No sooner had we gotten home and settled in then Camden started yet another round of treatment: this time Vital Stim. For the remainder of this week and next, the Nemours Speech Pathologist will be meeting him for breakfast each morning. Sounds nice, huh? Well, there's also the addition of a few electrodes attached to Camden's neck that pulsate while he's eating. Tiny electric shocks release chemicals that help stimulate Camden's swallowing muscles. Similar to how the therasuit helped train Camden's brain to send messages for his muscles to move in certain patterns, the electrodes help train Camden's brain to swallow when food or saliva is in his mouth(hence less drooling). We assure you this procedure is completely safe and the only thing that bugs Camden is the fact that somethings on his neck. Okay, and pulling off the tape sucks! As for the "shocks" Kevin and I tested the device--it just feels like small vibrations and isn't really that noticeable. She also is trying Kinesio tape on his neck during the day. Two strips are placed under his neck and help to increase blood flow and provide more sensation. (Hey, this is just how she explained it to us! You may remember some of the Olympic athletes wearing the tape--we've added a picture of Kerry Walsh modeling the tape, although Camden makes it look a lot better!).
After Vital Stim today, we went to our scheduled feeding tube consult. We have decided to go ahead with the G-tube after hearing from so many other CP parents and medical professionals about its benefits. The good news is (Nana) Camden weighed in at 22.8 lbs (4 oz more than before Therasuit!). But if Camden's going to do this, we want him to be adjusted to it before Luke is born, and were hoping to take care of it before school starts. Unfortunately the Dr. performing the surgery will be out for 2 weeks so its tentatively set for 9/10 on a Thursday. We won't know the time until a few days before. Camden will most likely spend about 2 days in the hospital before coming home.
Camden's daytime eating routines will not change...the only time he'll get G-tube feedings will be at night. The plan is to use those extra hours to try to pack in some extra nutrition. Our hope and prayer is that the extra nutrition will not only benefit Camden physically, but mentally as well. Lisa says it should help to improve brain development. And the thing is, there's not a time-frame for how long it must stay in. If Camden can gain at least 5 lbs and increase his height, we'll be happy. But if his mobility is lost due to the placement of the tube, I've already told Kevin I'm going to want it OUT NNNNOOWWWW! We choose when it comes out.
Of course, we both got a little queezy when the scheduling lady came in to schedule the surgery. Just the word "surgery" freaks us out. We know our guy is tough (he's certainly proved that to us!) and will most likely be fine. We just can't help but feel anxious as this is the first surgery Camden will have had and there are some reports about painful recoveries. We'll insist on pain meds...if not for Camden, to settle the nerves of his nail-biting parents!
Above are some pictures of the Vital Stim procedure with electrodes and Camden modeling the kinesio tape.
4 comments:
You, Kevin, & Camden are in my prayers. He is such a strong and courageous little guy! Much love from the Williamson family.
WOW, go Camden!!! He is such a warrior; what an inspiring spirit! I can't wait to hear about VitalStim. And you will all be in my thoughts from now to surgery day!! We already wonder why we didn't do this sooner :) But I'm with you, still curious about the activity level. She is still healing, and SO ANTSY!
It will be hard, but we want him to gain weight! Plus it will be nice to finally have Camden confirm I am his favorite Aunt! Just keep telling yourselves, "Whatever is best for Camden!"
Betsy, I'm not sure how this will confirm you're his favorite Aunt...can you enlighten me?
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