Sunday, November 9, 2008

Sunny Days!

I've debated posting again this week, because I didn't want to get repetitive. My last few posts have been about CIMT not working out for us and the only thing I could think to post about was that.

So, I'll give a brief update--On Tuesday, Leah got the cast removed. It was the first time in this whole casting experience that she hadn't gotten out of it and had to have it cut off. Well, from the first sound of the "saw" she freaked out and was screaming. It took about 10 minutes total to get the cast off, which meant 10 minutes of a screaming 13 month old. It was intense. Anyway, the cast came off and we decided to bi-valve this one as well. Now, I have two bi-valved casts...I like the first one better, it's much easier to put on. We have decided to try fully casting again when Leah is 18 months old. I feel really good about this. Ok, I'm getting repetitive again, but I just really want to emphasize the fact that overall this was a GOOD experience. The things Leah is doing with her effected hand are amazing! I am constantly impressed when watching her, her overall movements are thought-out and focused. It's wonderful to watch the carry-over, when the cast is removed, at the end of the day--that's the most important part, that she is making the connections. Leah has gone from having virtually no use and absolutely no awareness of her left hand to incorporating it and using it about 50% of the time. It's really wonderful.

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In other news, this week the weather was fantastic! 70's in November!! Needless to say, Leah and I were out everyday soaking up the sunny days!! It was gorgeous out. It has since turned cold and wintery...:(

Here are some pictures from playing outside...




4 comments:

Popcorn House said...

Our OT said that awareness is the first step and then incorporating the effective hand in play is the second step. So she is doing great things. I love the pictures she is so cute!

Abby said...

YAY! That is so great!

I love the pics. She is such a beauty!

Kiera said...

That is so odd that they used the saw to get the cast off. I thought they were going to use the saw for Reichen, but they had a pair of cast scissors that they used instead. They had put in some sort of a runner in the cast so that it would be easy to cut off without risk of scraping the little dude. It was so painless to get it off and Reichen did not fuss at all.

Maybe you need to come to the Minnesota clinic next time to get the cast on and off ;)

Anonymous said...

Amanda, remember you know what is best for Leah, all that matters is that you are doing what you think is right for her not what anyone else thinks. I think it is great you are going to try again at 18 months. It is great that you have already saw progress with the use of lefty. Sounds like she is doing GREAT!!