Week 6 (February 21 - February 27) *40 units/ml*: By this week Abi was on the upside of the RSV. Her weight & blood pressure fluctuated, & we noticed more swelling in her face. This week she had more spasms then ever while on the treatments. I think we totaled 8 that week. She had over 4 spasms in one day (which was a big disappointment). We had a few nights where she had a hard time sleeping. The only way she was comfortable was if Dave was home & he would rock her in the chair. He would do this every night as soon as he was home from school, until bedtime. She didn't want anything to do with me. She became really attached to the male gender only!!! And she also liked the little bed I made for her in the living room. She would nap really well if she was in that spot.
Week 7 (February 28 - March 6) *30 units/ml*: This week we felt like Abi had really started to retain A LOT of water. She lost her neck (notice the picture), & was pretty irritable. Her blood pressure reached a whopping 118/60 & her respirations were very quick. We couldn't seem to keep her comfortable. But when you're bloated, you don't feel good at all. Again, she didn't want anything to do with me. All she wanted was Dave, my dad, my little brother, or anyone who was male for that matter. As for her spasms for the week...1!
Week 8 (March 7 - March 13) *20 units/ml*: HELL!!! That's all I can describe. Abi was miserable! She was so swollen, that every time she moved she would cry cause everything on her body was stretched & tight. We spent a few times without sleep, & rocking her in the chair. She became very constipated by the end of this week. We tried Miralax (which we give her daily), suppositories, Juice, Mineral Oil. And still nothing. Her weight got pretty high. One day she had gained 2 pounds. (In a day!!!) Spasms activity, 1!!!
Week 9 March 14 - March 20) *10 units/ml*: THE LAST WEEK!!! Abi had become constipated in the last few days of Week 8. By the time Monday (week 9) came, I became a bit concerned, because here she was with all these remedies for constipation in her, & yet nothing had happened. But her body finally kicked it in gear & eased her pain. She was so much happier, & her smile started coming back! By the time her last injection treatment, Abi was a totally different person. She had found her smile. Started to hold things on her own again, move around, she rather sit up than lay down, & she was just all around happy. Her vitals were great, back to normal. The only thing that was up was her weight. As for spasms, 2.
I cannot tell you how happy we are to be finished with the treatments. This was such a big decision that we had to make for Abi. I've had many people ask me if we would ever do another round of the ACTH for Abi, and my answer is NO!!! Yes, we've received positive feed from it. We've seen her spasms go from 3 or 4 a day, to roughly 1, maybe 2, a week. But in the long run... so not worth the stress on her. She regressed in everything that she had learned, but she also started to do things that we weren't expecting her to do so quick. To see the stress it put on her body, was heartbreaking. Worrying if she was going make it through one more day, was exhausting in every way you can imagine. It was a very risky treatment, & we feel like if we cannot completely get rid of her Infantile Spasms, then that is who she is! Abi, may always be our Abi who has seizures. But that's okay. We have come to accept that. I have grown so much closer to my parents & siblings, & to Dave's parents & siblings. Not only have I grown closer to them, but I have grown closer to our Heavenly Father. I had to put my complete trust & faith in him. ( I still do!) I have learned so much more about myself & about what I CAN handle. People have said, "I don't know how you do it. I don't think I could do it." We did this for Abi. We made it a routine & was able to get through it. When its your child or someone you love, you would be surprised what you CAN do. We are not out of the woods yet. Now it's just a waiting game. The spasms can come back, but hopefully they won't. It's all up to the Lord.
I want Abi to know how truly amazing I think she is. She is my hero! To agree to such a challenge while in heaven, makes me admire her more than words can say. She is very loving, unselfish, happy, STRONG, contagious, determined, lovable, beautiful, sweet, easy going (when not on ACTH), & the list could go on & on. I love her with all my heart & soul. My girls are my world!!! I am proud to say I am their mom! I am proud of Abi, & the example she is in our home. She is a very special girl! She has a spirit about her that I cannot describe. You have to be around her to know. I am thankful for the Lord & for him giving Dave & I the opportunity to raise such a choice spirit. I love you forever, Abi!
Abigayle turned 2 years old!!! Where has the time gone? We had a family birthday party in our backyard the day before her birthday. It was a lot of fun! She got lots of toys and cute outfits. She didn't care for cake or ice cream, which comes as a shock, because usually she LOVES ice cream. But it still was a good time.
Abi is doing great! She is progressing daily! Her spasm/seizure activity is still down, which is great!!! She went almost a week without anything, but they have slowly come back. She is not having anywhere near as many as she used to. She has 1, maybe 2 during the day, & only if she is startled while sleeping. And they are not everyday. We'll take it! I still have hope that they will someday stop completely. She recently figured out how to sit herself up from a laying position without our help. What an accomplishment. She's a determined little girl & doesn't give up. Her therapies are going great. Her PT thinks Abi may walk before she crawls. She has some strong legs & loves to stand up against things or in her walker or bouncer. Sometimes she'll even willingly move her legs while we guide her to walk. But she also is starting to tolerate being on her hands and knees while we rock her back & forth. 
I can now let go & she has enough strength to stay up & rock back and forth by herself. So, we'll see what she ends up doing. As for OT she has figured out how to take items out of containers. We are still working on having her put items back in containers. This is all part of problem solving. She no longer is putting items in her mouth as soon as she gets them. I didn't realize it was part of development until her therapist brought it to my attention. The little things that we take for granted are so big to us. She also has a SLP & we enjoy when she comes. We do a lot of mimicking & singing to her. I am excited to take her back to music classes. She LOVES music!!! I did ask if we could start introducing American Sign Language to her. I don't know if we'll see Abi talk anytime soon, if at all. But, I do know she understands. I feel strongly that she needs to learn a way to communicate to us, & this is probably one of the ways that will help her do so. She is doing very well in her health & development. We are truly blessed & know the Lord hears and answers our prayers.
A couple days after Abi finished her injections we started to notice a rash on her belly and back. Well after 4 days of it, it had spread to her face, behind her ears and up in her hair line. I took her to the Doctor, not thinking that is was a huge deal, until the Dr. diagnosed her with Scarlet Fever!!! He informed me all it really was was a bad rash & strep throat. He said it's just a fancy term they use. Anyway. I felt horrible. She didn't seemed bothered at all & was eating fine. But after 2 days of antibiotic, Abi started to act sick. A week & a half later, I'm happy to say, she is much better & her rash is almost completely gone.
Week 6 (February 21 - February 27) *40 units/ml*: By this week Abi was on the upside of the RSV. Her weight & blood pressure fluctuated, & we noticed more swelling in her face. This week she had more spasms then ever while on the treatments. I think we totaled 8 that week. She had over 4 spasms in one day (which was a big disappointment). We had a few nights where she had a hard time sleeping. The only way she was comfortable was if Dave was home & he would rock her in the chair. He would do this every night as soon as he was home from school, until bedtime. She didn't want anything to do with me. She became really attached to the male gender only!!! And she also liked the little bed I made for her in the living room. She would nap really well if she was in that spot.
Week 7 (February 28 - March 6) *30 units/ml*: This week we felt like Abi had really started to retain A LOT of water. She lost her neck (notice the picture), & was pretty irritable. Her blood pressure reached a whopping 118/60 & her respirations were very quick. We couldn't seem to keep her comfortable. But when you're bloated, you don't feel good at all. Again, she didn't want anything to do with me. All she wanted was Dave, my dad, my little brother, or anyone who was male for that matter. As for her spasms for the week...1!
Week 8 (March 7 - March 13) *20 units/ml*: HELL!!! That's all I can describe. Abi was miserable! She was so swollen, that every time she moved she would cry cause everything on her body was stretched & tight. We spent a few times without sleep, & rocking her in the chair. She became very constipated by the end of this week. We tried Miralax (which we give her daily), suppositories, Juice, Mineral Oil. And still nothing. Her weight got pretty high. One day she had gained 2 pounds. (In a day!!!) Spasms activity, 1!!!
Week 9 March 14 - March 20) *10 units/ml*: THE LAST WEEK!!! Abi had become constipated in the last few days of Week 8. By the time Monday (week 9) came, I became a bit concerned, because here she was with all these remedies for constipation in her, & yet nothing had happened. But her body finally kicked it in gear & eased her pain. She was so much happier, & her smile started coming back! By the time her last injection treatment, Abi was a totally different person. She had found her smile. Started to hold things on her own again, move around, she rather sit up than lay down, & she was just all around happy. Her vitals were great, back to normal. The only thing that was up was her weight. As for spasms, 2.
