We began to notice changes in Cooper in China and though they were subtle, they seemed to be noticeable to many others since we got home. He began making different and more sounds in China and that has continued at home. As a little bonus, Cooper has been super happy! He squeals with delight often and even his laughs sound different and sounds seem more complex and multifaceted. More and more we feel like he's trying to talk. The other night we went out to dinner with Coop and he was laughing so much and so loud that we had to move our table!
In China he also began holding his arms down more and they seem much looser. Before they were often tight and he held them bent up. His arms have gotten even looser since then and we've even been able to decrease his muscle relaxer dose. Since then he's also sometimes held his hands in mid-line, which is something he's never done before and a sign of normal brain development.
His vision has improved a lot! I thought he was seeing OK before, but the way he looks at things now it's as if he's seeing them for the first time. He looks around with big, wide eyes, makes eye-contact more quickly and holds the gaze longer. He smiles at familiar faces or when he arrives at a familiar place. He used to only do that when he would come home or hear his mom and dad. He is looking up and around more at his environment and that's also aiding in his head control. His muscle relaxing dose is so high that it effects some things he can control, like his head. We hope to keep lowering his dose so he can continue to regain some control of that.
Cooper is much more alert and cognitive of what's going on around him. He watches and listens to people, TV, music, etc. and responds by turning to the sound, making noises, smiling or laughing. We talk to him differently now as a result because we feel like he understands us more. He's a part of what's going on and enjoys stimulation. These pictures show him riding his in Quadriciser at home looking up at his fish toy that has fishies swimming by and plays music. He watches this toy with more interest now as well.
Since China, Cooper has begun attending hyperbaric oxygen treatments (HBOT) at Advanced Hyperbarics and intensive physical therapy at Polfit Wellness. HBOT has been shows to mobilize stem cells so we feel that the work done at Polfit in conjunction with that will help to continue to draw out improvements in Cooper. Research has shown stem cell treatments have an ongoing affect on patients for 6-9 months and brain injuries tend to take longer to see results. We will continue to send updates and are so thankful for everyone's continued prayers and support!
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