Stepping into the future! (2 months post op)

 

Have you ever felt like singing out loud,

dancing through the house with complete abandon,

rejoicing over every moment of every day?

Well that's sort of the way we are feeling now!

I feel like I have been unable to adequately describe what this journey has really been like but today, finally, both Lilly and I feel free again!

 She is healthy, sweet and smart, sassy and ever challenging.

Just like she should be, just like she always has been and I can breathe again.

 

The past month has brought so much to us, from venturing out again to jumping in the deep end again, literally. Although it took along time, Lilly eventually got a bit of confidence back and was willing to go watch a friends baseball game. Everyone was there, school friends and my friends. She was very timid at first but soon realized that her friends just wanted to be her friends and they liked Lilly the same with or without her legs. Within an hour or so, she was happy and starting to venture out beyond by arms.





 

 It has been a lot more emotional and mental that I thought it was going to be, not that the physical part wasn't hard enough! For a long time she has not been open to anyone seeing her legs, or what is left, which is her thigh, I just hate the term stump so I'm going to refer to them as her legs until I come up with a better term! She wanted pants that were full length and covered her like a blanket. However, every day she gets a bit braver and will roll them up or wear shorts. Sounds crazy I'm sure but this is a big deal to a little girl!
This 2nd month we have really moved forward in Lilly's journey. One big step was when Lilly asked to go swimming again. This is something she has always loved and it was very sad when she wouldn't even get into a bath tub let alone a swimming pool. But one step at a time, one tiny accomplishment at a time, she is moving forward. She went from not being able to submerge herself in the tub without complete hysteria  to wanting to go into a swimming pool pretty quickly. It was mostly about her trusting herself again and letting go of her fear. She said that she was sure that her legs were going to fall off or melt away. Can you only imagine what was going on in that little mind. God love her, she is amazingly strong and determined and I'm so proud of her.

So off to the doctors office we go! We needed to have approval of both her pediatrician and her surgeon before we could go swimming again. . . or any other sport!


At the pediatricians office getting clearance



At Shriners - Dr. Lerman and Lilly



Lilly's  first day back in the pool was everything I had hoped it would be for her. She was relaxed and happy, trusted herself and enjoyed it! That's what was most important to me. I just wanted her to have fun and relax. She doesn't need to be an Olympic athlete but I hope that she will trust herself and always try whatever she is interest in.

                                    

first day back in the pool





 Then she asked if she could try gymnastics,

and my answer was YES YES YES.

 I want Lilly to try everything she is interested in, so here she is, ready for her first day at gymnastics. She was so excited and had so much fun. All of the girls were so nice and friendly to her. We have been very lucky to always have so many positive and supportive people around us!

 Needless to say, now we are enrolled in swim lessons once a week and gymnastics once a week!

You go girl!



So, what about walking?

Well, she has been fitted for her first set of prosthetics and will begin a rehabilitation program specifically for amputees within the next 3 weeks. The program will also include a support group for myself and Lilly will have her own support group too.
It is vitally important that she learn how to walk correctly from the very first step she takes, but it is also important that she learns how to deal with her life mentally and emotionally in a healthy way.

I feel really confident that our team of professionals is the right fit for Lilly and I and she is going to do amazing things! It is an extremely exciting and fascinating time in our lives and we feel so honored to be sharing it with all of you. Your gentle words, endless random acts of kindness, prayers and dedication will never go unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!