Reciprocating Gait Orthosis

Here are a few pics of me in my RGOs. I've been up in them three times now and yesterday was much more successful than I had anticipated. Once I'm a little more comfortable I won't need a walker while walking around in the braces - pretty crazy. They are a little terrifying right now because they basically lock my body in a straight position. So if I fell, it would be a very ugly picture. I'd just timber over like a tree - ouch!! In these pics I'm at the UW with my PT Whitney.

Never Give Up

It can certainly be frustrating as weeks and months go on and I feel like I'm seeing no significant progress. There have been little things, but those don't really directly relate to me walking again so it's hard for me to "count" them.

The last couple of sessions at PB I've been practicing standing in the parallel bars. It's pretty amazing, but I can actually stand in the bars without touching the bars or anyone holding on to me. I'm able to balance myself on my legs to stand straight which feels great. I like standing without braces all over my body or someone holding me up. My legs still spasm, so I have to be ready to grab the bars at any moment, because when they do spasm they'll just kick out from under me.

When I went to the U today to practice using my RGO's I mentioned to my PT that I'd been standing. She was shocked, and said that I must have more function back than they realize but my spasms are hiding it. My muscle spasms are very strong, and it's often hard to tell if I'm creating the movement or if it's involuntary.

I also love seeing myself standing for pure vanity. It's hard to remember how thin I am in this wheelchair, because I barely fit through most doors. That and the fact that I had a c-section and since then my ab muscles are paralyzed making them all saggy - makes for a great self image!

The standing is quite exciting and I'm looking forward to discovering more "hidden" function that I have. I just know I'll be up and walking any day now and I am excited! So full of hope for the future that is to come. I can only imagine that everything in life will seem easy after this nightmare - can't imagine much that would be worse!

Lunch

Anthony trying to steal Luke's lunch.

Goodbye Jeremiah Johnson

and welcome back Jared Anardi. The beard is officially gone and I am very happy about that! My husband looks ten years younger - I was shocked when he came out of the bathroom yesterday with no beard. He hadn't even mentioned he was thinking about shaving it. But no complaints from me - it's a good change. 2010 is already giving me great things!

This Week

Jared took Anthony for a walk around the yard and showed him where they would build a fort in the trees in the backyard.

Anthony decided to take down the gate that was keeping him from Midas, Kim & Lynda's dog. Anthony likes to torture poor Midas.

Here he's decided to help himself to his snacks in the pantry - he keeps me so busy now that he is into everything!

Anthony is using Midas to pull himself to stand. Midas just stands there and tolerates it like the good dog that he is.

I tried a fabulous new recipes this week, coconut chicken chili courtesy of BHG magazine - it was delicious and is one of our new favorites! Very easy and definitely worth a try. I've been trying to do more cooking lately which has been fun. I love cooking and am really looking forward to getting back into it again.

It's been a fabulous and busy week at our house. Primroses are starting to bloom and we are seeing the first signs of a spring that is to come!

College Friends

This weekend we went out to the canal with my best friends from college and their families. We had a great time visiting with everyone, and Jared continued to hone his beer pong skills. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends. Not often do you find a group of girls (there are 5 of us) who get along so well, have similar interests, and aren't "gossipy" if that's a word. My friends are all amazing women, they have fabulous husbands, fun kids, and I'm looking forward to getting together with them for many years to come. Only wish we all lived a little closer so that we could get together more often. Love you girls - get a blog!!

Kari, Laura, Steph, Erinn, Me

Sean and Ella kissing. We were all standing around clapping and giggling, so they probably kissed ten times because it made us so happy. I suppose at some point we'll want to stop encouraging that....but for now it is so sweet!


All of us!
Packy and Kari's daughter Ella, Anthony, Jim & Laura's son Sean, Johnny and Erinn's kids JT and Elise

I'm in love....

with my husband and son, of course. But my newest love is the the Bird collection from Pottery Barn. Could it be any more fabulous? Though my birthday is months and months away, you can bet this will be on my list. Hopefully they don't sell out before then because this is one beautiful collection!

I love it so much that I think I'll incorporate it for everyday use. As a side note, Jared doesn't like it. But he likes things like carhartts and craftsman tools, so I'm not too concerned about his preference when it comes to dishes.