This spring, one of Caden's ATs (awesome teachers) gave him the task of re-learning the months of the year. Caden recited them perfectly, omitting September and October every time. When she told me about it, I laughed and replied, "well, given Caden's experience of September and October 2010, I'd like to leave those months out too!" So far, Caden has really enjoyed this September and is looking forward to experiencing fall again. He has even said he is going to start his own leaf raking business, although I think our yard produces enough leaves to keep him busy for awhile :)
Before school started, Caden accomplished one of the goals that he had set for himself upon returning home. He wanted to climb to the top of the Sourlands to that special spot where you can see NYC on a clear day. I took the boys there on occasion and we would "wave to Dad" and/or call him on the cell phone and pretend to see him wave back. Caden and I made it to the top on a warm, muggy day. Although it was too hazy to see the city, it was a success nonetheless: he made it all the way up and down on his own two legs, only holding my hand occasionally.
Caden has now logged more 3rd grade days at school than he did last year. He is really enjoying being back at school: he has made new friends and gotten to see old ones too; and he is settling in with his new teachers. We were concerned about his adjustment to the full school day, and so far he seems to be handling it o.k. However, he can be very fatigued when he gets home, and is experiencing a few more "wobbly" days as a result. Hopefully his stamina will continue to improve.
The treadmill work-outs are going well. Caden had gotten up to a half a mile in about 13 minutes :) His PT has changed up the treadmill routine, adding 3 new workouts on the machine to challenge both his brain and body -- fascinating! As he will be on the treadmill more often, we are hoping this also helps to improve his stamina.
September 23rd and the surrounding days could not pass without our feeling a twang of sadness, and a huge amount of happiness, gratitude and blessings. What a long year. What a short year. What a year.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Summer Fun
From all accounts, summer school was a huge success. Caden says it was FUN and loves to tell us stories about pool time, music class, whiffle ball at recess, walks with the high school volunteers, pizza day and the carnival on the last day of school (I'm sure they did some work in there as well!). He seemed to be able to handle the half day schedule, and tolerated the bus ride too. All good signs for resuming school in September.
Prior to the bout of rain that we have had the last week or so, Caden has spent a lot of time in the pool. He is not quite the "fish" that he was last summer, but he has improved dramatically this last month. He now remembers how to hold his breath and go under; loves to jump in with and without a board; tries to do handstands better than his brothers, and will "swim" for a few yards.
Gait training is still his therapy theme. His PT has reintroduced him to the treadmill: back in December/January Caden used the treadmill a little to remember how to walk; now he is using it to remind his brain and body of the natural, fluid movement he had pre-injury. He has worked up from 5 to 10 minutes (going over 2 mph) with a goal of 15 to 20 minutes, and we noticed improvements in his gait immediately. Weight/balance shifting is another focus, and his PT has him using a scale to shift his weight from one leg to the other -- clever! Still, Caden most enjoys therapy when it doesn't seem like therapy :) so we've incorporated walks along the stream and even a hike in the Sourlands (great balance practice on the shifty, rock strewn path).
Many of the teachers and therapists who worked with Caden this summer mentioned his sense of humor. We had to smile this week when Caden told his older brother, who had just suffered a soccer injury, that it would be o.k.: he has some cool therapy tools he would let him borrow, and he could recommend a great Physical Therapist. As Caden said, "She really knows her stuff!"
Prior to the bout of rain that we have had the last week or so, Caden has spent a lot of time in the pool. He is not quite the "fish" that he was last summer, but he has improved dramatically this last month. He now remembers how to hold his breath and go under; loves to jump in with and without a board; tries to do handstands better than his brothers, and will "swim" for a few yards.
Gait training is still his therapy theme. His PT has reintroduced him to the treadmill: back in December/January Caden used the treadmill a little to remember how to walk; now he is using it to remind his brain and body of the natural, fluid movement he had pre-injury. He has worked up from 5 to 10 minutes (going over 2 mph) with a goal of 15 to 20 minutes, and we noticed improvements in his gait immediately. Weight/balance shifting is another focus, and his PT has him using a scale to shift his weight from one leg to the other -- clever! Still, Caden most enjoys therapy when it doesn't seem like therapy :) so we've incorporated walks along the stream and even a hike in the Sourlands (great balance practice on the shifty, rock strewn path).Many of the teachers and therapists who worked with Caden this summer mentioned his sense of humor. We had to smile this week when Caden told his older brother, who had just suffered a soccer injury, that it would be o.k.: he has some cool therapy tools he would let him borrow, and he could recommend a great Physical Therapist. As Caden said, "She really knows her stuff!"
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Summer begins!
Like most parents and their children, Caden and I shared a "get ready for school" ritual each morning, pre-injury. It included making sure those shoe laces were tied, and helping him with his back pack. Then I would admonish him to be a very good boy, and he would sincerely reply that he would. With heartfelt good-byes on both sides, he would traipse out the door and begin his day. Except that....
As I watched him step down from the back porch, I would spin on my heels and tear through the house as quickly as obstacles allowed. Similarly, Caden would skip or run (his choice) down the driveway. Our mission: to see who could reach the front porch first. Sometimes I would win; sometimes Caden; mostly we tied. Caden would then continue to skip to the end of the drive, giggling en route. He would pick up the newspaper and heave it toward me: launched skyward, it would brush tree leaves and land just a few feet away from where he stood. More giggles. He would pick it up again and wing it. So far! And 95% of the time it would land in a bush or a tree. Giggles again. By then the bus would come and he could really start his day.
Yesterday was Caden's first day of summer school. Our ritual began the same way, but then we walked to the bus together hand in hand. He stooped and got me the paper and we both grinned. Because it was the first day, I was fearful as he negotiated the steps in the bus. Today, I watched with admiration as he gripped the hand rail and confidently got on. New days and new rituals :)
The end of the regular school year meant saying good-bye to the wonderful teaching team that has helped Caden regain the power of his voice and his mind. After four months of having them daily in our home and in our lives, they felt like family. Thank you!
With summer's arrival and our pool open for swimming, Caden started his pool therapy at home. His older brothers are a great help with the home pool exercises. And who knew about all the cool, pool therapy equipment? Rory says Caden has the coolest therapy "toys". I'm not certain Caden feels the same way about them ;)
We've really been working on trying to improve Caden's gait and to narrow his stance. I placed a narrow, straight road in painters tape on the living room floor for Caden to practice on. Then Carl helped me put a slightly wider, meandering road perpendicular to it. (We'll see if these new floor designs show up on HGTV) We know Caden's walking has improved because he has far fewer bruises on his knees!
One of Caden's favorite activities has been to follow the lawnmower (at a safe distance) on the paths that it cuts through the grass. Sometimes he goes on his bike, or else he just walks along in the freshly mown swaths. Yesterday -- maybe was inspired, or maybe his legs were just antsy after sitting in school for half of a day -- he took off after the mower at a run! So his form needs a little work.... It's a start!
As I watched him step down from the back porch, I would spin on my heels and tear through the house as quickly as obstacles allowed. Similarly, Caden would skip or run (his choice) down the driveway. Our mission: to see who could reach the front porch first. Sometimes I would win; sometimes Caden; mostly we tied. Caden would then continue to skip to the end of the drive, giggling en route. He would pick up the newspaper and heave it toward me: launched skyward, it would brush tree leaves and land just a few feet away from where he stood. More giggles. He would pick it up again and wing it. So far! And 95% of the time it would land in a bush or a tree. Giggles again. By then the bus would come and he could really start his day.
Yesterday was Caden's first day of summer school. Our ritual began the same way, but then we walked to the bus together hand in hand. He stooped and got me the paper and we both grinned. Because it was the first day, I was fearful as he negotiated the steps in the bus. Today, I watched with admiration as he gripped the hand rail and confidently got on. New days and new rituals :)
The end of the regular school year meant saying good-bye to the wonderful teaching team that has helped Caden regain the power of his voice and his mind. After four months of having them daily in our home and in our lives, they felt like family. Thank you!
With summer's arrival and our pool open for swimming, Caden started his pool therapy at home. His older brothers are a great help with the home pool exercises. And who knew about all the cool, pool therapy equipment? Rory says Caden has the coolest therapy "toys". I'm not certain Caden feels the same way about them ;)
We've really been working on trying to improve Caden's gait and to narrow his stance. I placed a narrow, straight road in painters tape on the living room floor for Caden to practice on. Then Carl helped me put a slightly wider, meandering road perpendicular to it. (We'll see if these new floor designs show up on HGTV) We know Caden's walking has improved because he has far fewer bruises on his knees!
One of Caden's favorite activities has been to follow the lawnmower (at a safe distance) on the paths that it cuts through the grass. Sometimes he goes on his bike, or else he just walks along in the freshly mown swaths. Yesterday -- maybe was inspired, or maybe his legs were just antsy after sitting in school for half of a day -- he took off after the mower at a run! So his form needs a little work.... It's a start!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
New Heights
Caden's story was included in the UMDNJ magazine's Spring issue on the brain. The interview was conducted in late January/early February, and the photo taken in March. It is truly amazing how far he has come and how hard he works to get better every day. http://www.umdnj.edu/umcweb/marketing_and_communications/publications/umdnj_magazine/spring-2011/9.htm
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Swinging
Caden has been keeping super busy with therapy and schoolwork. The amount of re-learning that he has accomplished in both areas is staggering, and of course there is so much work still to be done. I am reminded of my grad school statistics classes, and how we would analyze scatter plots, variability, best fit lines and outliers. Caden's days can look a lot like those graphs: some days up, some days down, occasionally a day that is way out there, but overall an upward trend.
There have been some new activities in therapy. OT has challenged Caden with the wii balance system. It is tremendously difficult for him, yet it brings out his inner competitor and he vacillates between frustration and determination to master the machine. Additionally, his therapist noted this week that his hands are much stronger and tremor less -- progress!
PT put Caden on a swinging platform this week to do part of his work out. I was very impressed with Caden's strength, coordination and balance. His exercises are challenging on solid ground, let alone with the additional difficulty of having to orient himself in space. I was certain it would make him dizzy, but he handled it well. New PT homework is to swing on our swingset at home. Let me tell you, that simple act takes lots of coordination and motor planning!
Progress has also been made on the bike (sans pedals). Caden now cruises down small slopes for several yards with his feet up and maintaining his balance. Not only is this great for balance practice, but he can join in the fun with his brothers and friends and bike around the yard.
There have been some new activities in therapy. OT has challenged Caden with the wii balance system. It is tremendously difficult for him, yet it brings out his inner competitor and he vacillates between frustration and determination to master the machine. Additionally, his therapist noted this week that his hands are much stronger and tremor less -- progress!
PT put Caden on a swinging platform this week to do part of his work out. I was very impressed with Caden's strength, coordination and balance. His exercises are challenging on solid ground, let alone with the additional difficulty of having to orient himself in space. I was certain it would make him dizzy, but he handled it well. New PT homework is to swing on our swingset at home. Let me tell you, that simple act takes lots of coordination and motor planning!
Progress has also been made on the bike (sans pedals). Caden now cruises down small slopes for several yards with his feet up and maintaining his balance. Not only is this great for balance practice, but he can join in the fun with his brothers and friends and bike around the yard.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Knees
Today was the first day back to normal after 10 days of Spring Break. Caden delighted in having his brothers home :) For the duration, we scaled back the time spent doing therapy and homework and dialed up the play time. This meant more time hanging out with his brothers, playing outside, going on walks, riding his bike a la Fred Flinstone, and spending time with friends. To ease back into the routine this morning, Caden did the first half of his PT at home, and the second half on the playground. We were both impressed with his balance on the suspension bridge; and his new and improved arm strength meant hardly any help from me on the monkey bars.
Back in February, Caden was allowed to slowly transition from using a walker to using a cane. Well, Caden is Caden, and he never really took to the cane -- preferring to use it more like Fred Astaire, although without the cool jump kicks. His preference was to use my hand and/or arm which he affectionately calls the Mommy Walker. Last week he was given the go-ahead to freestyle, and we put the cane aside. Caden is once again my toddler, or a boy with lots of swagger in his step, or a cowboy, depending on his mood. To give him more freedom (and me peace of mind), he has a "crash helmet" and knee pads that he can don before swaggering out the door to play. As he still needs lots more therapy and conditioning to get his balance under control, Caden spends a decent amount of time practicing falling down and getting up :)
I can remember pulling up my knees at the end of a fun-filled day, and smelling the sunshine and grass that lingered there. We have often told the boys that we can tell how good a day they have had by what stains they have acquired on their shirts. Caden's days can be read by his knees: frequently bruised, but joyfully splashed with mud and grass stains and a dash of pet hair. Guess those knee pads can't cover everything!
Back in February, Caden was allowed to slowly transition from using a walker to using a cane. Well, Caden is Caden, and he never really took to the cane -- preferring to use it more like Fred Astaire, although without the cool jump kicks. His preference was to use my hand and/or arm which he affectionately calls the Mommy Walker. Last week he was given the go-ahead to freestyle, and we put the cane aside. Caden is once again my toddler, or a boy with lots of swagger in his step, or a cowboy, depending on his mood. To give him more freedom (and me peace of mind), he has a "crash helmet" and knee pads that he can don before swaggering out the door to play. As he still needs lots more therapy and conditioning to get his balance under control, Caden spends a decent amount of time practicing falling down and getting up :)
I can remember pulling up my knees at the end of a fun-filled day, and smelling the sunshine and grass that lingered there. We have often told the boys that we can tell how good a day they have had by what stains they have acquired on their shirts. Caden's days can be read by his knees: frequently bruised, but joyfully splashed with mud and grass stains and a dash of pet hair. Guess those knee pads can't cover everything!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Desks and Ducks
Spring is finally in the air (sometimes), and Caden can smell it! He wants to get outside and play, and do the things that were normal for him pre-injury. One favorite is to ride his bike. This results in great enjoyment for Caden, and a total work-out for me and whichever one of his brothers I can entice to hold up the other side of the bike ;) Just as we were digging around for a pair of training wheels, his PT suggested lowering the bike and taking off the pedals completely. We'll give it a try!
With over a month of home instruction under his belt, I think Caden is getting used to the routine. His amazingly creative teachers are great at adapting the work to help Caden relearn some of his skills. They have even brought him his very own school desk! Aside from being the right size to help him with his posture and fine motor skills, it makes home a little more school like for those hours of the day.
During one of Caden's first outpatient PT visits in early January, the therapist recommended that he add the crab walk to his repertoire. He was just really getting a handle on crawling, and attempting the crab walk for the first time proved very frustrating -- his arms were not strong enough to support him and the motor planning involved made the whole activity beyond his reach. Two months (and a lot of practice) later, Caden can sidle like a crab around the mats with confidence. His new challenge: to walk like a duck. I told him he can quack to his heart's content.
With over a month of home instruction under his belt, I think Caden is getting used to the routine. His amazingly creative teachers are great at adapting the work to help Caden relearn some of his skills. They have even brought him his very own school desk! Aside from being the right size to help him with his posture and fine motor skills, it makes home a little more school like for those hours of the day.
During one of Caden's first outpatient PT visits in early January, the therapist recommended that he add the crab walk to his repertoire. He was just really getting a handle on crawling, and attempting the crab walk for the first time proved very frustrating -- his arms were not strong enough to support him and the motor planning involved made the whole activity beyond his reach. Two months (and a lot of practice) later, Caden can sidle like a crab around the mats with confidence. His new challenge: to walk like a duck. I told him he can quack to his heart's content.
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