The girl had the Powder Puff game today at school! Brought back lots of memories from my Powder Puff game in high school! It is in the family. I played and my little brother was a cheerleader for theirs! Juniors beat Seniors 14-0!! Way to go!!
We had an appointment at rehab today. It was with a rehab liason to disscuss IBT therapy for Brent. Basically what has happened is that he has plateaued in PT/OT. This does not mean he won't regain his right side. What it means is that the muscles in his arm and leg (not the hand or foot) are going through spasticity, or tone as it is referred to in rehabese. In layman's terms, his muscles have tightened which is inhibiting his ability to go forward in his rehab. He is already on oral meds for this but they affect the whole body.
They have had to increase the dosage so high that the pump makes more sense since it delivers straight to his spine which in turn goes straight to his arm and leg. Oral has to circulate thoughout his whole body to reach its destination. This pump will deliver on a 24 hour basis which is better for his rehab. He will also have the pump for the rest of his life unless he decides to have it removed.
So the meds being delivered directly into his spine is a better option at this date in time. No date on when this will happen since (grr) insurance has to approve it. He also has to have a trial on the liquid med thru a lumbar puncture to determine his dose.
Bottom line is if this is not done, he may not regain his arm or leg. I gave the go ahead for the trial. I will let everyone know once there is a date and time for both procedures.
The pump is implanted into his abdomen and a catheter is inserted into his spine. So there is one incision in the front and one in his back. All is done on an outpatient basis. This pump delivers meds on a 3 or 6 month basis. Meaning he doesn't have to get recharged based on the size of the pump. If he ignores the appointment, the pump will start beeping once it is dry AND everyone around him can hear it!!
That is awesome. All of a sudden it starts beeping in a crowd and everyone will think he has a bomb or something. Then he whips out his little card that explains what it is, oh, the photo op! I know, I know---I am evil! Sorry, that is how my mind works. Pillage and chaos baby! You all know the routine!!
If you Google it there is lots of information out there. The technical term is-Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy. IBT. It is used to treat conditions such as, cerebal palsy, stroke, brain damage and MS. They have good results and it will help him progess.
Here are some sites:
www.mdvu.org/library/disease/spasticity/spa_mitb.asp
http://www.donnywinn.com/
www.wemove.org/spa/spa_itb.html
Leslie, the girl and the boy
No comments:
Post a Comment