BOTOX

We departed Barb & Laurie’s on Wednesday bright and early. Summer was hungry and cranky – as she was not allowed food or water after 10 pm the night before.

Summer received her Botox treatment on at Soldier’s Memorial Hospital by Dr. Jones, Developmental Pediatrician.

Summer receives conscious sedation orally about 30 min before the procedure.

Even with the calming effect of the sedation, Summer screamed like a banshee and flailed like a bass on a hook and that was when Dr. Jones was landmarking her spots with a pen… Oh the drama!

After a squirt of Lidocane on each of the pen marks – which she also wriggled and screamed for, it was time for the real pain. Summer received Botox injections in her bicep, forearm, thumb and calf. Though the Dr. says it is a small needle, it looks absolutely huge to me…

Botox is designed to lower the tone in the muscles to allow the opposing muscle to strengthen. It helps reduce the spasticity and enables her to do things like open her hand and reach with an open hand.

Summer tends to favour walking on the front of her right foot when not wearing her orthotic, so the injection in her calf reduces the tone and lets the heel come down.

#1 Lesson learned yesterday: Have your child use the washroom BEFORE the procedure - even if they say they don't have to go - unless you want to have a VERY damp lap. Thank goodness we still had our suitcases in the car... A three year can produce a lot of pee.

I keep hoping the Dr. will offer up the leftovers... at $450 per vial... I'd say I am already invested and deserve an expressionless face....

After Botox, we headed to Huntsville to a park for a little play-break, had lunch, got groceries and headed home.

It was an exhausting two days.

Casting on Monday –We’re a little nervous.