Crap

What She Wore: Blue jeans; black tee with three-quarter-length sleeves and a keyhole neckline; black and white houndshooth jacket; black and white houndshooth flats.

What She Ate: Had a most-amazing dinner at one of my favorite Mexican resaurants--Serrano's Salsa Company. It started as a hole in the wall off of LSU's campus, but luckily they opened a big location in the New Orleans metro area. They have probably my favorite salsa in the city, amazing marinated meat, and a green rice that is to die for. Yummy.

This is not that hallway post, although, interestingly enough, going online to find Serrano's web address might have helped me in that area--more on that later today.

I just wanted to take a minute to whine about the latest reports regarding Botox. While most of us know Botox as the injections stars use to prevent wrinkles and sweating (a la Nicole Kidman), Botox is also used off-label for kids with cerebral palsy. Usually, botox is injected into the spastic (tight) muscles while the child is under general anesthesia. This relaxes the muscle for up to six months and gives the child a chance at increased range of motion and to gain strength in other muscles. It many ways it is preferrable to whole-body muscle relaxers because you get to pick and choose which muscles you want to work with.

Now, reports are coming forward stating that some children have died after undergoing Botox treatment. Specifically, it seems that the toxin has been linked to aspiration, pneumonia, and sometimes death.

Now, many kids with CP are extremely medically fragile. Also, many have difficulties with swallowing that goes undiagnosed--remember, swallowing involves muscles too. Personally, I think every kid with CP should have a swallow study done as a precaution. Even though it was a tremendous pain in the ass, I am grateful that Charlie had a swallow study, reflux study,and an upper GI done while he was hospitalized. It answers a lot of questions, and I know that I am doing the right thing by him as far as feeding goes. Besides, we weren't really going to be happy unless we'd explored every inch of the radiology department--kidding!

But, of course, the question now is what to do about the Botox. Truthfully, Charlie looks like an excellent Botox candidate. He is tight in just a few places and has full range of motion in his whole body. His OT really thinks that will be a good option for him when he gets older. This new study will change things, though. I hope that the FDA does a good investigation on this one. I don't want to poison my child or put him at risk, but I also don't want the medication made unavailable because it proved unsuitable for children who are medically fragile.

Later, I'll get into that hallway discussion. Complete with pictures, of course.