Then and Now Pictures

Above is a picture from right after surgery compared to a recent picture. As you can see, Amanda is doing really well! She had a few minor bumps in the road after returning home (she had to be treated for c-difficile -- an intestinal bacteria that she picked up in the hospital -- and with that had a few days of vomiting and a couple weeks worth of diarrhea which have now both resolved) but since that time has been steadily progressing.
Her local neurologist is thrilled with her condition, as are her therapists. She is more advanced mentally than she is physically but she is progressing well each day on both fronts. She enjoys her therapies and is quite active. Right now she gets physical therapy (gross motor) twice per week and occupational therapy (fine motor) twice per week. She is starting to regain some of her sitting and standing skills as her trunk strength and control starts to come back. In January, she will start some educational/play based therapy, some speech therapy, and some vision therapy. She will also get access to some computer software and equipment that will allow her to touch the screen and change the images that she sees. It will be kind of like playing a video game.
She continues to make us laugh each day. She loves to give kisses and say "hi", and thinks it is funny to nod her head "no." She is extremely happy and loves to squeal and babble. She loves to jump in her johnny jumper. In fact, she is so wild in it now that we are going to have to put it in a wider doorway to keep her from hitting things. It is such a gift to see her so happy and healthy. God is good!
We are getting ready for Christmas. We are not yet in our new house but family is what makes the season special so we will have fun no matter where we are. Amanda and Katie are blessed to be able to spend Christmas with both sets of grandparents this year. Dan and I are looking forward to spending time with everyone too. It should be a great time for all.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will keep posting to the Blog throughout the year. God Bless!
Susan