Progress

Today McKinley is 11 months and yes, I can’t believe how fast she’s growing up! However, today’s post is about me. You see, this is a pretty significant milestone for me as well. I’ve made it a long way in 11 months.
11 months ago today I was paralyzed (temporarily). I was in a wheel chair for a couple of months, then a walker a month or so more, followed by a crutch and by the time October came I didn’t have anything to help me walk. It was months and months of trying to be patient and going to rehab, falling down and getting back up and re-learning to balance, walk, move forward without staring at the ground and trusting the strength of my legs all the while doing my best at trying to be a mom even though I felt I just couldn’t meet her needs.
Little moments came along the way that made me feel like I was improving. Three weeks after I got home from the hospital my left leg moved about two inches and the following week my right leg did the same. When McKinley was 4 months old I stood up and held her for this first time, it lasted 10 seconds before I was too weak, but it was awesome! That was just one of the good days.
They told me I might have feeling back after a year and right now the feeling has mostly returned in my quads, but I’m still numb from the knee caps down. It’s a feeling I’ve gotten used to.
Anyway, today, 11 months later, I walk down the street and don’t have to plan each step three paces ahead. I can jog a little and I’m still working with weights to help with atrophy that exists in my legs. I have a little permanent damage in my right leg, but other muscles have taken over and compensate for those that won’t ever be the same. I can go for a walk and I’m not nervous that I’ll get too far from home and won’t be able to make it back. There are still struggles I have that I won’t go into, but mostly I’m just doing great. It’s been a LONG 11 months and I’m excited I’ve come as far as I have. Thanks for all of the support!