Wordful/Wordless Wednesday-We Survived Botox

Joe was so much help. Cole loves to be read to and Joe kept him happily entertained reading The Lion King. (notice the clenched fist grabbing Joe's hand)




Cole says, "...and the lion says 'ROAR!'"

Smile for the camera! He's already making silly faces before getting the versed.



And...with the versed it is even funnier when Daddy reads Finding Nemo.

Cole received 3-4 injections of the Botox in each arm. We were so proud of him because he did not shed even one tear. As a matter of fact, he didn't fuss at all.



"Ta-Da! I did it!"

I have to say, I don't think that Botox is the 'miracle cure' for Cole but it has obviously made a difference already.

Now I just hope for the next few months, while Cole's muscle's are relaxed, his therapists can use this opportunity to 're-train' his brain to tell his muscles how to react without also fighting the spacticity.

Thank you to everyone for all your kind words and your support! I am glad we made the decision to move forward with getting the injections. I will post more as we see progress.

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Wordful/Wordless Wednesday-New Wheels

What do you think? Cole's new wheels are awesome, right?

Monday morning I was scheduled to go in early to Cole's school so I could pick up his new bath seat (later post). When I walk in I see a pretty shiny blue KidWalk (walker) close by. So, of course, I start getting SO excited!

Yes! This was Cole's new wheels. His KidWalk had come in! We appreciated the use of the Rifton the school had let us borrow so Cole could get around but he has so much more fun and can actually maneuver his KidWalk a lot easier.

The Rifton (as do most gait trainers and walkers) has wheels that stick out in front and would get stuck on everything. This KidWalk has everything beside or behind him. Now IF he could use his hands he would be able to reach to open doors, turn the t.v. off and on (he has already been checking this option out), and easily get around corners.

This is so great to have this piece of medical equipment as it helps him feel a little more independent and let's me get other things done since he can move around on his own.

Today his daddy went to pick him up from school so I could go work out and when I pull up into the driveway they were outside playing. Cole was rolling around everywhere and quickly. He also was so much happier tonight and actually went to sleep easier.

This is a good work out for HIM and will help him build his muscles!

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Wordful/Wordless Wednesday-Rifton

Shane and Cole

Cole loves it when Shane plays with him. Shane will help Cole get to the edge of the driveway and let him roll down the hill so they can race. Shane will be on his skateboard and Cole in his Rifton.

The Rifton helps support Cole so he can walk and get around places. This is a loaner from Cole's school. We are currently waiting on the KidWalk that we have ordered for him. Yes, of course, I will post pictures as soon as we get it in.

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Wordful/Wordless Wednesday-Yummy!

Isn't this baby just yummy? Or is "yummy" what Cole was thinking while Grandma was giving him his bottle?

He wanted his bottle at first then he got so distracted with playing and wanting to jump that he just let the milk that was left in his mouth trickle out.

I can't just post a picture without explaining it..... If you want to see other ramblers like me that like to explain their pictures take a trip over to Angie's place (she really ROCKS!) at:

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Wordless Wednesday - Play Time

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Hospitals, ER's & Doctors, Oh My! - Semi Wordless Wednesday

Cole-born 2/23/07, pic-taken 2/25/07 after being rushed off to NICU in a different hospital than where I had to stay.

This past weekend I, once again, had to deal with that panicky, nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach. The feeling of dread!

It seems to be a common occurrence for children with cerebral palsy or any disability that causes low tone in the trunk, to have intestinal complications. Unfortunately, Cole is one of the affected ones.

We constantly have to monitor his medications, keep a close eye on what he eats, and I have to massage his tummy. If we don't do these things then he gets constipated and could have a blockage, which could be very dangerous.

Cole had been a little cranky most of the weekend. On Sunday we skipped church, I knew something was wrong. He had dozed off for about a 10 minute nap and woke up literally screaming like bloody murder.

I couldn't get him to calm down even after rubbing his belly and pacing around bouncing him. Joe tried to do the same with no success either. I helped him a little, and gave him some medicine then called the doctors office.

It breaks your heart and makes you feel so useless when your baby, that depends on you completely, is in so much obvious pain and you can't do anything to help.

After a little more than 2 hours of screaming, and talking to the doctors nurse, Cole finally fell asleep in Brett's arms while I was getting my shoes on. He was comfortable in his car seat so we ran some errands and (thank God) did not end up having to make that ER visit. He was fussy most of the night but didn't ever scream out uncontrollably again.

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