Erika and I traveled to Seattle on December 4th. Thankfully at night traffic was relatively light and we had no trouble finding our hotel. Erika had her 1st appointment on Monday. We met with rehab psychologist.
Tuesday she had testing from 9AM to 1:30 with the psychologist and speech therapist. We left right from there to pick up Brittany and Michelle at the airport. I immediatley turned over the combat driving to Michelle. We got to spend Tuesday afternoon/evening with Kristi and Makelya Finley (friends who use to live in Fairbanks) going to the malls.
On Wednesday, Brittany had appointments with the rehab doctor, occupational therapist, physical therapist, psychologist, school teacher and speech therapist. These were back to back appointments from 9 to 2. (Erika had plenty of time to work on school work) Then we had our last appointment for Erika with the psychologist and speech therapist.
Brittany was pleased with her appointment with the rehab doctor. She was given permission to resume activities (contact) next summer, she can do a few now with precautions and limits. Most exciting is that the Dr. said Brittany can resume driving (Mom and Dad think spring will be a good time to pick this back up).
The doctor wants Brittany to continue physical therapy for a couple more months she would like to see her pelvis/hip stronger.
Brittany worked with the PT and OT. She has gained alot of strength since she was there in September all the measurements had improved.
Next we met with the psychologist, school teacher, and speech therapist. This was an emotional meeting for both of us. I think I have been so focused on Brittany's physical well being that I had not fully recognized the emotional toll this has had on Brittany. She opened up about her feelings of missing friends and not being at school full time.
The new semester will bring change for Brittany. She will be returning to school full-time. She will continue PT, but as Erika would say she has graduated from OT and speech.
Brittany may have some long term subtle changes, but God has truly blessed us with a Christmas blessing. He has answered our prayers.
Erika's evaluation went very well. All her testing went well her personal weakness was in her working memory, but it was minimal. Again our prayers have been answered.
To celebrate their good checkups and my birthday we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. You should start with dessert because after eating dinner we didn't have dessert. Took Michelle and Brittany back to the airport.
On Thursday, Erika saw a plastic surgeon to have her eyelid evaluated. Her eyes do not droop. Sometimes the eyelid and the way it is healing gives the appearance that her eye droops. Erika is adamant that she will not be having anything done to it and since mom and dad got their question answered that there is nothing that needs to be done medically everyone was happy with the appointment. They did find one last lonely stitch and removed it!
Now that all of our appointments were over it was time for some fun. We decided to visit the American girl doll store. After all the Seattle combat driving, I couldn't believe it a guy backed into us in the parking lot!! Ugh after an 11/2 hour we got to go to the store. We then changed hotels closer to our friends. Spent the evening with the Finley's and Erika got to have Mikaelya for a sleepover. Spent Friday with Kristi, Dustin, and Mikaelya before flying home.
On December 13th Brittany and Erika saw their orthopedic doctor. Erika has graduated from PT. She will get to return to regular gym class in January. Brittany will continue PT and her own exercise routine. Both girls are healing well, but I ask for your prayers that they have no long term problems from the change in their pelvis.
I look back on these four months and what a long journey it has been in someways, but how much progress they have made in a relatively short time. The Great Physician has truly blessed us.
Jennifer
Let all who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee;
And let those who love Thy salvation say continually,
"Let God be magnified."
Psalm 70:4
