3 weeks Post op

James is just flat out amazing. He is 19 days post surgery and is back to his feisty and active self. We are noticing little changes that are making HUGE changes in his walk and body. Now I am under no delusions that my son's feet are moving like a typically developing child's feet now but they are moving! That is the miracle in itself right there. After the SDR James could bend his legs and separate them at will. He even could start to move his feet and toes some. But after this PERC lengthening WOW he is wiggling and moving them more and more everyday. 

 He is now able to fully weight bear on his feet and he seems to have grown a foot!

 James is back in his walker and walking better than ever before. We are noticing things about his walk that we never saw before. Like we knew that his left foot tended to turn inward but now that everything is stretched we are seeing it more, but the BIG difference is that he can control it and I think with proper PT and strengthening he will correct it himself in time.

 His balance is better. He got this Plasma car for Christmas and he loved it, but he still couldnt quite stay on it. Now he is able to ride it and steer. So great to have an outside toy!!

 I have been doing a lot of home PT with James. St. Louis gave us a home program and we are really trying our best to follow it. But some of the exercises are just boring so I have been trying to make them a little more exciting. This is a classroom game called Crocodile Hop. It has several way to play and James really thinks it is a lot of fun. I love that I can hide PT with it!

 These arent very fun looking pictures but I wanted to show you how James scars are healing. The top is the Hamstring cut and the scar in the calf is where they did the gastrocs

Here is James walking with his walker. See those heel strikes I have been talking about. The last part of the video is better because he gets off the hill he was on and pays attention to his feet. 

 BEST of all!!! James has started to take some steps with his canes. We are super excited about this because it is just another step to taking those independent steps one day. He stood with his canes for 2 whole minutes before getting scared and asking for help. And he took 4 steps with his canes before he realized that I had let go. Progress is always welcome in this house!!

A Journey in Pictures

There are a lot of things I want to say about this trip to St. Louis and the surgery. I just cant seem to get all my words together because we are still so very tired, and James is still in pain during the day. So I thought I would give you guys a quick picture journey of our trip. 

And we are Off!

Our home for the week

A little sight seeing and we took James to the Magic house and this was his favorite thing. 

The Mock Oval Office

 Evaluation Day!!

 I LOVE this series because James had the camera and was taking pictures. I love seeing from his view point.

And THIS is why we come to St. Louis!!

 Time to see our favorite doctor. Dr. Park

 HaHA Checking out James game. Nothing like watching a world class neuro surgeon being schooled on a video game by a 4 year old!!! 

 The BIG day ( surgery day)

 This pretty much sums up how I felt

As we are here

 After some high class calm down drugs James is chilled out in the pre-op room ( we had to wait for 3 hours!)

 Marked where the incisions will go

 They let me use my Wal-Mart degree and assist! Just kidding, they let me go back into the OR until James fell asleep.

 Recovery wake up was ROUGH

 Finally resting

 View from the room

 Best Daddy in the world!

 4 incision sites

 First post op PT

 James can kick!

 Fist time standing post op. Lots of pain but he did it

 Showing off those wiggly toes!

 Headed home

 Home sweet home as James said when I sat him down in his  messy room to take this picture!

Surgery was a success. Dr. Dobb said he got full range of motion in his tendons, which we were hoping for. and he expected him to make a wonderful recovery. Just going to take time. Dr. Park was very happy with his progress. Dr. Park told us that he expects James to be an independent walker with in the year!