Cleft clinic

Max had his annual appointment at the Johns Hopkins Cleft Clinic today.  He saw six doctors and was truly a dream patient.  Between each appointment he kept saying, "I want to see another doctor!"  The dental exam was his favorite; he laid perfectly still as several pairs of rubbery, blue hands explored the inner workings of his complex mouth.  He also aced his speech pathology appointment by identifying the pictures on a variety of flash cards.  The one-track mind of a toddler came out when Max said a large sliver fish was a "goldfish".  The only card he did not know had a picture of scissors; clearly we have done a good job of keeping those away from him.  Once again Max sat perfectly still during the hearing test, but those results were not ideal.  His hearing is a bit below normal, but the ENT appointment revealed that both of his ear tubes have fallen out and his ears are filled with fluid.  The fluid, although not infected, is most likely the cause of the hearing issue, so he will probably have the tubes replaced.  Dr. Redett, the main mastermind behind Max's mouth, continues to be happy with his progress.  He did recommend, however, that Max have surgery this summer to remove some scar tissue in the bottom of his upper lip.  Max can have the lip surgery and ear tubes done together, as an outpatient, in an hour. Two surgeries in one with no overnight stay sounds pretty good (for surgeries, that is).

Max and Pawley on the way to Baltimore.  Max loved the doctors and did not mind the waiting, but had a major meltdown in the car.   

30 pounds and 35.5 inches

Not the most flattering angle, but Max was in the zone during this exam