"She's got a light around her, and everywhere she goes, a million dreams of love surround her, everywhere."

Sooooooooooooo, we met with Dr. Escolar today, for an almost 6 hour appointment. After an extensive evaluation of Sarai with her team, and then reviewing the MRI images and report (she sees the MRI after the exam so she's not "tainted" by the MRI results)she told us some great news. The MRI report shows, and I quote, "The previously noted preiventricular cysts have resolved." What?!?! Huh?!?! Are you serious?!?! No one ever even said that was possible!!!! Ding, dong the cysts are gone!! I was in such a stupor, I didn't ask if she thinks it's because of the cord blood. She did say that in mild cases, this can happen. Her previous MRI and head ultrasound both stated that her PVL was extensive, but Dr. Escolar wasn't as sure it was as severe as they first doctors said. Whatever the case, she said this is great news!

We got a lot of information today, I'll try to remember it all. Dr. Escolar said that she's not very concerned with Sarai's muscle tone or her social development. She is a little behind, and we knew that. Her adjusted age is 5 months, but she's neurologically and physically more like a 4 month old, not too bad.

Not that we're totally out of the woods. Her MRI still isn't totally normal, but it is improved. The area around her ventricles is still developing, and she has less myelin than would be expected for her age(which is why she seems more like a 4 month old), but she is myelinating. Her main concern for now is her vision and hearing. She said that it was VERY important to test her as soon as possible to see if the concerns with vision and hearing are maturity related, or an actual result of what's going on in her brain. If it's brain damage causing difficulties, we've got to teach her to compensate as soon as possible. If it's maturity or strength related, we've got to stimulate her as much as possible to get her caught up. So, she got us appointments at Duke for tomorrow to get these tests taken care of. She's going to have to be sedated, which is something we were really trying to avoid, but they're important tests, so I'm giving in.

Needless to say, after waking up at 4:30am, packing up the car, getting all ready to go... we're back at Cindy and Justin's for another night! We'll head out tomorrow after the appointment, but we're going to have to take it easy. My cousin, Amy, is reporting that they're going to get a TON of snow in the DC area. Man! Can I get a travel break?!

Wish us luck tomorrow! Thank you for all your prayers! Great work team!!