RT is doing amazing!
He wants to move constantly, he’s getting bigger by the day. 13 teeth with 3 more on the way.
He tries to say all sorts of words but usually only the first letter is all that comes out. He knows many words! A few are more, please, up, cool, cough, car, open, clock, tree, plant, park, walk, what?, he is following basic instructions (when he wants to). He knows where his toes are, one of the biggest things now working on balance, so he can stand or take steps unsupported.
Other current struggles are fine motor skills(in OT’s opinion) and swallowing thin liquids while sitting due to his vocal cord paresis.
Incredible how far we have come from being told he may never feed himself, walk, talk, or many other things.
We used to feed him 1/5th of a puff, now we can feed him a fork with several pieces of pasta on it. He still struggles with the sippy cup.
Has to master the use of his spork. Can’t quite scoop to his mouth, can dip it in the food but usually gets nothing and gets frustrated.
Earlier this week he got his last RSV shots, his main nurse that took care of us at the pediatricians office is moving to a different state. She will be missed!
His hernia surgery in December unfortunately was not successful, his hernia remains unchanged. We have another surgery consultation next week, as well as a swallow study.
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Preemie Pop 
Hi Sean and Leanna,
Thanks for posting the nice photos and videos! Despite some struggle, Ryan’s spirit/wonder really comes through. I hope all is still well with you and am looking forward to your visit later in the year. When you spoke in your posting about the difficulty Ryan has swallowing because of vocal cord paresis, what is that, paresis? See you soon! Love, Steve
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Hello Steve, the vocal cord paresis was due to his heart surgery to close his PDA (back when we were in the NICU, it was a risk from the surgery, they accessed his heart by making an incision under his left shoulder blade the place they have to go through can damage a nerve that controls the left vocal cord.
Paresis is a condition of muscular weakness caused by nerve damage or disease; partial paralysis.
Volcal cords are supposed to meet in the middle when you swollow not allowing food/ fluid to go into the lungs, thank you for the question, I will make a post and explain in more detail with some pictures in the future!
Hope your doing well!
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Hi guys ,
Was checking out these great videos and Mikes walks in and I said Guess who this is? He thought it was one of my sons grandkids, I said No it is Ryan. he said no way look at him go.
So great to see him doing all these things..We have not forgot about his Bible…
Love Suzi Q and Chaplain Mike.
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