Good News

Today was our final appointment with Dr Park and he was very pleased with Libby’s progress. Libby had a few questions ready for him - how much longer her itching was going to last, could she bend her legs whilst sleeping now, could she dangle her feet!!! But the biggest question of all that she asked was ‘has all the spasticity gone?’, when Dr Park replied that it certainly had, Libby had the biggest smile ever (Uncle Karl needed the tissues again!!). Dr Park explained that he had cut about 65% of her nerves in her spine and that the spasticity had all gone and it was very very unlikely that it’ll come back – we will know that for sure in approx 4-6 months. He also said that Libby now had full knee extension which was very good and means that she will be able to stand up straight and take proper long strides putting her heel down first (when she gains her strength back), rather than toe first, dragging along the ground making lovely holes in her shoes – which the tightness in her muscles caused her to do. He was very impressed that she had got over the two surgeries and was pain free so quickly. He said Libby will be walking much better within a month and we are to send him a video in about six month’s time.

We are obviously delighted with the result and are looking forward to what is to come in the future. However, please don’t expect Libby to be walking by herself on our return, she is still very weak, she is not yet back to her ability on her walker, she’s not walking one handed at the moment and more– we have a very long road ahead. However, now everything that was stopping Libby from walking independently has been taken away by this amazingly fantastic surgeon and his team and with hard work and determination; she will fulfil her dream (and ours). Feeling quite emotional at the moment and very hopeful - what a wonderful journey!

To top the day, we were having our evening meal and I was trying to get Ben to use a knife and fork and to cut his food himself, which he did (little star) and then Libby tried it - she has never been able to hold a knife and fork and always just uses a fork in her right hand but.... because the surgery has got rid of the spasticity, this included her left arm which was also very stiff (not as bad as her legs). Today she put her fork in her left hand, STABBED her chicken, picked up her knife in her right hand cut it and then put the chicken into her mouth with her left hand – A FIRST – WONDERFUL, she may not have to go on Ladette to Lady after all!!!

In the pictures above is Dr Park & is wonderful assistant Nicole. Also Libby’s very nicely healed scar on her back. I have put a video on prior to this post to help out my technophobic hubby!!