Free at last! Free at last!

On Thursday afternoon Morgan and I began yet another journey to Philadelphia for a visit to the doctor. As usual Morgan was an amazing kid on the plane reading lots of books and watching the Princess and the Frog. We landed in Philly at midnight so for this visit we tried something new; we stayed at the hotel right at the airport. Although it was a lot more expensive the convenience was worth it. We were able to walk right to the hotel which is connected through one of the terminals. Within 30 minutes of landing we had climbed into bed.

We then got up bright and early (3 am AZ time) to get ready for our appointment. Since we were right at the airport we were able to get a quick ride from the hotel shuttle to the car rental place and pick up our car.

Once at the hospital we headed first to orthotics to get Morgan's knee braces adjusted. She has grown a full inch since December when we first got her braces. While in orthotics Dr. VB came in for a quick visit just to let the orthotist know what adjustments should be made. After getting the braces fitting properly again we headed over to the clinic area to meet with Dr. VB. During our visit together we discussed Morgan's progress. It was decided during our discussion that Morgan could go down to wearing the knee braces for only 10-14 hours a day!!!! We were so excited! Before she could only be out for 6 hours which really limited things for us. Now she will just have to wear them at night and sometimes during naps as well. He also said that she can work up to being out of her back brace for 4-6 hours a day. He was pleased with all the progress Morgan is making. In addition, we decided that it was time for Morgan to get some regular AFOs made for helping her during walking. She is struggling with getting her toes lifted up when trying to take a step and ends up dragging them or getting them stuck. The AFOs will also help with her heal cords which are getting tight again. The AFOs will be made here in Tucson so we don't have to continue flying back and forth as often. We were also sent back to orthotics to have another adjustment to her knee braces made. They added some screws and a metal bar to the back of the braces so that when she is in them after the 10-14 hours of being bent we can straighten her legs and work on learning to stand. The metal bar will hold the braces in a straight locked position. We are now due back in Philly in 3 months so they can check all her braces, including the new AFOs, and do an x-ray of her back to see how her kyphosis is improving.

We left the hospital around 11:30 and headed straight to the airport. By 2 were we on our long journey home again; this time without knee braces on!!!! What a difference that made. It was so much easier getting Morgan on and off the plane with all our stuff and going to the restroom was less of a challenge.

We are now home and relaxing. Morgan is enjoying her first official day of being brace free!