It is an exciting day! Summer will have her cast removed at 3pm.
I am so proud of how well she adapted to life without the left hand. Only a handful of times (no pun intended) did she ever tell me that she didn’t want the cast – and that was on day 1 and 2.
The rest of the 3 weeks, she has persevered with a smile on her face and her usual good humour.
She has gone through a few waves of severe fatigue and certain days she has been extremely hungry at breakfast and supper. She had one day home with Dad (Monday) and she stayed in her pajamas all day. Mind you, everyone should take a ‘me day’ once in a while! – I didn’t ask how many times she watched Franklin’s Turtle Lake, but I am sure it got a work out.
I am so impressed with the skills she has developed. The speed and quality of movement in her right hand and arm has visibly improved.
o When she feeds herself with her right hand with a fork, it does not look as awkward as it once did. I videoed it last night as I was really shocked at how fluid her movement was.
o She reaches to press the egress buttons on the doors at the Y, instinctively with her right hand – even though she could just as easily smack it with her cast.
o She has developed a better pincer grasp but uses her middle finger – she will always find a way to problem solve.
o When she weight bears on her hands and knees, she is much more stable on her right side, and again, it just doesn’t look as awkward.
o She instinctively will wipe her face with the back of her right hand. I am sure it only took one bonk from the cast for her to figure that one out.
Yesterday we ran into our IDP therapist at pick up time at the Y. She let us know that Summer has developed a new way of drinking – Sippy Cup, Sans Hands…
Though the cast comes off today, we will still be encouraging her to use her right hand and both hands together. I am looking forward to her regaining her independence skills such as taking her shoes off, pulling up her own pants, washing her hands. Along with all the other two handed stuff.
We are heading to Toronto tomorrow to visit with Auntie Barb and Uncle Laurie. Summer will have the AHA – Assisted Hand Assessment at Sunnybrook NICU Follow Up Clinic (located at WCH) on Monday. She will have the follow up QUEST at One Kid’s Place on Thursday.
These assessments will be repeated after 6 weeks to measure the skill retention.
I am excited to compare the video from the initial assessment. And if I ever figure out how to upload the video onto the blog, I will share some clips.
Summer, we are so incredibly proud of you!!!
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