12 Days and Counting

Sorry for the lack of a blog post last week...it was just too much to manage. My cousin died of cancer last weekend (he was 26) and Papa & Bebe went to Orange Beach for a few days. Sarah Kate and I each got a cold-like something, followed closely by a stomach bug, and things just didn't go well. She still didn't complain and worked as hard as she could at therapy, but she was definitely not herself. She perked up on Friday, just before we went home for the weekend (how did she know?)

I have to confess to a bit of disappointment over the last week. Although Sarah Kate has done fine, her progress just wasn't what I had expected. Maybe I had unrealistic expectations, but I don't think so. Scott agreed when he saw her this weekend - there were improvements, but only minor ones as far as we could see. The biggest improvement we could see was in her stamina - her quantity of walking has increased tremendously, although the quality has improved only slightly.

This week started off a little better, and I am "up" again. Lisa made a new, homemade, pair of braces for her to try this week. They are similar to the old ones (called AFO's - ankle foot orthotic), but are much shorter and have a notch cut out of the back where the Achilles tendon is located (called SMO's - supramalleolar orthotic). The purpose is to allow her foot to flex more while still supporting her weak ankles. The intent was for Sarah Kate to try the SMO's this week in therapy and then make a decision whether or not to switch. The difference was immediate, though, and Lisa said she should definitely switch to an SMO. Sarah Kate's gait was more typical and fluid - more bend in the knee and less of the halting stiff-legged walk. Late yesterday afternoon, we went to visit a friend of mind, Suzanne, who lives near Papa & Bebe. I turned around at one point to see Sarah Kate walking across the yard - she has never been able to walk easily in grass before! Flat, solid surfaces have been the only places she could manage unassisted. The yard was relatively flat, but very uneven and somewhat soggy from all the rain. Small victories!

Today was a little tougher. Sarah Kate doesn't quite understand the concept of "three weeks," so she doesn't realize how close she is to being finished with this leg of her journey. The first week was kind of fun for her, because she was getting to see Lisa and Carrie again and play in a new place. Last week the novelty had begun to wear off a little, and now you can see in her face that she is wondering when it's ever going to end. She asks every day now when we leave if we can go home and see Daddy. Tomorrow we will get to see Sophie for a few minutes, and I hope to have good news on that front, as well.

Thank you again for all of your prayers. We are beginning to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel!

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28