Diagnosis vs Prognosis

Since Katrina's surgery, we have spent a lot of time trying to sort through the mounds of information we received. At times, it is nothing less than overwhelming.

A great friend, and fellow doctor's office frequent visitor card holder, spoke some amazing words of wisdom over us. She explained the difference between a diagnosis and a prognosis. A diagnosis is a statement of fact. A prognosis is where God steps in and works his miracles.

Katrina's diagnosis was hard to hear. Mild cerebral palsy in the corpus collosum, probably caused by a lack of development during the first trimester of pregnancy. Her gait lab shows her overall muscle structure and strength is severely underdeveloped.

Her prognosis is a different story. We will be meeting with a neurological psychologist for extensive learning testing. This will give us a better idea of how the damage might affect her learning and how I can teach around it. She has already made strides just in the few adjustments I was able to make based on my limited knowledge. After losing the dreaded casts, we will be doing physical and occupational therapy to improve muscle strength and gross and fine motor skills.

But you know what I see? I see a beautiful young lady I was never supposed to conceive. A child we could have lost a birth. An intelligent, sensitive, caring, fun-loving giggle queen.

And in the end, that is all that really matters.