Our countdown begins.......

Well last night’s excitement was Jacob has decided to start sleep walking!! Found him in the kitchen at 2am – what’s that all about???

Well after a few tears calm was resorted & we were all asleep as the alarm was set for 7:45am, the boys had a special Skype call to make at about 8am.  The alarm went off and I jumped (not) out of bed and went into the boys room to wake them, just as my phone rang – it was All Saints with bad news the internet was down & a firewall was preventing them using Skype – yes you guess it Ben was going to be call his class.  They were both very disappointed but we were awake so we got up, I managed a few calls home & the boys finished building the Lego they got yesterday  - when all of a sudden  call come through it was All Saint – I honestly though the boys were going to explode they were so excited.  It was the end of school but they all seemed so excited to see Ben, as Ben was to see them.  It was so lovely to see – we will be Skyping them again next week.

Skyping 6J!!!

So we slowly got organised as we didn’t have to be at the hospital until 1pm, we thought anyway.  I just happen to be posting something on Facebook, and James Lee (The International Co-ordinator) messaged to say our appointment was actually 11am, it was 10:20am we were all still in PJ’s & were waiting on Damo to get back from the bakery with breakfast.  Anyway with a rush we got to the hospital with about 10 mins to spare.  As we arrived in Dr Parks office we saw Abby & Brad who would be filming it for the Hospital website piece they are doing (good job they checked the time!!).

About 2 minutes later the Wardleworth’s walked in they too were see Dr Park.  After a quick chat we were called in.  As usual Dr Park breezed in, in his cool calm manner and greeted us all.  He then had a look at Ben & asked him to do a few things he showed off his balancing – He then told us what he need to work on, strength in his thighs, locking his left knee when standing up, not slouching when he sits & lots & lots of walking.  Ben agreed to all of this, he also told Ben he NEEDS to stay active as much as possible as this will also help him gain strength.   He then turn to us and said that:

Ben WILL walk unaided within this year, without a doubt!

We know he had said it before but it was wonderful to hear again, he told Ben he expects him to work hard & do lots of sports and run!!!  He wants us to send videos & reports from physio from home in 6 months but he will keep watch all the bits on Facebook.  We were all so pleased again we Thank Dr Park as Ben did & that was it, he was gone.  I don’t think it has really sunk in yet as Ben has such a long way to go till then – But he will get there I’m sure as so many children have done before him.

So we then left & came home for a while before heading back for PT at 3pm, I have to say Ben was a little more tired than usual I think a combination of late nights and all this hard work he is doing is catching up with him.

Before we knew it it was time to head back – Jacob choose this time to ‘kick off’ so Damo dropped Ben & I off and they went to play in the park for an hour then would come back and pick us up.

Abby & Brad were there to meet us they were finishing off the filming, & told us Dr Dobbs was dropping in to see Ben.  So Ben got straight to it – he was a little giddy, due to a large audience but worked hard especially once Dr Dobbs came in.  I had a lovely chat with him; he was really pleased with how well he was doing & his impressive 4 half hour discharge.  I asked him about why they don’t cast children after the surgery anymore & he said they found this was a better way & the children could get back to PT alot quick.  He watched Ben walk then asked to look at his legs I asked him about the swelling but he just confirmed what I though and said it would settle soon.  Then Abby interviewed him again he reiterated what Dr Park had said that Ben would walk independently before the end of the year.  

Ben managed to stand again without help & balance for over 2 mins, he did a couple of exercises he finds hard crossing over the step to name one, but he tried hard as always - he even tried taking steps & did take a few really good controlled ones, I was so pleased for him as I could see he was really pleased with himself.   

We again thanked him for what he had done for Ben, he said he will be watching his progress & he was gone.  All the staff here are so lovely you really feel that they care what happens to Ben & want him to walk. 

After PT it was getting late so we went off to try & find Ben some new trainers as he now has his new splints sorted after a few hiccups.  But we could not find any so we decided to get something to eat then head home for an early night – which all need.

What a day and only 1 week till we leave to come home!!!!!

Charlotte xx