SDR Recovery Day 6: Graduations, Siblings, and a New Normal

Quick Stats

Age: 3 years old
Diagnosis: Right Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
Procedure: Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR)
Post-Op Day: 6
Pain: None reported
Appetite: Normal
Mobility: Walking independently with gait trainer for safety
Sleep: Good
Mood: Happy and energetic
Nerve Sensations: Minimal

Today was our first full day at Children’s Health Plano.

Although Saturdays operate with a limited weekend staff, we still had both PT and OT evaluations, and Amri did fantastic.

In fact, it may have been one of the most productive therapy sessions we’ve ever experienced.

One thing we’ve learned about Amri is that he loves movement.

The more active and engaging the session, the more he thrives.

Rather than staying in one place working on a single activity, he enjoys moving, exploring, and burning off energy while learning.

This was also our first experience working with a male therapist, and Amri absolutely loved it.

Unfortunately, he was only filling in for the weekend, but we are grateful we got the opportunity to work with him.

One of the biggest surprises of the day was learning that Amri has already graduated from both the wheelchair and the walker.

Instead, he has been given a gait trainer to use outside of the room.

The goal isn’t because he can’t walk independently.

It’s actually the opposite.

The gait trainer allows him more independence while providing enough support to prevent falls as he continues building strength, endurance, and confidence.

And confidence is definitely growing.

Amri is now walking for up to 15–20 minutes at a time and spending even longer on his feet while playing in the room.

Every day we’re seeing a little more balance, a little more endurance, and a little more confidence.

We’re also continuing to notice changes in his gait.

His right foot is now landing heel-to-toe most of the time.

There is no noticeable toe-walking at all.

His balance continues to improve, and we’re seeing less inward turning of the foot than before surgery.

We still frequently remind him to look down and pay attention to where his right foot is pointing, but more and more often he’s making those corrections on his own.

Those little moments of awareness are exciting to watch.

The highlight of the day, however, wasn’t therapy.

It was family.

After being apart all week, Amri finally got to see his big sister, Mila.

To say he was excited would be an understatement.

The two spent the day exploring together, playing, and catching up on a week’s worth of missed sibling time.

Amri proudly showed Mila around the hospital like he owned the place.

We visited the playroom, played with remote-control cars, checked out toys, and spent time on the sun deck.

One of my favorite moments was watching Amri dance for Mila.

Anyone who knows Mila knows she loves her TikTok dances, so naturally Amri had to show off a few moves of his own.

We also visited the horses on the property and continued our tradition of turning every corner of the hospital into an adventure.

Although Sundays are technically the “off day” for therapy at Children’s Health, cerebral palsy doesn’t take days off.

Neither does SDR recovery.

We’ve continued incorporating therapy into play, exploration, walking, and everyday activities whenever possible.

The more opportunities we give Amri to move, the more progress we seem to see.

Another exciting milestone:

We did not give any pain medication today.

Not once.

Even better, Amri didn’t complain about itching either.

Just a few days ago, pain and nerve sensations were major challenges.

Today they barely crossed our minds.

That alone feels like a huge victory.

Looking back at this week is honestly hard to believe.

Less than a week ago, we were checking into the hospital for SDR surgery.

A few days later, Amri was telling us he couldn’t walk.

Today he’s walking for 15–20 minutes at a time, exploring an entirely new hospital, and showing us every day just how resilient children can be.

Tomorrow is our therapy “off” day.

Monday is when things really begin.

We’ll meet the full therapy team, the PM&R physician, and officially start the next phase of inpatient rehab.

And after everything we’ve seen this week, we’re excited to get to work.

Current Status

• Graduated from wheelchair
• Graduated from walker
• Using gait trainer for safety and independence
• Walking 15–20 minutes at a time
• No toe walking observed
• Improved balance and foot positioning
• No pain medication needed
• No itching complaints
• Appetite normal
• Enjoyed a full day with big sister Mila
• Ready to begin full inpatient rehab Monday