In the past twenty four hours alone we've had a great mix of all of these moments, lows, highs and normal. Last night trying to get Amaya to sleep was a low. It took two hours to get her pain under control and her to sleep. But, as soon as she fell sleep, she was fine. She slept pretty restfully ( a high), but woke up at four thirty (a low). She couldn't go back to sleep and Josh ended up bringing her upstairs to watch a movie. She decided to go to school for the morning before physical therapy (she hasn't gone in awhile due to pain and other appointments). She decided to try taking her walker instead of her wheelchair. She fell asleep on the ride to school and then her knee started to ache when she was almost to school. After she propped it up she was fine. Dad reminded her that she was fine, reminded her to stay calm, and that she was in control and capable of taking care of her pain. Dad said that when they walked in lots of kids were staring at her and started walking slow with her. Dad said she did great. She didn't clam up or shutdown (she usually doesn't like a lot of attention on her). Mrs.Griessbach and her classmates were happy to see her, and she was all smiles! When Lidie and I went to the office to sign her out we talked with the two ladies in the office. Patty said that she got to see Amaya's fixator for the first time today when Amaya came in to go potty (she uses the nurses bathroom). She said that she was so amazed by the fixator, how it worked and how well Amaya is doing. She said that Amaya told her she was riding a bike and a scooter and showed off her shoes. I showed her and Victoria pictures of the fixator, and the pins (which kind of freaked her out a bit). They couldn't believe that Amaya was walking. Amaya only stayed for a little over an hour, but her teacher said she did great the whole time she was there. She was starting to get pretty uncomfortable when we got to class. She said that Amaya walked so much today (all the way to the office and back). She said that the class made a stretching song that they sing when Amaya needs to stretch her leg (all the kids sing and stretch their legs too), its pretty cute. Josh and I were so proud of her for her efforts, her courage, her smiles, and her willingness to go to school even though she's in pain and discomfort.
When we got to therapy Kim massaged Amaya's knee and did some stretches before she walked. She walked around the room then out to the hall. But this was the first time that she walked all alone! No hands! Kim was in front of her with her hands out to spot her, but Amaya did it all alone! So awesome! Then she rode the scooter for a bit, then the bi-scooter down the hall and back. She worked hard. It takes a great effort for her to keep her foot, ankle and leg straight. Both scooters force her to push down with her thigh muscles. Then she walked back to the bench to do the stretches and knee bends. The first knee bend she was able to get to 92 degrees, Kim held her bend there for a count of thirty. The next bend Amaya held for a count of 37, to help her stretch her muscles. I could tell by her face, and the way she was counting that she was in pain. For the next bend Kim asked Amaya to pick a number between 30 and 40 to hold the bend to. Amaya picked 35 (I love that she didn't go for a low number). Kim pushed her leg, while Amaya counted. It hurts more when someone else pushes, and Amaya was almost in tears. For the next reading Amaya suggested that they put a number on the goniometer and try to get her leg to that number. They picked 102, since that's what she did yesterday. But, when her leg was at 98 she was crying. Ugh, it was so sad to see her in so much pain. She said. "I can't do it anymore." But, they pushed on until they got 102. Ugh, man that was tough. Its hard to see and hear her in so much pain. They massaged her legs and tried to help the pain go away. Before she left they let her try shooting a basket, which she made (while standing alone) then made another one with her eyes closed. Then she tried to throw a small ball from the ball pit thru a small triangle that hangs over the ball pit. She made the last one! As we left she raced Melissa down the hall. She pushed herself in the wheelchair and beat Melissa. She had the biggest smile on her face and I was amazed. One moment she was in utter pain, crying then the next she was shooting hoops, throwing a ball and racing with the biggest smile on her face. Her resilience and ability to bounce back are inspiring and amazing. I'm proud to be her momma. And I'm so thankful for Melissa and Kim's efforts, encouragement and help. They make therapy fun for Amaya and are patient with Lidie.
When we got home I massaged her leg (I could tell her muscle was tight). While I massaged her we watched an episode of Glee and she said that she wanted a friend who was in a wheelchair. Because she doesn't have any friends in a wheelchair and she would like one, someone who's kind of like her. She said she thinks they would make a good friend. I told her that I bet she could find one at physical therapy or at school, and all she had to do was be nice. She said she's gonna keep her eyes out for a new friend.
As you can see we have many highs and lows in a day. Much to celebrate and some that causes us pain. Thanks again for reading, its nice to know that so many are reading along (between fifty and a hundred people a day!) and being a part of our journey.
"Look ma no hands!"
Amaya on the bi-scooter. She was going pretty fast so it was hard to catch her in focus. But you can see her legs working!
Lidie playing with the soccer ball. Amaya kicked the ball several times around the room (the hardest she's been able to kick a ball since the surgery). Can you see the basketball net on the right? Amaya stood up there on the platform where Lidie is at and shot baskets into the hoop.
Knee bends; not fun!
Amaya throwing the ball into the ball pit. Can you see her standing so tall and straight?!
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