Wed 29 Mar 2017 A Pleasant Surprise

During our evening stretching and exercises I asked Elise to try moving her legs as I often have before. This time the result was different because she moved them!

...with a pleased look...

I got her to move them again just to make sure and she did it. The third time I made video.

While Elise had moved before, moving against gravity was a new thing.

Below is a link of the event.
https://goo.gl/photos/QCSnDbjcLtxWDdH77

Sun 26 Mar 2017 a special kindness

Today Elsie had a visit from Emma Booth.
Emma Booth is an Australian Equestrian Paralympian who competes in Dressage. She is part of an organisation called Ride with no Limits.

Emma Booth

http://www.ridewithnolimits.com/about-emma/

Elise, Shannon and myself were with Emma for quite a while talking over the situation the she found herself in and getting helpful ideas for Elise's future.

Emma is super bright and happy and inspired us with confidence for the difficult times that we will all face moving forward.
Thanks to Emma for going out of her way and helping others by putting in the effort  herself.

PS. Emma gave us a demo of how she gets into her car and then packs her wheelchair all in next to no time. An Olympic effort in itself.

Fri 24 Mar 2017 Standing and Brownies

Today Elise enjoyed her regular rehab work as always. Activities included standing, throwing and later a bit of cooking.

Standing practice to strengthen upper body

Exercising made fun

  Click link for video
https://goo.gl/photos/YziXe5csA6f5UeWi7

All activities are aimed at strengthening and getting ready for "real world" tasks.

Click link for video
https://goo.gl/photos/GKnFoy6iA3yeBqag9

Sun 19 Mar 2017 Sleepover again

Much to everyone's relief, Elise is going well after the last higher chemo dose, only waves of nausea here and there. It seems the extra anti-nausea medication has done the trick, although there has been some other unpleasant side-effects to deal with. Only two more chemo sessions to go, next one in four weeks.

Back home again for the Saturday night sleepover and Elise is already helping out with little sister - some normality is precious.

Hairdressing for a little sister.

After the sleepover we arrive back at the hospital room and see that the goal that she set down some time ago is still the same.

*To walk again. *To go home.

Fri 17 Mar 2017 Wheelchair practice time

The good news is that Elise has had very little nausea so far, maybe due to a different anti-nausea drug.
The other good news is that she was feeling so well that the Physio was able to give her a workout in a sports wheelchair which Elise just loved and begged for "just one more go" a number of times.
Elise had a delighted smile on her face after the challenges that were given. Doing some of her beloved sport was a tremendous boost to morale.

Shooting for goal

"...and she score's"

Click the link below for videos of the workout.

https://goo.gl/photos/19WoPZDmjZQz7tL38

Wed 15 Mar 2017 Fourth Chemo day

Cyclophosphamide drip

1000mg of Cyclophosphamide and then 250mg methylprednisolone.
It all started smoothly however there was too much blood in the urine so a very high degree of hydration was needed. Unfortunately the line in her hand failed and the hand all swelled. Another line was needed and getting it in proved to be a painful challenge.
No nausea was experienced.

Tue 14 Mar 2017 Melanie Adams visit

Elise has just had a visit from Melanie Adams, she is a disabled basketball player for Basketball Australia. Her player profile says, "This outstanding young player has burst onto the wheelchair basketball scene over the last 12 months. Since starting in the sport Mel has already shown enormous promise with her recent inclusion in the Gliders training squad for the 2014 World Championships."

There is nothing like having a bubbly and down to earth person in a wheelchair, talk about the good's and bad's of life. She was realistic and very open - hopefully she can meet with Elise again and give her some peer support. She also emphasised to Elise the huge importance of getting back into sport - for simple things like really learning how to maneuver a wheelchair to personal challenges and social support ... she was very honest about how tough it will be leaving hospital and that Elise will need every support to get through.

Mel works part-time doing public motivational speaking and showing off her basketball skills to schools.

Mel Adams