It's time for an update since so many new things have been happening to Jane. In October she was fitted for DAFOS (little feet braces) to give her extra support as she learns to walk. This was done up and Shriner's Hospital, which operates on donations and allows patients to be seen and treated without payment. Thank you Shriners!
First Jane had to be fitted for the braces. Here they are putting a cast on her leg.
This cast is removed when it dries and provides a model for the braces.
When we first walked into the room, we were greeted with this ominous table. It looks like some sort of torture device. Fortunately, the table was neither spoken of nor used.
Then there was the part where we felt like we were picking out curtains. The doctor came in and tossed us a ring with all of the patterns and colors available for the braces. I don't know, it just seemed funny at the time. We went with the always fashionable "Hawaiian Package" with a lovely flowered strap with red foam and white plastic. It was funny and profoundly sad at the same time.
A couple of weeks later, the braces were finished!
Here's Jane bouncing around with her new braces.
Jane also has physical therapy at Shriner's once a week. This is her great PT Holly. Holly works with Jane to improve her strength and balance, and gives me suggestions on what I can do to help her at home.
Jane and the Big Mean Ball of Torture
On a related note, Jane has seen some great improvements as she has temporarily stopped taking her seizure medication. The side effects were not good (nausea, fatigue, muscle weakness, etc.) and now that she is off of them she seems much more alert and happy. We're hoping that the seizures won't start again, or if they do, we can use a different medication.
What a ride this has been. I have learned many things and hope that Jane can continue to make improvements. I've learned that "normal" is overrated, that God knows all of his children, and that scarf dancing, while perhaps being a good therapy for others, is enough to send this mother head first into an existential crisis and should never be attempted again.
