Thursday, August 31, 2006 Isla had her multi-disciplinary screening at Campbelltown Hospital today.


They use something called the Bayley Scale, where they ask a lot of questions and plot the answers accordingly (I guess it's similar to the Edinburgh Scale for ante-natal screening) Isla was cranky (she's not well) so personally, I think she may have performed/responded much better than she did..but here are the results:


Gross Motor Skills - functioning at 10month level - her biggest delay Fine Motor Skills - functioning at 18 month level - right on track


Cognitive Skills - functioning at 17 month level - so slightly behind


The Speechie thinks Isla is behind with her speech because she only heard her say "no" and "ta" - but she can say "Mum, Dad, Nana, Pop, Pen, Ball, Bath (nearly), Dance (nearly), Isla, Tigger, teddy, no, yep, wow, uh-oh, hiss (for snake), baa (for sheep), eieio for Old Mc Donald, pretty (almost), yum, at, hi, bye..." so I think it's crap.


They also said that her behavioural delay (only by a couple of months) is because it "appears to be a case of what Isla wants she gets" so we have to try to break her of this habit, and make her ask us or tell us (point/say) what it is that she wants rather than solving the problem for her.


We also have to point out more things when we read to her (she scored low points because she'd rather play on her own than with us - when it comes to reading etc) and we also need to do more puzzles with her, although she did really well with the ones they had. We also need to encourage her to be more interactive with her toys...


So, as if we weren't already busy enough and completely sick of that bloody hospital - now, in addition to the weekly Physio sessions, the Botox and Rehabilitation sessions, Isla will have to attend Speech Pathology & Occupational Therapy.


I'm really angry and upset, I can't be around people, I just don't have it in me anymore. I'm so mad and hurt that there are so many struggles that Isla has to go through while others don't. It's completely unfair. I'm sick of everyone taking everything for granted.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006 Isla had her 3rd round of plastering. We lasted a little longer with the 2nd ones, but Isla was forming a blister on her heel under the 2nd plasters, so once again they were taken off early. But glad we did remove them, gave her heels a chance to recover for this lot!

Thursday, August 24, 2006


Isla can stand alone!! Woot Woot!


We tried this on Wednesday and she shocked herself! Will there be a repeat performance? Stay tuned! LOL

Wednesday, August 23, 2006


We had round 2 of the serial casting today and Isla was an angel!! We weren't able to leave the first plasters on the full week as Isla was very unsettled and only managed less than 4hrs sleep over the weekend.


We removed them at 4.30am on Sunday after hours of screaming. Thankfully, Michael was very pleased that Isla had lasted so long!


While we would have loved to have kept them on much longer, we've already noticed a difference in the way she stood without the casts on - a HUGE improvement!! She's standing a little flatter!! Fingers crossed these ones will stay on longer than the last ones!!


Much love

Friday, August 18, 2006


Isla had her first round of serial casting on Wednesday!


She was a very brave little girl, I can only imagine how scary & uncomfortable it must have been for her :( Michael was there and was super fast at plastering her legs - I was very very grateful that he was there - his presence tends to calm me!!


Nanny also came (but I think it was more to hold Mummy's hand than Isla's ;) ) I had planned on taking pictures of the process, but it just wasn't possible.


So far, we're getting there slowly. She's only just started pulling herself up on the furniture again, this was after 2 days of laying on the floor - not able to move anywhere. She seems happy enough today, enjoying a lovely snooze at the moment!


Plasters come of on Wednesday morning, and another set put on..great...


Another WOOHOO!! to Gabby who has taken a huge 10 steps since our last update, very proud of you Miss Gabby!!


Also, to Coops who sat for 10 seconds - way to go Champ!!!


Much Love to all

Friday, August 11, 2006


Congratulations Michelle on the birth of Noah Ethan!!!!


Welcome to the world little man, can't wait to meet you and your brothers!!

Monday, August 07, 2006


A little mention today for our two friends...


To the gorgeous Elle and Andie, all the best for your appointments today - we'll be thinking of you both. Our fingers and toes are crossed for you.


And


To the gorgeous little Gabby Goo - we're so proud of you!! 2 steps!! You are so clever!!!


With Love,


ALLY & ISLAxxx

Tuesday, August 01, 2006


Isla had an assessment at Campbelltown Hospital today. She had to be assessed before they could start the serial casting process. Isla was a little naughty and uncooperative during the assessment, very out of character for her.


We met the Head Physiotherapist from the hospital, Rosalee, and she is lovely. She sat in on the assessment and will be there to assist Priya with each lot of casting. We *think* Michael will be there as well. Rosalee said that Michael has indicated that he wants to continue with Isla's care - and we definitely plan on seeing him privately still - even though we have been given the option of completely switching her physio care to the hospital.


Isla has great strength in her legs and trunk, so they feel that the "ordinary" plaster casts won't hold her, so Isla's casts will be made of fibreglass. This means that they will have to be removed with the saw (and they have already told me it will scare the living daylights out of her) Her casts will be changed weekly at the hospital, and she cannot have a bath in between as the casts are not waterproof, so it means sponge-baths only, which is very sad because Isla loves to relax and have a long play in the bath.


She's learning so much now, she happily sings along to Old MacDonald - saying e-i-e-i-e-i-e-i!! She's also learning to count, says "waa, two, ree!"


Settling is proving a problem, she absolutely hates being put on her back - and has even started kicking me when I try to change her nappy/clothes...will get it all checked on Saturday when she has her immunisations.