Last physical therapy session after lengthening...wow

   Yesterday was a big day. After fifty one weeks of therapy we were done with therapy. Well, mostly. We'll be returning in three weeks for a follow up visit with Melissa to see how Amaya is progressing. We're hoping to get a good report that day and to be released from therapy. After that we'll see Melissa at the triathlon in April. Melissa will be working a both that day and Amaya will be participating in her first triathlon. After that we might not see her for a few years until Amaya has her next lengthening. Hopefully she's still working there. I couldn't imagine going through this with anyone else.

   Melissa said that we don't have to push the range of motion in the knee too much because it wont regress. It will continue to progress as she goes along. She also suggested ladder climbing, bike riding and running. I asked about the atrophy that Amaya had in her left butt cheek. Melissa said that the muscle starts to come back after a month of training then takes another three to four months to build up. Melissa gave us six exercises to do for homework that will help with that. She said we can expect to do our physical therapy homework for the next two to three months then should be able to stop completely. Its hard to imagine a time without therapy homework. 

   I'm overwhelmed by this past year. I am grateful to you all for being a part of this journey with us. Thank you for reading along, for your kindness, patience, prayers, generosity, and love. We are forever grateful. 

Here's the card Amaya made for Melissa. I like how she titled it. Pretty cute, huh? Later she added a P.S. that said, "thank you for helping me get to this day." 

The girls cuddling in the lobby before our appointment.

Melissa started by testing Amaya's muscle strength. She said her left leg is actually stronger than the right leg at this point. 

Then she had Amaya do the exercises that she wants her to do at home. This is one of them.

Then she did some ladder work to help get the knee bending.

Then we went out in the hall for some running. Amaya wasn't lifting her left knee very much so Melissa asked her to try to get her to try to kick her own bottom.

Then she did some high knees.

Back in the gym Melissa and Amaya did some leg lifts while laying on their back, tummy then side. Then Melissa had Amaya lift her hips up off the floor. These are also some of the therapy exercises we need to continue to do at home.

 

When it came time for knee bends Melissa started by measuring Amaya's right knee first. She got her knee to bend to 154 degrees without any effort or work. Amaya said she wanted 144 as her goal for the day. She started at 131 degrees and continued to work until she got to her highest number since she started therapy last year, 145! Wow! I was even more impressed when Melissa said that she's never had someone be that close when they're done with therapy. There's only nine degrees difference between both legs! That's pretty amazing! Melissa said that she thinks Amaya will be able to get her left knee to 154 within the next six months. Look at how bent that knee is!

Before the session ended Melissa checked Amaya's balance and had her pick up some cones. We're also continuing to do this at home since she's still a bit wobbly. Instead of cones we'll use the clothes on her floor and the toys in the playroom.

Then she balanced on the balance beam.

Then balanced on her left leg. She was steady and held it for quite some time! I lost count after thirty seconds.

Josh took some time off form work to be with us during our last session. They were looking at a video they were going to share of Amaya climbing a brick wall.

One last swing into the ball pit!

Amaya and Melissa sharing a good bye hug. We're all going to miss her. She's been so kind, patient, professional, helpful, and wonderful. 

Afterwards I got the girls a celebratory churro. Look at those smiles. As we were in the drive thru I overheard Amaya tell Lidie, "thanks for coming to every therapy I had. I really appreciate it. I'm bending my knee so well cause you come and help me." To which Lidie replied, "You're very welcome." It was Amaya's idea to get a churro for Lidie as a thank you gift.

Then the girls had a play date with their friends Ryan and Tyler. The girls built a box around Ryan.

Then Amaya had a turn in the box.

The boys and their mom, Amy were so sweet and got the girls a cake to celebrate the end of therapy. What a sweet gesture. It meant a lot to the girls and us. We're so lucky to have such great friends in our lives.