I am glad to report that Whitney's left hip is continuing to grow and develop. What a relief! The cartilage, which will later turn to bone, is half the size of her right but it is coming along quite nicely. We were told to continue 12 hour a day bracing for the next six months and then we will check to see if we can begin weening her from her brace. We also need to get a new brace as our current one is getting a little snug and has seen better days.
Did I tell you that our urologist said it was a good sign that she is getting so many UTI's? I had to remind myself of this as we went into the doctor on Monday to confirm my suspicions of yet another one.
Conductive learning therapy went well today. Her girlfriend was there which always helps to motivate. Whitney is becoming more aware of her feet which is fun to see. It is very normal for kids with spina bifida to forget thier feet when doing daily tasks simply because they do not feel them. So, we constantly draw attention to her feet to remind her of their existence. It may be working. (: She is also doing very well learning to kick her legs both while sitting and laying down. It is such a joy to watch her learn both cognitively and physically.
October 22, 2009
October 15, 2009
Update
Last Monday we had a check up for Whitney's eyes. She did not enjoy getting her eyes dilated but everything looked very good. She said that we do not need to come back until Whitney is 4! We are so thankful that these specialist appointments are getting further apart.
This Monday we saw the urologist. We had an ultrasound for her kidneys and bladder. He said that her kidneys are growing at a steady rate. I told him our potty routine and he was very encouraging. He said to continue what we are doing and that she is doing much better than he would have projected for her. He also encouraged me that it is a positive thing that she is getting frequent UTI's because it proves that her bladder is able to hold urine. He thinks that she may leak a bit but when she is older we may be able to go on medication to help with this. The only new part of our plan is that the next time she gets a UTI we will go on antibiotics for 30 days instead of 10 to ensure that the bladder has had a chance to heal. We will have another follow up appointment and ultrasound in 9 months.
Conductive Learning Center has gone well the past two weeks. Whitney is currently cutting 3 molars at once so she is a little crabby. We are continuing to build on what we learned in September and increasing in stamina. I also spoke to them about her urology appoinment since part of what we work on at CLC is potty training. They were very encouraged as well. We also talked about an exercise we can work on to strengthen her bladder muscles.
Next Monday we have an appoinment with orthopaedics to have an x ray of her hip. I have to admit I am a little apprehensive. Please continue to pray that the hip has grown over the past months so that we are able to continue therapy and move forward.
This Monday we saw the urologist. We had an ultrasound for her kidneys and bladder. He said that her kidneys are growing at a steady rate. I told him our potty routine and he was very encouraging. He said to continue what we are doing and that she is doing much better than he would have projected for her. He also encouraged me that it is a positive thing that she is getting frequent UTI's because it proves that her bladder is able to hold urine. He thinks that she may leak a bit but when she is older we may be able to go on medication to help with this. The only new part of our plan is that the next time she gets a UTI we will go on antibiotics for 30 days instead of 10 to ensure that the bladder has had a chance to heal. We will have another follow up appointment and ultrasound in 9 months.
Conductive Learning Center has gone well the past two weeks. Whitney is currently cutting 3 molars at once so she is a little crabby. We are continuing to build on what we learned in September and increasing in stamina. I also spoke to them about her urology appoinment since part of what we work on at CLC is potty training. They were very encouraged as well. We also talked about an exercise we can work on to strengthen her bladder muscles.
Next Monday we have an appoinment with orthopaedics to have an x ray of her hip. I have to admit I am a little apprehensive. Please continue to pray that the hip has grown over the past months so that we are able to continue therapy and move forward.
October 4, 2009
Follow-up session
We are planning to do 8 follow-up sessions over the next 2 months. The first 4 will be with Whitney's little friend and the last 4 will be one-on-one.
We have been doing some of the routine at home this week but I have to say she cooperates better there than at home. Whitney thinks it is fun to watch Fiona do them more than she likes to participate herself.
Today she was climbing, with help, up the small stairs. She maneuvered herself around off the bottom stair and onto the floor into a sitting position. This was quite the accomplishment and gives me hope that she is learning how to get around on her own and developing more courage to problem solve. She also stood with her knees straight and hands down flat on a 5"
box. This was also a new step as before she would not go down that low to the ground.
A few things that we are going to focus on this month is to teach her how to move her legs, while in a straight leg sitting position. We are teaching this by having her move her leg straight up and over, and to move her body while on her bottom. This will also help strengthen her weak thigh muscles.
The other new goal is for her to learn how to get from a sitting position to a kneeling position and back again on her own.
This morning before CLC (exercise school) Whitney had a doctors appointment.
Her back is looking great and we do not need to see him again until fall of
2011!
Next week we have Whitney's eye exam on Monday and then CLC later in the week.
We have been doing some of the routine at home this week but I have to say she cooperates better there than at home. Whitney thinks it is fun to watch Fiona do them more than she likes to participate herself.
Today she was climbing, with help, up the small stairs. She maneuvered herself around off the bottom stair and onto the floor into a sitting position. This was quite the accomplishment and gives me hope that she is learning how to get around on her own and developing more courage to problem solve. She also stood with her knees straight and hands down flat on a 5"
box. This was also a new step as before she would not go down that low to the ground.
A few things that we are going to focus on this month is to teach her how to move her legs, while in a straight leg sitting position. We are teaching this by having her move her leg straight up and over, and to move her body while on her bottom. This will also help strengthen her weak thigh muscles.
The other new goal is for her to learn how to get from a sitting position to a kneeling position and back again on her own.
This morning before CLC (exercise school) Whitney had a doctors appointment.
Her back is looking great and we do not need to see him again until fall of
2011!
Next week we have Whitney's eye exam on Monday and then CLC later in the week.
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