At exactly 1:17 pm, Thursday July 26th, 2012 my son was officially diagnosed with CP. At 1:18 pm, I was absolutely resolute to not allow this to prevent my child from being the best he can be while coping with his condition.
Since December 2011 we knew this was the most likely outcome of Cashton's early arrival.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive,[1][2] non-contagious motor conditions that cause physical disability in human development, chiefly in the various areas of body movement. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain and can occur during pregnancy, during childbirth or after birth up to about age three.[4][5] Resulting limits in movement and posture cause activity limitation and are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, depth perception and other sight-based perceptual problems, communication ability; impairments can also be found in cognition, and epilepsy is found in about one-third of cases. CP, no matter what the type, is often accompanied by secondary musculoskeletal problems that arise as a result of the underlying etiology.
We have been blessed with a gorgeous child, who has brought so much joy to us already, but needs us more than ever. His mother and I will provide anything that helps, no matter the cost; but most importantly, will keep giving him all the love he needs to master every milestone the Lord allows him.
Savanah, his big sister, will hug, kiss and play with him like she always has-she is his best friend.
I am heartbroken.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The Stocking...
Kimberley and I enjoy having breakfast together. Savy watches Cash, or I should say, Cash watches Savy. Anyhow, it gives us time to reconnect and get the day started right, and gives us another opportunity to share thoughts about our kiddos.
This mornings chat was a good one, so I wanted to post it as soon as possible, preserving our thoughts and feelings for our future reflection.
Kim: So yesterday on the way home from work I was thinking about when I will decorate for Christmas.(Yes, K is a control freak/planner. We are going on a family trip the day after Turkey day, the normal time she decorates the house for Christmas) She starts tearing up. K: I remember packing up after Christmas last year and when I Put Cashton's stocking away, I cried and prayed as I folded it up. Me: It was tough not having him home last year, wasn't it? Crying she says K: Yes, but I wasn't sure he would be with us this year. I thought about how hard it would be to open up the boxes and find his stocking if we had lost him. (I sat there speechless) Choked up Me: That prayer has been answered, hasn't it? K: Yes, it has.
We hugged.
I love how close these feelings and talks make us. We cannot believe we are getting so close to his first birthday; miracles do happen, everyday.
Have a great weekend everyone!
This mornings chat was a good one, so I wanted to post it as soon as possible, preserving our thoughts and feelings for our future reflection.
Kim: So yesterday on the way home from work I was thinking about when I will decorate for Christmas.(Yes, K is a control freak/planner. We are going on a family trip the day after Turkey day, the normal time she decorates the house for Christmas) She starts tearing up. K: I remember packing up after Christmas last year and when I Put Cashton's stocking away, I cried and prayed as I folded it up. Me: It was tough not having him home last year, wasn't it? Crying she says K: Yes, but I wasn't sure he would be with us this year. I thought about how hard it would be to open up the boxes and find his stocking if we had lost him. (I sat there speechless) Choked up Me: That prayer has been answered, hasn't it? K: Yes, it has.
We hugged.
I love how close these feelings and talks make us. We cannot believe we are getting so close to his first birthday; miracles do happen, everyday.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
One Mans Small Is Another Mans Big
They tell you when you start PT or visit with the Neurologist that improvement or change comes in baby steps. You will nod your head in agreement, but hope that the developmental milestones come sooner rather than later. Many times they do. Sometimes they don't.
Cash has now been receiving therapy for about 6 weeks. The first few times are pretty tough to see. Your parental instinct to comfort your baby is strong, and each time he cries you want to jump up and say "Stop!". You know whats best for him, so you allow it to continue. The therapist is pushing your child to do their best and that sometimes means a few tears. I equate it to an adult working out and grunting. It's no fun, but you know whats necessary for you to acheive your goals.
Four times a week, I witness my son screaming, breathing hard and the tears roll down his cheeks. Its just short of miserable, but the end goal makes it worth it. Our therapists are great, and they give Cash time to recover and after a bit, even they know when to say when. We are lucky to have them, good therapists are hard to find.
My pointing this out is not to gain sympathy, but to express how tough these days can be, sometimes. Then there are those amazing moments, like when your child lifts his head and turns it while on his belly. Most parents enjoy this as a typical milestone, expecting it to come in time. We may appreciate it more than most, considering it took about 40 hrs of therapy to reach that goal. Between the therapists four, one hour visits and our additional 30 min to hour workout we give Cash each day, it adds up. Think about Crossfit, or some other hardcore workout, then apply it to a 4 month old(corrected age) and consider it 7 days a week. Sometimes even more. It's a commitment, no doubt.
The little victories that we as parents experience with our children are memorable. The first crawl, the first bite, the first word etc. As a parent of a child with special needs, we get excited when the leg is moved up, before the crawl. One mans small, is another mans big.
Kimberley pulled out the first multiple head rotation while on his belly the other day. I'm glad it happened on her watch, I know that sometimes she feels a little in the dark in regards to therapy.
When these little miracles happen, I always go back to Cash' birth, the viability test and when the nurses started calling Cash Rocky. We've come a long way, but have a long road ahead.
I pray for the strength on those days I don't want to make the drive to PT, or those weeks of seemingly no change, to keep it up and stay positive. I guess I'll just hold my little warrior and wait for his smile, its better than coffee or a red bull. Cash provides the motivation, does the work and manages the shortcomings; all I have to do is encorage him. My job is easy.
Cash has now been receiving therapy for about 6 weeks. The first few times are pretty tough to see. Your parental instinct to comfort your baby is strong, and each time he cries you want to jump up and say "Stop!". You know whats best for him, so you allow it to continue. The therapist is pushing your child to do their best and that sometimes means a few tears. I equate it to an adult working out and grunting. It's no fun, but you know whats necessary for you to acheive your goals.
Four times a week, I witness my son screaming, breathing hard and the tears roll down his cheeks. Its just short of miserable, but the end goal makes it worth it. Our therapists are great, and they give Cash time to recover and after a bit, even they know when to say when. We are lucky to have them, good therapists are hard to find.
My pointing this out is not to gain sympathy, but to express how tough these days can be, sometimes. Then there are those amazing moments, like when your child lifts his head and turns it while on his belly. Most parents enjoy this as a typical milestone, expecting it to come in time. We may appreciate it more than most, considering it took about 40 hrs of therapy to reach that goal. Between the therapists four, one hour visits and our additional 30 min to hour workout we give Cash each day, it adds up. Think about Crossfit, or some other hardcore workout, then apply it to a 4 month old(corrected age) and consider it 7 days a week. Sometimes even more. It's a commitment, no doubt.
The little victories that we as parents experience with our children are memorable. The first crawl, the first bite, the first word etc. As a parent of a child with special needs, we get excited when the leg is moved up, before the crawl. One mans small, is another mans big.
Kimberley pulled out the first multiple head rotation while on his belly the other day. I'm glad it happened on her watch, I know that sometimes she feels a little in the dark in regards to therapy.
When these little miracles happen, I always go back to Cash' birth, the viability test and when the nurses started calling Cash Rocky. We've come a long way, but have a long road ahead.
I pray for the strength on those days I don't want to make the drive to PT, or those weeks of seemingly no change, to keep it up and stay positive. I guess I'll just hold my little warrior and wait for his smile, its better than coffee or a red bull. Cash provides the motivation, does the work and manages the shortcomings; all I have to do is encorage him. My job is easy.
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