Dose #3 – DOWN!

Emma received her third loading dose today.  She has one more loading dose that she’ll get on Thursday, December 28. After that it’s only Spinraza “topping off” every three months.

Mark’s keeping track to make sure we get our money’s worth!

The loading doses are designed to get a specific level of nusinersen into her blood stream. She needs to receive the dosages intrathecally (directly into her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)) since the genetic material used to carry the nusinersen is unable to cross the blood/brain barrier. Otherwise Emma could receive the dose via a regular needle injection. As if there was any such thing as a “regular” injection!

Emma, all ready to go.  BRING IT ON!

The puncture went well with Dr Russell hitting the target on the first try again. This time there was a bit of bleeding so Emma got a little bandage badge.  After that it was just business as usual for Team Emma… a little alone time with Mom in post-op recovery, then a bottle with Dad and getting dressed to head home.

Emma had a little surprise for everyone today after Dad finished dressing her. He set her down in the recovery chair and Emma just SAT THERE! For about a minute!

That brought the crowd to its feet!