Like a Champ

 A few months ago when we visited with Morgan's neurosurgeon he suggested the idea of trying Botox (yes, Botox in a 5 year old) to help loosen up her inner thigh muscles. He thought that loosing these muscles would help Morgan with her walking. We have contemplated the idea for a few months because Morgan's PT was nervous about the idea of loosing those muscles. She worried that Morgan was relying solely on those muscles to stand and walk and if we loosened them she might lose the ability to stand and walk with assistance. We went back and forth for a while, but in the end decided we wouldn't know if we didn't try. Thankfully the Botox wears off in 4-5 months so if it doesn't work there is no long term harm done. We talked with Morgan about it and she wanted to give it a try. 

So on Tuesday morning at 3 am David and I got up and ready to hit the road. Morgan had to be at the outpatient surgical unit at Desert Ban.ner hospital in Mesa by 6:15. A few minutes before 4 we were ready. We grabbed both girls straight from bed and put them in their pjs right into their carseats. We were hoping they would both just sleep the whole way up. Kenzie did, but I think Morgan was feeling a bit anxious about the day. She slept off and on until around 5:30 and then wanted to play in her i.pad.

When we arrived at the hospital Morgan was in a great mood. She knew what was going to happen for the day and was prepared for it. She also knew that as soon as she was done we were going to get to go to breakfast with her Nanny and Pa. I think that is what got her through the whole morning in such a great mood. She never once shed a tear or complained. She is such an amazing and brave girl.

Here are some pictures from that morning:

Waiting to see the doc.

Morgan brought her horse Sparky with her for comfort.

They had to put Morgan under for the procedure. The whole thing, IV, anethesia, and shots took less than 10 minutes total.

Awake and happy as can be.

Showing off her bandaide from her IV. She and her nurse even put a bandaide on Sparky.

Her prize from the toy closet for being so brave!

Ready for breakfast!

We are now two days out from the injections. Morgan is doing well and very happy with the changes she is seeing in her legs. By Tuesday afternoon when we were home Morgan was already noticing a change in her walking. She was very excited that her left foot wasn't catching nearly as bad on her right when taking steps. She kept shouting "look at me walking!" The doctor said that we can expect to see it increase over the next 5-10 days, plateau for 4 to 4 1/2 months, and then it will tapper off. We are excited with the changes we have seen thus far, but nervous that after only 2 days we have seen such positive changes. We are nervous that if it continues to increase over the next week that it will be too much, she will be too loose. We shall see. In the meantime Morgan is back at school and happy as can be, which is all we can really ask for. 

We love our little champ and are just so very proud of how brave she is.