His hips and legs were always too tight for him to comfortably sit this way and still be able to play...not now, though!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
It's The Simple Things...
His hips and legs were always too tight for him to comfortably sit this way and still be able to play...not now, though!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Two Weeks Post-Op
See how Davis' knees turn inward when he moves in this video??? Well, I was encouraging him to take steps today and noticed this same knee-turning-in pattern; only in a much 'looser' fashion. I brought it up in therapy today and, after witnessing the same thing, his therapists explained to me why he does this...to compensate for his weak hips. He's 'flinging' his legs forward to walk instead of using his hips to help him move. They decided it would be best if Davis didn't do any walking until we can get his hips really strong. We want him to slowly learn how to walk the 'right' way instead of quickly walk the wrong way.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Staples, Therapy, Pudding, and Sister
The nurse thought his incision site looked great and cleared him for physical therapy.
So...to therapy we went!
His PT, Kelly, and two other therapists at the clinic will be working together to help rebuild Davis' strength and retrain his mind and muscles to walk 'the right way'! We're in for a long, rigorous ride, but the results should be so worth it!
Miss Kelly is measuring his range...
And...appearing on Davis' blog for the first time, I present to you, the prettiest and sweetest Baby Sister EVER!!!
Friday, January 21, 2011
So This Is What Outside Looks Like? I Almost Forgot.
Reese and I went to the mall yesterday afternoon while Justin stayed home with Davis. It was so nice to just walk around, interact with the public, eat some delicious pretzels with melted cheese, spend some money! And Reese is such a good shopping buddy! So content and smiley and pretty!
Besides the couple of hours I was able to get away to go try on Bridesmaid's dresses for Mandy on Monday, I had been locked behind closed doors, taking care of my Davis, for 9 days. Nine straight days! I hadn't put on a pair of jeans, driven a car, wore mascara in over a week! Yucky.
And I have to hand it to Justin...he's been so helpful and involved with all of this. I couldn't do it without him! (He reads the blog now, so I had to throw him a little shout out!) Love you Husband!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Worry Sets In
I breathed a sigh of relief. My heart rate normalized. All is well. Just stay patient, Andrea. This is gonna take time. Time. Time. Time.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Phone Follow-Up
Do you see any CSF leaking from the site? No.
Do you see any redness or swelling? No.
How is his pain level? Seems to be low.
When you do your routine exercises with him, are you getting him up to walk around? Yes.
Is he able to walk indepentently or does he need your assistance? He needs our full assistance.
Ok, let me talk to Dr. Boydston and see if he thinks Davis is ready to progress on to more activities. I'll call you back. Ok.
Later...
Dr. Boydston wants to keep Davis' schedule as is until after you guys meet with us next Monday. He can continue to sit up for meals. You can allow 30 minutes in between each meal for sitting up time, as well. Increase that time by 30 minutes each day, as tolerated. And continue to get him up and walk around with him 3 times a day. Alrighty...
First Visitor
Monday, January 17, 2011
What A Morning!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Home, Sweet Home
Physical therapy came in again this morning, before we were discharged, and said that Davis had even more range than he did yesterday. What that basically means is that he, on his own, was able to stretch his ankles, legs, etc further today than he could yesterday.
If you know Davis, you're aware that his legs and feet were extremely tight. You had to use so much force to bend his ankles and stretch out his legs. Well now, he's as loose as you and I. It's so amazing to see. What we have to do now is retrain his muscles and mind to work right, otherwise he'll go right back to the way he was.
He has to stay in the bed for another 3 days, so we set him up in the living room...
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Reflect
Up And At 'Em...Sort Of
P.S. I just saw a woman, probably a mom, in the room with the baby next door. Phew.
Day 3, Post-Op...The Walls Are Closing In
Friday, January 14, 2011
Rhizotomy
Davis underwent the Rhizotomy procedure to decrease the spasticity in his legs and, through intensive therapy afterwards, hopefully walk a little more 'normal', improve his quality of life, and give him some more independence.
SDR involves sectioning (cutting) of some of the sensory nerve fibers that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord. Two groups of nerve roots leave the spinal cord and lie in the spinal canal. The ventral spinal roots send information to the muscle; the dorsal spinal roots transmit sensation from the muscle to the spinal cord.
At the time of the operation, the neurosurgeon divides each of the dorsal roots into 3-5 rootlets and stimulates each rootlet electrically. By examining
Before they took him back for surgery, the doctor gave him some meds to calm his nerves, but what it really did was send him to another planet. He acted so drunk, but it was really entertaining and took all of our minds off of what was about to happen.
So, then it was time...Justin and I gave him kisses, told him we loved him and would be waiting for him when it was all over, and completely fell apart when he got out of sight.
After the surgery (and 4 long hours), we met him in his overnight room and prepared for what we thought was going to be a really rough time. But I have to say I now know, without a doubt, that my son is the strongest, bravest, most resilient child I've ever seen. I know he's in pain, but he's only barely mentioned his back hurting. He's supposed to lay completely still, on his side, for 3 days and has complied wonderfully. He's eating and drinking enough to amaze the doctors and nurses. Every 2 hours, the nurses come in to check his vitals and flip him to the other side and that's the only time he cries.
It's Friday now and we've basically spent the last 2 days watching Toy Story and Gumby on repeat. He can't even sit up enough to play Angry Birds on my phone. :(
I plan to take footage of his progress during the next few months...soooo...here's his before shot...