Day 93: Making Big Strides

Duplicated on our CaringBridge site for permanent record here.

February 18, 2021, written by Mama

93 days in the hospital: 63 in PICU, 28 in the Oncology ward, 2 at In-Patient Rehab!

This was a joy-filled day! In the morning, the S---- family was in the medical district for an appointment, so they drove past our window (twice!) waving hello.

Thomas used a standing table to learn how to bear weight in his feet, during which he painted a picture of the farm he is some day going to own . . . "But I will still always be your family, Mama."

For these kids who have been horizontal so long, initially even having a therapist touch the soles of his feet was painful. It has taken probably six weeks of working with his feet so that he could stand in this table today for 30 minutes.

Thomas learned how to use a self-propelled wheelchair. When he saw the therapist bring it in, he said, "THAT is the kind of wheelchair I've been waiting for!"

I realized with tears in my eyes that I was witnessing the first time in three whole months that Thomas could use his own will and volition to move where he wanted to go.

And our little trooper used a special kind of walker to start taking his first supported steps!