Compliments

        Last night Amaya did great! We did her pt homework then our nightly routine (tea, massages, pain meds). She played some lullabies as I massaged her leg and foot and was asleep by 10:10. I was so happy she was able to sleep after working hard to get to 90 degrees earlier that day. She woke up tired but her pain was tolerable and she felt good enough to go to school.

    Today at therapy the therapist complimented Amaya on her attitude, effort, and the hard work she's been doing. He told her that often when teenagers come in they complain, roll their eyes, and refuse to do the work. He thanked her for being so pleasant and kind. He told me "you did a good job raising this one." I agree. He also asked about how she's been managing her pain at night with all the hard work she's been doing (and wanted to make sure she isn't overdoing it or in too much pain). I let him know that we have a routine of giving her pain medication, ice packs, massaging her muscles with coconut oil and giving her chamomile tea. He praised our efforts and said, "you two are a great team." He encouraged us to keep up the good work because it makes a big difference long term in how she heals and recovers. It warmed my heart to hear such kind words and to get acknowledgement from a professional. It's starting to feel like things are easing up and we're making some good headway. 

    On the drive home I praised and thanked Amaya for doing so well at physical therapy. She smiled and told me its because she wants to be able to bend her knee again and to be able to walk. She said she wants this badly and she's willing to work hard for it. 

Look at that bend! This was just as she sat down to being pt today

Standing knee bends, then crossing over the right leg to bend at an angle

 (to help street the side muscles as well)

bending toward the outside of the left leg

After standing exercises she did some on her tummy. First she worked to straighten her knee fully, which was a bit uncomfortable. Then the therapist asked Amaya if she could raise her left leg while keeping it straight. She tried but her leg wouldn't move, at all. It was as if her brain and leg weren't communicating. Then he helped move her leg to do nine lifts (see picture below). It was fascinating because then he asked her if she could do one alone and now she was able to. It was so interesting to watch because once he did it with/for her then it showed her brain and leg how to do it and how to communicate to one another. From then on she was able to do it easily. He said this is common and shows the importance of pt; so you don't "forget" how to use different muscles.  

Assisted leg lifts

Then she had to do some clam bends. She finds these to be painful because she's bending her knee while also lifting her hip. So lots of muscles are simultaneously working together. Doing these exercises her muscles began to "tremor." The therapist said it's because her muscles are working so hard right now. He said the more she does the work then the tremors will go away.

While supporting the knee she had to straighten her left leg. He said these are super important to do and we need to add them to the list of daily "must do" exercises.

After her thirty minutes work she easily got her knee to a "legit ninety degrees." With minimal work she was able to get to 92 degrees. He chose to not push her too much more because she has another session tomorrow and doesn't want to overwork her.