[tri-med] Morgan update

We have been busy, busy, busy the last couple of weeks.  About 1 1/2 wks.
ago Morgan had his esophagus stretched again.  Everything went very well,
he was stretched the most he has ever been and things looked good from the
last time.  The dr. was so sure that the biopsy this time would come back
positive for reflux that when it didn't she even went to the lab to look at
it herself.  She claims that all kids who have had t.e. fistulas have
reflux.  You just can't prove it by Morgan.  I guess now she can say, all
kids except one.  LOL

On Fri. night we went to Dora the Explorer Live.  Oh, how fun was that?! 
We were in the very front row.  We only managed that because that is where
all the wheelchair seating is.  Morgan had a blast! He was dancing and
laughing, it was really fun.  He loves to watch the cartoon Dora so I
thought he might like this show.  

We had school conferences a couple of weeks ago, too.  Morgan has nearly
met his communication goals for the entire year already.  We are thinking
about new ones now.  We love the speech teacher at his school.  She is in
his classroom nearly everyday.  He is progressing nicely in his other
areas, too.  At the meeting his teacher told me that the p.e. teacher had
been approached by an engineering class at Iowa State University about
using Morgan as a research model in creating a holder for pencils, markers,
crayons, etc. for kids with special needs.  I okayed it and they have
already come and made molds of his hands and taken pictures.  When it is
finished Morgan gets to keep it!  

On Sat. we took him and his cousins to the zoo for their Halloween walk. 
Everyone got lots of candy.  Morgan dressed in his costume, which is a
fireman. We have tricks or treats on Thurs. night this week.  Still going
horseback riding once a week.  The horses and woman who runs the riding
program have moved to a new stable and are hoping to ride all winter as she
has a small indoor arena.

For some of you who are interested:  As you know I have been giving updates
on Morgan's use of the TES unit.  He continues to use it on his legs, now,
alternating nights of left and right.  His p.t. is now considering trying
the NMES, which I learned about myself in SLC.  I had talked to the p.t.
there before his session and he told me a bit about it.  For you newbies,
TES (threshold electrical stimulation) is a small unit that connects to
electrodes that are placed where a dr. or p.t. determines (which muscle
groups need work.)  The unit is used while sleeping and only gives low
electrical stim., not enough to contract a muscle.  The idea is that the
muscle will be strengthened over a longer period of time.  You must be
committed to about 5-6 yrs.  NMES is neuromuscular electrical stim., the
difference is that it is used during p.t. time and it delivers a much
stronger electrical stimulus.  Originally when I had brought it up to our
p.t. she didn't think it was something for Morgan as he does have fairly
good strength in his legs.  She has reconsidered now, since he is heavier
and because she thinks that the stim. may add a sensory component that he
needs.  So, we are going to give it a try.

Can't think of anything else, at the moment.  LOL



The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names.
Old Chinese Proverb 

--- Holly, wife of Mike, mom of Morgan (6 yrs.) unbalanced translocation
t18q+ and 9p-,  & IS
    Des Moines, IA
    http://www.geocities.com/hmmmcormick   


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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