Physio rehab starts

Really strange to be back at Stanmore and not going in for an operation . Our routine has been spine operation ever October/ November and every May/ June now for 7 years. 

Naomi had her first physio session today to assess her back strength after 18 back operations and 11 years of wearing a spinal jacket.  No surprises that she has muscle weakness and reduced  core strength.   Tracey , her physio,  helped Naomi to walk after her very first spine operation ;  it was lovely to have her do the assessment today 7 years later. 

Follow up in 4 weeks !! That's Christmas Eve nearly …!!!!

Breakfast in hospital canteen before 9 am appointment today 

93.9% attendance !

Naomi managed 93.9% attendance this half term. That's a record for her whole time at any school .  She's managed to reach C grade in all her subjects (with a  B in geography) . We are very proud of her achievements. 

She has started to take of her spinal jacket , as the doctor has asked , during the day at home for a few hours each time and has had one trip out to church without it on - first time ever ( in 11 years) to not be wearing a jacket in public.

We now have the challenge of getting her clothes  readjusted to when she isn't wearing any spinal jacket.  

Luke and Rachel were interviewed yesterday on local BBC radio as part of a Big tour  - luke talked about charity work at school and I talked about the Barton Comminity choir ! 

6 months check ups

Naomi had three 6 month check ups in September and has had good results at all three.  Her leg fusion has almost completed which is great news. We have discovered Naomi has a bent tibia on her left leg which they can't do anything about - she has had a 1 cm wedge in her shoe to help keep her level  for the last 4 years now. We are so glad she doesn't need more leg surgery. 

The growth specialist is happy with how things are going ; Naomi is now 1m 78.7 cm (5 ft 11"),  we will see them again in 6 months.

Naomi saw her spinal surgeon at the London outpatients . The X-ray looked good;  all the metal work is fusing up as hoped.  There is some rotation below the rods which is giving Naomi some discomfort but he is going to monitor things in 6 months time.   

We enjoyed a look around the state rooms at   Buckingham Palace afterwards and fitted in a bit of new clothes shopping for when the brace comes off .  Naomi will be starting physio and a reduced time in her spinal brace over the next few months . After 10 years of wearing one its going to take some getting used to . 

Village horticultural show : 1 st prize for 6 cup cakes all done by Naomi

Back to school Year 10

Last night near Paris: Chartres cathedral

And more pictures !

We all had a great summer !

Ready for year 10

After a full summer of ; school music trip to Disneyland Paris to sing , volunteering at the village library for 3 sessions , SU holiday week  , Church  bible week for 160 local Luton children , as a young helper and 2 week holiday in France , Naomi has coped with it all and not needed too much rest. 

We are so greatful she was well enough to achieve all she set out to do .  We hope this year will give her a chance to catch up at school , after 15 weeks off school last year. Having said that she has 2 hospital  appointments in Oxford next week! 

Celebrating with Granddad after his 77th birthday this week