Three and a half weeks in to Kindergarten and one week with her cast on...thought I would jot down some updates on Morgan!
Kindergarten (all day Spanish Immersion in PL) was a bit of a struggle the first few weeks but getting there! I have received a phone call or email from the school every day except 2 at this point - various things regarding her orthotics, glasses, long walk & stairs are a problem when going from classroom over to Westwood school next door for gym/art/music (construction in progress), she had a meltdown after getting wet one day, new para wasn't hired, she fell, etc. etc. Hopefully they are just being overly cautious as they get to know her and I think still ramping up their Special Ed at this school. The good news is I think Morgan really enjoys it and seems so grown up with her stories after school :) and I love that she gets transportation straight home (when I am not traveling) so I get to be first to hear about her day.
Last Monday, we went into Gillette's for her Serial Casting. They casted her right leg only and of course she picked a pink cast. They were able to get her ankle to near 90 degree in the cast. She will have this one on for two weeks and next Monday we will go back in to remove and put a new one on with even greater flexion for another two weeks. She does still toe walk in her cast somehow but they said this is pretty normal and the next cast will be much harder for her to toe walk in. We scheduled a follow up with physical therapist and will likely have to have her orthotics redone after the casting also. Morgan actually doesn't seem to mind it- I thought it wouldn't be so cool after a couple of days but I think she gets a kick out of the attention and everyone commenting on her broken leg! Baths are a challenge but turns out they make rubber cast covers and sell them on Amazon, I highly recommend!
My Journey with hydrocephalus and Cerebral Palsy
Morgan Grace was born 3 1/2 months early on Aug, 21, 2012 weighing just 1 lb 7 oz and 13 inches long. Morgan was hospitalized at Children's Hospital NICU in Minneapolis, MN for 108 long days. During this time she encountered many medical challenges common to "micro preemies" but most devastating was to hear she had suffered from grade III/IV Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH / brain bleed). We were told she may never walk or talk and they would not be able to tell the severity of the damage until she is older. The IVH resulted in Hydrocephalus, a condition she will have for life. At two, Morgan was also diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
I have found it very difficult to find information online - stories and information on hydrocephalus, shunts and people's experiences - so decided to write this blog to share what we have been through. I hope some day that Morgan can take over writing from her perspective. More importantly I hope maybe it can shed some light for other hydrocephalus and Cerebral Palsy patients and families. We welcome comments and questions.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Hydrocephalus is also known as "water on the brain", is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head, convulsion, tunnel vision, and mental disability. Hydrocephalus can also cause death. It is more common in infants, although it can occur in older adults.
The cause of Cerebral Palsy is a brain injury that occurs while the brain is developing. As a result of the brain damage during brain development a child's muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance can be affected.
I have found it very difficult to find information online - stories and information on hydrocephalus, shunts and people's experiences - so decided to write this blog to share what we have been through. I hope some day that Morgan can take over writing from her perspective. More importantly I hope maybe it can shed some light for other hydrocephalus and Cerebral Palsy patients and families. We welcome comments and questions.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Hydrocephalus is also known as "water on the brain", is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head, convulsion, tunnel vision, and mental disability. Hydrocephalus can also cause death. It is more common in infants, although it can occur in older adults.
The cause of Cerebral Palsy is a brain injury that occurs while the brain is developing. As a result of the brain damage during brain development a child's muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance can be affected.
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Your little girl is beautiful and I hope she is doing great! I always recommend people to resort to physical therapy, because It's so beneficial to our physical and mental health, but mostly because it helps patients on their recovery. It's sad that people don't know how impactful undergoing physical therapy is. A website that has helped me become more aware of physical therapy and its importance is Preferred Rehab , you should check it out!
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