Louis, Diagnosis -
Brain Damage
“The changes in Louis have been miraculous. Here is
a list of the progress we’ve seen in him since he was treated.
In
general, Louis has become much more aware and is able to understand what is
said to and asked of him. He anticipates activities when he is told what is
going to happen, and for the first time in his life he has started to smile.
Seeing that sweet smile brought tears to our eyes.
His
breathing is much more normal. He breathes more deeply and without noise from
the fluid buildup in his throat, and now rarely needs to be suctioned. He is
also handling his secretions better by coughing up mucus. His reflexive pupil
response to light is now perfect, whereas before his pupils were fixed and
dilated.
He
can now eat one full jar of baby food, he swallows more consistently, and he is
finally able to close his mouth around a spoon. His bowel movements are much
more regular as well.
He
has much better head control now and is even able to hold his head up when he
is carried. He is starting to move his left leg, and he is able to purposely
grasp things with his left hand as well. His right hand, which had become rigid
and closed, has now released.
-
In her next letter, Louis’s mother wrote:
Louis
has remained very healthy, without any sign of infections. Before the stem
cells, he would become sick very often. Another big development is that the
Baclofen pump has been dramatically reduced without any return of his painful
muscle spasms. He can now understand simple commands; as a result, he’s become
much more vocal. He laughs out loud, and his breathing is so much better that
he can blow a horn.
He
is beginning to be able to oppose his left index finger and thumb in a pincher
grip. He’s able to roll over from a supine position all by himself, and he
gives me huge hugs. He now has the ability to under-stand complex commands and
is displaying an increased range of emotions and is engaged socially He has
more likes and dislikes and is able to express them. He is more interested in
and aware of other children, and he is also developing a sense of humor.
The
physical improvements are continuing, too. He is growing taller and gaining
weight. In addition, his scoliosis has improved by 40 percent!
My
son, who was supposed to remain emotionless and motionless, he is now crawling
around like crazy and is constantly happily laughing out loud.”
No comments:
Post a Comment