Sunday, February 15th

We made a trip down to Columbus this week for an appointment with the pediatric opthomologist. Since Lexi has severe facial nerve damage, she does not always close her eyes all the way when she is asleep. Because of this, her right eye (the same one that had the abrasion) is becoming a little "hazy." We are going to increase the frequency of her moisturizing eye drops and the opthomologist has moved her appointments up to once a month. The good news is that her corneal abrasion healed well!

We were also able to speak with the Cleveland Clinic neurologist again. They are not sure if Lexi only has facial nerve damage, which is cranial nerve seven, or if there are other cranial nerves affected. Nerves 5, 9, and 10-12 are not able to be directly tested. We have been asked to keep an eye on Lexi's "symptoms" and ask the therapists to do the same. The best way to "test" for these other nerves is simply by observation.

We have appreciate so many of you asking how Jon and I are doing. We have been so consumed with Lexi's situation, we have had little time to actually focus on being married! Thank God for our firm marriage to get us through these difficult times! We were able to get away for a little bit this weekend, which was probably the best Valentine gift!

Specific Prayer Requests:
Alexis is definitely making some progress! She sat in her bouncy seat for 20 minutes today while we got ready for church! Pray for continued progress in her "moods."

Lexi also has a swallow study scheduled for March 9th. The speech therapist is concerned that she does not have a coordinated swallow. Pray for us as we work to prepare Lexi for this test so that she is successful at it! The first swallow study did not go well at all! Pray that Lexi makes huge advances in her feeds the next few weeks!

Finally, pray for Jon and I as we work to get Lexi on some sort of a schedule. She sleeps a great deal of the day. She is typically awake for only 2-3 hours the entire day! We need to work on a schedule for her to be sure she is getting time for therapies!

We have a few doctors appointments again this week so we will update next weekend!