Day +184

Posted on: 29/09/2014

Today was a full day at the hospital. We met the lovely Dr Laura on the way at 8.20 and it was great to see so many friendly faces again at the hospital, including nurses Gigliola, Silvia and Morena and Ava's favourite psychologist Francesca. Our day began with a clinical evaluation, multiple blood tests, weight, height, pulse rate and blood pressure. Ava then went for a chest X-ray and bone age X-ray; followed by an echo scan of her abdomen and thyroid. This was followed by eye and ear nerve tests (above). Dr Biffi visited just before lunch, on crutches because of a broken toe, and it was great to chat with her about our last three months away from Milan. At first sight she was not overly concerned about Ava's balance issues but we will have a full assessment with physiotherapist Massimo tomorrow morning, after which we will have some more specific feedback. We had forgotten how unappetising the hospital food was until Ava's lunch tray of pasta and turkey arrived, which she declined in favour of a huge bag of crisps brought by Francesca. We resolved to bring our own healthy supplies tomorrow. After lunch was the dreaded electroencephalogram, where Ava finds it impossible to keep her eyes closed. She peeked so much today that the nurse taped her eyelids shut, which I thought that was pretty mean, but Ava found it rather funny. This was followed by a cardio echo scan and a visit from the anaesthetist in preparation for tomorrow's surgery. Finally, Dr Laura gave us this mornings blood results, which included neutrophils of 1700! This is fantastic considering that Ava left Milan with 1200 and most reassuring now that she is back at school and we are entering the cough and cold season. On our way home we swung by the laundry to see Sonia and Thea, who were delightful as always and spoiled Ava with yet more gifts, this time a lovely embroidered back pack and two cute linen mice. We ended a very long day with a nice dinner with Talleulah and her family. I'm looking forward to catching up with another family, whose son is currently in Gene Therapy, tomorrow.