it's been a while

Well we haven't been here in a long time. We have let this blog linger for so long and we feel totally guilty about it. We have gotten a lot of email and there is no way we can answer all of it but they mostly all ask the same questions. How was it in China and did it do any good? Unfortunately the second question and the more important one is very difficult to answer. So much has happened with Tobin in the last 11 months that we are not sure which factors have had the most effect on his development. After the stem cell therapy we noticed very few immediate changes. In february Tobin had an EEG that showed that he could possibly have West Syndrome. He was put on medication at this time and over the next few months his EEG improved. In March we also began doing sleeping training and after rediscovering swaddling and taking away his pacifier, he began sleeping through the night. In time his mood, his ability to stay calm, his primal reflexes, his tone, and his "awakeness" have all greatly improved. We still have phases where he has trouble sleeping or where he is very tempermental, but all in all he has improved dramatically since last November. With all the different factors which could contribute to his improvements, we cannot say what effect the stem cells had on him. Once again it is just a question of time before any one has any solid evidence about whether stem cells can help people with cerebral palsy. We are not sure. Tobin is still motorically like a 1 month old. He cannot sit, roll, grab, talk. He tries very hard and has made slow progress. Every little thing counts! Time will tell how far he develops. Right now we live with him one day at a time and help to make his life as enjoyable as possible. He is a happy baby. I guess that's all that really matters in the end. We wish anyone who chooses to do stem cell treatments all the luck in the world but we cannot give any advice one way or another. Thanks to all again for the nice comments. Take care and peace!

Rob, Maiken and Tobin