One Week

Today is one week since Dylan received his first injection of stem cells!  It has been a roller coaster of emotions to say the least.  When we got into Panama he started throwing random tantrums, that he had never really done before.  We just figured it was a new environment and so no big deal, but at the same time, I was completely stressed because we were also in a foreign country that I did not speak the language so that made it a little more stressful.  Well those tantrums have came home with us!  For instance today, he threw a major one, well a couple actually.  The one that he threw that I found interesting was after we came home from the park.  We were outside and he started screaming and came to me pulling at his diaper, almost as if something hurt.  I looked in it to see if he had pooped because for awhile now, he has almost immediately taken it off when he does.  There was nothing in there, but he pretty much started stripping down outside.  I grabbed him and carried him inside, kicking and screaming, and lay him down on the floor.  I took off his pants and diaper and thought about taking him to the bathroom to see if he would go, instead I decided to record his tantrum for documenting!  Well a few minutes in to the recording, as he is kicking, screaming, flopping around, he kind of settles down.  I didn't realize that at the time, but then all of a sudden I notice he is peeing.  This tantrum I am almost certain was because he needed to go to the bathroom and he has more body awareness than he had one week ago.  It must be a completely new feeling and he has no idea what is going on!  He has also came to me at times and put my hand on his head, under his arm, and on his toe after he stubbed it.  I am 100% sure he is getting input back to his brain now when something is hurting or feeling different!  MAJOR POSITIVE!!




He seems to be trying to talk a little more too.  To date I have heard:
Dwe- Drink
Ha- Hand
Petsi- Pepsi(You can bet he earned that and I gave it to him!)
Chooie?- Cookie
Show- Show(I am almost certain that is what he said.  He had grabbed my hand and was leading me to our garage where we have a deep freezer.  He took me out there and opened it up and grabbed some chicken nuggets.  I am always asking him to show me what he wants, so IF that is what he said, that would be why he said it which would show more comprehension)
These were words I am almost certain I had heard him speak before his regression, but they are coming back!

He has been such a smiley little guy too!  I can't help but melt every single time I see that handsome boys smile!  My neighbor stopped by for a minute today and Dylan turned and smiled at her.  She commented on his smile, so I don't think I am being biased when I say he has such a cute smile!  His eye contact seems to be improving as well, but I wouldn't say it is a big change yet.  I did have his attention for a good 10 minutes today where we were playing and I had constant eye contact!

As for negative side effects, I can't really say that I have seen any.  The tantrums could be considered negative, but I look at it as he is getting awareness of his body.  Who wouldn't freak out if all of a sudden you started feeling things you haven't felt in a while.  I now understand what the therapists had said about needing to get him tight fitting shirts to make him aware of his body.  I really thought they had no idea what they were talking about, because he used his body like he should for the most part.  I can now see, something was definitely missing!  We can't wait to continue to watch and see what changes will come next on this little journey.  One things for sure is we are going somewhere and going somewhere wonderful!!