Melissa Loch
Born 05/04/89

Melissa was born on May 4, 1989. Her birth was a normal C - Section due to the breech position. She weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces. Early on we noticed Melissa was floppy, a poor eater, weak hand grasp, and her eyes did not move together. At 5 months her development delay and poor weight gain became undeniable. Melissa was admitted to Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. The hospital identified the following symptoms: percardial effusion, hypothyroidism, gastric reflex, developmental delay and liver enlargement. Melissa stopped eating while in the hospital and a ng tube was used for feeding. Melissa ended up with a g tube which she still has today. Melissa is orally defensive and will not eat. She developed ascites when she had chicken pox and then she developed pleural effusion after her g tube was inserted. Melissa had several liver and muscle biopsies.

Today Melissa continues to have low muscle tone, development delay, near sightedness and scoliosis. She uses a wheelchair and attends school. She is in special ed. classes but also is included in some second grade activities. Melissa recieves OT, speach and physical therapy at school. She uses a few words and she is able to manipulate her wheelchair very well. We feel Melissa gets frustrated due to her inability to communicate. Her fine motor coordination is poor and she does not like to hold on to things. She can sit independently, however, has balance problems and she does not walk. Melissa likes school and being a Brownie. She loves to listen to music and enjoys being read to. She has a pretty smile and a loving personality. She has an older brother of 10 years, an older sister of 8 years and a younger sister who is 2 years old; all of whom are healthy.

eff: 1997