Wednesday, October 19, 2005

 

Retainers and Report Cards

Devin has a surprise visit to the dentist today. Surprise only because I was not expecting it. I think I mentioned that Devin had molds taken to make an appliance for his mouth. When the molds were taken, we made an appointment in December to have it fitted and have sealants put on some molars.

The dentist called this morning and said the appliance was in and could we come in this afternoon. I juggled some things and we were at the dentist this afternoon. The appliance, retainer, whatever you want to call it, is easy enough to put in and take out. Devin just puts it in, bites down and it is in. To remove it, he just pulls it down. He has to wear it on his upper teeth.

According to the dentist, this will be doing several things. There are some loaded springs that are pressing on his front teeth to make the gap between his front teeth smaller. There is a part that is on the roof of his mouth that will gradually be opened to expand his palate. There is also something that is working on his crossbite. There are stainless steel wires that are in front of his teeth so he does look like he is wearing braces.

The appliance can come out and he has to remove it to eat. He should be wearing it at all other times. He has a box to put it in. He has already been told that at lunch to put it in the box and then in his lunch box, never on the table. I don't want it lost.

Since there is a piece on the roof of his mouth, he has to get used to it. Right now, he is having a hard time speaking. He can speak fine, we just can't understand him as easily. The dentist said it will take a few days before he adjusts to it and he can speak normally again. We go back on Tuesday to have it adjusted.

Devin got his report card today and did very well.

Reading: 97 (A)
Math: 83 (C)
Language: 85 (B)
Spelling: 84 (C)
Science: 95 (A)
Social Studies: 95 (A)
Handwriting: N (Needs Improvement)

We are very pleased with his progress. He is attending an afterschool reading program, we are working at home with his reading and tomorrow we have parent-teacher conference. Yes, he is getting a 97 in reading right now but it is something he really struggles with. He excels in Math, which his grade really doesn't reflect. Devin tends to rush through his math and make mistakes that bring his grade down.

His popcorn sales have gone very well and he has exceeded his personal goal. There is still time to order so if you want popcorn, give us a call :)

Devin's next appointment at Vanderbilt is in November so unless something noteworthy comes up, we will see you then.

posted by Devin's Mom 11:17 PM

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

 

Gained Weight!

Devin has gained a bit more weight. He is not chunky by any means but it is great to see that he is gaining like a normal kid would be doing.

Obviously, we had an appointment down at Vanderbilt today. As we were sitting in the waiting room, there was a teenaged boy and his family waiting as well. Devin was called back to get his vitals and asked me to hold his Gameboy or something. The teenaged boy looked at Devin and then looked at me. "Is he the boy in the hospital video?" I said that he was and the girl who was the teen said she recognized his voice since he looks differently. Apparently that video is part of any patient's orientation/check in.

Dr Frangoul was pleased at Devin's progress. We have nothing really going on with him. That bump is still on his eye and he saw a pediatrician last week for it. He is on an antibiotic ointment and it doesn't seem to be doing much good. Dr. Frangoul said to keep using the ointment and warm compresses.

While we were there, Devin went to work selling popcorn for Cub Scouts. We also went over to the patient floor to see some of his nurses. Miss Yolanda and Miss Linda were both there and Devin was very glad to see him. One of his other special nurses, Miss Adele, works later in the afternoon and so we rarely get to see her.

We were later in getting back to Clarksville today and Devin was not sorry that he missed school. He is counted absent anyway since he has to be present 3 hours and 15 minutes to be counted. I still usually take him back to school but today, it was just a little too late.

Our appointments are now bumped back to every 2 months!! Woo hoo!! We don't have another appointment at Vanderbilt until the end of November. Devin does have a dental appointment coming up to have an appliance fitted to the roof of his mouth to expand his teeth. That is not until early December.

He starts a remedial reading program after school this week, we have started working on his handwriting and I have ordered some workbooks to take him back through reading basics. His reading has improved but his spelling and handwriting are still lacking. We are going to concentrate on getting his print where it can be read easily and then worry about cursive later.

Devin has also been very busy with Cub Scouts. Webelos is a 2 year program with a lot to accomplish in that time so he has been working on various things. It is also Popcorn Sale time so he is out canvassing the neighborhood to reach his goal of selling $250 of popcorn.

Remember, no news is always good news as far as Devin goes. Thanks for checking in with us!

posted by Devin's Mom 11:07 PM