Recovering, Slowly but Surely

Jaina is improving. She slept well last night, waking from 10:30-midnight, but then sleeping until 7:30 this morning. Today she can crawl normally and sit up without toppling over. She still has trouble standing and can't walk. She is back to her cheerful, friendly self, but is still very clingy and wants to be held most of the time. She is also tired and is sleeping more than usual. We were told to follow our normal routine with her and to let her sleep as much as she wants. Sleep is obviously helping the healing process, even if we don't exactly know what it is that is healing.

John suspects her physical issues might be due to muscle injury, saying her movements remind him of the way he moves when he's thrown his back out. It's possible that the chair incident pulled some muscles. Both our pediatrician and the pediatric ER physician said it was probably a result of the vaccine, but that they really can't say for sure what is causing it, so his explanation is as good as any other we've received.

The vaccine she got Tuesday was the last of the DTaP series, one that usually doesn't cause more than a fever and fussiness in babies. Seizures and muscle weakness are uncommon, but not rare, side effects of any vaccine. Jaina hasn't had any reaction to any vaccine besides low fever before this. But since this is the last vaccine she will be receiving until she enters school (last ever if I am able to get our exemptions approved), there shouldn't be any more problems.

Yesterday was a scary day. Last night was filled with worry. Today there is such an obvious improvement that it's hard to worry. I believe she will make a full recovery. In the meantime, I'm struggling to find time to do the housework with a baby who wants to be in my arms at all times. Thank goodness for naps and our Ergo carrier! We would appreciate prayers given on Jaina's behalf until she is fully recovered. I'll keep you posted.