Orthopedic Visit, More Exciting Firsts, and Good News!

In my previous post, I mentioned that Levi had taken his first steps in his gait trainer, which is a specialized walker.  Since then, he has taken more steps and has added another first to his growing list.  Last night in the bath tub, he splashed for the very first time!  Although he's been able to kick his legs for the past few years, he has never done so in the bath.  When he splashed, he laughed.  I asked him to do it again, and he did.  We went on like this for a while :)

Today, he was vocalizing more than usual, and would make noises in response when we talked to  him.  This little guy is growing more and more!  He shared our cheesecake at lunch.  Levi thought my banana cream cheesecake was sort of tasty, but he flipped over Patrick's salted caramel cheesecake.  What can I say, the kid has good taste :)

Levi had an appointment with the orthopedic doctor today.  His feet have been turning inward and pointing down for quite a while, and it's grown progressively worse.  He takes daily medication for tight muscles, and gets Botox injections a couple times a year to keep them from tightening so much that it causes him pain.

The doctor said the tightness in his feet is caused by more than tight muscles.  His Achilles tendon is too short.  Next month he will have surgery to lengthen the tendon so his feet will be able to stand flat.  He will have short casts on both legs for about four weeks, and after that he'll have special braces.  Though we are never excited for another surgery, this should make a huge difference for Levi in comfort as well as productivity.

Stay tuned for more great things!  As we have always said, God is doing wondrous things for Levi.  It feels wonderful to see him so happy!

Levi and his big brother Tommy:)

First Steps!

Levi has continued to do very well!  In my last post I mentioned that he would be weaning some medications, specifically Poly Cytra K and Reglan.  Poly Cytra K went off without a hitch.  I was very nervous about weaning Reglan, since this med is what helps his stomach empty, and I feared he would begin vomiting daily again.

Thank the good Lord, that did not happen!  He is completely off Reglan now, and doing very well.  Levi seems to become more alert every time we drop meds off the list.  He is learning so much more now.  Just recently, he took his first steps in the gait trainer, which is a specialized walker.

He has been using this type of device since he was about 18 months old.  His teacher told me he was sitting in the gait trainer at the end of school.  He was not wearing ankle braces (his feet point down and turn inward due to cerebral palsy), because he wore them earlier in the day and he doesn't tolerate them all day.  She said it happened all of a sudden and they were all shocked.

In his fuzzy little socks, Levi pushed off the floor with his toes, and took about 10 steps!  This news is so exciting!  It's the first real indication that he is becoming more independent and moving on his own.

That is not the only wonderful thing going on with Levi.  He is learning to communicate.  I've known for a long time that he understands what we say, as we can ask him to do something such as bend his leg, and he will do it.  Now he has learned to shake his head no when we ask him questions.  If two items are held before him, he looks at both a couple times, and chooses which one he wants by turning his head and looking steadily at the one he wants.  

I'm so happy to report that he is thriving!  Thanks for all the prayers!  Please keep them coming :)