January 12 (and 11) because I slacked!

Yesterday was a busy day with PT and an appointment with Dr. Recio (the rehab physician).  Kelly started with PNF (Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation  which is used to enhance range of motion)  She always seems to respond well to this treatment and this session seemed to settle down some of the muscle spasms that she has been having.
The second hour was spent on the Therastride which is a modified treadmill that has a harness to suspend the walker.  She was able to support more of her own weight than before and the techs were all impressed at the changes they saw in her.  This involves having someone holding her hips for stability and one person on each leg to move her feet in a walking motion as one more person controls the computer that regulates the weight bearing and speed.  The latest research states that doing the therastride on a fast speed (almost speed walking) creates more muscle memory and has better results when it comes to walking over ground.  Kelly was almost running on the treadmill.  I watch while everyone is laughing and enjoying her willingness to try anything they throw her way.
Lastly she did the walking over land with a walker.  They suspend her in a harness that hangs from the ceiling and she has someone stabilizing her hips while a therapist assists her legs to walk forward.  After reviewing the videos that I took in August it was obvious that she was initiating so much more of the stepping on her own!  AMAZING!  She even stated that it was a hard workout and she needed a break.  She never takes time to rest.  She was really working all of her muscles!
Meeting with Dr. Recio is always a fun hour as he is very enthusiastic about his patients.  He spends a lot of time talking to Kelly and explaining things.  He kept stating that he was impressed.  He does not want to add any medicines to her treatment at this time because she is "making too much progress".  He told her that he is looking forward to her ASIA assessment that is scheduled next week.  He knows that it will show great improvement.
The day ended with an hour in the stander and lots of homework.  She doesn't quit.  When she gets into bed at night she is asleep before I can say goodnight.
Today started in the pool with Kim and she is always excited to push Kelly further than anyone else has.  The pool has a treadmill and parallel bars that allow walking with a therapist moving legs and feet.  In the past Kelly has been known to give the techs a workout when they are at her hips because she didn't have much control.  Today she walked for 2 minutes without a tech in the water.  Kim moved her feet (mostly just lifted them while Kelly brought them forward) and Kelly did the rest.  There was a lot of celebrating in the pool!
Many therapies are designed to control the spasticity that she is experiencing now.  The rest of the time is spent gait training.  Today she used the GEO which reminds me of a walking machine that looks a little like roller skating.  Two therapist were working with her and they would have the machine in passive mode and then switch it to a passive/assist mode.  They kept making it harder and harder until they finally turned off the passive mode all together and Kelly drove the machine 100% independently.  Both PT's said they have never had a patient that wasn't all ready walking that could initiate and follow through the movement without assistance.  More cheering!!!!
The day ended in the wellness gym (because she hadn't had enough!).  Erin programmed the STIM bike so she could put patches on her back and belly to stim her spinal cord directly.  It seemed to go very well.  She is getting so much power in her legs now that connecting the bike has become a challenge because she "breaks out" of the velcro straps.  The gym techs worked with her to make all the adjustments.
This place is just amazing!  Everyone celebrates the victories with us and I am so thankful for each person that we get to work with.
Long term therapy has now been scheduled.  Kelly will be coming to KKI on Tuesdays and Wednesdays Dennis will be her therapist on Tuesdays and we are looking forward to his reaction to all the progress she has made.
Sorry for the long post but I know that so many of you are wanting to know the details of what she is up to.  It helps us too to be able to look back and see what was going on.