Return of Independence

     One of the challenges Amaya has had during this surgery and recovery has been her loss of independence. It's been mentally and emotionally challenging on her to have to become so dependent on us these past few months. For us it's hard to balance helping her without making her feel powerless and not taking it personal when we're the ones who she takes her frustration out on. Surgeries and the recovery process change the dynamic of our home each time. It's hard (painful, frustrating, and challenging) on all of us not just Amaya. Thankfully, we have a loving and supportive home life and support network.

    This past week we've had some victories and have seen a return of Amaya's independence. Amaya did her own laundry, has been given the green light to drop down to one crutch (for outdoor walking), she tackled stairs at school (this was unplanned since the elevator wasn't working and she had to get up to class. But she did it and was steady and felt safe doing so), and she's started doing more chores around the house. She's also able to do some "small things" like carry her own dinner plate to the table, return dishes, grab a drink, etc. When she had the walker it wasn't safe to do so. These small things are all adding up to be a big thing.

Stairs! She went up and down with no problems! Even though I was terrified the whole time. 

Amaya did her laundry this past weekend! This was the first time since she had her surgery! She was happy, proud and excited! It's great to see her improve and how these victories improve her mental health. 

Side lifts to build muscle, strength and balance.  

During the steps even though we could still see her left leg shake we can definitely tell she's improved.

Her therapist had her practice walking down the hall with one crutch before she would sign off to let her drop down from two to one crutch at school. Amaya is worn out and tired of having to use two crutches so she asked for the change. The therapist hd to make sure that Amaya is using a good gait when she walks. The therapist pointed out that Amaya tends to tilt her hips and turn in her right leg. Once it was pointed out to her she has been working on correcting it. 

Around the house she's been walking without a crutch for about a week now. Although she still uses a crutch to get in and out of the house; we have three steps, with no rail, so that's the safest way.

Building balance and strength

     Amaya has continued to go to physical therapy twice a week. The main focus has been on building balance and strength. The therapist has had her do resisted gait strengthening; she does exercises while pulling 24 pounds that are attached to her with a cable. This is a great way to build her strength. She has also started to do band work; she's got one at home the she does with her nightly pt homework. 

    Amaya's pt homework has continued to increase. It takes Amaya about 30 minutes each day to get through all her exercises. Plus the additional walking that she does throughout the day. She walks around the house without crutches or a walker. She's gotten steadier and more confident each day! At school she is continuing walking with her two crutches. Beside walking around campus she also walks in town about once a week (her school has open campus for lunch so this is a great way for Amaya to walk and do some PT). 

    Amaya has been improving day by day! She's still experiencing some soreness in her hip and knee but the therapist says that's to be expected after not using it for three months. And its a side effect from building the muscles. 

    Today the therapist measured the range of motion in Amaya's knee to see how it's doing. She reminded us that once you begin to build muscle its typical to lose some of the range of motion. Amaya had 7 degrees of hyperextension (straightening) and then 143 in bending! That's the same that it was two weeks ago! That's great news! It means Amaya hasn't lost any of her ROM! I know thats' a lot of explanation points but I'm excited, happy and proud. Amaya's "rocking it" as her therapist says so she's ow dropping down to PT once a week. We'll continue to get monthly x-ryas to monitor her bone development.

    Thank you all for the well wishes, love and support. 

Here's some of the band work she's doing. This is the band she's got at home and uses for these stretches.

High knees down the hall

Side lifts with the blue band

Sweet, silly Amaya.

Lowering and lifting herself onto the yoga ball while using her left leg. 

Side stepping while lifting 24 lbs.

A thirty minute session

    Amaya's walking is going great! She's been using the four point gait walk non-stop. She walked down to the beach on Friday, all around home and at school. Today she walked around the track twice (about half a mile) during PE. She's enjoying walking and had been waiting for this day eagerly. She's pretty sick of her crutches and anxious to be walking without them (but she's still got a few more weeks before that can happen). It's great to see her progress so quickly!

    It's amazing how much was packed into today's thirty minute pt session! Amaya did over ten exercises in that short amount of time! She worked hard and by the end was tired, sore and a bit worn out. As soon as she got home she took some tylenol and grabbed an ice pack. She's been resting ever since, and is still feeling a bit sore in the hip and knee. I'm hoping tonight is a good night for her. With Amaya it's hard to have her slow down and not push herself too much.  

Just one day after learning to walk with crutches Amaya walked out onto the beach! 

Her therapist called her a "rockstar" and was proud of her progress. She's now able to walk without crutches (but only at home and for short distances). 

She started pt today with a 4 minute bike ride. The therapist had her do this and all fo todays exercise to, "help build strength and good knee mechanics." 

Then she had her do steps up and down on an 8" step (this is what the average step is) and its importuned Amaya be able to safely step up and down. Amaya's left leg started to shake as she did this; a sign her muscles are working hard. The therapist is always close just in case Amaya were to lose her balance and fall (although the therapist doesn't think this will happen but she want to be safe).

Amaya did some side steps down the hall and back. 

Amaya had to do some high knees back and forth which also had her left leg shaking so much. 

Then she did some side steps and squats.