4 month check-up

It has officially been 4 months since Cam's SDR procedure, so what better thing to do than hop on a plane and go back to the place where it all happened - St Louis Children's Hospital!

Our appointment was Monday morning with Dr. Park.  We have anticipated this day since the surgery, and have prayed for so many miracles along the way, that it was very surreal to finally be there.  Dr. Park isn't a very animated person, but by his words I could tell that he was impressed with Cam's progress.  He made remarks about his ankle angle (which for those who don't remember, a 15 degree angle is normal and he started at -13 degree angle). He said the angle was "very close to normal"!  In regards to his hamstrings, "he is walking with a straight leg, so there is no need for lengthening surgery"!  Dr. Park was even prompting us to sign Cam up for athletic activities!  As a parent, that is what we all want to hear for our child, who isn't seen as "normal" in the world's eyes.

Our final instructions were: cut back on the PT appts to 1 day a week (which is a huge answer to prayer), continue to stretch his calf muscle as often as we can, AND cancel the tendon lengthening procedures that were scheduled for the next day - what a much shorter, and more encouraging list than the last time. 

Dr. Park and Camden

Here are a few photos from our whirlwind 2 day trip to St. Louis:



Enjoying a little Imo's pizza!

Spending some time at the Science Center

A giant hamster wheel that produces power to operate a large marble maze

 A beautiful sunset to cap off a great trip on the ride home at 30,000 feet

We want to thank you all for your prayers and support for us over the past 4 months.  We are able to look back at this and see how God has answered many prayers along the way, which were hard to see at times being in the midst of the mountains we were climbing.  We continue to ask for your prayers as Cam comes to mind. 

We also want to give recognition to those who have been on Cam's healing team throughout this process.  His Physical Therapist, Katie, who has worked countless hours with our son and been by his side not only for the surgery aftermath, but she has been with him since his diagnosis at 18 months. She has motivated him, cheered him on, and has picked him up when he has fallen.  She made a point to make his therapy sessions fun while focusing on the job at hand. Camden also benefited therapy with two other therapists from the same clinic who were amazing with him, Karen and Andrea. Thanks ladies!

Cam also received some wonderful help from Joanne who is also a physical therapist, but has been trained in serial casting.  She along with several interns, provided Cam with his lovely leg casts that were applied each week.  I never realized what looks like such a simple thing (a cast), could be so complicated!  There are nerves to be aware of when casting, muscles to protect along with being careful of areas that could cause blistering.  I won't go into all of the details, but lets just say they earned their donuts I brought them at the end of the month! 

We also want to say thanks to Cam's Orthotist, Paul.  He has been the one in charge of the braces that are made for Camden.  He spends many hours with us making sure to "get it right" and this has allowed Cam's gait pattern to improve along with stretching out his calf muscle and heel chord.  This too, is a delicate process. 

One last word of thanks goes to big brother, Michael, and big sis, Macie.  I will tell you, they really have been his number one fans!  They have prayed many a prayer on Cam's behalf, made posters and decorated his room for his return from St. Louis after surgery, they have helped, loved, and given him words of encouragement, and have gone to countless doctor appointments and therapies.  He is one lucky duck to have these two by his side!  When Camden was first diagnosed, the neurologist told us that having a big brother and sister would be the very best therapy for him because he would HAVE to, and WANT to keep up....couldn't be more true:)

This will be something that will have an affect on him his entire life, however we are now more hopeful because of the SDR procedure.  We believe  he has a much better outlook, and a lot fewer surgeries in his future to correct problems that would have arisen due to the spasticity caused by the stroke.  His body has a chance to grow "normally"...whatever that looks like for a child with hemiplegia.