Sunday 17th October

Franny has a heavy cold and tiring more quickly during physio so we've allowed her a few extra rest days. She's missing quite a bit of school and has been really anxious about falling behind. Franny is very conscientious and is desperate to impress her new teacher whom she idolizes. I've reassured her that all the teaching staff understand and support our decision to give physio priority but it doesn't stop her worrying. Poor Franny she has so much to put up with for an eight year old, far more than any of her friends and she never complains. She is always so happy and well behaved. I am so proud of her and can't wait to take her to Disneyland Florida next Easter with all her cousins. She didn't get a holiday this year and so deserves one.

Physio continues and we've been concentrating on strengthening Francesca's trunk with lots of abdominal crunching. Franny has just progressed on to using normal crutches instead of the tripod crutches you saw in the last footage. She has a lovely straight posture with them and her confidence is growing. Our short term goal is one stick walking and yesterday she managed a few odd steps (see the clip). I've attached some footage of Franny walking pre-op so you can see how far we've come. She is standing so much straighter now and lovely flat feet. Hard to believe that we are still only 15 weeks post-op.

Next week we begin three weeks of intensive physio at Footsteps in Oxford. We've been going there since Franny was five so the therapists know her well. I can't wait to hear their feedback. It's always extremely challenging for Franny so we are off to Center Parcs for a treat this weekend with lots of biking and swimming planned. Dr Park, Franny's surgeon saw our recent footage and took the time to send a congratulations and well done message. It must be so rewarding for him to see Franny's progress. What a wonderful man, God-like in our house and we got a huge boost from his message.