Botox for Brandon

We've recently been introduced to the world of botox, unfortunately it is not for the wrinkles that are starting to appear on my face. Relaxing muscles is helpful for many different reasons and managing tone is one of them.

An occupational therapist at Shriner's Hospital recommended botox for his left arm to increase function and help him be able to use his left hand better especially when he uses his walker.

So we met with a physiatrist (a rehab doctor) who agreed that he needed botox. She introduced me to a new aspect of Brandon's care. As he continues to grow the tone in his left side will likely increase. And there are many ways to manage this tone, but botox is the best option for him right now.

The neurolgoist explained it this way: the brain is like the gas for your body and the spinal cord is like the brakes. So with the brain not working on his left side he only gets brakes so he gets too much tension in his muscles.

Friday we went for his first injections. I had no idea what to expect becuase we opted not to use sedation and so they told me to be ready to help hold him down and give him pain reliever prior to the appointment. So I was a bit apprehensive about it but it wasn't that bad. There were 2 staff members and I holding him down, the doctor did the injections and there was a music therapist there to help distract him as well. The whole thing lasted no more than 5 minutes and I think it went fine. The botox only lasts 3 to 4 months. So we'll have to evaluate how effective it is in helping him. It can take up to 2 weeks to see the results, but as we were walking out of hosptial on Friday we could already see an impact.

I never cease to be amazed at all he has figured out how to do. He has conquered so many tasks that we didn't know whether he'd ever get. His physical therapist's visits have become show and tell for me because in the two week period of time between our visits he has made so much progress that she is in awe. He will do great and we are confident of that.