Joshua's Update |
April 2nd was one month post-op for Joshua. I must say that things have went much better than I ever could have dreamed. God has answered all our prayers. Lots of Joshua's symptoms have changed. His hypothymus was definitely decompressed as he has more "normal" temperature preferences. Before he had to have it around 68 degrees summer and winter, and he still broke into a drenching sweat. It is now 72 degrees in his room; he is comfortable and even sleeps with a sheet and light blanket which he has never done before. He has had NO night or day sweats either since surgery. His temperature was always a little high (usually 99.something) and now it has stayed in the 97 degree range. His overall color has gone from a pasty ash color to a very healthy pink and his cheeks are rosy once again. The most important for me is the ability to breath...his oxygen stats have gone from the low 90's to the high 90's on the same one litre of oxygen. His breathing seems to be much easier, and he does not have to pull so hard to get a good breath. His lungs seemed to have cleared up a great deal as I do not have to suction him near as much. The secretions from his lungs is thin and clear instead of the thick greenish it used to be. He has not complained of any pain and has had nothing for pain since the day before we left the hospital. He did wake up every night (startle himself awake) and rub his neck. Thanks to suggestion from the list that it could be muscle spasms, I discussed it with his dr. that Joshua might not know how to explain it. She prescribed him 1/2 valium at bedtime and it does the trick and he has not rubbed his neck anymore either. Reports from his therapists are as follows: Occupational Therapist - Joshua has improved eye/hand coordination and visual tracking. He has a much greater endurance of physical activity and his attention span has increased tremendously. He has a much improved arousal state and his color has gone from ashy to rosy pink. Speech Therapist - Joshua's attention span is much better. He is more patient and not frustrated as easily. His concentration level has improved greatly, improving his cognitive abilities (he has come up a whole year level on his evaluation testing) and also improving his accuracy in answering. He is more accurate with finger isolation activities which shows an improvement in his fine motor skills, Joshua has never passed a hearing test although we know he can hear. He has had an Otoacustical Emissions Test and has passed it. Whether it was the different type of test or the surgery, is not possible to say...but he has finally passed a hearing test. His teacher has also reported big changes in his attention span, fine motor skills, and cognitive ability. It is like he is so much smarter than before surgery...Really hard to explain. The only regret I have is that I did not educate myself about Joshua's Chiari sooner, and find a good neurosurgeon to do the surgery 6 yrs sooner. Waiting almost cost him his life..and did cost him his voice and 2 months in a coma. Thanks to all for their prayers, God has definitely listened once again...my little miracle is doing fine!!! |
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