Friday I went to pick up Amaya from school. They asked why she was leaving early and I let them know she'd be leaving for a physical therapy appointment. The woman asked, "Why would she need physical therapy?!" She was genuinely surprised that a fourth grader needed physical therapy. It hit me how abnormal Amaya's childhood is sometimes. This was reaffirmed later when Amaya said that a kid in class noticed her scars for the first time that day. "He was like, 'Why do you have scars? Why would you need surgery?!' He didn't really get it mom." Again, another reminder that Amaya's life isn't common. And that's okay. It's one of a kind, just like her. When I explained to the lady at her school why she needed therapy and about her past surgeries, I was proud of Amaya and all that she's endured. She's a tough kid. Abnormal is cool.
Our therapist said she had't heard back form Dr. Nelson yet about Amaya's knee. We'll see him next Monday, which is before we see her again (as of now we're on a stand by list for PT this week). Jennifer asked Amaya how she did during the week. Amaya said fine, but that she had pain (about 5-6) since Tuesday (4 days). She said it started when her class did some work outside in their garden and orchard. I was pained to learn of her being in pain for so long. She said she was standing for long periods of time, squatting and moving rocks, and trying to stabilize herself on unleveled ground. Amaya said she didn't tell the teacher, and she hand't told Josh or I. It saddens me to think that she has accepted pain as a daily, normal part of her life. It's so normal she doesn't even mention it anymore. The therapist reminded her to let her teacher know when she's in pain so that she can sit and take a break when she needs it (I also reminded her later as well). The therapist also asked how she was doing with her homework exercises. Amaya said they were good, but still a challenge. She's done amazing on them! Hasn't missed a single night! Even when we get home late she'll do them before bed.
This was Amaya stepping off of the 4 inch step. Immediately the therapist asked, "have you guys been working on this?" I said no. She said she thought maybe we had been because she could tell a difference. She said Amaya had improved in just a week of therapy! She said it wasn't much, but some. She could tell Amaya was improving. She had Amaya do them in front of the mirror so she could watch herself move and keep an eye on her right leg (it was leaning toward the left leg to help support it and stabilize her. Last week it was completely touching her left leg, so this was a bit of an improvement). After a few sets Amaya lost her balance and fell. She was able to catch herself on the bars next to her. It was painful to see her lose her balance like that. She just didn't have the strength to hold herself up. She fell a second time. She's resilient and kept on going, with a smile on her face.
Here's a short video of her doing the lifts.
The therapist added a 1pound weight to Amaya's ankle as she did her side leg lifts.
Amaya did great with the extra weight on!
Surprisingly the ones with the inside lifts were easier for her, Although, at home these are the most challenging for her. She did so many she lost count!
Here she is doing stretch with the band on. She had to open, close, stand, sit, open and hold it.
Here she is doing knee bends against the wall.
After therapy Jennifer offered Amaya some ice on her knee. She turned it down, but when we got home her knee was hurting pretty bad (which made sense since she had worked it so hard!). I put a bag of ice on and she loved it! She said next time she'll let the therapist do it there so hopefully it'll keep her pain managed.
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