Things I wish I did NOT know much about!

     There is a saying, "You learn something new everyday!"  True! There are some things I wish I did not know much about!  Since Kerstin's diagnosis back in June 2002 it has be big emotional, educational and at times very stressful roller coaster.

     I feel like I have so many professions all rolled into to one, ME!  I am a cook/housekeeper/butler, chauffeur, paraprofessional, nurse/caregiver, secretary, personal shopper, therapist (physical, occupational...), consoler...most of all MOM!  24-7 the duties of a mom is never ending.

     Since the diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, we have been faced with so many other diagnoses and terminology it gets pretty hard to keep up with it all.  At the start, Cerebral Palsy...I was a two something mom, first child, and to hear at her 6 month check up that she may have a mild to severe case of cerebral palsy was shocking and very hurtful!  I had no idea what it was, what to expect, what it would do to my daughter.  To be clear, if there was/is a question...Cerebral Palsy is NOT contagious!

     Cerebral Palsy:  is like an umbrella, covering a few forms of motor conditions that affects the development.  Cerebral refers to the cerebrum of the brain.  Palsy is uncontrolled movements of the body.
There are different types of Cerebral Palsy (CP); spastic, ataxic, athetoid and mixed.   We would have to see a neurologist to determine the type; Spastic quad.

     After that first diagnosis there came so many terms I needed to be aware of, so many doctors Kerstin would have to see.  Never imagined the journey we would be on.  I had heard of seizures before.  Never thought I would witness one firsthand, and it be my child fully convulsed.  April 15, 2004, is not a night I will long forget.  Epilepsy!  Another diagnosis, she will have to be followed closely by the neurologist. At first, it was thought that her seizures were febrile, then pain related, not so much the case.  She has been having unprovoked seizures.  Recently having a few small seizures, four in the past week.  Her Depekene dosage has been increased by 1 mL.

     More terms I'm becoming an expert at and wish I wasn't:  Atelectasis, bilateral triple arthrodesis, bolus, chest percussion therapy (CPT), gastrostomy tube (g-tube), pulmonologist, scoliosis, Dandy Walker Syndrome, developmental delay, dysphagia, failure to thrive (FTT), seizure disorder...
Raising a child with special health, medical and education needs is no easy task for anyone.  Place this task on a single parent and it can be overwhelming.  I am doing my best.  I constantly pray for the strength to do all that I can and to have the patience to do so.

   Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

More to come...
   

   
   

Scoliosis jacket/ night time splints update

Progress has been made, finally got the little darling to sleep ONE full night in her jacket!!! YAY!  I really think it was by accident on HER part.  She was sleepy and it was going past her bedtime when I put it on her Tuesday night ( 6.7.11 ), I was so elated that we got a full night.  She had other things in mind, because since that night she has NOT made a full night again, luckily we had and ortho appointment this past Friday, and he said that the jacket is doing its job, when she's in it, her 19 degree curve was down to under 5 degrees, shown during her x-ray!!  Happy about that!  I asked if it was okay to have her wear it during the day while she's home lounging, to get her acclimated to it...YES!  So, we shall see!

On another note, the night time splints, which we've had no problems with getting her to sleep in, rubbed her foot Tuesday night causing a red spot on her heel that still hasn't cleared, but the ones on her ankles have.  Dr. said to not put them back on until that spot is gone.  He stated that she moved around a lot that night causing the friction,and with her skin being so soft that caused the bruising. So, as you can see, its constantly something, but as always, we're pressing through it!!!

More to come...