Last I left you a couple months ago, we had seen a neurologist and developmental pediatric doc who ordered an MRI in order for us to look into the cause of the regression that happened months and months ago. She had to be sedated for this MRI because it was 45 minutes, and no 20 month old can actually sit completely still for 45 minutes. I was wanting to get it over with as soon as possible, but the earliest we could wasn't until June.
As date the came closer I was getting more anxious and more stressed. There were so many unknowns. I had had MRIs in my life but I was never sedated. And I had no idea what to expect for Addison. What were the possible side effects? Could we be there when she wakes up? Could she keep puppy? What will happen?
Watching your child not understand what is going on, scared and being sedated is an experience that I wish upon no one. And not one that I want to relive again. I will say that Children's Mercy did a good job with her. They answered all my questions. They were very reassuring. They let her keep puppy through her MRI. We were there as she was waking up, so she wasn't ever awake without us there.
She was fully awake when we took her home, but definitely moody and exhausted. Which led to some pretty big temper tantrum, but I don't think she liked the feeling of having the remainder of those drugs in her system. Luckily by the next day she was back to her normal self and the whole thing was behind us.
We did get the MRI results back and there was a spot in her white matter as the doctor had suspected, but it was very small and they couldn't be sure if that was actually what caused all of what happened with the regression and lack of walking. There is no major concerns, no rush for brain surgery. We just keep on doing what we are doing, but if she has any neurological setbacks or develops any strange neurological problems then we have to go back in immediately for another MRI. But the doctor said overall her brain looked very good.
As far as walking goes, she is doing great. I'm not calling her a walker yet because she isn't consistent and some days it just doesn't happen at all. But most days we can get her to take a few steps at a time, but no long-distance walking yet. But when we can get her to walk by herself, she is very stable and sure on her feet. She had great balance and just waddles along to her destination just fine. If only she could figure out that she can really do it and it's okay to let go.
Although she won't actually let go, she loves to walk. She wants to walk all the time and everywhere we go. She grabs hold of one finger and away we go. The practice certainly isn't hurting, nor is building up those leg muscles.
I feel like we are right there, but we just can't get over the edge yet. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel but we can't reach it. It's actually somewhat frustrating. The mystery of why she's still not walking continues. The doctors are all glad to see that is she progressing but we just aren't there. The regression may have set us back by months. It maybe something else completely unrelated. Or it might just be that she's just one of those kids that doesn't walk until she 21 months. At this point, I would be happy if she's walking by the time she's two.
So from where we just keep practicing. We watch her to make sure she doesn't go through any more regressions or have any other neurological problems. We keep working with her. Take help where we can get it. It's about all we can do at this point. We have basically ruled out any neurological problems which is definitely a relief. But it would be nice to know what is the reason behind our 20 month still preferring to crawl or walk on her knees. Of course you can't just ask your 20 month old that, or I guess you can but she's probably not going to answer. So you just have to do what you can to figure it out and make sure she continues to develop and be the same happy little girl.
The One with the 18 Month Old Who Can't Walk
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