We are in San Antonio on family vacation, but I want to update all who are following Ella's therapy progress. (Yes, I know the total # is my mom. I'm ok with that.) We continue to work Ella each evening in the 'exercises' we were given. Things we have seen change most recently: her ankles are loosening up much more quickly than I thought they would. We support her ankle with one hand while the other pushes up on the ball of her foot to stretch the tendons and muscles up her calf. The first few times we did this, it took up to a minute for her to 'give' and let that stretch even happen. Now she immediately lets us position each foot and her toes go up past 90 degrees easily. For a cerebral palsy kid, that's something incredible!
Another of the exercises we do involves her spine and supporting muscles. We are manipulating the muscles around her spine in such a way that they tell us the spinal fluid will flow more easily. Not sure what this is supposed to do, but (coincidence or not) we have seen her temperment change noticeably since we started. She is much more interactive with us, her brothers, her dolls and just about everything she encounters on a given day. She just acts like she feels better. And to her credit, after Melo and I had massages in the Rivercenter Mall today, I acted like I just felt better too.
We will continue to do what God has put in front of us. He is moving in incredible ways in our lives and, specifically, in her body.
Thanks for your prayers.
Praise be to God.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
teacups
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Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
E's Progress
All this week was spent with the boys at AIM camp, so I havent seen Ella at all since Monday morning. When I watched her yesterday evening and this morning, it was obvious the progress she is making in her balance and walking gait. She is going much less 'side to side' when she walks and appears much more stable. We are doing only very limited therapy for her left arm and hand, but it is also showing progress. She opens and extends her fingers more and is still working on getting her palm up.
The reflex in her foot is moving toward being mature, as both feet now react in almost identical fashion. She loves the therapy (exercise) time we have with her and very willingly participates. By the end of the session, she is very loose and floppy. She sometimes gets so relaxed she falls asleep.
Again, I am amazed at how God's hands continue to move toward her perfection. Praise be to His name!
The reflex in her foot is moving toward being mature, as both feet now react in almost identical fashion. She loves the therapy (exercise) time we have with her and very willingly participates. By the end of the session, she is very loose and floppy. She sometimes gets so relaxed she falls asleep.
Again, I am amazed at how God's hands continue to move toward her perfection. Praise be to His name!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Melo's New Living Room
We bought new furniture for the living room at Ashley's today. Couch, chair, coffee table, end tables and area rug. Got to share E's story with the sales guy to boot!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Ella's Reflex Therapy
So the reflex therapy started tonight and just let me say that I am ABSOLUTELY AMAZED at what God is causing to happen in her little body!
The goal as best I can understand it is to make underdeveloped reflexes and the compensation that results become mature reflexes that require no compensation. Wow that's a mouth full.
The process involves much hands on manipulation.
The information and knowledge comes from what God has blessed Svetlana and Peter with.
We will stimulate reflexes in her core and extremities.
Tonight we worked on her after she fell asleep so that we could have a more cooperative subject. :-)
One remarkable thing happened: as we stimulated her in the babinski reflex on her left foot, it showed up for the first time since her brain bleed. For at least two years we had from time to time seen dr's and therapists check that reflex and it has never shown to be normal. Her foot would always jerk away and that's all. Tonight, on about the 5th rep with that exercise her foot relaxed and her toes fanned just like they are supposed to. I was completely stunned! So of course I did it again. And again. Each time her little toes fanning out just so. I can't find words to express what joy and excitement that holds for me.
So you're going to want to pray for us as we walk this road.
God continues to be faithful and keep His promises.
Glory to His Name
The goal as best I can understand it is to make underdeveloped reflexes and the compensation that results become mature reflexes that require no compensation. Wow that's a mouth full.
The process involves much hands on manipulation.
The information and knowledge comes from what God has blessed Svetlana and Peter with.
We will stimulate reflexes in her core and extremities.
Tonight we worked on her after she fell asleep so that we could have a more cooperative subject. :-)
One remarkable thing happened: as we stimulated her in the babinski reflex on her left foot, it showed up for the first time since her brain bleed. For at least two years we had from time to time seen dr's and therapists check that reflex and it has never shown to be normal. Her foot would always jerk away and that's all. Tonight, on about the 5th rep with that exercise her foot relaxed and her toes fanned just like they are supposed to. I was completely stunned! So of course I did it again. And again. Each time her little toes fanning out just so. I can't find words to express what joy and excitement that holds for me.
So you're going to want to pray for us as we walk this road.
God continues to be faithful and keep His promises.
Glory to His Name
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