Quinn update

We visited a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor at Gillette Children's Clinic this afternoon with Quinn. Our physical therapy team referred us to him to give us some insight on Quinn's possible pain level and the bracing options that may be available to help Quinn regain more use of his right leg. The visit was extremely positive, Dr. Taniguchi was impressed with Quinn's overall function and said he was "cautiously optimistic" about Quinn's recovery at this time. Quinn demonstrated spontanous movement in ALL major muscle groups and showed off some of his new crawling skills. We are going to hold off on any bracing or casting at this time since Quinn is motiviated to crawl and the doctor does not want to do anything to discourage that at this time. We have another appointment in 4 weeks to monitor his progress and re-visit some of the issues with Quinn's right leg. There are a few unknowns for Quinn's future, especially in regards to his bowl and bladder control. Only time will tell if he will have issues in the future. Chris and I are beyond happy at this time, we are thrilled with the progress that Quinn has made so far and relieved that he is still the happy little guy that he has always been. I am planning on returning to work after this week but will continue to take Quinn to his PT & OT appointments. Quinn visited daycare for a few hours this week and I think Ben was happy to have him there again. Ben started another semester of Kindermusik this week. He has some of the same kids in his class from last semester and a few new faces as well. I love being able to spend some time alone with Ben and being able to watch him play and interact with others.
Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and thoughtful words over the past few weeks. We really cannot tell how much this has meant to us.

Ben's new skates!

New skates on!

Quinn trying on Ben's helmet.

New skates off!

Ben likes playing hockey so far...

Matthew teaching Ben the ropes.

Ben received hockey skates from his godparents, Beth & Wade, for Christmas. He also got a helmet and stick! We took the skates to Hat Trick in Anoka to get them sharpened for the first time. Ben got a few lessons from his cousins in stick-handling but he wasn't too keen on trying on his helmet!

Grandma & Quinn

Ben doing PT with Grandma - practicing his kneeling!

Out for a walk in January

Ben throwing the ball to Bella.

Ben commandeering the wagon.

We actually got to take Ben outside for a walk one Sunday afternoon in January. Ben took over the wagon about 1/2 way through the walk and he really enjoyed playing with Bella. Unfortunately, winter came storming back very soon and we are back to playing inside!

Papa Teaching Ben to catch - 1st lesson

Ben loves to "play" baseball. He usually is the batter but thanks to a Christmas gift of a glove from Great-Aunt Peg and Great-Uncle Larry, he now wants to catch also. Papa has taken over the task of teaching him to catch and here is a glimpse of one of those "lessons".

RSV Strikes the Kollasch Household

Ben getting his first treatment at home with Mom.

Dad and Grandma trying to bribe Ben with Teddy Grahams and Quinn seeing what all the commotion is about.

Early morning treatment with Mom and yes I did just wake up!

Ben came down with RSV, a very common respiratory virus among children, this week. After a visit to the doctor, we are now the proud owners of a nebulizer and Ben has won a week at home with mom so we don't infect the rest of his daycare! Quinn made his own trip to the doctor today, because we know how much brothers like to share everything, and he will begin his own nebulizer sessions today. We are going to try and make the boys as comfortable as possible and hopefully this will pass soon!

The Sleeping Habits of a 2 Year Old

Ben was such an amazing sleeper for the first 24 months of his life - we were truly lucky. He would go to bed without a fuss and sleep a good 12 hours in his own bed. He wouldn't even get out of bed on his own, he would wait for someone to come into his room. That all changed on December 30, 2009 - the night Ben figured out how to climb out of bed on his own and open his door. I woke up to find him standing beside our bed with no intention of sleeping alone anymore. Now he fights going to bed and ends up falling asleep in the hallway by the gate. We put him in his own bed and he starts showing up in our bed around 1 am. Everyone says this is just a phase - I sure hope its a short one!

Mom and the boys

Follow-me Fred and Quinn

Quinn received Follow-Me Fred this Christmas. He has a new purpose - a therapy toy for Quinn! We are encouraging Quinn to spend time on his belly reaching for toys as this helps to work his "core" trunk muscles which are pretty weak right now after the TM. Quinn really likes to knock Fred over, this is apparently hilarious to a 9 month old!

Our new puppy "Fetch"!

Ben received a new "puppy" for his birthday - a Wahoo dog we named Fetch! The best part about Fetch is that he completely takes care of himself and doesn't need any attention from us - which is completely opposite of our other puppy, Bella. Fetch loves to be jumped on, have his ears and tail pulled and jsut about anything else a 2 year old boy can think of. I hope it will be a good release of energy for Ben as we are more house-bound during the cold winter months.

Quinn out and about

We went to watch our niece Mackenzie play basketball in a tournament in Elk River last weekend. Ben enjoyed running around with a few other little guys and Quinn relaxed in his carrier with Mom. It was good to get out, even for a hour!

Home Sweet Home

Quinn sitting in his new chair - he needs a little more support sitting up right now.

Enjoying a cookie after dinner.

We have been home now for a few days and we are loving every minute of it. Quinn has met his physical and occupational therapists and is ready to jump right into therapy. We will be going to PT 2x/week and OT 1x/week for the next few weeks. He will see his neurologist in 2 weeks and have another MRI in 3 weeks. I am going to be on leave from work for a while to spend time at home. Quinn is happy little guy, loves to watch his brother and get kisses and hugs. We had a little bout of the stomach flu that started with me and passed to Grandma and Ben. Hopefully it stops there. Uncle Joe and some of Ben and Quinn's cousins are coming to visit Friday night - we are excited!

Going Home!

Grandma and Grandpa have come to help us go home!

We get to go home today! Quinn has finished his steroid treatments and they are letting us go home today!! Quinn will be starting his physical therapy this week and will have another MRI in about 3 weeks. We are so happy to be going home - we get to see Ben and sleep in our own bed!

Therapy with Mom!

Eating puffs - look at that dexterity!

Working out on the floor.

Practicing sitting up.

Rough Night

Quinn waiting for the numbing cream to take effect on his arms and legs so they can try to start another IV.

Taking control of the bottle!

Look at my new IV Mom!

Quinn had a rough night last night. He started vomiting after his dinner and ended up losing his IV in the process. We knew that we may not make it his entire stay with the same, original IV but we were hoping it would last for his last night on steriods. After a long, painful process a great nurse from the ER came up and was able to get one in on his left ankle. Quinn received his last dose of steroids and some Toradol for discomfort. He also had his fluids increased via IV. He slept for a few hours and woke up at 3 am wanting something to drink. He kept down 2 oz. of Pedialyte and then slept for another 3 hours. He had another 4 oz. of Pedialyte at 6 am and then had some breakfast. So far, so good as everything has stayed in his belly.

We had a visit from the pediatric neurologist this morning and he was pleased with Quinn's progress. We were so proud last night when Quinn kicked the nurse while she was trying to start the IV! Hopefully we will be going home today or tomorrow. Quinn has a lot of hard work ahead of him but we are anxious for the challenge!

Ben's Birthday

Quinn getting ready to party!

Ben wants cake now!

Loving the cake

We have had to postpone Ben's 2nd birthday party due to the volleyball Final Four and now Quinn's hospitalization. We did celebrate at home on December 18th with a cake and a few presents. Ben isn't in to opening presents much at this time anyway so I don't think he minds waiting a few more weeks for a party.

Therapy

Playing with the nurse.

Sitting with Mom holding his favorite therapy toy - stacking cups.

I am stretching Quinn's legs everyday and "exercising" them as much as possible. He is beginning to show some more tone in his leg and hip muscles and he is starting to use his trunk to attempt to sit. He still gets a majority of his balance when he sits from his arms, but it's an improvement! He is also able to tolerate some tummy time and he can spin around and use his arms to move forward a bit. We are so proud! He moved his legs a few times when he was on his tummy - all good news! We look forward to Quinn's 4 am feeding (the steroids make him a hungry hippo so we have gone back to early morning feedings) as this is when we see him close his legs and resist use moving them when we are changing his diaper. Lots of high-fives between us and the nurses then!

Visitors

Playing in the Exersaucer.

Look at that hand holding the cup!

Playing with Great-Aunt Peggy

Quinn and Grandma

We are limited to only 4 visitors a day including ourselves. My parents came and spent the day with Quinn on Saturday so Chris and I could go home and spend the day with Ben. It was so good to see Benjamin! I was able to get home before he woke up and he was attached to me for most of the day. Chris came home a little later and Ben ran to the door and gave him a huge hug. We went to Target, got Chris and Ben haircuts, and went to lunch at Denny's. Ben said Thank You to everyone that walked by! Ben and Mom took a nap while Dad, Uncle Joe, and cousins Jamie and Mackenzie watched the Gopher Basketball game. Uncle Joe watched Ben while Chris and I went back to the hospital. We are getting anxious to go home!

My cousins Becky and Kelly were with us the first night in the hospital and Uncle Joe and my cousin Beth came up on Friday. Grandma and Grandpa come up everyday. Today Grandma and Great-Aunt Peggy came to visit and play with Quinn. Quinn showed off some of his new "movements" - better trunk control and grasping ability. We also have had some encouraging leg movement!!! We are beyond thrilled, even the neurologist is happy about that. We still have a long, long road ahead of us and we have no idea what extent Quinn's recovery will be. We do know that he will not be in the group that has no recovery from TM and that's amazing!