I'm losing track of time... it seems like all these dates should be emblazoned in my memory, but really - all I remember is, the day after I got my hair cut, my nephew woke up and said, "Mommy, I can't stand up."
Wonderful Kossacks have been thinking good thoughts, praying, holding Danny in the light (please continue to do so.) Here is today's update - previous diaries described various points in his treatment & recovery.
After spending a week in the hospital being treated with steroids and with Gamma Globulin IV, he moved his leg - when his older brother tickled his foot.
He was released from the hospital the next day.
Soon, he was crawling. Then, standing, when holding something sturdy. Then, furniture surfing. Next, walking, while holding mommy's hand.
Last weekend, his therapist loaned him a walker. I met him (ok, the family, but ... him ...) at Baker's Square, for dinner. And I saw him with the walker.
I was happy, but... and there's no way to say this, without sounding horrible. I was concerned. He looked - not healed. He looked like there's still something wrong. He looked like there's still a disconnect somewhere between his brain and his legs.
I guess that would be in his spinal cord.
Many thanks to StrangeAnimals, who has kept me sane with his logical medical statements & encouragement, and to dmsilev, who listened, and who said encouraging things, too.
I was afraid - and I am afraid - that the disconnect cannot heal. How can it? I mean... it's just so... and yet - even between last week, and today, there was a difference. Things aren't changing as quickly as in the first weeks... but they are changing.
And, Danny is happy.
Danny, on his first train ride, this morning.
I am going to post two videos - one from the day after he first moved his leg, kicking for his mom (28 seconds):
And next is one from today at Lincoln Park Zoo. We first passed a busker at the south end of the zoo - he was a great guitarist. I tossed a couple of bucks in his case (really, he was good!). So my sister gave Eddie and Danny each a dollar to do the same.
At the north end of the zoo was a woman, playing guitar and ... um ... belting out folk tunes. My sister and I had whispered about getting away from there (good? not so much. Enthusiastic? way.) But Danny INSISTED on giving her a dollar. So... he did. And then she had him accompany her.
After, I followed him walking, and came around in front as well. The video is about 3:15 in length:
Thank you for all the healing thoughts you have sent his (our) way.