn his head well past 90 degrees to see what's going on. Normally, I wouldn't be too pleased about the TV watching, but the head turning is great for overcoming the torticollis.
Henry is sleeping now. I'm on the first watch of the night.
No comments:
Post a Comment