Exciting changes!!

Hey guys! So we are about 4 weeks post stem cell treatment. We have already seen some AMAZING changes! As I have posted before, he is definitely using his left hand more. Yesterday during physical therapy, he was even using his left hand to prop sit!!! Before, if we had him sitting and he started falling, he didn't have the protective reflex to catch himself. He now does this consistently! His physical therapist has said that she can tell a huge difference! We give all the Glory to God and are so thankful to everyone for helping us give Zane this chance!! We are considering taking him to Germany again next year to see what kind of additional awesome results we can get! I have been very pleased with what we have seen so far!

Last Friday he got Botox for the 2nd time. They give Botox to kids with cerebral palsy to help relax muscles and block nerve impulses going to those muscles. (This in turn drastically reduces the spasticity) The only bad thing about the Botox is that it wears off anywhere between 3 and 6 months, so it's a procedure that has to be continually repeated. He received 250 units of Botox in his legs. The last time he got Botox, he received 150 units so hopefully we will really start to see some awesome results! The neurologist has agreed to do it again in 3 months if it has wore off. She is excited to see what happens with the stem cell treatment also.

I am going to try to update as often as I can. I will update as we see new changes! Thanks everyone for all of your prayers and support and for helping us make "A Way For Zane!" :)

It's been a week and a half!

Sorry I haven't updated since we have been home. We have been really busy with getting stuff put away, going back to work, taking Zane to therapy, etc. Last week all of his therapists told me they could tell a difference. He said the word "balloon" a few times for the speech therapist. Our physical therapist says she can tell a difference as well. He seems to be more social and happier. Of course, he is really tired at times but I attribute that to his body is tired from trying to heal itself. He is definitely using his left hand more. He putting objects in it to play with and it isn't in a fist when he feeds himself or takes a drink anymore! That, to me, is a HUGE accomplishment! The doctors in Germany told us that it could take 5-6 weeks before we start noticing his muscle tightness getting better. I am so excited everyday to see what changes we might see. We are supposed to go next week for Botox injections. He has had this done once before and it loosened his muscles up for about 1 1/2 months but then it wore off. They give Botox in his legs to relax his muscles. In the mean time, we do intense stretching and strengthening exercises. We are asking for prayers for less spasticity in his muscles and continuation of progress. We are all very thankful to everyone who made this possible for Zane!

Just a day of relaxing...

Today we have spent the day relaxing in the hotel. Zane has been playing with his cars and watching movies. He has been acting totally normal and hasn't been in any pain at all today. So far, it seems as though Zane's left hand is A LOT looser than it was before. He is actually using it to help play with his cars. Normally he keeps it fisted up. Last night he had a car in both hands. This is a HUGE improvement. Today, when he was asking for a drink, he said "da-rink," normally he says "dink." These may seem like small improvements but even the smallest thing can change Zane's quality of life. We are expecting to see more improvements in the next several days/weeks/months! We have had a great time here, but we are ready to come home! Tomorrow will be a long day as we start our journey by arriving at the airport at 7 am (midnight back home) Our flight will land in St. Louis at 4:30 pm tomorrow afternoon. We are so excited to see our family! Dean and Rhonda and Ezekiel will be picking us up at the airport! We have missed him SOO much! We are planning on eating dinner (McDonalds again) and getting to bed early so we can get some rest for our big day! We are all packed up and ready to go! Thanks again to all of you who have supported us before, during and after this trip! God Bless you all!