A full house

   On Monday we had Amaya's last therapy session before Christmas. Amaya decided to walk in without her walker. She did good, but I had to keep reminding her to keep her toes straight. When we got into therapy Amaya gave Melissa her Christmas gift (a very cute elephant mug she designed and made herself). I wish I would have taken a picture of it, it was very cute. When we got into the children's gym it was busy! There were about five kids in there being helped plus their families. It's the busiest its been in there. 

    Melissa asked how Amaya was feeling and what her pain level was. Amaya said she was fine, but I mentioned the pain and numbness she's been feeling in her foot and toes. Melissa said it might be because the nerves are tight because they didn't grow as much as Amaya's leg did, or possibly they are being pushed by the muscles that are tight. Melissa taught us a new exercise to do to help alleviate the pain (regardless of why its there). At first Amaya just complained during the night, just before bed, but this weekend she mentioned it during the day as well and asked me to rub, squeeze, massage her foot and toes.

    Before we left I asked Melissa what we should focus on during our week off from therapy (because of the holidays). She said the three main exercises to do are to one, lift her hips. Two to push her left leg back (to develop her butt muscle). I asked if we should use the yellow band (the one with the least resistance), but she said that she's not strong enough for that yet. To just do her own body weight for now. And third to do the stretch she taught us to help with the nerve pain. She said those three should be the minimum that we do each day until we see her on the 26th. I also asked her if we would need a new prescription for therapy after this one expires (we're about halfway through our eighteen session snow). She paused, then said that yes she thinks we'll need at least one more. She said we have to get the walking taken care of. She said we have to get her hips to shift. 

   Its a bit disheartening hearing that she'll need another prescription (even though I suspected it) and to hear that she "isn't strong enough yet." But, I know that Amaya works hard and will accomplish a lot. I know her hard work will pay off. I know she won't give up. 

Thank you all for reading and caring and following along. Thank you for your care, concern, love, prayers, and support. 

Lidie riding the bike while Amaya works. 

After Melissa checked Amaya's leg to see what was causing her pain she gave us this exercise to help. We hold Amaya's leg in that position then lift the foot to get a stretch. She said to push it until she can feel it but to be careful to not "get the nerve angry" by working it too hard. Melissa said its important to keep the toes straight and we should see some loosening of the muscle.  

Then she had her lay on her tummy and worked her butt muscle then did the plank pose. 

Here's another angle. I was trying to get a shot of her face but she was too focused to look up at me. She's quite focused at therapy (well, most of the time).

Then Melissa had her stand on her left leg to hold herself up.  Her muscles had a hard time holding her balance and she kept leaning in funny positions. Melissa kept reminding her to keep her hips straight and had her do it until she was able to stand straight for five seconds. Amaya said it was hard and Melissa reminded her that "yeah its hard work". 

In the adult gym Amaya walked sideways while lifting thirty pounds. She did it five times. She had a hard time balancing so she held Melissa's hand for support. Lidie was sweet and wanted to do it with Amaya to "help" her. 

Amaya rode the bike, pulling the orange roll (About thirty pounds and Lidie, for part of the way). Then she pedaled up the hill, which was a challenge.

Amaya's knee measured at 94 to start (her highest starting number since the fixator was removed). She jumped to 97, then 100. At 105 she started hurting and asked to stop, but then would keep going. She asked Melissa, "how much do you want me to get?" Melissa answered, "I'd like to see you get 110 since that's what you got on Friday." Then Amaya said, "Okay, I'll give it a try." and she did. She got 110 degrees, again!