Waiting for OT

Back in May, I wrote about our 18-month evaluation at the high risk infant follow up clinic.  I went into the appointment cocky and confident – sure that the doctor would take one look at my anti-preemie and tell us we didn’t ever need to come back.  Instead, we walked out with referrals to speech therapy, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and the pediatric ophthalmologist. Since then, we have ticked two of those appointments off our list:

• Ophthalmologist: Sam is showing early signs of nearsightedness. This comes as no surprise as Sam had stage 4 ROP and laser surgery in both eyes while in the NICU.  As of right now, the doctor says there is nothing we should be doing, other than watching Sam closely.  We are supposed to go back and have his eyes checked in nine months.
• Speech Therapy: This appointment went exactly as I thought it would: perfectly.  Speech is one thing I know not to worry about with Sam.  He has a very robust vocabulary (both in English and in Spanish).  He is picking up a new word or three every week.

Next up is OT.  Based on what we were told in the evaluation, OT is going to be a longer haul.  There are concerns about Sam’s fine motor skills development.

I have to admit, there is a piece of me that is really nervous about the appointment tomorrow.  I really have no idea what to expect.  I have never been to OT.  I am worried about what I will think if Sam does really well and the therapist doesn’t think he needs help.  I am worried about what I will think if Sam doesn’t do well, and the therapist says we have a lot to work on.  Bottom line, the unknown of what is coming is really worrying me.  I know there is nothing drastically wrong with Sam.  I know he is still my anti-preemie.  But still, I am anxious for tomorrow.

In the meantime, a little look at my man of many faces: