And the results are in...
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Taylor Family
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Taylor Family
WOW, we already got Kat's results back! We are still very much processing them, but wanted to share as many of you have reached out.
Brain MRI:
Her recent MRI shows no new damage, and some areas of old bleeding have improved since her last scan. A previous surface bleed is now completely gone, YAY! While her brain still has areas affected by her past injury and doesn't quite show any new improvements, she’s continuing to grow new connections every day through therapy and love. The MRI can’t show this new growth, called neuroplasticity, because it happens at such a tiny level, but we see it in the skills she’s learning and the ways she keeps surprising us every day. Although we are a little bummed not to see healing, we are still so happy to see the strides that she makes. We really think this is due to the therapies that she receives and the wonderful stem cell treatment we were able to get this past year.
Hearing Update:
Katherine’s hearing tests show that she has significant hearing loss in both ears, but her ears themselves are healthy, and there’s no sign of other hearing disorders. Some sounds still get through, and she responds in her own ways at home (like laughing at her brother's cries). We’re carefully documenting these responses as we continue her Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) and other supportive therapies to help her make the most of her hearing and communication skills. We are still at a loss as to exactly what depth of hearing loss she has in her left ear because although the test shows profound, she responds as if it were mild loss (and even responds without her aid). We are so thankful for an audiology team who listens to us, understands our concerns, and investigates further to help figure out what our little miracle girl is hearing. As of right now, we are still planning on her cochlear implant surgery for her right ear.
We’re preparing for another round of stem cell therapy in January, which will be an important step in helping her brain continue to heal and adapt. This treatment costs around $9,000, and we’re so grateful for any support as we plan this next stage of care. We’re also planning another intensive therapy session in the coming months to help her build even more neuroplasticity and strengthen the amazing progress she’s already making. We have some time before her next MRI (usually at 5 years old) to make even bigger strides!
We are beyond thankful for everyone’s love and support on this journey. Every bit of help allows us to provide the therapies, tools, and care Kat needs to keep learning, growing, and thriving.
Brain MRI:
Her recent MRI shows no new damage, and some areas of old bleeding have improved since her last scan. A previous surface bleed is now completely gone, YAY! While her brain still has areas affected by her past injury and doesn't quite show any new improvements, she’s continuing to grow new connections every day through therapy and love. The MRI can’t show this new growth, called neuroplasticity, because it happens at such a tiny level, but we see it in the skills she’s learning and the ways she keeps surprising us every day. Although we are a little bummed not to see healing, we are still so happy to see the strides that she makes. We really think this is due to the therapies that she receives and the wonderful stem cell treatment we were able to get this past year.
Hearing Update:
Katherine’s hearing tests show that she has significant hearing loss in both ears, but her ears themselves are healthy, and there’s no sign of other hearing disorders. Some sounds still get through, and she responds in her own ways at home (like laughing at her brother's cries). We’re carefully documenting these responses as we continue her Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) and other supportive therapies to help her make the most of her hearing and communication skills. We are still at a loss as to exactly what depth of hearing loss she has in her left ear because although the test shows profound, she responds as if it were mild loss (and even responds without her aid). We are so thankful for an audiology team who listens to us, understands our concerns, and investigates further to help figure out what our little miracle girl is hearing. As of right now, we are still planning on her cochlear implant surgery for her right ear.
We’re preparing for another round of stem cell therapy in January, which will be an important step in helping her brain continue to heal and adapt. This treatment costs around $9,000, and we’re so grateful for any support as we plan this next stage of care. We’re also planning another intensive therapy session in the coming months to help her build even more neuroplasticity and strengthen the amazing progress she’s already making. We have some time before her next MRI (usually at 5 years old) to make even bigger strides!
We are beyond thankful for everyone’s love and support on this journey. Every bit of help allows us to provide the therapies, tools, and care Kat needs to keep learning, growing, and thriving.
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Allison Podell
Tara Sanders