Kenna had her PT appointment today and she FINALLY has a diagnoses!!

[Jaydin_Makenna]

Well...I have been saying to Kenna's ped since she was 2 months old that I was worried about her muscle tone and at her 6th month WBC she finally agreed to refer her to get a developmental assessment.  Three weeks ago the lady can to do her first assessment to determine which type of therapy she might benefit from and she determined that she would benefit from seeing a physical therapist and an occupational therapist for another assessment.  Our main concern is that she doesnt use her right arm or hand as much as her left and she holds her right hand very limp when she isnt using it.

 Kenna met with the PT today and she finally has a diagnoses!!  The PT diagnosed her with "Erbs Palsy"  which affects the nerve that travels down the side of her neck to her shoulder (well, there are 5 nerves there and it can affect up to all 5 of them, but the PT doesnt think her case is that severe)  It is usually caused during childbirth when the doctor or midwife has to move their head from side to side as they try to deliver the shoulders.  The weird thing though is that Kenna didnt have a very difficult childbirth at all and there wasnt much pulling but maybe she just got tweeked a little too much to one side (it would have been to her left side because it pulled the nerve on the right)  The good thing about Erbs Palsy is that it is not neurological and it usually corrects itself within the first year of life.

 Now here's why I feel like the worlds worst mother...I am sure EVERY one of you has heard me complain about how Kenna cries ALL THE TIME and how I feel like I am lacking a bond with her...well...she has been crying because she is in pain:(  How horrible of a mother could I be to not realize that my daughter was hurting?  She basically has a pulled nerve, and I couldnt even begin to imagine how badly that would hurt!!  But as it is improving (and I can notice the improvement based on how her hand looks when it is relaxed) she is not crying nearly as much.  The PT said it wouldnt hurt at all to give her some motrin when she is excessively crying and to hold her with her left side against me so that I dont pull down on the nerve on her right shoulder.

She still has to meet with the OT to make sure she doesnt see anything else wrong, but right now it looks like Kenna is on her way to recovery and that she doesnt have anything neurologically wrong!!!  Praise the Lord!!

[hollyguest]

Nov. 20, 2007 at 6:33 PM Oh Christina, that is so good to hear.  Even though it's not the greatest news, it is a relief to know that it wasn't just you being "paranoid" or overly concerned.  There really is something wrong and now you can work to help her through it. 

[jpresher]

Nov. 21, 2007 at 12:26 PM Don't blame yourself.  You told the Ped. your concern early on it's their lack of skills to get her diagnosed sooner!  I'm glad you got answers!  I'll pray that Kenna will no longer be in pain..  Poor little thing.  Don't feel like a bad mother.  We all know when they can't talk - we feel helpless!  *Huggles*

[ProudSingleMum]

Nov. 21, 2007 at 12:32 PM

That is wonderful news. :)

[ShannonB924]

Nov. 21, 2007 at 1:25 PM EXCELLENT news! I am so happy that you know what is going on now .... & don't be hard on yourself, us mommas try our very best, BUT we are NOT perfect. Sometimes we miss stuff ... you are NOT a bad mommy at all! I'm glad that your sweet girl won't be hurting anymore, & you can finally start to bond with her : ) XOXO! 

[Alexis_Schuyler]

Nov. 21, 2007 at 6:42 PM Glad to hear it's not serious!!! And you're not a terrible mother... but that is so sad that she went so long undiagnosed and now you know why she's been crying

[twinbabyboys]

Nov. 26, 2007 at 3:15 PM

I completely understand how you feel....one of my twins cried and cried for the first few weeks of his life...I was so stressed out and annoyed by all of the crying....well at his 2 month well check up, they heard a "murmur" ..to make a long story short, the poor little thing was crying because he was in pain...he was in congestive heart failure and had open heart surgery within a few days of that appointment. I still kick myself for that.

So glad to hear that they figured out what was going on with your daughter, best of luck to you both.

[Joseph_Mark]

Nov. 27, 2007 at 3:31 PM Im glad you finally got some news on her. that has to be tuff. but dont blame yourself your not a terrible mother. you didnt know. I hope she starts to improve soon!

[happymommarilyn]

Dec. 4, 2007 at 4:18 PM My neighbors daughter had this happen. The dr delivering the baby was very rough and the baby almost had a broken shoulder.  I hope your baby will fully recover and I keep forgetting to say how cute she is and I love the eyes, there so capivating.   Oh and your not a bad mom you didn't know about the nerves thing.

[millerjess]

Sep. 14, 2009 at 1:39 PM

I'm so glad you finally have a diagnosis! It's so difficult to figure out these things sometimes. Don't blame yourself about anything. You got it figured out that is all that matters. Big Hugs to you and Kenna!