Today is 3 weeks since Freya's radical brain surgery. In these 21 days it has been incredible to see the physical process of her recovery. Everyday she is amazing us with progress that we did not expect to see for several weeks. Yesterday in physio she stood unassisted from a sitting position, not using her right hand for support. Today she can do this with ease. With the support of the therapist she also walked about 3 metres. Tomorow she will be casted for an AFO which is an ankle and foot orthosis - a moulded plastic brace that will support her weak left leg during it's recovery. The physio has asked that the AFO be made "urgently" (probably about 2 weeks) as it is now clear that she will be ready for walking weeks before the therapists had anticipated.
The photos I've attached are already a bit dated. The first is of Freya and Ella about 8 days post surgery and the other is of Freya sitting unsupported for the first time (and feeling very pleased). Freya's lop-sided smile is typical after hemispherectomy surgery and usually resolves within 6 months.
Dear Freya,
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe how much progress you have made in such a short time. You are trying so hard, keep up the good work. I hope you are getting a better sleep than you were. I went to Monarto Zoo yesterday (an open range zoo) and brought you a small present which I will post today and you should get by Friday. keep up the good work, sweetheart.
Love Grandma. xxxxxxxxx
And very well pleased with yourself you should be young Freya. Three weeks post this HUGE surgery, all that you're achieving is remarkable.
ReplyDeleteYou make your Auntie very proud!
Pxx
Hi Freya, we think you are doing a fantastic job-well done to you! It's great to hear that three weeks have passed already,and we hope you are resting when you can and saving a bit of energy to keep amazing those physios.
ReplyDeleteJess was wondering what you'd like about the Melbourne show- she thought maybe a Diva showbag? Tim thought you'd want to go on the giant slide or maybe pat a few baby animals. We think of you often and hope Ella is enjoying the school holdiays,
Love Bec,Mark, Tim and Jess
Wow, I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that your making so much progress!!!
i can't wait to visit you again,
How's Friday?
Edith
xoxox
Dear Freya,
ReplyDeleteNicola, Jack, Steve and I have just heard the big news about your surgery. Nicki and I have read all of Mum's blog entries and are totally amazed at the rapid and wonderful progress that you are making in your recovery.
Just to think of a new life for you without seizures and all that unpleasant medication makes us all so happy.
We'll keep reading and thinking about you Freya and when you're up to it we'd love to come and see you in person.
Love Nicola, Jack, Anne and Steve
P.S.Love to Ella and Mum and Dad too.
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ReplyDeleteDear Carolyn and dear Freya,
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to find this blog and to read about Freya's recovery from hemispherectomy! I am actually a philosopher who studies neurosurgery, especially callosotomy, and I've always been interested in the remarkable plasticity of the brain which hemispherectomy demonstrates so well.
I am going to give a talk in a few weeks (at the National Humanities Center) and as part of my Powerpoint presentation I wanted to present an image of someone in the early stages of recovery from hemispherectomy. I want to use the image to make the point that, while it is a major procedure, and while you would be able to tell that there was something different about someone in the early recovery stage, they are obviously still a person with the same personality and identity that they had before.
Carolyn, I found this blog while searching for such an image, and Freya I wanted to ask whether I may use one of the photos. The assembled crowd will mostly be a bunch of bookish adults, but I believe that a video is also being made of my talk, to go on the National Humanities Center's website. (I'm not sure whether you'll be able to see the slides that well from where the camera will be.) I'm sure everyone will think it's a sweet photo of a brave kid, but I also know that I might be shy about having people see a picture of me just after surgery! (I was thinking of including either the one of Freya cross-legged in the hospital bed, or smiling in the car in sunglasses.) So I thought I would ask you. Please let me know if you are happy to have your picture as one of about 45 slides in my talk. And if so please also tell me how to pronounce your name--does it sound more like "Fray-uh" or like "Free-uh"?
Thank you very much for your time and attention and no pressure either way of course. I hope you and your family are still doing well.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth