First Botox Treatment

Yesterday, Hayden received his first Botox injections in both of his hamstrings. I was up by Hayden's head trying to keep him from crying, so I really couldn't see what was going on.  From the injection marks I could see on the back of his legs, it looks like he received 7 injections in his left hamsting and 5 in his right.  The procedure went smoothly.  Hayden was given Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) to sedate him and to help him not to remember the procedure.  Before the gas is administered, they rub scented lip gloss on the inside of the mask to help kids handle the mask better.  Unfortunately, lip gloss isn't made in bacon scent/flavor, so Daddy chose Dr. Pepper.  We don't know of any scent that Hayden really likes, so we had no idea what to choose for him.  That is something we will have to try to really pay attention to before the next time. 

The physiatrist examined him before the Botox was given to verify that he still needed it and to help determine how much to use.  She decided to use a light dose since it was his first time to see how he responds.  She also said that once his hamstings are less tight, his therapists will probably notice the spasticity of his calves and ankles more and that they may be included in future treatments. 

To determine where to put the injections, they have a device that can "hear" tight muscles.   Hayden was on his belly during the procedure which made it harder to keep the mask on him.  He voiced his annoyance with the mask and kept turning his head from side to side to try to avoid it.  It didn't take too long before the laughing gas worked its magic and we heard Hayden's first giggle.  I exhausted myself to keep it going.  Thankfully, we remembered to bring his favorite toy (Scout, a talking dog that says Hayden's name made by Leap Frog) and I made up a silly song a couple of weeks ago about him being the Dinosaur King that always makes him smile.  Most  of all, I was glad that he finds our dog, Katie, hysterical.  No matter what she does--even simply saying her name--is funny to Hayden.  Jumping between those three things made it possible for me to keep Hayden from crying.  That is, until the injections were complete and they had to keep the mask on his face for a few minutes afterwards to flush out the gas with oxygen.  He did not appreciate it one bit.  The second I was able, I scooped him up and gave him a huge cuddle.  As always, he handled everything like a champ. Once again, we were very proud of our big boy.