Walking, Interrupted

I have to admit, I'm frustrated.

I figured E would have some weakness, soreness, and fatigue easier after her surgery/casts were removed. I figured it would last a while, with the worst of it over after a week or so.

I also figured after her STELLAR PT performance the same day as her cast removal, that she'd be sore.

What I didn't expect is that Elena would REFUSE TO MOVE. Refuse to stand up tall. Refuse to walk. WHY?

I figured it was mainly due to soreness that she felt the day after PT. I was nice, sympathetic, and I carried her more often. Five days later, we were barely making any progress. Is this normal? I really wish someone would have prepared me.

E is a lot more verbal/antagonistic toward moving with me than others, particularly Theresa. Still, after she's reached her limit (about ~40 minutes of PT) literally she is DONE. She'll sob, cry, hobble, literally become a cripple after an amazing 40 minutes of movement. I am very confused.

*updated 12/26; she is moving better now, but still reaches her limits before the end of a PT session. After about 30 minutes rest or so (or proper motivation, like a mini-Slurpee or something) she's moving great again. I guess this is fatigue? I'm still not sure. Technically, she's been walking for less than 2 weeks post-casts, so, maybe it's early to be frustrated?

It's a Question of Motivation

I still haven't posted E's (very poor) recent attempt at walking with her crutches in the hospital hallway. I'll link to it HERE once I get it up (it's on another tape). Yesterday we went to Short Pump, they have a Toddler Train which Elena LOVES. So, that was the carrot to dangle for her to use her loftstrands. Our hope was to get her to walk 25 feet three times during our stay at the Towne Center. We got her to do that, and then some. She was dynamite (at least, in the beginning).

E on her 2nd deliverable (first one not filmed):



I'm not holding her shoulders--I'm just there in case she topples. She normally falls forward these days, and with the loftstrands, she gets REALLY tangled up and then won't use them for a good long while after the fall. I used to contact guard her midsection, but she's too fast. I tried to just have my hands on the upper crutch part, but it messes up her motions...so shoulders it is (for now).

And the carrot:





She got to ride the train (twice), then play in Pottery Barn Kids (she walked through the whole store--no crutches) and got to push the baby stroller for a good long while. Then I got a cutie pic of her and her little sister Vivian (Elena can get on the chair all by herself now!)



Shopping (before kids) used to be fun. Now, it's mainly viewed as exercise for E. Still, it's a great activity--mostly level surfaces, plenty of handholds, motivational stuff for her to see/do, and teaches her to try to navigate around objects and people.