Two weeks ago, there was a respiratory virus outbreak on Judah’s floor and wing while Jesse and Judah were there. Thankfully, Jesse remained non-symptomatic and his care team was super accommodating even though Judah wasn’t able to go to school or the pool. He still had in person therapy in a designated gym. With a second respiratory virus outbreak over this past week, we decided to have Judah stay home and do virtual appointments. Judah went back this week for a new orthotics fitting and had an in person physio therapy appointment. We had our final big family team meeting yesterday and also invited staff from Judah’s school, and his therapists working with him pre-op. I was grateful to virtually see the village of care and cheerleaders Judah has both pre-op and post-op. 

It has been a good week overall physically and we have all continued to remain healthy. Judah was able to get back to riding his bike at home. This bike has a regular seat compared to more trunk support which he had at the gymie-school. Judah is continuing to show more signs of strength in his muscles which motivates him to try and accomplish more and this hopeful cycle continues. You’ve prayed and hoped for this weekly from the prayer point listed, and we are seeing it! Praise God! For as long as we can remember, and within the past three months, we have been gently coaching him with phrases related to practice, persevering when trying etc. By conversations he is bringing up related to these topics, we know our “coaching talks” are resonating with him and we couldn’t be more proud. This intrinsic motivation will take him far. 

Hopefully Judah will be back next week to regular programming if the outbreak status has lifted. He will then be discharged on Thursday November 24th. For the past two weeks, I’ve been thinking about this upcoming transition period from the “gymie-school” season back to “real life”. Although there have been some incredibly hard moments from this three month rehabilitation time, there have been many blessings for our family as well. How do we take the good from this season  and bring it into the next one? As I’ve been trying to enjoy and savour these last few weeks, either at home or at the gymie-school, I was reminded of advice that a family friend gave to me on our wedding day, to “walk slowly”. This means to take in the present moments you are in. Regardless of where we are at, when we do this, we can enjoy the good and take time to process the uncomfortable to get us through it. This also made me think that this is what we are reminding Judah to walk slowly more and more post-op. He is re-learning the proper body mechanics of “heel then toe”. The slower he goes currently at this stage, the more accurate and successful he is with this goal. It’s great advice on many levels for our family as we head back into “real life” soon and the next part of the journey. 

Praise God for:

-Judah’s strength and motivation, while doing his exercises and understanding of our “coaching talks” 

-Judah’s participation in virtual therapies last week 

-The blessings we’ve been able to see for our family 

Prayer Points:

-Judah‘s continued understanding, motivation and confidence to try new exercises and activities for physio and occupational therapy 

-Strengthening of his muscles for proper coordination, endurance and balance 

-Our family’s continued health

-Perseverance as we continue on this journey 

-Wisdom and peace as we navigate this transition period