Thursday 15th July - A great day!

Franny slept though the night and is feeling much stronger and brighter. She had a lot more energy today and managed to weight bear through her new legs for a short distance. This was so great to see and Franny was very proud of herself. This afternoon 'Paola's Angels' Kathy and Mary stopped by to pray with Francesca. They are lovely ladies who have engaged their local parish. Franny's CD and prayer candles have gone transatlantic! A great day and we have huge smiles tonight!

Friday 16th July - Up on the roof with Mad Michael!
"Mummy, my new legs are so comfy, thanks for finding Dr Park for me". An emotional start to the day which prompted a bucketful of my tears! Franny wasn't strong enough for weight bearing today and was very upset. She is so committed to her physio and is desperate to do well. Michael reassured us that Franny is doing great and took us up via the lift to the roof garden for a bike ride. I am still crying tonight (yes, another bucket) but feeling positive and proud! Thanks to our community we've been able to lay a good foundation and have the building blocks in place for Franny to grow tall.

Saturday 17th July - St Louis Zoo
No physio today so we headed to St Louis Zoo for a much needed change of scenary. We've become institunalised again. A reminder of Franny's birth and all those months in Peterborough. Not sure who needed todays trip more, me or Franny but we had a blast. We took the videocam with us, Franny telling me to try a bit harder with my filming. "I'll need to help you Mummy as there's a lot of people watching". No pressure! Todays piece is written and directed by Francesca, watch out Attenborough! If nothing else it was wonderful laughing therapy for us! Apologies in advance, Aunty Elaine.

Sunday 18th July - Rain stopped play!
Severe weather warning in St Louis. No new material so I'm sharing Franny's Basketball Bloopers instead!

Monday 19th July
Franny's hamstring and heelcord surgery is scheduled for 10.30am tomorrow, that's 4.30pm UK time, it will last about two hours. Still waiting for the final bill but it will be circa U$16,000. Franny is a bit nervous and will be off her feet for another few days but I've been assured that she won't be as weak post-op as the SDR. I can't wait to see that left foot flat at last! She will be wearing new orthotic splints for about eight weeks post-op but after that will go to a simple shoe insert. This is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC news after eight long years in heavy splints and so many upsetting and depressing shoe shopping experiences for both Franny and me. YAY, Jimmy Choo here we come!

We saw Dr Park this afternoon ahead of the second surgery tomorrow. He was pleased with Franny's progress and will see us again before we leave. I couldn't resist the opportunity of a photo of Franny and this brilliant surgeon who has focused his career on the permanent reduction of spasticty in children. He has given the gift of movement to over 2000 children and
turned my dream for Francesca into reality.

Photo overleaf.