Cleared for Take Off!!!

Today was a big day.  Our afternoon at Gillette started with a photo shoot.

The communications department at Gillette asked Eliza if she would be willing to share her story to be featured through their social media.  She (and Dan and I) were happy to agree and hope that her testimony might help another child and family seeking a solution to a situation similar to Eliza's.  The surgeon, Dr. Novacheck, met us so he could be in a few pictures as well.  

Next it was time for X-Rays and lunch. 

In her appointment with the doctor, we learned that her bones are healing well.  On the X-Ray, he 

showed us the new bone growth that has already started in the last three weeks.  Because every

thing is on track, Eliza's weight bearing restrictions were lifted.  Dan, Dr. Novacheck, and the nurse helped Eliza stand for the first time since surgery.  You can tell by the look on her face how she felt about this new freedom.  It is such hard work for her.  Not only does she have two large bones that still have a lot of healing to do, her legs are now positioned in a significantly different way then they were when she walked into the hospital on January 24.  The motivation to gain strength is big and we trust that she'll work hard to stay on the expected path to her return to mobility.

Finally we went to physical therapy for an evaluation and to learn how to help Eliza start walking again.  One of our biggest worries is how to get her into our house when we get home.  With great effort, she learned to walk up a few steps with assistance.  Getting around our house won't be easy for a few weeks, but we know how to do it safely now.  With the help of a walker and a belt, she should be able to transfer and move into a chair in tight areas where the wheelchair won't fit.

We are so ready to go home.  A month is a long time to be away, especially under these circumstances, but we are grateful for the fact that we had the support and resource to give Eliza this life changing opportunity.  A huge thank you to my parents that stayed with us through the entire experience and provided needed help and respite for us both, especially during the two weeks that Dan was back in Traverse City.

Tonight we are packing up.  Thankfully the good report today means that we are ready to head home for the rest of Eliza's recovery.  We can't wait!