Thursday, January 9, 2014

Old and the New

I never thought of me as being the blogger type, and I didn't know how often I would keep up with this...I think just as I am compelled, and my mind is over run by thought, is when I write. And considering I saw 11:30, 1:00, 3:00-4:30 last night...maybe I should get some blogging therapy in.

Dec 4, Addison had her fourth round of Botox. She got the biggest dose in her lower back muscles, they have stayed tight through two previous injections. I can tell it has made a difference this time as she is able to pass gas more easily and she moves more freely in certain ways. She has a follow-up at the end of this month and is scheduled for her fifth round in April. 

Another procedure we are having scheduled is another MRI. Addison had one at four months, but not all of your gray matter has formed at that point. We also need to check on how her brain has changed and look for any abnormalities remaining. When she suffered from severe torticollis, her head was very misshapen, mainly on the back right side. Her right lobe of her brain appeared much smaller and pushed inward. Her pediatrician wants to ensure it was simply the shape of her head and that her brain is doing ok.

The final appointment we have coming is with a developmental specialist. Addison is a pretty unique kid, and does some things that make me scratch my head! She's so very smart! She knows about 8 shapes, can count 1-10, knows all of her colors and can identify the letters A, B, and C. She has always had sensory issues, and requests squeezes often for her body and head. Addison had a behavior evaluation last week, and I shared that report with her pediatrician. From what her doctor gathered from this report, as well as our conversation yesterday, she decided Addison should be seen by the developmental specialist to evaluate all of Addison's needs together (as opposed to saying "she has a speech delay, let's add speech therapy" and so forth). This is a positive step and I am sure to post when these two appointments have been completed. 

I appreciate where every step has taken us, the people we have met and experienced Addison has had. I also don't fear  the future. Addison is who she is, and no appointment or label will change that. Answers only being you the appropriate and best help!