An Alex and Dennis Update

Wandering and wondering said...
How are Denis Alex doing medically and developmentally? How is Alex doing with toileting? Are you still doing the bowel management program? If so, how is he responding to everything?
February 1, 2011 10:24 AM

Thanks for asking. They are doing great! Both have their very own personalities-- yet they are the best of friends. Alex can bring joy at any moment with his out of the blue comments such as, "I like your hair today Mommy," to "I am sorry I no more scream today." His language is coming along slowly but steady. He is learning so much in his kindergarten class now compared to when he was being mainstreamed at his other school.

Alex is a very happy child but boy can he be loud! Thankfully his teacher is working on this in the classroom as well so we have seen some improvement.

The other day Alex got an award at school. We went to cheer him on and get pictures. He gets around on his crutches quite well-- he is even learning how to climb the stairs on the bus in his adaptive PE class.

Despite Alex's Spina Bifida he is an extremely healthy child. He eats well, sleeps through the night, and seems quite content in his surroundings.

Alex still has issues with testing the boundaries and at times this can make things challenging for all of us as a family-- but we are working on it together. I can see that despite his lack of impulse control he has a heart to be a good boy-- and because of that he holds a special place in my heart. As far as his potty training-- well he has no feeling down there. However, I have been working with him to recognize when his tummy hurts as a signal that he has to go potty-- and we have been successful a few times! We are waiting for an appointment with a new urologist to see what Alex's future plans are.

Dennis is doing great too! He is growing by leaps and bounds surpassing Alex now in height and weight! He loves to learn new things-- but currently has a major issue with getting into things and packing them into his little purple suitcase. Drives his Mama bonkers!

Here are his "walking crutches" so that he can be like his brother Alex.

For now we are enjoying life surgery free-- but that can change at anytime depending on what his new surgeon says.

Alex and Dennis make mealtimes interesting. Alex loves meat, Dennis doesn't. Dennis finger paints with his food while Alex loves to eat! This video about sums up their relationship.

Aren't they the cutest?