One Small Step

Written Saturday evening:

OK, I leave Charlotta alone for the weekend with Steve and I miss all the exciting stuff! Today she not only took one small step, but many. With the help of the physiotherapist, Steve was able to get Charlotta up and walking this morning, and then again this afternoon. They both had to hold under her arms to help her with her balance, but she was able to walk about 15 feet from her room and back again. She's quite unsteady when walking because her left foot is always trying to step in front of her right foot. This is what her leg muscles remember from before her operation when she had to compensate for the unbalance in her back. She'll have to re-learn how to walk straight.

Steve also took Charlotta for a few longer rides in a wheelchair around the hospital. They went outside for a bit and then down to Starbucks for a hot chocolate (of course). Charlotta's cousins also came for a visit and they played with her in the hospital playroom. She was able to sit for 2 hours in the wheelchair, which is an accomplishment in itself since yesterday she could barely sit up and keep her balance by herself.

It also seems like the "spacey" affects of the medication are wearing off, as Charlotta is back to her own chatty self and was awake for most of the day. When I talked to Steve on the phone tonight around 9pm, he was saying to me, "I should get her to sleep soon. She's tired" and in the background I hear Charlotta say, "No, I'm not!"

Finally, I'm not sure if anyone has seen the Children's Miracle Weekend show on Global TV (it's on Saturday and Sunday). The telethon is raising funds for BC Children's Hospital. Those of you who have been there know that the hospital is truly an incredible place with so many talented doctors, nurses and therapists. We've spent our fair share of time there over the years, and always feel so fortunate and blessed to have such a great facility so close to home.

I was just watching the telethon tonight (as I'm typing this) and saw a short video of a girl named Sophie who had the exact same operation as Charlotta. She's doing very well now and the biggest outcome for her was that she no longer had pain in her back. Even though Charlotta didn't complain about the pain, I'm sure it was there and I'm glad to know that her back will feel better when she's fully recovered.