Slowly, over the course of Sam’s chemotherapy, Sam has begun to show some of the side effects of one of the drugs he is taking since last summer, one that causes muscle weakness and balance issues. Just as something as easy as walking up the stairs in our home leaves him feeling vulnerable, unsure of himself and like he is going to fall. So, we decided to explore a few options to help him maintain the little strength that he does have and to help boost his self confidence. Enter Physical Therapy!
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Sam’s therapist, Miss Elizabeth is an ANGEL! We all LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her and her happy and positive personality. We couldn’t be blessed with a more caring person to help Sam through this step of his journey. On our way to our first session of physical therapy, Sam was feeling nervous and anxious. But once we arrived and he saw the play room where his sessions would take place, his demeanor totally changed!
To help Sam with balance, Miss Elizabeth has Sam work on standing on one leg at a time. The longest he is able to stand on one leg is about 4-5 seconds. Then he is able to place a beanbag animal on the seasaw and hop on the board, launching them into the air where he then tries to catch them. Fun, fun!
To help with trunk and core strength, it’s off to the exercise ball for some ab work. I think next time I need to join him!
Taking a breather. This physical therapy stuff is hard work and Sam is frequently out of breath. It is not unusual for him to take a snooze in the car on the way home or to take a little nap in the nurse’s office once he returns to school.
One of Sam’s favorite things to do at Physical Therapy is the car. To make it move, Sam needs to pump the hand handles and the foot peddles. He enjoys trying to make it go as fast as he can, trying to beat Miss Elizabeth around the indoor race track. This seems to always be followed by a brief rest period and a water break!
To help build leg strength, it’s off to the sled…
For endurance, Sam hits the treadmill…but only for 3-5 minutes as it really tires him out. He loves to push the buttons to make the treadmill go faster and on more of an incline! He is ornery!
Outside in from of the rehab center, Sam takes the bike out for a cruise. He does not yet have the balance to ride a bike yet, but is working on it. It was one of his favorite things to do before his cancer and chemotherapy.
Working on going from a kneeling position to a standing position using only one leg with no hands is a task for Sam…usually he either falls or needs to use both hands. Here Miss Elizabeth is using a toy for motivation and distraction!
During Spring Break, big brother Jack was able to come and watch and even participate in Sam’s physical therapy. Here they needed to use upper body strength to hold themselves up while playing the game, Hungry Hippos. They thought this was both fun and funny!
There are so many people that are doing their best to help Sam succeed and beat this cancer. Doctors, nurses, Sam’s wonderful school nurse, Mrs. Jacobs, and wonderful second grade teacher, Mrs. McKinney, physical therapists, and YOU! Thank YOU for all of your positive thoughts and prayers for Sam and our family. They truly mean the world to us. Getting Sam healthy, physically, is honestly only half of the battle. Cancer takes such a toll on a person mentally as well. Sam is sick of being sick and is frustrated that he can not do the physical things he used to do. He often feels left out as his friends run around the neighborhood, play basketball or just simply don’t call him much anymore. Sam is learning more life lessons these days than any person his age should. We all are. But we’re building a new body for Sam, a cancer free body, and one day he will be able to run, jump and hang with the rest of the boys just like any other boy his age. He will also have hopefully gained more sympathy, compassion, sensitivity, faith and other wonderful character issues that will be with him for the rest of his life. It is a slow process, but we are getting through it. One day at a time.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but
let God transform you into a new person by changing the
way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will
for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
3 comments
Erica, your posts often stir up emotion in me, but my heart just broke during your last paragraph about Sam. I am praying that he will not only feel as accepted and loved as he felt before, but that he will be able to accept and love someone else in need further down the road. I’m sure he will be compassionate beyond belief once his body is healed! Praying for speedy and complete recovery for him and patience and endurance for you and your family. Hugs to you!
Sam, a lot of those therapies look familiar. We still do therapy at home but not as often now. (it does get better, your body will get stronger). When our therapy sessions were over we switched to horseback riding last year and that helped upper body strength as well. (of course I know you can’t be around horses yet since you’re on chemo, but that will end). You’re in our prayers!
Christy
Go Sam GOOOOO! It is so wonderful to see you “working out”. You really look like you’re having a good time AND you make me want to go to the gym to do MY workout! Keep workin’ it buddy! See you soon. LUV U!!