After months of agonizing over whether or night Botox was the right decision for Chase's torticollis, we finally made the decision to do it. Because the physical therapy wasn't working on the tilt (though it did help correct the rotation problem some), we felt the next logical step was Botox injections. The only alternative was surgery to lengthen the muscle at 3-4 years of age.
We were at the hospital bright and early this morning. A numbing cream was put on the injection site and had to sit for 40 minutes or so. While we were waiting, Chase had fun playing with all the other babies who were there waiting their turns for Botox. (The Botox clinic is held once each month.) After waiting around awhile, the doctor came in to do the injection. I think the worst part of it for Chase was being held down on the table with his neck stretched out on his painful side. I don't think he was able to feel the 4 injections he received. After it was over, he immediately came to me for some hugs and kisses. And, a few tears later, we were out the door.
According to the doctor, it takes approximately 3-4 days before we will begin to see the effects. And, he said not to be surprised if he suddenly tips his head to the right rather than the left we're used to seeing. Once the muscle loosens up (he likened it to having a constant charley horse), the right side muscles of his neck will suddenly have to learn to hold the weight of his head.
We are going to begin weekly physical therapy again, with lots and lots of stretches and exercises at home in between appointments. The Botox will wear off in about 3 months, so let's hope that we can get those right side muscles strengthened up in that time!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Move #2 complete!
Two moves down and just one more to go....hopefully!
We are happy to announce that we are officially homeowners again! (Although we technically own it, we can't really LIVE in it!) Last Thursday drew the close of our exhausting ordeal with the short sale. We're happy to have it all behind us now! However, the house is in such a state that we cannot live in it. Its filthy, been neglected, and every inch drenched in dog pee. However, when have Mommy and Daddy ever walked away from a challenge? (We just never do anything the easy way!)
And, since we cannot live in our new house, we have moved into MomMom and Big Granddad's house. (Aunt Mary is going to be selling her condo soon, so those accomodations are not really an option any longer.) Poor MomMom and Big Granddad are putting up with the 4 of us and all of our junk, while we remodel the new house. I'm sure they are already counting down the days until we move out! And, who could blame them....their little quiet household of 2 just turned into 6 overnight! (And, need I mention Mr. Temper (aka Cole) and Mr. Messy (aka Chase or "The Walking Accdent Waiting To Happen?")?
What we purchased is this:
It doesn't look TOO awful from the picture. But, believe me, the picture just doesn't do it justice. Its smelly, its filty, and just plain ugly. But, its going to be a great house in a few short months. Its in the town we wanted to live in, it is on 5 acres and it has a great outbuilding for Daddy's hot rods! And, once we remodel, the house will be just fine!
Over the weekend, Daddy, Mommy, and Baby Granddad worked really hard pulling out all of the carpet, tearing out bathrooms, and removing walls. The upstairs is pretty bare now and nearly ready for the construction phase. We're hoping to expand out a few feet in the back, create a new master bedroom/bath, new hall bath, and new office upstairs. And, we will also be getting a new kitchen downstairs, along with a face lift on the existing rooms. And, next year, the outside of the house will get a facelift as well.
I hope the next pictures I post of the house look better than this one!
We are happy to announce that we are officially homeowners again! (Although we technically own it, we can't really LIVE in it!) Last Thursday drew the close of our exhausting ordeal with the short sale. We're happy to have it all behind us now! However, the house is in such a state that we cannot live in it. Its filthy, been neglected, and every inch drenched in dog pee. However, when have Mommy and Daddy ever walked away from a challenge? (We just never do anything the easy way!)
And, since we cannot live in our new house, we have moved into MomMom and Big Granddad's house. (Aunt Mary is going to be selling her condo soon, so those accomodations are not really an option any longer.) Poor MomMom and Big Granddad are putting up with the 4 of us and all of our junk, while we remodel the new house. I'm sure they are already counting down the days until we move out! And, who could blame them....their little quiet household of 2 just turned into 6 overnight! (And, need I mention Mr. Temper (aka Cole) and Mr. Messy (aka Chase or "The Walking Accdent Waiting To Happen?")?
What we purchased is this:
It doesn't look TOO awful from the picture. But, believe me, the picture just doesn't do it justice. Its smelly, its filty, and just plain ugly. But, its going to be a great house in a few short months. Its in the town we wanted to live in, it is on 5 acres and it has a great outbuilding for Daddy's hot rods! And, once we remodel, the house will be just fine!
Over the weekend, Daddy, Mommy, and Baby Granddad worked really hard pulling out all of the carpet, tearing out bathrooms, and removing walls. The upstairs is pretty bare now and nearly ready for the construction phase. We're hoping to expand out a few feet in the back, create a new master bedroom/bath, new hall bath, and new office upstairs. And, we will also be getting a new kitchen downstairs, along with a face lift on the existing rooms. And, next year, the outside of the house will get a facelift as well.
I hope the next pictures I post of the house look better than this one!
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