Landen's Update: Ophthalmology Visit

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Ophthalmology Visit

Today we had the long trip to Phoenix for Landen's yearly eye appointment. It wasn't a bad drive down this morning nice a cool today didn't need the heater and didn't need the AC. We got there just in time to let Landen walk for 15 minute or so in the hallways and get his energy out after our 4 hour drive. I just finished decorating his walker for St. Patrick's Day last night so he got to show it off :D It was a very long appointment took us almost three hours!! First we had to fill out paper work then they do

their initial exam then they dilate his eyes and send us out to the waiting room for 45 minutes, then the second exam.... Ohhhhh I was so ready to be out of there the building was HOT and stuffy they still had the heater going and my kids were hungry and tired of sitting so long. The doctor told us that really nothing has changed much since last year. He obviously still has eye problems but they are the same as they were last year nothing has really degenerated or gotten

better and except a slight improvement with his nystagmus nothing has gotten any better (meaning he can make his eyes hold a little stiller when focusing). Glasses would be of no use in correcting any of his visual issues so we are off the hook for another year as far as ophthalmology goes.

After a 4 hour drive and 3 hour appointment I didn't want to just through Brayden back

in the car without letting him burn off some energy so I took them to McDonalds of course! Now McDonalds is not a place I normally like to go but it was the only place I knew of to let Brayden use up his energy. And boy did he!!! He was up and down and all over! He was climbing up slides and running through tubes.

I let him go till he was completely worn out. We stayed there almost two hours but it was worth it he didn't make a sound the whole way home he was just to tired! We finally made it back to Bullhead at about 10pm and we have to head out to Kingman bright and early for PT/OT tomorrow. Hopefully next week will be a nice quite week!

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About Landen

Landen is SIX years old! He loves loves loves his daddy (and his mommy too). After a long struggle he has learned to walk with the help of a walker. Landen was wearing hearing aids since he was 2.5 months old and did very well with them. But eventually he lost the last of his limited hearing. In March 2013 he received a cochlear implant that helps him to hear again and he loves it! This disease has kept him smaller then most babies his age but he has the personality and love to make up for it! His little brother passed him up long ago.

He loves to close his eyes and feel things I don't know if its because of the issues with his eyesight or a personality thing. He is not talking at all yet. Even though he doesn't have words or signs yet he knows what he wants and will tell you in other ways. I guess because I am his mommy and spend every minute of his life with him I understand him. I get to work as his interpreter with others. He is strong willed when he is trying to learn something and doesn't give up on something he has already put his mind to. Landen is a loving child who loves to cuddle. He will sit on your lap for hours is you are willing to play patty cake with him! I often come in late at night or early in the morning to see him lying next to his daddy stroking his arm. My favorite is when he sneaks up behind me to play with my hair! I've never met such a snuggle bug! We Love our Little Landen so much! He may not be destined for a long life but it will be a happy life!

About PBDs

Peroxisomal Biogenesis Disorders are complicated genetic conditions with many big words I will try my best to explain some basic concepts and include links to some websites to help you understand it. I'm explaining it the way I understand it please forgive me if I make a mistake this is a learning process with a disease that is rare and therefor hard to find information on. I will correct things if I come across new information.

Peroxisomal Biogenisis Disorders include three disorders Infantile Refsum Disease (IRD), Neonatal Adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD) and Zellweger Syndrome (ZS). The distinction between the disorders is based on severity Zellweger Syndrome being the most severe and Infantile Refsum Disease the least severe. But it is often impossible to put a child solely in one of these diseases. Landen is thought to be on the IRD end of the scale but he has also had blood work suggesting he may be more severe. For that reason we just like to say he has a PBD.

Peroxisomal Biogenesis Disorders affect every part of Landen's body. PBDs are caused when the part of the cell that breaks down substances the peroxisome does not work properly. Peroxisomes break down substances like long chain fatty acids. In Landen's case his cells are unable to break down these substances. These substances build up in the blood stream and can be deposited in various tissues and nerves causing damage.
Symptoms of this disease include hearing loss, retinitis pigmentosa, nystagmus, mental retardation, loss of reflexes, muscle weakness, poor balance and retarded growth. These symptoms vary from patient to patient. Some babies learn to walk, talk and read while others are severely cognitively delayed and confined to wheelchairs. Our Landen has shown signs of severe cognitive delay and muscle weakness but he is determined to move and learn
.
PBD is genetic and is inherit recessive meaning both Scott and I are carriers of a rare mutated gene. Landen has received one from each of us and is now is affected by PBD. Brayden or youngest shows no signs of PBD but still has a 50% chance of being a carrier a 25% chance of having two normal genes and a 25% chance of having PBD or both genes are mutated like Landen. Although Brayden's development and growth suggest that he is unaffected. Any future children we may or may not choose to have will also have a 25% chance of inheriting this disorder.

PBDs have no cure and is eventually fatal but we are doing our part to control it and treat the symptoms. First we try to control it through diet. One of the most dangerous and common substances that build up is phytanic acid. It is a by-product of photosynthesis and is only made in the green leafy part of plants. So Landen doesn't eat any animal product from animals that eat leafy greens AKA no beef, lamb, fish or dairy products. Symptoms are addressed and treated as they appear. He has a cochlear implant. His vision problems are uncorrectable with glasses but we are closely monitoring for change. Physical and Occupational therapies are key in helping him to grow and learn. Landen has shown great improvement since starting these services.

Although this disease will eventually take our son we will have some warning before it is time for him to go. His motor and cognitive functions will regress as more nerve damage occurs.
We love our baby boy and refuse to treat him like all is lost. We will teach him all that he wants to learn, give him all we can and love him forever! We appreciate the love and support of our family and friends as we start this journey together.

Landen's Update

My Little Landen

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Ophthalmology Visit

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