Monday, November 8, 2010

October 2010 Update

Katie had her nine month well baby check-up, October 18th. She is 15lbs and 27 3/4 inches. She is 2% for weight and 67% for height. The one thing they want to follow up on is her head did not grow much in the one and a half months since her neurosurgeon appointment. The pediatrician also wants her to gain more weight, so I am trying to get her to eat more; but since she is growing similar to Johnny I am not worrying about it. She has a follow up appointment November 15th.
On October 18th Katie also visited the neurologist. Dr. Gurbani did diagnosis Katie with Left Hemiparesis and Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy.
"Hemiparesis or Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by frequent, temporary episodes of paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia). Symptoms usually begin before the age of 18 months." In Katie's case just unequal movements. His scientific test was holding her under her arms and only one foot was kicking. Katie can be encouraged to use both feet, but usual response is only kicking right foot/leg.
"Cerebral Palsy is a neurological movement disorder characterized by the lack of muscle control and impairment in the coordination of movements. This disorder is usually a result of injury to the brain during early development in the uterus, at birth, or in the first two years of life. Cerebral Palsy is not progressive." The terms overlap and cerebral palsy is primarily unequal movements and weakness. Katie has left side weakness, but the great thing about her condition is she is NOT stiff. If she was rigid or stiff, this would be much more worrisome, but she is loose and capable of good movement, but doesn't always like to move her left.

So, officially she has cerebral palsy and this is scary, but with lots of work and therapy she can overcome may possibilities. Cerebral Palsy does not correlate with intelligence, her brain damage could affect this separately, yet she does not seem to be affected here!!! Praise the Lord!! All 3 of her therapist comment on her cognitive abilities and how bright and quick she is!!

Katie has started clapping!! Katie speech has improved just in the last week! She now has several regular sounds~ mama, dada, baba, and nana. Also I swear sometimes she says HI!!

Katie is improving everyday! But we are greedy and want more! Specifically I want her to start crawling! But I know that she will start in God's time not ours! Katie is in the Best Hands!!! Thank you for your continued prayers!!!