It's been over two weeks now since my 3 1/2 year old nephew Danny was diagnosed with Acute Transverse Myelitis. At the time, he'd lost the ability to walk. Wonderful Kossacks virtually held my hand & wished good thoughts, while Danny was in the ER being tested and ultimately diagnosed.
The following Saturday I followed up with a diary with little update, as his condition had changed little. But on Tuesday, he was moving his legs, and was released from Loyola. By last Saturday night, he was crawling.
And Sunday, he was standing next to his crib, holding himself up using the rails.
Monday was his first therapy session at the Rehabilitation Hospital. It did not go well. Those of you who have followed from the start know that Danny's... his own guy. When the doctors asked too many questions, or high fived too often, Danny stopped interacting. When the nurses probed too many times, he answered all questions "NO!"
A nurse asked, "Are you saying no because something hurts, or because you don't like me." Danny replied, "I don't LIKE YOU."
The rehabilitation people seem to work on a "do this job, get a reward" system, while Danny's mommy is a little more clever, and turns the jobs into a game. (For example, move your legs - to let the truck drive under.)
Day one went poorly. Daddy was there, and - was not 100% supportive. (Picked then and there to discuss child rearing techniques.) Day two did go better, though not brilliantly.
At home, Danny was crawling. And then, as he sat on the large air mattress in the living room, he rolled himself off the side, and began to 'furniture surf' - walking - stiff-legged - along the side of the mattress, and later, along other furniture.
The therapists and doctors still do not feel they can give a prognosis. StrangeAnimals agreed that Danny might do well with a walker or a toy that acts as a walker. Danny's mom is going to ask the therapist about that (mom thinks they may want to avoid giving him 'crutches' so that he improves more quickly - Aunt thinks the more mobile he is, the more he'll strengthen his legs ... and that he'll want to abandon any walking aid ASAP.)
We're talking about taking him on a train - something he's been talking about since before going in the hospital - before the end of the month, and maybe to visit the zoo.
Thank you, as always, for your continued good thoughts.