Week 36

Gracie had her two-month checkup. We brought new shoes (Sketchers) with us and they worked well. They were basically the same style as Vans - which, btw, are no longer sold on Zappo and only one or two styles carried by Golden Shoe.

I asked the criteria for getting her out of the braces - or at least starting to wean her from them. Apparently she has to be walking nicely most of the time - it needs to be second nature. It does not include running which always involves hiking that arm and running badly. Interesting fact: when they wean her from the braces, they remove the affected side brace first, leaving the unaffected side in the AFO. Supposedly this forces more weight-bearing and use to the affected side.

Good News #1: She apparently grew enough on the left side to almost even out. They did not have to put a pad in her shoe.

Good News #2: Walking with and without shoes looks very good. The exercises seem to be working in terms of increasing her strength.

Good News #3 (and this is a potential BIGGIE): When I asked Mary about weaning her off the braces, I assumed it be another year before we could start. Mary, however, thought it might be this summer. Oh, that would be heaven!

Her left calf measurement went up half a centimeter. We are to go back at the end of July. I'm tired and need a break - we headed from Childrens to an appt at LaRabida to see her OT, Audrey. Audrey gave exercises to do plus recommended she wear her night brace regularly (why? she is keep her range without it. have to ask) and made her a removable cast for her right hand to do "forced use".

I have to call to make an appt to start seeing Mary for regular PT. Will do that tomorrow