Medical Evaluation Complete

This morning Raquel had her medical evaluation done at Regional. The doctor was very nice and basically asked me a bunch of questions and observed Raquel. She did make the referral for us to see a Neurologist but said that it would probably take a couple months before I could get in. The neurological exam/tests will be done at Children's Hospital. In the meantime, I scheduled an appointment with Raquel's primary doctor for the 23rd. This is when I can have her do the allergy tests as well as give her the suggested lab tests from the doctor we met with today. These lab requests are for: chromosomes, blood amino acids, urine organic acids, as well as a complete metabolic panel. Sounds like good times.

I'm constantly asking Raquel's therapists and doctors what they think is going on with Raquel, so when I had the opportunity at Regional this morning, I couldn't resist but ask her most recent evaluator. The doctor basically said that she didn't feel she was autistic. When I pursued with my questioning, asking what her speculative medical opinion was, she said that she thought Raquel has a genetic or chromosome abnormality or chemical imbalance. How did she come up with that? Based on me having 3 miscarriages prior to Gabby's conception as well as losing a pregnancy at 5 1/2 months due to a genetic defect - Trisomy 18. She said based on that, not to mention that I was over the age of 35 when Raquel was conceived, that she would be leaning towards that type of scenario. But we won't know anything for sure until the neurological tests are complete, so we are starting with the blood screens to rule things out.

So, here we are. I have an almost 3-year old with special needs, who has no diagnosis, who is currently in the ABA Program (for Autism), and is on the gluten-free, casein-free diet. The school district doesn't think she's autistic. The medical pediatrician at Regional thinks she has some kind of "chemical imbalance." I can't imagine what her regular pediatrician, not to mention the Neurologist, are going to throw in to the pot.

Janine gave me some great advice this afternoon when I called her. I mentioned what the doctor had said and Janine told me that I've heard so many conflicting things. She said that I should stop asking people questions and to let the test results speak for themselves. And she's absolutely right. Everytime I'm told something different, it's like a big kick in the stomach and I start questioning the choices I've made this past year. And it's not fair to do that to myself. I've got to accept the fact that I've absolutely done the very best I could based on the information placed before me - at that particular time.

One other note: the IEP has been rescheduled for Friday morning. I will (hopefully) be observing both classes tomorrow afternoon so I can make a decision during the IEP meeting as to her placement and Raquel will still be able to start school according to schedule next Tuesday. Knock on wood.