New AFO's

It had been really hard to get back to our normal routine but I know that it's important for Asher and it has also been a welcome distraction.  I took Asher to get his new afo's on Wednesday and they are super cute.  The skull and crossbones ended up being a great choice, even the orthotist was impressed by how nice they turned out.  Asher also got fitted for his derotation straps which were made while we waited.  Both the afo's and derotation straps have really been helping.  The afo's are a great fit and the derotation straps have corrected the problem of his left leg turning in at the hip.  He was so cute walking up and down the hall of the orthotist's office in his walker.  He looked great.  I even had him walk through the waiting area and out the front door.  I didn't think we would ever get out of the office.  Every few steps he would turn his head and say bye-bye to the receptionists at the front desk.  They would laugh and tell him how cute he was and he just kept on hamming it up.  He is going to be quite the little flirt.


new afos and shoes



derotation straps

Both times I have gone to the orthotist to get Asher's braces they have also provided a pair of shoes that will accomodate his braces.  The last shoes he got were black and reminded me a little of shape-ups but they look like designer kicks compared to the pair I got on Wednesday.  Mark and I had a good laugh but we can't understand why shoe makers can't understand that these kids already have enough things that make them feel different, their shoes don't need to be one of them. 

  

We were supposed to go in for Botox on Tuesday but I postponed the appointment until next week.  Asher had a cold which turned into a double ear infection so I thought it would be a good idea to get over all of that first.  I have to say that Asher has been such a little trooper since his surgery and that whole thing went very smoothly.  I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that he won't need it repeated later on.

Asher & his friend Savannah



Surgery...Again

We've suspected for a while that Asher has an inguinal hernia.  We've noticed while giving him a bath that the right side of his groin area is getting very large and swollen.  I took him to his second urorolgist appointment on Monday and the doctor told me that it not only looks like a hernia but that his hydrocele has also come back.  Asher had surgery for a hydrocele about a year ago but because the hole was so large it seems like it has reopened.  The doctor said that this is uncommon but it does happen.  The surgery was scheduled for the end of April but the area is staying enlarged for longer periods of time and the doctor thought it would be a good idea to move it up.  I wasn't expecting it to be scheduled so soon (tomorrow) but I'm glad that it's going to be taken care of and I'm hoping that we won't have to go through this again.

Playing with Mom's scarf

On a lighter note...we ordered Asher's Kaye posterior rolling walker yesterday.  I also ordered the blue camo decals to go on it to make it a little more fun.  There weren't a lot of options to choose from.  The rep from the company asked me if my husband is a hunter which I thought was really funny.  I didn't think camo was just for hunters anymore?  Mark asked whether the guy thought he was out hunting smurfs.  Too funny.  We also ordered Asher's new afo's and decided on the jolly roger (skull & crossbones) pattern.  I think they'll be so cute.  I went back and forth a few times on the pattern.  I'm sure the lady at the orthotists office thought I was completely neurotic.  The last time I made Mark call and change it because I was so embarrased.  We should be getting them in about a week.


Asher's current afo's

   



New AFOs

I took Asher to see the orthotist today.  He's been having some problems with his current AFOs.  His current ankle/foot braces are an smo/afo combo (a smaller ankle height brace that can be worn alone or snapped into the bigger calf height brace)  The afos are supposed to keep him from being able to walk on his toes but that hasn't been the case.  Everytime I take his shoes off I notice that he's pulled out of the smos and his heel is getting caught.  I couldn't figure out what was going on for a while, I just knew he cried and fussed until I took them off.  The orthotist was able to add some extra padding in his current afos to fix to the problem but recasted Asher and said we needed to order a new pair.  I know this sounds silly but I get very picky when I have to choose the design for his afos.  I guess I just feel that if this is something we have to have I want it to be the cutest we can get.  I'll include some pics when we get the new afos.  I'm trying to decide between the skull and crossbones pattern or the space pattern (opinions are welcome), I even called the company and had them email pictures of what the pattern looks like on the actual afos (all the website had was the different patterns).

We got Asher a new Kettler trike yesterday.  We thought it would be great because you can buy a seatbelt and a parent controlled pushbar but I don't think the pushbar is going to let us steer it around as easily as we would like.  This whole search started because Asher hates riding around in his stroller but loves to be outside.  We started looking at smart trikes but they just seem so plasticy and cheap (but not a cheap price tag).  We've started the search all over but have seen a promising schwinn tricycle that may be a good fit.  Hopefully we find something that will work and make walks a little easier.

The Kettler Trike we have

The Schwinn Trike

1 1/2 yr wrap up (recap)

Summary of issues Asher is currently working on (doing this to bring this blog up to present day).  If anyone wants more details of these items, please send an email.

At 21 months, Asher has the following to contend with.

• Walking up on toes (with gait trainer or cruising along furniture)
• We are using AFOs (ankle/foot braces) for several hours daily to work on this
• Asher's right side seems to be the bigger issue (contrary to all predictions)
• However, we now are noticing his left leg turns in at the hip while working on walking
• Asher crawls with his right hand in a fist
• Working with a few different gait trainers (similar to a rolling walker but more supportive with more attachments and adjustments) learning to walk
• More to come on this subject
• Asher W-Sits because he has a hard time long-sitting (sitting with legs stretched out in front)

• Asher has had botox injections in the hamstrings
• This is to help with stretching and be able to long-sit
• The botox helps to relax the muscles so they aren't so tight.  As with traditional botox the effects wear off in a short period of time ( typically3-6 months)
• Asher will need a hernia surgery in the near future

OK, done with the depressing part of this blog.  On to the current events and more fun times.