Life in Davidland

Life in Davidland is moving forward. Yesterday we went and got his new orthotics. He is now a little over three weeks out from having the cast removed from his broken leg. He is still having some circulation issues in his lower legs if they are left to hang down too long but I am hoping with more activity and once he begins water physical therapy that soon this issue will be in our rear view mirror. It doesn't hurt that the weather is warmer too which helps his circulation immensely.

Since his cast removal, David has been doing several times daily, what they call "up downs." He sits in a chair with his walker in front of him and under his own power he pulls himself to a standing position, holds that position for 10-30 seconds and then sits back down. On his first day, he managed one, which was amazing due to the fact that his legs had held no weight for well over four months. Now he is up to five, three times a day. His legs are getting stronger every day. 

Saturday, the boys and I ran errands. While this sounds average enough, in our world this was verging on amazing. Because of the fragility of Davids bones and the need to protect his legs, along with the extreme effort involved on everyone's part, taking David places has been almost impossible. Now though, his legs are stronger and his ability to be moved around is much easier, so we decided to give him an outing. The last time we did this, he broke his leg the following day, so trust me, I was a little nervous over the whole thing. He did amazing though and we even stopped for a bite to eat and he was able to sit at a table and keep his feet propped up on the facing chair. It almost felt like we were getting back to some version of normal. 

When we got home, Z brought David in and put him on the floor while I carried in the groceries. In a matter of about 30 seconds, David had flipped up on his knees and was breaking all land speed records to get to the stairs. I stood in amazement with the ease in which those "delicate" legs propelled him. Without even hesitating he started up the first step. I held my breath as Z carefully stood behind him waiting for Davids next move. The first step came easy, but you could tell the second step took more effort. Then the third step. By this time his leg muscles were starting to tremble and you could see both the exhaustion and frustration in Davids eyes. When he realized that he had gone as far as his own strength would allow him to go, he began to cry. He so wanted to go up those stairs. Z carefully helped him to the floor and straightened his now tight and almost frozen muscles. It was a moment of both triumph and disappointment for all of us. It was beyond amazing to see David fighting to get his mobility and pre-surgery abilities back. The fact that he made it so far was awe inspiring. It was also disappointing to see the disappointment in Davids face as you could tell that he felt deflated at his self perceived failure to achieve his goal of all 13 steps. Both Z and I let him know that it was only a matter of time and he would conquer those stairs, but at the moment, the days frustration was all that mattered.

David crawling for the first time since surgery.

Since Saturday, he has made several more attempts to master the stairs. They are still a hill he has to climb but with his determination, there is no doubt in my mind that it is just a matter of time and he will be taking those stairs like a pro. 

As if this weekends stair adventure weren't exciting enough, David decided to top that on Monday. Instead of doing just his regular up-downs, he decided to wow his para and make his first attempt at walking. They recorded his efforts on his iPad at school and I nearly cried of happiness. Not only could you see the pride in Davids face at his first attempts at mobility, but his legs were beautifully straight. In the past, David has walked with his walker, but never has he been able to walk that either his knees didn't bow in or after his first surgery, his knees bowed out causing his feet to cross uncontrollably. Now though, his legs are perfectly straight which gives him so much more ease of mobility. It was obvious to me that all he needs now is to get muscle built up and strength in those legs and then there will be no stopping him. It was an amazing moment for all of us. 

Of course, along with the good there always has to be a speed bump. It is just the nature of the beast I guess. I touched on the fact in my last blog that some changes were being made within David's classroom. Change for a special needs kid is never easy and when you continually pile change on, which is what his life has been since Christmas, then there are bound to be some repercussions. Davids first week back at school went pretty well. At my "strong" insistence, they decided instead of yanking the rug out from under David and changing everything in his school life without a transition period, that they would give him three weeks and a gradual transition. Did this actually, happen? I have my doubts as David has gone from being excited to go to school, to suddenly being very quiet. He is excited until he hits the bus, but according to the bus driver, from the moment he gets on he goes into "ignore" mode and stays that way. I have also noticed that he tries to fight getting ready in the morning now, something he has never done. Then as of the other day, he has started having mini seizures again. Is this all a sign that he is dealing with too much change? My mothers intuition tells me yes, but I am taking him for blood work to get his med levels checked on Friday. If all checks out on that end, then I guess I am going to have to have another "conversation" with certain people in the district about what is in the best interest of the child vs. what vindictive personalities want. You would think that some would be wise enough to choose their battles and their opponents more carefully.

All of this being said, I have actually been able to take a calming breath every now and then of late. With spring forcing its way in, we have plans to open our pool this weekend and see if everything is still working on it. If all goes well, then hopefully these warm days will start taking their toll on the water and soon David will be able to begin his water therapy. There is no better therapy for post surgery kids like David and it is a therapy that he actually enjoys. It is my hope that after a month or so in the water David will be well on his way to stronger legs and by the time school starts he will be walking most places that he goes. The road has not been an easy one and often times the speed bumps have looked an awful lot like mountains, but if the end result is David walking, then every speed bump, every scary moment and every bad day will have been worth it all. Did I say "if"? I meant.....David will walk!