A move in the right direction

Today is the start of a new week and my attention turns to what the outcome of today’s physio session will be. Focus for today and the rest of the week is to strengthen Dana’s legs and a return to at least pre operations.

The taxi has been booked for 8.30am which takes us to the Childrens Hospital. The first point of call is the orthotic department following an email this morning confirming Keith is able to alter Dana’s splints before physio at 11am. The department is busy yet has calmness. There are no screaming children, no loud voices. I think the x box games helps plus having a fish tank as a focal point in the middle of the room. Keith soon appears and shakes my hand and asks how we are. He thanked me for my email, which I said I hope he didn’t mind me emailing him. He replied no at all, you can email me anytime. Keith examined Dana’s splints and Dana explained where they felt tight. Within ten minutes he had made the longer splints wider and we were out of there.

Physio is at 11am and we had an hour to go, so we head to Starbucks and thankfully the rain has stopped. We speak to John and he knows where I’m heading, he getting to know us very well. We have a brief chat about Grace and Dr Park who are featured in the hospitals newspaper I notice he has hightlighted some sections and seems very interested in the feature. John admits he really didn’t appreciate how amazing Dr Park is and mentioned he will make a point to shake his hand when he walks into the hospital. Starbucks also gives me the opportunity to catch up on emails. Finally I have a decent cup of coffee, I order double shots, single shots is far too weak, yuk . Just before physio we have just enough time to pick up a few solution swabs which will make taking the leg dressings easier for us and Dana. I ask a RN my request and she replies no problem how many do you need. After I explain, the RN hands me a couple of strips. Dana starts to complain the splints are starting to hurt as we make our way to the therapy department.

Blaire meets us in the waiting area where we are chatting with another family and leads us into the physio area. Dana mentions the splints are hurting and advise we have already seen Keith. Dana manages to a couple of minutes on the leg press and some standing on her frame while kicking a ball. She is in real pain now so Blaire takes off the splints and sees a pressure point on her foot. It is throbbing and red. Blaire puts a band aid as a cushion and the physio continues. Blaire now suggests walking with the walker. Now imagine Dana has more strength in one of her legs so her walking pattern is less lifting her foot more dragging. The momentum that Dana is told before stepping forward is transfer weight, lift leg and step through. She is supported quite a bit by Blaire and struggles to walk less distance she had previously walked post SDR. Her face is one of grit and determination and it takes every ounce of strength to walk. Blaire suggests a few exercises which I need to focus on and agree to work on this later that afternoon at the hotel.

The work Dana has given today is 110 % and wish improvements can be matched to the amount of hard work shown. Sadly it can’t, well not straight away. The more she continues to work this well the rewards will show for themselves.

Blaire suggests she walk with us to see Keith and as we walk to the orthotics department, Keith appears. Yet again nothing is too much trouble as Keith takes a look at the pressure point left on Dana’s foot and after a few minutes Keith has adjusted the ankle splint this time and refits both on Dana. It’s now lunchtime and in two and a half hours we have had the splints adjusted twice and have a physio session. Food is a welcome relief now and head to the cafeteria for lunch.

The taxi is booked to pick us up at 1.30 from the hospital, now it is nearly 2pm and we are still waiting. I call and ask if he is on his way to be told he has forgotten and will be with us in 20 minutes. This just , well you can imagine how I feel, and after nearly an hour of waiting, the taxi turns up and I politely explain the implications of not turning up on time.

We arrive at the hotel and head back to our room, I now have the joy of removing all four dressings from Dana’s legs and quickly get the solution swabs from my bag which the RN gave me. If there was an Oscar for loudest scream and acting award Dana will win. Believe me it was not the most pleasant job to do and I’m not a natural when it comes to things like this. Yes they are all removed after nearly an hour and the shower finally awaits..

Today has been a move in the right direction by getting Dana on her feet and ensuring the splints are suitable. We can only build on today for further session this week while keeping up with the stretches twice a day. I am truly grateful to a few of the SDR mums who know exactly what to say as they have been there. I appreciate the honesty and clear view of things to come, even if I can’t see it just yet. EC, you also are there for me on the other end of this virtual world day or night. I thank you all. I am told to stay strong which I do on the outside, inside I’m a mess – no one sees that part, Dana doesn’t. She has a strong mum who is positive and truly believes every part of human nature and behavior is being tested.