Progress update 

Abigail has been on her feet and walking now for about eight weeks. During that time, she has done a lot of physical therapy—strengthening her muscles, stretching ligaments and tendons, and letting those bones heal to learn to walk again. She graduated from the wheelchair to crutches, then trying to walk unassisted. She now wears tennis shoes rather than the walking boots. 

In my last update on Facebook, I talked about some lingering issues with her gait, how she had a slight hitch or gimp, and still can't get up and down stairs with ease. She can't lay her toes down on her left foot and struggles with balance at times. These remaining issues led us to be referred to a specialist in Denver at Swedish, who deals especially with foot trauma and reconstructive surgeries. 

Yesterday, Dr Schmidt examined her feet and took x-rays, and we discussed in depth the issues she is having. He showed me how the right foot is beginning to develop a little arthritis, but nothing that will be a cause for concern anytime soon. He did say that foot will likely need a surgery for the arthritis in five to ten years but should not present any issues to her walking. The left foot, however, is a problem that needs addressed sooner rather than later. 

I think in my last update I talked about the broken metatarsal in that left foot and how it healed a little wonky or skewed, giving the foot a funny angle. Well in these x-rays, after walking on it for eight weeks, it has become a bit more skewed or out of alignment, and it is his opinion that it will continue to be an issue unless corrected with surgery. He said if left uncorrected, Abigail will begin to have secondary issues with her knees and hips as she continues to compensate for that bone being off by walking on the outside of her foot. It is why she struggles with balance and has a funny gimp when she walks. He explained the procedure to us—he will go in and reset that bone in the correct alignment and lock it in with screws and a titanium plate. 

So, yes, we are looking at another surgery for Abigail; however, we really feel this is good news. This doctor is confident that this surgery will make her feet function perfectly again and she will be able to walk up and down stairs and return to a full and normal life of activity, with zero handicaps. I can't tell you how good that offer sounds, even if it does mean my kid goes under the knife again. Abigail agreed to do it, once she understood the procedure, and that this will be an outpatient surgery with no hospital stay. We were able to schedule the surgery for May 25th so she can finish out the school year and have the summer to recover. 

This has been quite a journey for us. It is hard to think about that morning in December, when our lives were shattered with the news that Abigail had been in a car wreck. Recently, an EMT from that morning shared with Jon the condition he found Abigail in at the site that morning, how she was struggling to breathe and how bad off she was. As Jon shared it with me later, I broke down and bawled. I'm so thankful she lived that day, thankful God spared her life, thankful for quick and decisive action on the part of EMTs, nurses, and doctors. I'm thankful for the incredible care she has received through therapy and that we get to have all these struggles and this journey to walk. It has been a long marathon, and we are approaching the finish line of healing and recovery. As we near this end, I want to thank all of you again for your prayers as well, for supporting us on this journey. It is our strong belief that prayers have carried us this whole way, and we know they will take us to this end. Thank you and God bless you all! ❤

Nicole