Moving to Texas is a dream come true but I'm sad to leave our friends and specialists behind. I will miss the beautiful scenery here that we are surrounded by.I have taken longer routes to places just to take in the beauty of this area that we now call home. I step outside more often to feel the cool Virginia breeze.I have also found myself hugging people tighter because I know our time here is limited.On the other hand, I have to admit this whole moving thing has made me a tad anti-social. Deep down I didn't want to tell my friends here that we were leaving because I feared they would distance themselves from us. I know I shouldn't feel that way, but in the past I have experienced people acting different when they know you won't be around for much longer. Thankfully, this precious bunch of friends that I have here have been SO sweet and kind after knowing we are moving HOME to be closer to our family.I feel so blessed for that.
Almost forgot! This blog is not about me, it's about Frankie's progress with hemiplegia. Here it is! This month I received a progress report from her school that she attends with mainstream students. After reading the first section, I wanted to throw up.I realized how far behind we are. I later read the part of the report where it grades the student on social skills. OH MY! Frankie's teachers had such wonderful things to say about her. My nausea quickly subsided and turned into a huge grin. I felt so proud and comforted to know that other people recognize how happy, motivated and persistent our little girl can be. All the other stuff (writing her name, putting sets together, etc..) can all be learned. A personality can NOT be learned. Yea, we have a few things to work on, but we can and will accomplish our academic goals!
This Spring we had our follow up with Dr.Romness at UVA. Frankie could barely walk during our appointment because of a growth spurt. Her balance was way off. During a growth spurt, the bones grow faster than muscles which makes the body ache and in our case, can limit movement. Dr. Romness recommended a huge, hinged brace for Frankie's right foot thinking that it would improve her gait. He also recommended an intensive physical therapy program. Huh? I had never heard of an intensive PT program. It's kind of like a boot camp for 2-4 weeks of intense therapy that includes stretching, gait training, etc...
The following business day I was researching places in Texas that had intensive PT programs and we were off to the "Brace Place" here in Fairfax to get fitted for the ha-yuge brace that was recommended. I hesitated because I really didn't feel that Frankie needed it. After all, Dr. Romness observed her gait when she could barely walk and I knew this was temporary. After the casting appointment (photo below) and being told how heavy the brace would be, I called the Brace Place and told them...STOP! Please don't continue with the casting. Frankie doesn't need it. Here I am, faced with another decision but I feel it was the best one.Go with the mommy gut..right?
At PT and OT, it was time for our annual evaluation. Frankie's grades were right below average BUT!!! I was reminded to not look at the grade but to look at PROGRESS. Frankie took the Peabody test. I was in the room and was so amazed at how she can cut with scissors, holding the paper with her right hand! I was also impressed at how she could stack several blocks without them falling.I can't wait for her to beat me in Jenga. =)
A few weeks ago, we registered Frankie for Top Soccer here in Loudoun county and she loved her first practice! Sadly, she won't be able to make another practice for a while...why? Well, Frankie had a little accident at her Aunt & Uncle's house in Texas on April 28th...Mark's birthday. She fell off a step and twisted her right ankle. She was in excruciating pain! She wouldn't let us even touch her leg or foot. We had X-rays done at an emergency clinic and nothing seemed to be broken.There was no inflammation or bruising so I thought this was a good sign?I had been told that sometimes fractures don't show up for weeks, even months so we couldn't rule this out.
The remainder of our week in Texas was tough but thankfully we were surrounded by family. Frankie was unable to stand but she was still her own happy self.
We flew back to Virginia on Sunday and she was still having a hard time bearing weight on her right leg (which happens to be her affected side.) Anxious Mama couldn't accept this. No way.I needed more answers and a crystal ball that could tell me when she would heal. Well, I know I couldn't get the crystal ball, but I took Frankie to a local orthopedic Dr. yesterday and they did more X-rays.They did one on her tibia, which they didn't do in Texas. Nothing seemed broken but the Dr was convinced that there is indeed a fracture in the foot area, not a sprain. The Dr.proceeded to tell me to stop googling after I TOLD her and insisted that she sprained her ankle. Yup. I convinced myself that she had a ruptured or torn ligament in her ankle. I was worried that she would cause more damage if I continued to encourage her to stand and walk. The Dr said to encourage her to walk, as long as she tolerates it.
The next few weeks will be tough, but we will be just fine. Our love tanks are full after seeing Nana, Poppy, aunts, uncles and cousins. I was also able to have a girls' weekend with childhood friends that will continue to keep me fueled for a long time!
Here is Frankie today....We are back to baby steps, but she will be running again in no time. We will continue to ride the wave!
