Catching Up: Day 80: June 23, 2012

Dallas in his "Dallas Cowboys"
compression garments.  :)

We have been so busy these past few days.  I've barely had time to breathe.  Dallas is doing alright.  We had a few bumps in the road, but overall, he's doing well.

A few days ago, he woke up and was unable to move his head.  His neck was so stiff and tight, he couldn't even sit up without being in agonizing pain.  When I looked at his neck, where he was saying it was hurting, I was shocked to see all the new hypotrophic scarring that has begun to set in.  It looks so rigid, so bumpy, so thick.  It's terrible to see him going through such a hard time.  And the only way to smooth it out is to perform a deep tissue massage, breaking up (and "popping") the scar tissue.  So I massaged the area for about 20 minutes, and it started to release the stiffness.

The hypotrophic scarring is also starting to progress to the left side of his face.  It is getting more and more ridged and raised every day.  His skin is starting to tighten across his neck, his face, his chest, his right arm (near the armpit), and a few other areas.  This is really starting to limit his mobility, so we have to work harder with him, perform more aggressive therapy and massage, and try and get his range of motion back.  They did say it would get and look worse, before it gets better.  Sigh.  This is so difficult.  Every aspect of this.  Mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, it continues to get harder and harder, draining us more and more.  And it's taking it's toll on Dallas as well.  There are days that he just wants to give up.  He says he sad that this happened to him, that he didn't want it to happen.  That this hurts him.  It's awful to inflict pain on Dallas, and try and explain to him that it will make him better.  But how can we expect a five year old to fully comprehend it?  We can't.

PT on the tire swing

We tell our children, "if something hurts, don't to it" but now, we make him do things that hurt.  What sense does that make (in their minds)?

Not everything is bad news, though.  Dallas is getting around better and getting more brave with each day.  He is able to walk up and down the stairs on his own (though we still stand next to him, and he holds on to the rail).  He is able to jump.  He is walking on his tip toes.  He has even started running!  I'm a nervous wreck.  But he's getting stronger every day.  :)

I will try and keep everyone updated as often as possible.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers!