Look Ma - NO HANDS!

So sorry it has been two and a half weeks since the last post.   I think I left off with Jeremy heading to Brazil for work.  That was a pretty busy week but all in all productive and successful. Samantha had her first physical therapy session with Tony and was doing great!  

The week flew by as I worked on Isabella's festival skirts and Samantha finished off her homework.  She had 2 more PT appointments during the week and was feeling so great that she decided she would head back to school on Monday.  Sunday evening she discovered that she could walk without crutches!  

Sam was so happy she could walk and it didn't hurt!  Tony wanted her to take crutches to school for a while longer. Her hip strength needs to improve before she will be able to walk for longer periods without getting too tired or limping.  However, Samantha decided to push her limits and she went to school on Monday with no crutches...

She made it thru two classes and really over did it.  We did learn some really good lessons.  Sam knows she pushed it too hard but also realized that her limb had shrunk a bit more which is very common.  When this happens she needs to add a sock - this will keep her from slipping too far into the socket.  Unfortunately - Sam learned this after her Monday classes.  She ended up pulling her hamstring and the side of her leg was really sore.  She didn't have school on Tuesday but she was able to present her Capstone (senior project) Tuesday evening.  Her emotions were all over the place.  She was upset about pushing herself and a bit nervous about her presentation, but she did a wonderful job.  I was really proud of her.  

She was still too sore to make it to school the rest of the week.  PT helped her feel so much better on Wednesday.  Tony taught her some really good stretches for her hamstring and Samantha was back to using crutches.  She decided to baby the leg so she would be ready for Prom.  

We met with Dr. Heare on Thursday - he did an x-ray to make sure the prosthetic is aligned correctly with her hip and knee.  He was so happy to see Samantha happy.  The last time he saw her she wouldn't look at her limb and she cried and cried.  He is loving the progress!  

Friday was another PT session and Tony did more strength exercises, some stretching and she rode the bike!  Samantha is really looking forward to riding more this summer - maybe even doing the family ride during the Courage Classic!

Samantha at PT first time on Bike  

Friday was also Isabella's very important day - Spanish Festival time at GVA!  I had finished the skirts last week and the girls loved them.  I have one short video of Isabella leading the class in a Spanish poem about school time.  You can see the girls wearing their skirts.  We have videos of her dancing and singing as well, but I will have to post the links once we upload them to YouTube - they are just too big  for the blog.  She had such a great time and we learned so much about the different Spanish speaking countries.  

Here you see Isabella's teacher in traditional Panamanian dress and looking so beautiful!

Ms. Troetsche

Then Saturday arrived - finally!  Samantha had the whole day planned out.  We had one minor moment of crisis.  She had ordered her Prom dress online and it didn't show up in time.  Friday night, Sam and I did a last minute run to Macy's and found a beautiful substitute.  She and her friend Falyn got their hair and makeup done.


Hugo - Samantha's date - arrived right on time looking so handsome!


You can see all the pictures below.  Samantha had a wonderful time.  She ended up taking both crutches to be on the safe side but only had to use one for the most of the time.  I also believe she may have set that one aside while she danced the night away!   

The corsage

When she got home last night - extremely tired - she said she had a wonderful time.  It was exactly what she wanted.

Mom's favorite

Samantha and Hugo 2012

Last minute dress - beautiful

WOW!

This next week will be pretty busy as well.  Sam will be going to school (with crutches!) on Monday.  Then after school, we have to give her leg back to BioDesign.  They will review the alignment x-ray, make the necessary adjustments and incorporate them into her permanent socket.  This next leg will be around for 6 to 9 months.  It won't be finished off yet so as her gait changes - the leg can be tweaked.  We will get it back on Wed - so she will make it back to school in time for finals!

Jeremy is off to Moab with the boys for a weekend of Mountain Biking.  The weather is so nice that I may just have to plant the vegetable garden a bit early.   We will see - I am sure I will be busy with work, running Isabella around, Samantha's PT and planning for Sam's graduation party.   Always something to do!