Well, we mailed the brace in and it was returned ten days later in perfect shape.
View from RIC treatment room window
Wednesday we went to the Rehab Institute of Chicago where we met with Gracie's rehab physician, Dr Gaebler (she is WONDERFUL!) and Dr Dias (rather dour that day but not always so.) Anyway, Dr D had her range at neutral so that was excellent in that he just jumps up and does it and Gracie tightens up in anticipation. So since its the same range he had her at in December and she has been mainly wearing her special braceless left shoe with the right shoe being braceless due to the broken brace, then I deem that EXCELLENT!
They anticipate her losing range with her next growth spurt. They didnt realize she had a fairly large growth spurt in fall and did not lose any range. I am figuring if we keep doing our exercises, wearing the nite brace and following instructions from Childrens we will weather it just fine. I plan to keep her in the long term serial casting program because I see results and we are progressing. All I have to do is look at the three botox results (nothing lasting more than six months) to know that what RIC suggests is not always the best long term. That I have to use my head. So I plan to keep with the Childrens program for now and when she finishes growing and if she is still in braces go to surgery. The docs at RIC seemed fine with that.
They also brought up a "Smart" stretching machine which involves some kind of video game playing with your toes (would LOVE to try that) but I need to get Childrens to okay it. And they have a overall body range of motion study that they want Gracie in which I think would be very exciting. I love having her participate in those.
(After our appt, we had a fun time cruising thru the downtown Borders, American Girl and the Hershey Store with lunch at Corner Bakery. Just an overall lovely day.)
We have an appt with Childrens late in July. I am looking forward to that - she is looking pretty good to me. And now with summer here we can keep working and will go in there thoroughly prepared.
In swimming lessons the other day, Gracie, for the first time, got full range with her left arm. The instructor pointed it out to me several times. Not sure what it means but it was very exciting!
