This week Natasha begins intense physical therapy for her development, 1 hour sessions, hopefully twice daily, depending on other appointments. Initially this is to help improve her muscle tone, strengthen her trunk and give better head control.
Natasha began Intense Physical Therapy today with Kerri at Children's Memorial Hospital. Kerri was very positive about Natasha's outcome, she stated that Natasha wants to do more than her body allows, which is a good, very good! With Intense therapy Natasha's body should hopefully begin to work in connection with her mind, causing less frustration and will enable her to coordinate to her full potential. Will be back to add a further update in one week, any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
After meeting with Dr Nordli on Thursday we know we have Natasha in the best hands at Children's Memorial Hospital. Dr Nordli is confident he will get Natasha's seizures under control with a bit of fine tuning required but firstly 2 other complications have come to light that needs investigated priority. Natasha's oxygen levels are dropping and heart rate is increasing which has raised concern, she is being readmitted to hospital for a sleep study which will measure - The airflow, Heart Rate & Rhythm, Oxygen Levels, Chest Wall Movement, Abdominal Wall Movement, Limb Movements, Eye Movements. Also After inspection of the MRI it has shown that the ventricles in the brain are enlarged which is causing more excess fluid on the brain a specialist who specialises in this field has commenced investigation. 23rd July 2008 Natasha is being admitted to Central Dupage Hospital on Monday for her Sleep Study. She is no longer having seizures through the day but continues having 1 - 10 nocturnal seizures during the night, causing her oxygen levels to drop and her heart rate to increase, Dr Nordli is confident that these can be brought under control.
Natasha is now clasping her hands and has started to roll from her back onto her stomach using her elbows to put weight through her arms to hold her head up.
Natasha was admitted to Intensive Care on Sunday 3rd August, now moved to Floor 3 in Children's Memorial Hospital. Admitted with vomiting, breathing difficulties and oxygen levels dropping, continues at present on oxygen and getting regular Respiratory Treatment and pain relief, breathing still very laboured, awaiting consultation with surgeon. Will be back with any further updates or improvement at the earliest convenience., please continue to say a prayer for Natasha.
Natasha was readmitted to intensive care today to commence Bipap Therapy which she will remain on for the foreseeable future at nights. Bipap is a machine which helps her to breath, it gives continuous breaths per minute and will automatically kick in when Natasha stops breathing during sleep. How it works- its a little hat that goes over her head attached to a mask with tubing connecting to the machine, it gives continuous pressure and pushes air in as Natasha takes a breath in but also at the episodes when Natasha stops breathing it will breath for her. Natasha for Surgery Friday 8th August 2008 Today Natasha is going for surgery on bowel/stomach and to have a G Tube placed above her belly button which goes directly into stomach for feeding. The G Tube will give Natasha a better chance at learning to feed orally when it is safe to do so. Surgery at 10.30 am so i will come back with an update afterwards... Surgery a Success sSurgery has been a real success for Natasha, yesterday she was very uncomfortable afterwards, she was given morphine and other pain relief to make her comfortable. Two tiny incisions where made on investigation of Bowel/Stomach, one through the stomach and one upper right. The G Tube was placed and since surgery G Tube has been a real success and has worked well with feeding. Natasha as i type is lying here looking at her doll and watching her little toy flash, she is at more ease this morning but remains on a low dose off morphine for comfort... Monday 18th August Natasha is now tolerating her feeds again and is hopefully being discharged from hospital today, she will remain on continuous oxygen at home during the night whilst sleeping to prevent oxygen levels from dropping. The G Tube has been very successful and definitely a big improvement from the NG tube which was passed through her nose into her stomach. We have been given the all clear in regards to the ventricles of the brian being enlarged, it's been confirmed they are enlarged but not within area of concern so we are delighted. We are awaiting dates now to commence Vital Stim treatment which will strengthen Natasha's throat muscles and train her swallow which will encourage eating orally. Hopefully Natasha will be fit enough to return to intense therapy next week... will be back with an update...
Natasha started back to therapy today, had 1 hour of Physical Therapy and 1 hour of Occupational Therapy, she did extremely well for returning to therapy after admission to Intensive Care. Tomorrow Natasha has Occupational Therapy for 1 hour and then next week she is returning back to full programme of intense therapy again which will continue until end of September. In the meantime we would like to Thank everyone so much who has donated to Natasha's Journey of Hope or has helped with fundraising events so far, without you all this would not have been possible... You have already helped improve Natasha's quality of life and we have seen many positives since treatment began here in Children's Memorial Hospital, Thank You all so much... |
| 10th March 2007 |
| Natasha's Journey of Hope |
- Updates from Chicago:
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| Natasha Commences her Treatment - |
| New Friend For Natasha ENTER! |