We had the 6 week followup with the Orthopeadic Surgeon last week. There were 2 things to come out of the appointment:
1. Firstly he doesnt think that he put enough Botox in Corbins calf muscles so he thinks he might give them another dose - I however can see that after 6 weeks the Botox is already wearing off for Corbin, and
2. Fortnightly physio sessions post Botox are NOT considered acceptable to the Orthopeadic Surgeon - No kidding - I did try to say something to the physiotherapist but I'm just the stupid mother who knows nothing.
So all in all the orthodox medical profession (Orthopeadics and physios) think that Botox has been a success for Corbin because without his high tone kicking in he has been able to step with his feet "flat" and his stepping action is far improved over the past 6 weeks. But as I said I can see that the Botox is starting to wear off already and I therefore still remain sceptical and will continue to wait and see, because in my mind if there is no long term benefit from doing Botox why bother doing it? 6 weeks is nothing in the overall scope of a life time.
My biggest objection to Botox is the physio - more the fact that we as a family have to do it rather than an independant physio. It is just horrible battling with Corbin to do his stretches and physio - they hurt and weight bearing on his feet has been unbearable for him at times over the past 6 weeks.
I have spent the first 9 years of Master Jays life and the first 3 years of Corbins life making my boys do physio and stretching programs that hurt and caused many battles and cross words with them and heartache and stress for me. When I look back they simply couldn't understand what the hell their Mum was making them do all those horrible hurtful things for. So as you can guess I'm well and truly over hurting my kids for minimal, if any, gain!!!
This is why I love ABR - aside from the fact it actually works, ie there is a gain for our kids - it doesn't hurt!!! In the Cerebral Palsy world where there are no miracle cures, who could ask for more - something that works and doesn't hurt???
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
One for the bucket list - albeit unusual!!!
Have you ever ridden a clydesdale horse? Well I have and his name is Clancy. That is one for the bucket list for sure.
We had a beautiful weekend away apart from the horseriding which was a bit of a disaster especially for the 3 ladies that have never been on a horse. It was a bit disorganised and we had no confidence in our 19 year old German guide who didn't even know where we were going because he had never been on the particular trail we were going on, and then took us the wrong way to start with - oops!!!
They put me on the massive big Clydesdale because I was the only one who had "experience" on a horse. Well this beast was huge. With my very short stature of 1.57 cm tall he towered over me which was quite intimidating really and he was so strong and old and very stubborn to boot. Thank God I didn't fall off because it was a damn long way to fall if I did!!!
Gave us all something to laugh about for the rest of the day anyway. It was a great weekend and I'm so blessed to know such a lovely group of gals.
We had a beautiful weekend away apart from the horseriding which was a bit of a disaster especially for the 3 ladies that have never been on a horse. It was a bit disorganised and we had no confidence in our 19 year old German guide who didn't even know where we were going because he had never been on the particular trail we were going on, and then took us the wrong way to start with - oops!!!
They put me on the massive big Clydesdale because I was the only one who had "experience" on a horse. Well this beast was huge. With my very short stature of 1.57 cm tall he towered over me which was quite intimidating really and he was so strong and old and very stubborn to boot. Thank God I didn't fall off because it was a damn long way to fall if I did!!!
Gave us all something to laugh about for the rest of the day anyway. It was a great weekend and I'm so blessed to know such a lovely group of gals.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Time out
I'm away for a "girls" weekend to beautiful Queenstown this weekend.
I'm pretty sure 99% of all the dedicated ABR Mums will be in the same boat as me - this is the first time I have been away by myself, without children or a husband for almost 3 years... I think I'm long overdue some time out!
We have a relaxing weekend in store in a luxury house, complete with a spa on the balcony, which may well be required after the horseback riding that someone planned - Man I havent been on a horse for 15 years...
I'm pretty sure 99% of all the dedicated ABR Mums will be in the same boat as me - this is the first time I have been away by myself, without children or a husband for almost 3 years... I think I'm long overdue some time out!
We have a relaxing weekend in store in a luxury house, complete with a spa on the balcony, which may well be required after the horseback riding that someone planned - Man I havent been on a horse for 15 years...
Saturday, March 10, 2012
"I'm happy with my life the way it is..."
Corbin had a physio appointment this week in which we were given a couple of new "stretches" or exercises that are damn near impossible for Corbin to do and yes you guessed it they hurt!!! So Corbin being Corbin clearly showed his dislike with the whole process yet again and which prompted the physio to say to him..
"You have to do this to strengthen those muscles so you can walk - you want to be able to walk don't you?"
To this Corbin flatly answered "No!" in a very grumpy manner.
That night I lay down on the bed beside him and I asked Corbin if what he said to the physio earlier was true - was that how he truly felt? To which my precious little man burst into tears and replied...
"I'm happy with my life the way it is, I like crawling..."
Talk about break my heart...
On one hand I can't help but feel that because he doesn't know any difference and has no idea how much easier his life would be (and OK mine too) if he did walk, especially in the future when its not going to be so cool to crawl ie when you're a teenager - but then I guess I should be delighted that he accepts the way he is and he is happy...
"You have to do this to strengthen those muscles so you can walk - you want to be able to walk don't you?"
To this Corbin flatly answered "No!" in a very grumpy manner.
That night I lay down on the bed beside him and I asked Corbin if what he said to the physio earlier was true - was that how he truly felt? To which my precious little man burst into tears and replied...
"I'm happy with my life the way it is, I like crawling..."
Talk about break my heart...
On one hand I can't help but feel that because he doesn't know any difference and has no idea how much easier his life would be (and OK mine too) if he did walk, especially in the future when its not going to be so cool to crawl ie when you're a teenager - but then I guess I should be delighted that he accepts the way he is and he is happy...
Friday, March 2, 2012
Common Sense???
This is an email I got recently and thought it was rather good:
AN OBITUARY PRINTED IN THE LONDON TIMES - INTERESTING AND SADLY RATHER TRUE
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- knowing when to come in and out of the rain;
- why the early bird gets the worm;
- life isn't always fair;
- and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost all will to live as the churches becames businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, by his daughter Responsibility, and his son Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers:
I Know My Rights
I Want it Now
Someone Else is to Blame, and
I'm a Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on, if not, join the majority and do nothing ...........
AN OBITUARY PRINTED IN THE LONDON TIMES - INTERESTING AND SADLY RATHER TRUE
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- knowing when to come in and out of the rain;
- why the early bird gets the worm;
- life isn't always fair;
- and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost all will to live as the churches becames businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, by his daughter Responsibility, and his son Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers:
I Know My Rights
I Want it Now
Someone Else is to Blame, and
I'm a Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on, if not, join the majority and do nothing ...........
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