Thu 02 Feb 2017 Two milestones

It was a big day today.
They spring things on you in hospital, no notice...the rehab team sometimes turn up and say..."well Elise, how about walking today."   Help!

So Elise "walked" about 12 steps today, with knee to foot braces, using bars and two assistants to get her walking. Actually, they did most of the walking but it took a lot of effort on Elise's part, primarily using her hips. She was tickled pink afterwards. Seemingly walking like this is fairly pointless but retraining nerves is really important - which it does.
"walking" video
https://goo.gl/photos/fmAN2Wi1pd3JiENEA

The second part of her big day was her first trip home. Everything lined up and the physio and two OT's helped bundle Elise and 2 partly disassembled wheelchairs into my car. After assembling ramps etc to get over the back door step, we were in. Prior to this event, I had been madly rearranging furniture and packing things up (in my spare time) so Elise can glide around the house. The rehab team photographed and measured everything required, Elise did test runs on her bed, couches, table and so on, then they left. So what does a teen do in her first hours at home? Cook. Potato casserole (with my help) and she made an apple strudel. It was the best dinner we'd had for nearly 2 months, bar Christmas. Then it was time to go home...the hospital.

Best dinner for ages

Medically today Elise's steroids took another step down to 30mg/day. She is feeling well, sleeping well and generally continues to improve slowly. White blood cells aren't down enough yet so then will continue to increase the chemo dosage until it is where they want it. Rehab team are aiming towards getting her home on weekends in the coming weeks.