Genetics

After about a two month wait, we finally got to go to the Genetic doctor. I had no idea what to expect. The facility is located on University of South Alabama. I have never drove in Mobile, so I was nervous for that. Our appointment was at930 AM, so I figured we'd hit rush hour (rush hour in Mobile is a piece of cake compared to rush hour in Chicago & Phoenix). I woke Matthew up at 700 AM. I was hoping he'd sleep in the car...nope...but he was in a great mood. He was giggling in the back seat.

The RN took us to a room and gathered Matthew's history. She weighed and measured him...30 lbs, 36 inches. The Dr came in and did a physical exam, gathered a bit more history and discussed our next steps. They need a DNA sample (blood) from Matthew. He said that we may have results within 3 weeks. He said that might not tell us if it is genetic, though. It MAY just show a mutation in his gene that caused the Infantile Spasms. If they are unable to determine if it is genetic, they will need to test Chris and me.

They wanted us to follow up in 3 months, but we will be living in Arizona while Chris is deployed. We will communicate by phone and follow up in 4 months.

We had to drive to a hospital (Univ S. AL Women's & Children's Hospital) for a blood draw. Matt's never had a blood draw from the veins in the arm. Before when he needed blood, they were able to prick his foot and get a sample that way. We had to register at the hospital in admission..which I thought was strange for a lab draw. I didn't understand why we couldn't just give them my insurance card, but they now know my work address, Chris's work address, etc. Anyway, we go to the lab and two ladies get Matt ready for lab draw. I couldn't see what was going on because they were standing next to him lying on the bed. I didn't want to see him get the labs. I hear Matt start to giggle. I hear the ladies say, "look at his smile". He's flirting with the ladies. He didn't even cringe with the lab stick...they had 6 tubes to draw, too. He did great. He did better than me.