Brandon had his annual evaluation at Shriner's Hospital in Greenville, SC on June 5.   We expected to make plans to return to Philadelphia for the tendon transfer surgery for his hands.  The therapist was so impressed with the improvement Brandon has made in his hands and arms since he left Shriner's in December!  She kept saying how much better he was since she last saw him.  She was so encouraged by his improvement that she suggested Brandon continue to work at home and return in October to Greenville for another evaluation.   Brandon's increased function allows for more options on the surgery.   If all goes as planned, Brandon will return to Philadelphia late this year for the surgery.   

Brandon is going to have surgery at UAB to install a Baclofen pump sometime in the next several weeks.  This is something he wants to have so that he can discontinue a lot of the medication that controls his spasms.   The medications make him very sleepy.  The greatest concern with Baclofen pumps is the danger of infection.   If the pump site becomes infected the pump has to be removed and cannot be put back in for about a year.  Please keep Brandon in your prayers that the surgery goes well and there is no infection.