Doctor Visit

Wednesday we went to see Dr. Molnar so he could evaluate Dallas' last round of steroid injections.  He was very pleased to see that they have helped out his neck and arm, and said that it even appears some redness has subsided.  YAY!  (hard to tell his redness subsiding since we see him everyday).

He is concerned with some areas of thick scarring and is positive that Dallas will be needing contracture release surgery along with more grafting.  This would include his arm, near the armpit, his elbow area, and the thick band of scarring across his chest.  He advised us that the longest he could wait to have this done would be next summer.

Since Dallas is in school, I believe we will just wait until mid-summer to have him go through surgery.  The surgery will render him immobile for weeks, if not months, so during the school year is out of the question.  He is just now meeting friends and getting adjusted to kindergarten life.  It would be wrong to take him out of it already.

And we don't want to do this at the beginning of the summer and have Dallas completely miss out on his summer again!  So I was thinking maybe mid-July.  This is when it would be too hot to go out and play anyways, and would give him a partial summer.  I think it is something we will be discussing with Dr. Molnar on Dallas' next visit.

We have to go back to Winston-Salem on January 14&15 for Dallas' next round of steroid injections.  The 14th will just be for his physical, to make sure he is in good medical condition to go through with the surgery.  The 15th he will have the injections done.  This time, Dr. Molar wants to focus on his armpit area, inner elbow, and the band across his chest.

Hopefully this next round will help out as much as the first round did!  If so, maybe his surgery will be minimal.

Dallas will still have another 2-3 sets of injections prior to surgery (if we set it in July).

On the way home, Dallas was complaining that his throat was hurting him.  When we got home, he had a low grade fever and did the next morning as well.  So he didn't go to therapy Thursday morning, nor did he go to school.  Last night, his fever spiked to 102.5.  So I took him into the doctor today, and it was deemed that he has an upper respiratory infection.  He was given amoxicillin and if he isn't feeling better by Monday, they want to see him for a check up.

Hopefully the meds will clear it up, as we don't want this turning into bronchitis or worse.

For now, plenty of rest, Ginger Ale, Chicken Noodle Soup, and Applesauce.  :)

I will update his condition over the weekend.

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend, and keep Dallas in your thoughts!

Things are Getting Better

It's been a while since I have last posted.  I am sure that many of you still come around to see how Dallas is doing.  Well... things are going good.

He had his steroid injections about 6 weeks ago.  We will need to go this week for a check up.
It seems to have helped his neck and right arm (in the armpit area) enabling him to lift his arm up higher.  However, it has caused more problems in the elbow area.  He is now completely unable to put his arm straight.
Guess you have to take the good with the bad.
We fear that he will definitely have to have a contracture release in that area... but hopefully another round of steroid injections could loosen it?
I will have to find out what the Doctor says Wednesday.

Dallas has started public school.  I have officially shut down the Homeschool because he wanted to be around other kids.
At first, I was quite fearful of this.  I was afraid of how the other kids would react to him, how the teachers would handle it, IF they would be able to handle a child with this type of injury.  But, he's been going about a month now... and he enjoys every day.  Sure, there are days when he is tired and completely worn out, but overall, he really loves it.  He wakes up every day, ready to go!

And it's absolutely amazing how many people have been completely supportive.  He has SO many friends.
I remember when I was in school, people didn't want to be friends with the "different" kid.  And that is what I was afraid of.  But people just warmed right up to him.  They helped him, and on his very first day, he made his best friend... Ethan.
A week ago, he went to another friends birthday party, where he had a great time!
Things just get better and better for him.  I think socially, this is the best thing for him, and each and every day we take him and pick him up from school, I get to meet another one of his friends.
Kids from Pre-K all the way through Fifth Grade are friends with him, help him, guide him, and are there for him.  It's heartwarming to know how blessed he (and we) truly are.

Dallas had a great Thanksgiving.  He was able to see his grandma, grandpa, and Bubba (Tyler).  He was so thrilled.

He is also ready for Christmas.  We are making it a family tradition to go to Gatlinburg every year, from now on.  2 years ago, we went there for Christmas and the kids had such an amazing time.  This year, we're doing the same.  The kids will be able to go to the indoor water park, walk downtown and see the lights, there are so many crafts and activities, and so much more.  We are really looking forward to this Christmas.  :)

I will update again once we find out what the Doctors say.

Hope everyone is doing well.  And thank you for your support, prayers, and thoughts.