Poor Matthew. Back to the doctor's office because his last throat swab came back positive for strep. That makes 2 positives in 2 weeks with a week of antibiotics in between. He finished his second round of antibiotics (and by second round I mean second round in as many weeks) yesterday. We find out Friday if this latest swab comes back with strep yet again.
Good news, all other blood work came back normal.
Other good news, we finally have a referral to see an ENT (ear, nose throat) specialist.
Bad news is it could take 2-3 months for an appointment.
This is progress...right?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
E-Stim Update (7 months in)
Since buying the E-Stim machine in the fall, Matthew gets E-Stim about 4-5 days a week. I may be biased, but I think we are seeing results. Let me know what you think.
A year ago, before E-stim, this was the flicker that we saw.
This is what we are seeing now.
Did you see him move his foot outwards? Did you see his little toe move independently of the other toes?
And Matthew even surprised himself when he saw his big toe moving independently!
I think the best part is near the end (when Ryan is pointing out toe jam) you can see Matthew's left hand doing what his foot is doing. It takes a lot of concentration for that small movement.
They may seem like small steps, but in this journey, they are big leaps!
A year ago, before E-stim, this was the flicker that we saw.
This is what we are seeing now.
Did you see him move his foot outwards? Did you see his little toe move independently of the other toes?
And Matthew even surprised himself when he saw his big toe moving independently!
I think the best part is near the end (when Ryan is pointing out toe jam) you can see Matthew's left hand doing what his foot is doing. It takes a lot of concentration for that small movement.
They may seem like small steps, but in this journey, they are big leaps!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Here We Go...Again
Matthew finished his antibiotics on Friday morning.
Saturday morning his throat was sore. By Saturday afternoon, he was fading fast, begging for a nap, then later, begging to go to bed.
Took him to the doctor's this morning, looks very much like strep again, or is that still? His ears are good, but his throat and tonsils are terrible. He is now on yet another round of antibiotics, this time for 10 days.
And finally, he is getting blood work. Testing him for mono, liver function and your regular CBC. Why liver function you ask? Well, for the first time, a doctor checked his abdomen and he is tender, especially around the liver. After reading, Mono can cause a swollen liver...but best to check it out and make sure.
And then there is the nodule on the back of his neck...she wants it watched and looked at again if this round of antibiotics doesn't make it go away.
I hope there is no more blogging on this topic, but I suspect there will be more to come.
Saturday morning his throat was sore. By Saturday afternoon, he was fading fast, begging for a nap, then later, begging to go to bed.
Took him to the doctor's this morning, looks very much like strep again, or is that still? His ears are good, but his throat and tonsils are terrible. He is now on yet another round of antibiotics, this time for 10 days.
And finally, he is getting blood work. Testing him for mono, liver function and your regular CBC. Why liver function you ask? Well, for the first time, a doctor checked his abdomen and he is tender, especially around the liver. After reading, Mono can cause a swollen liver...but best to check it out and make sure.
And then there is the nodule on the back of his neck...she wants it watched and looked at again if this round of antibiotics doesn't make it go away.
I hope there is no more blogging on this topic, but I suspect there will be more to come.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Need A Laugh?
Maybe you have seen this already, but I just found this you tube video and had to share it. Cracks me up!
Twin Baby Boys Have A Conversation
Twin Baby Boys Have A Conversation
Spring Time In Calgary
Here, in Calgary, we ALWAYS get snow in spring. Always.
Don't believe me? Check here for last year May 1.
Don't believe me? Check here for last year May 1.
This is what we woke to this morning.
Yes, that is my ruler measuring the snow.
Yes, that says 19 cm (7 1/2 inches) of snow.
Check out my candle holder!
Should be some great skiing conditions for the weekend. Can't wait to hit the slopes!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Feeling Melancholy Tonight
I logged on tonight to blog about skiing. Instead, the music in the background is sending me other places. Sara McLachlan has a beautiful and haunting voice. And takes me places where I may not want to go.
I wanted to blog about Matthew's skiing. To give those others following a few years behind Matthew's journey some inspiration. That even with the cards he was dealt, that yes, skiing is something he can do. He can ski the green runs and even the blues after only two short seasons. Amazes me that even though he skis without his AFO that he can still make turns both left and right with equality. That even though he favors that right leg, the left at times seems just for balance, that doesn't seem to favor one direction for turning. He can turn just as quickly both left and right.
But Sara has taken me from those wonderful thoughts, back to the doubts, the what ifs. It is not a place I go willingly. Not a place I want to be. I truly believe in making informed choices based on what we know, and no regrets. But sometimes, I sneak back there...begrudgingly.
Maybe it was the email I got from a clubfoot group that had a video of kids being treated from birth by Dr. Ponseti having wonderful outcomes.
Wishing that 8 years ago I had been smarter, more diligent. Less trusting. That I had sought the answers then like I do now. But, then I wonder. Would it had made a difference? Or would we still be sitting here, tonight, at the same point?
Those who know me well, know that one of my mottos in life is no regrets, no second guesses. It is a motto I chose many years ago, but sometimes, in the wee hours, it is hard to live up too.
Sometimes I feel we are breaking new ground. Making trail for those others who are finding themselves on this unique road. Some days it is exciting and wonderful. Others, it is long and laborious. Some days I wish for that easy road.
I know that tomorrow, I will be strong again. I will be ready to face Matthew when he challenges me about wearing his AFO. When he tells me that some one called him 'robot leg', ready to give him the strength he is going to need.
But right now, I don't feel like I have what it takes. But he can't know that. He needs to know that I am strong. That he is strong.
In the words of Sara Mclachlan
'There is always some reason
To not feel good enough,
And it's hard, at the end of the day.'
'And everywhere you turn,
There's vultures and thieves at your back'
And most importantly
'You're in the arms of the angel,
May you find some comfort here.'
Tonight, I am looking for comfort.
I wanted to blog about Matthew's skiing. To give those others following a few years behind Matthew's journey some inspiration. That even with the cards he was dealt, that yes, skiing is something he can do. He can ski the green runs and even the blues after only two short seasons. Amazes me that even though he skis without his AFO that he can still make turns both left and right with equality. That even though he favors that right leg, the left at times seems just for balance, that doesn't seem to favor one direction for turning. He can turn just as quickly both left and right.
But Sara has taken me from those wonderful thoughts, back to the doubts, the what ifs. It is not a place I go willingly. Not a place I want to be. I truly believe in making informed choices based on what we know, and no regrets. But sometimes, I sneak back there...begrudgingly.
Maybe it was the email I got from a clubfoot group that had a video of kids being treated from birth by Dr. Ponseti having wonderful outcomes.
Wishing that 8 years ago I had been smarter, more diligent. Less trusting. That I had sought the answers then like I do now. But, then I wonder. Would it had made a difference? Or would we still be sitting here, tonight, at the same point?
Those who know me well, know that one of my mottos in life is no regrets, no second guesses. It is a motto I chose many years ago, but sometimes, in the wee hours, it is hard to live up too.
Sometimes I feel we are breaking new ground. Making trail for those others who are finding themselves on this unique road. Some days it is exciting and wonderful. Others, it is long and laborious. Some days I wish for that easy road.
I know that tomorrow, I will be strong again. I will be ready to face Matthew when he challenges me about wearing his AFO. When he tells me that some one called him 'robot leg', ready to give him the strength he is going to need.
But right now, I don't feel like I have what it takes. But he can't know that. He needs to know that I am strong. That he is strong.
In the words of Sara Mclachlan
'There is always some reason
To not feel good enough,
And it's hard, at the end of the day.'
'And everywhere you turn,
There's vultures and thieves at your back'
And most importantly
'You're in the arms of the angel,
May you find some comfort here.'
Tonight, I am looking for comfort.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sick Kids...Again...wait a minute, didn't I post that already?
Yup, sick kids again.
Two weeks ago, Ryan had a fever of 40 C (104 F), then his ear started to hurt. Took him to the doctor who said no infection, just fluid. A day later, all pain gone.
I thought good.
Not good. Then his ear began to drain icky stuff. Yup, perforated ear drum.
Then, Matthew got sick, again.
Took them both in to the doctor.
Matthew has an ear infection and strep throat.
Ryan has no hole in the ear drum (most likely already healed over) but lots of lovely pus behind his ear drum.
Both on antibiotics. Again.
The difficult part is, Ryan is allergic to penicillin. So he is on Biaxin.
Matthew gets upset tummy and terrible diarrhea with Biaxin so he is on penicillin.
The doses are different, and one gets it twice a day, the other gets it three times a day.
Crossing my fingers I don't screw it up. So far I only once tried to give the wrong dose. Lucky for me the kids stopped me. Whew!
They are now on the mend, back at school. I am trying to play catch up with housework. Hopefully will get a chance to post about skiing in the next few days.
Two weeks ago, Ryan had a fever of 40 C (104 F), then his ear started to hurt. Took him to the doctor who said no infection, just fluid. A day later, all pain gone.
I thought good.
Not good. Then his ear began to drain icky stuff. Yup, perforated ear drum.
Then, Matthew got sick, again.
Took them both in to the doctor.
Matthew has an ear infection and strep throat.
Ryan has no hole in the ear drum (most likely already healed over) but lots of lovely pus behind his ear drum.
Both on antibiotics. Again.
The difficult part is, Ryan is allergic to penicillin. So he is on Biaxin.
Matthew gets upset tummy and terrible diarrhea with Biaxin so he is on penicillin.
The doses are different, and one gets it twice a day, the other gets it three times a day.
Crossing my fingers I don't screw it up. So far I only once tried to give the wrong dose. Lucky for me the kids stopped me. Whew!
They are now on the mend, back at school. I am trying to play catch up with housework. Hopefully will get a chance to post about skiing in the next few days.
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