Yet another operation lined up for Lukas
The operation will be the next on a long list of operations that Lukas has undergone.
After a rocky 2018 for Lukas and the Etsebeth family, 2019 hasn’t started off in the best manner, as Lukas now needs to go for yet another Botox injection.
Lukas was born on 20 January 2015, weighing 3,7kg and measuring 51cm in length. At his routine six-week checkup, his parents, Koos and Janine, were told that he had bleeding on his brain. Fortunately, at the 12-week checkup, the bleeding had stopped, but there was still too much fluid around his brain.
Following that diagnosis, Lukas had a shunt inserted to drain the excess fluid from around his brain. He would undergo numerous surgeries and procedures in the hope of restoring his health.
Read more:
https://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/278125/lukas-progress-is-nothing-short-of-amazing-print-lukas-well-on-the-path-to-standing-up-for-himself-web/
While the fluid issue was resolved, he still couldn’t stand, walk or speak, and to combat the standing and walking issues, Lukas began physiotherapy in February/ March last year. Prior to his physiotherapy, he underwent the first operation that inserted Botox into his legs and feet in the hope that it would help with the issue of getting him to stand and hopefully walk.
For months on end, Lukas continued his physiotherapy in conjunction with Botox injections and assistive devices. In October last year, he was able to pull himself up to stand at a support surface with moderate assistance. He was able to maintain this position independently for up to 30 seconds.
However, after a recent visit to the paediatric neurologist they realised that Lukas needs another injection of Botox into his legs and feet to once again try and help with his standing and walking predicament. While at the doctor, it was also discovered that there are problems with the air bubble on his vertebrae.
According to Janine, doctors will also need to conduct a hearing test while Lukas is under sedation, as well as possibly remove some of his teeth, which could have been damaged by the fluids which Lukas used to vomit up when he was younger.
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