Sebastian M Jones

Changes and Updates

Sebastian is changing and growing, becoming more alert and aware every day.

We have received very positive reports from both of his therapists, each of whom feel that with the continuation of his physical therapy, Sebastian will make a strong recovery from his shoulder and arm injury. This news brought great joy to our household, and we are trying to support him through exercises and positioning every day. Sebastian still prefers to keep his left arm close to his body, but now will occasionally flail that arm all the way above his head, showing amazing contrast in shoulder function from his first few weeks. His bicep group is still the weakest set of muscles in his arm, and will not make any sort of progress in flexing Sebastian’s elbow against even the most minimal of resistances, including gravity. In spite of this, he is progressing amazingly well, and is in little or no further pain from his arm.

Sebastian has begun to smile, but also to coo and babble after a fashion. When he is being spoken to, and especially when he is being asked questions, he will mouth monosyllabic pleas and responses, lunging his head in the direction of who he is speaking to, for emphasis.

2012: 04/15
CATEGORY: Scenes
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The era of the cool

2012: 03/20
CATEGORY: Scenes
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To everything there is a season

Sebastian experienced his first binky today in order to cope with the rigors and stress of physical therapy. His therapy appointment went very well, and we have been given some exercises to perform with him that should limber him up even more for our next visit. The only nerves that are not firing at this point are those controlling the biceps, though there are other nearby muscle groups and muscles that connect in close proximity to the bicep nerve root which are working to some extent. All in all, the prognosis is guarded but hopeful.

We are having lots of fun this evening comparing Sebastian’s three-week old pictures to his sister’s three week pictures. Although we initially thought that they looked very different from each other, we had become convinced over the past week that his current appearance was in fact similar to Satie’s. After reviewing photos tonight, we are back in our original camp of looking very different. His eyes are also different, in that they are quite light and quite blue, whereas his sister’s were already dark and distinctly brown by this point.

2012: 03/15
CATEGORY: Scenes
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Sleepy and Squirmy

Sebastian did a fantastic job moving his arm yesterday, and with all that effort plus a few gluttonous gulps of milk, he was soon tuckered out. Even in his sleep, however, he kept moving his arm, even raising over his head a few times! He seems to be experiencing a lot less pain and more freedom of motion in his shoulder, but we are still watching and waiting for the first movement of his elbow.With every passing day, we are feeling more and more hopeful for his recovery, but we’re not out of the woods yet.

2012: 03/10
CATEGORY: Scenes
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News from the front

Sebastian visited the doctor today, weighing in at 9lbs, 12.8oz and measuring 21.5″ in length. A long conversation was had with his pediatrician about the nerve damage to his arm and neck, and after research and consultation, it has been determined that Sebastian most likely has one of the least severe forms of a condition called shoulder dystocia, a traumatic stretching of the nerves that connect the spinal cord to the shoulder and arm. This is exactly what we were told when he was born, but the severity was unknown at that time. It is now believed that his injuries are limited to the nerve connection made at C5 and C6, which bodes well for spontaneous recovery.

Sebastian may, in fact, regain all ranges of motion in his arm within the next 6 months, though no or very little improvement is made in about 20% of cases like his. In the event that he does not continue his already evident recovery, we will be referred to a neurologist and pediatric neurosurgeon in about 3-6 months. For now, we will be enrolled in physical therapy (this still has yet to be coordinated due to some unexpected delays in processing Sebastian’s referral through a newly implemented computer system), and we will see how much he improves over the next few months.

He is exhibiting one other symptom, that of being unable or unwilling to turn his head to the left past the center point, but after a physical examination, the doctor believes that this is simply a reaction to the pain he is experiencing on his left side, and that he has over-developed the muscles on the right side of his neck to compensate and to lock his neck in the position in which he prefers it. We have been told to apply moist heat and give the little guy light massage in order to relax and gradually introduce full motion into his neck.

All-in-all, very good news. Aside from these two issues, Sebastian continues to be impressively healthy and hale, and is currently resting in his mother’s lap, helping her write out a grocery list.

2012: 03/08
CATEGORY: Stories
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Sebastian gives his best “serious” face

2012: 03/07
CATEGORY: Scenes
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Arm update

Sebastian had a great day today, with two medium milestones reached. First, he was transitioned into cloth diapers, which has been the goal since birth, but was not immediately possible due to a couple of factors.

Second, and most importantly, he showed a significant increase in his ability and willingness to move his left arm through some basic ranges. Most notable among the movements was a lifting onto his torso from a resting position his moderately flexed or bent elbow. These movements, though they are quite small and infrequent in comparison to normalcy, give us massive amounts of hope for his future capabilities.

We should have already been a week into physical therapy by today, but the processing of our referral is taking a bit longer than expected, so we will not know more until that therapy finally commences.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

2012: 03/05
CATEGORY: Stories
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The nuclear family

Even at Sebastian’s tender age of one week old, I am amazed how different it feels to have a son. When I look at him laying here in my lap, staring up at me with wonder in his dark eyes, I can’t help but think about all of the interests and experiences that he and I will share throughout his life. I fell hopelessly in love with Sebastian’s sister when she was born, and I am still amazed by her every day, but the stirrings and dreams I have for him are completely new.

Caring for two children under the age of two years old for the next 3 months is going to be exciting, educational and exhausting, but I am so glad that Sebastian’s mom and I have been given the opportunity. What a great family I have!

2012: 03/04
CATEGORY: Scenes
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Having a good conversation

Sebastian and I spent some time just sitting and talking today, thinking about the future and all of the things that we would enjoy doing together. Here, he is pictured in my game room, perusing the current selection: