Paralysis

Paralyze: par·a·lyzeˈparəˌlīz/cause (a person or part of the body) to become partly or wholly incapable of movement.
"Mrs. Burrows had been paralyzed by a stroke"

synonyms:

disable, cripple, immobilize, incapacitate, debilitate; More

render (someone) unable to think or act normally, especially through panic or fear.
"some people are paralyzed by the thought of failure"

synonyms:

immobilize, transfix, become rooted to the spot, freeze, stun, render motionless More

bring (a system, place, or organization) to a standstill by causing disruption or chaos.
"the regional capital was paralyzed by a general strike"
synonyms: bring to a standstill, immobilize, bring to a (grinding) halt, freeze, cripple, disable

Paralyze can have very different meanings.  This blog involves both.

This week we started a very important process.  We filled out our initial paperwork to see if Dom had a chance at being a candidate for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR).  We received a response back and have a long packet full of required x-rays, brain scans, videos and evaluations to fill out.  This is THE procedure for CP patients. We've connected with many individuals who have had this surgery and most say it is life-changing.  I've seen kids go from barely walking in controlled environments to running triathlons. We have our hope focused on this.  Nice thoughts, prayers and sending general good vibes in our direction is appreciated.  Haters need not bother.

Why is this paralyzing, you ask?  Well because it is.  This surgery is literally paralyzing.  (Legal disclaimer: Here at Twisty Inc, we consider ourselves medical experts and take medical information given to us and provide our own interpretation.  We do not esteem to represent the Medical Community in its entirety, but we totally could. Information provided here is for informational, expert and entertainment purposes only; all information is deemed factual by our own interpretations).  With SDR, they cut open your spine, untwist things called Dorsal nerves, use electro-stimulation to determine which nerves fire constantly (causing the spasticity), and sever those nerves.  This surgery can eliminate or reduce spasticity in legs permanently.  Yes, I said eliminate.  If we eliminate spasticty, what do we have?  Um, feeding issues?  Dude can live off of smoothies for the rest of his life.  

Of course, it doesn't eliminate spasticity in his arms, but sometimes it does have the effect of reducing it. Who needs high-functioning arms when you are as good looking as he is.  We will just teach him to get his girlfriends to do his homework.

We have been researching this procedure for a year now, but they only evaluate kids starting at 2. With a month left until Gominic turns two, we hope to mail off his packet on his birthday, just to send out extra good vibes.

Of course this surgery is not without risks which is the paralyzing part for us.  This surgery can cause impotence and incontinence and probably other things that I don't remember or just chose to selectively block from memory.  At this point, we've become numb to risks.  Our life gives new meaning to "no pain, no gain".  We recently had our not yet two year old injected with Botox.  Risks for Botox include ending up on a breathing tube (though I'd gladly take these risks myself for a little wrinkle reduction).  Three times a day we give him an oral based toxin that reduces his spasticity.  Side effects there can include seizures (which we are already a high risk for) and severe hallucinations.  And if you know Gommy, the last thing we need is Gommy trippin' like he's on 'shrooms.  We've been in a YOLO (or YLOO for you grammatically correct types) state of mind as far as Gommy's treatment goes, and it has worked out so far.  No pain, no gain.       

Because of the risks, if selected, we will go to St. Louis to have the surgery done by THE doctor, Dr. Park.  He has refined the procedure and has not had one negative outcome.  He has been performing this surgery since the 80's, probably while listening to things like "Manic Monday" in the operating room.  

So here we go friends, because shit just got real.  And we're not turning back.  Wish us luck!