December 16, 2019 - Cheryll gave us the biggest Christmas present we could ask for today:  SHE WALKED!!!  One of the many complications of Cheryll’s cancer recovery has been significant neuropathy (nerve numbness) in both legs.  The result has been her inability to walk since just prior to her lymphoma diagnosis in September 2018.

Let me tell you, this is one determined lady.  She’s been doing physical and occupational therapy 3-5 days a week for months and months.  Improvement has been incredibly hard to come by, but it’s come ever so slowly.  First there was significantly aided standing.  Then a foot and leg lift.  Improved strength.  Improved balance.  Little pieces kept adding up.  She visited the neurologist last week and the signs of improvement in her legs were evident, creating a renewed sense of hope and determination.  

But hope only gets you so far.  Sometimes you just need tangible results.  Today, with the assistance of her awesome therapy team, she rose from her wheelchair and took 6 wonderful steps.  She was so happy and proud she insisted they bring her back to the start so she could do it again, this time on video (see attached).  Steps!  Proud, amazing, steps.  Hard-earned steps!

There have been many, many times when Cheryll’s improvement would plateau.  Again and again, the good folks at her care facility feared she had improved as much as she was going to, and that the administrators at Medical Assistance would reduce or revoke her physical therapy.  Over and over, there was a clear and overwhelming sense of dread.  And each time, she would magically improve - ever so slightly.  

Who knows, maybe this is the big breakthrough she needed and now improvement will come in literal leaps and bounds.  More likely it will come from her continued hard work, sweat...and stress.  But one thing we know for certain:  Cheryll will not give up!  She’s proven again and again that hard work creates miracles, even if it’s one millimeter at a time.  

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Joyous Walking to everyone!  #cheryllstrong