Maybe our best gift yet!!

Christmas 2009...and yes, little miss Jess was spoiled liked every other year.  My sister just sent me some photos and I just had to post them.  I find myself looking at every picture that has been taken of Jessica since her treatment.  I still can't believe how straight she sits, with her legs crossed, even when she gets excited. 

Well, It's been over six weeks since Jessica's Treatment at the X-Cell Center.  There has been some small improvements (but HUGE in my eyes).  Definitely better sitting, seems to interact with her toys a lot more, can hold / pick up things better than before, more vocal and seems to try and mimic me with tone, gets on hands and knees, lifts one hand while on hands and knees to try and grab things, her level of sight is not just on the floor but looks up for things on tables.

It's funny...over the holidays I found myself asking my husband when was the last time she had reflux?  We couldn't remember!!!  I say funny because this was something that we dealt with on a daily basis  to the point where after she fed, we didn't move her for about 20 minutes so that she wouldn't reflux all over her clothing.  I can't believe I didn't notice when it stopped.  This daily occurence was frustrating especially when I was rushing around (because I'm usually LATE!) and she refluxed all over herself, so I had to change her which made me ever LATER!!  We've also noticed that she has BIG burps...DRY BURPS...NO REFLUX after the burp!!  I now can put her on the floor after a feed without her spitting up...AMAZING!

Once again this is VERY exciting and I find myself wishing for more.  Something I've NEVER done before.  To see her do things she's never done before is like Christmas everyday.  I say keep the "GIFT" coming.   This is one happy momma! 

Montreal Trip

As parent, you want to do the best thing possible for your child and hope that you are making the right decision.  It's frustrating... and I don't think these decisions will ever get easier. 

It's been two weeks since our trip to Montreal and it hasn't been easy to put how our trip was into words.  What I can say is that we have found out more information about Jessica's back.  The doctor's at Shriner's Hospital were fantastic.  We were origianlly booked into the CP clinic and the doctor there thought we should see their Neuromuscular Surgeon.   He took us in immediately and took time away from his patients to explain in detail the problems with Jessica's back.  He is concerned about how much the curve progressed over the last two years and feels her back is in "big trouble".  One thing is for sure...It's not going to get better.  He wants her to get an MRI of her back so that he gets a better picture on what's going on.  Once we get this, I'm hoping I can explain things a bit better which may also make our decsion a lot easier.

Thanks again to the Huntsville Shriner's who were instrumental in helping us get to Montreal to see their amazing doctors.  I can't say thank you enough...

A Long Drive Ahead

I never thought I'd say it...I LOVE the internet!  This blog has allowed me to journal Jessica's Journey and hopefully in some small way help other families in similar situations.  It also serves as one of my THERAPIES. It's important for me to see just how far our little angel has come.  It also makes me think of how far Jess will continue to develop and achieve things in life.   


For the past 5 years we have been fighting for Jessica.  We have done conventional and unconventional therapies.  Today Jessica has come a long way...but also has a long way to go!  Next weekend we will be heading to Montreal to Shriners Hospital for Children.  There, we will be attending a CP clinic.  We are always looking ahead of our situation to make sure we are doing everything possible.    

Let's just hope it doesn't snow that day!