Is She Expected To Talk?

Morgan has been fighting a cold for the last week. This means it has been a exhausting routine of clearing out her nose, taking her to the pediatrician to be examined, having the nurses suction her out and restless nights. We even spent some time at the Respiratory Clinic in Alta Hospital. Luckily, her cold has not evolved into something else. No ear infection or any other secondary problems. Just a really bad cold. But she sounded absolutely terrible on her 7th day of the cold. She had no fever and no other symptoms but she sounded like there was a motor lodged in her throat. Not wanting to take any chances with her delicate health, I made yet another appointment with our pediatrician's office.

Our pediatrician's office consists of several doctors but, at my insistence,  we deal solely with Dr. Conover. She began following Morgan's case since before Morgan was released from the hospital at 2 months old and has been involved in every aspect of her care from that point forward. She knows Morgan's complicated medical history and during Morgan's rather intense treatment of infantile spasms, saw us twice a week for a time. We feel completely comfortable with her and our appointments are seamless interactions where only the most current issue and bits of information are shared.

So when I called, I was a little dismayed to find that she was completely overrun with patients and there simply was no way to squeeze Morgan in. I was okay with it. Morgan needed to be seen whether by her regular doctor or someone else, at least I could get her checked out. We were scheduled to be there in a couple hours.

I knew what a different doctor meant. It meant explaining. It meant going over Morgan's complex medical history. It meant questions. I did a mental sigh as I got the kids ready to go. I knew what to expect.

We got there and went in through the back door (this should tell you how well they know us) and was shown into an examination room. Once the nurse was done taking all of Morgan's vitals, the doctor came in. He asked me all kinds of question while reading her chart and, like all doctors who first encounter Morgan, he examined her with curiosity and interest.

Then he asked me, "is she expected to talk?"

Some questions are easier to answer than others. Yes, she is delayed. Yes, seizures are a part of her syndrome. No, despite some struggles, she eats quite well. But "Is she expected to talk?" Meaning, will she ever speak? Is a hard question to answer.

Mainly because I don't know. I don't know if she will or if she won't. No one knows. It's entirely up to Morgan. So I answered the doctor the best I could. "She may. I guess kids with her syndrome range from non-verbal to kids who speak quite well." That was about all I could manage.

I'm not used to answering so many difficult questions. Questions about what my daughter may or may not be able to do. And I'm not used to the many questions from doctors and people who encounter her. I know there is a chance that Morgan could be non-verbal. But I also know there is a chance that she will speak and be able to express herself. I know that speech therapy will be in her near future. From that point on, who knows.