Chapter 3-Time to be admitted again

Time for the hard work to begin.

Chapter 3-Time To be Admitted again

My daddy lives in Delaware. He lives there with his wife June. He surprised Leigh and I with a visit to our house with his wife June. I woke up and got super excited because there was daddy! He was sitting in one our kitchen chairs beside my bed. His wife June was sitting in one of our living room chairs. My daddy is the best. I love him very much! Mommy heard I was awake so, she came into the Livingroom to take the ace bandages off. She wanted to show daddy where my heels had become infected. I asked if I could have a break from the cast so mommy took the cast away.

She said, "Remember, Marcy, you can only have small breaks once in a while. You still have lots of healing to do.
"I know mommy it's just nice to be without the cast even for just a few minutes."

I've always had a habit of playing with the hair on my daddy's arm by his watch. I don't know why, I just did. I'd pull on it. I'd twist it. I'd run my little fingers through it. I must've made a knot in it or pulled too hard this time because he yelled," OUCH!"

I was so startled by his reaction I jumped and my legs bent at the knees and locked that way. I started to cry. I couldn't straighten my legs out. My hand was still on my daddy's arm. Daddy looked at mommy with a panicked look on his face, “What did I do Agnes?

Mommy said, "Nothing, Gus, she just has to relax" "That was a spasm." The first one I remember "She can't control them. It's part of her cerebral palsy."

When my legs finally did relax and the spasm was over. I said to Mommy. "That hurt. What is cerebral palsy?" Is that what's wrong with me?

Mommy told me I would learn everything I wanted to know once I healed well enough to start my physical Therapy.

Mommy and Daddy told me my therapy would be at my hospital and I'd be closer to where Daddy lived. When I was in therapy so, Daddy's going to be able to come see you after work every day. I was so happy and excited about seeing Daddy more often.

Mommy has to stay here in Wildwood and work, but she will come see you on her days off. You will only stay at A.I. as long as your therapy takes then you will come back home. Understand?"

I said, “I guess so." not really understanding, but trying to be a big girl because I knew it didn't matter if I understood or not. I still had to go. I didn't want anyone to think I was scared or afraid. I wanted to stay strong and keep the faith like Mommy always told me.

A month passed. It was time for me to be cleared for therapy. My sister Gwen and her family came to Wildwood to get us.

I have no idea what lies ahead of me. I only know I have to leave my house to go to my hospital to see if I can start therapy. I have many mixed feelings going on inside of me. I'm happy, sad, scared, nervous, and curious all at the same time! My stomach feels like it’s in a knot! I didn't talk the whole ride there because I didn't want anyone to ask me if I was okay. I didn't like to fib. I would've had to tell them my tummy was feeling weird. I'm so glad nobody asked.

When we arrived at the hospital mommy went to the nurses’ station to sign me in. My sister Gwen’s girls, Ronnie and Tracy, and I, went to play in the huge playroom that was available for outpatient use.

This playroom was every child's dream. More like a child's paradise to me it had so many toys in it you just couldn't decide what to play with first. It was full of games, puzzles, blocks, reading books, coloring books, baby dolls, army men, trucks, and cars way too much to name everything here. I'd run out of space.

They also had a craft section. You got to choose what you wanted to make by what was posted all over the walls in the playroom. Also posted on the walls in their own special section were pictures colored by the outpatients of the hospital. We were always excited to see what new pictures got posted and the new crafts we could make on each of our visits to the playroom. The craft section is where Ronnie, Tracy and I liked to play the most while we waited for me to be called for my appointment. The girls still continued playing while I saw the doctor.

When I look back on those days now. I realize the reason my sister, Gwen, allowed the girls to grow up in that hospital surrounding is because she didn't want me to be afraid. When the girls were with me I felt normal. I didn't feel special or handicapped. My family never treated me as if I were different. I was always treated the same all the other children. She wanted her girls to also learn to treat others like me with love and understanding.

I was excited to see Dr. McQuinn. I knew the infection was gone because the only pain I had was the usual stuff I felt everyday form my body being stiff all the time, but I am used to that. I don't even think of it as pain it's just normal for me.

Finally, the nurse called my name "Marcia Bucella, please, room 5" I was carried back to the exam room. When we got into the room mommy and I still had to wait for my doctor for a little while.

Mommy said, “Marcy you’re being awful quiet today. Are you all right?"

I shook my head, yes.

Dr. McQuinn came in just as I was answering mommy. "Hello ladies! How is my girl? Can you lay her down, please?"

Mommy laid me down on the table.

My doctor bent both my feet very slowly. He asked me if that hurt. I said, "Yes a little." He told mommy exercise will help loosen them. He checked both my heels where my scars were. He told mommy they looked great now. He also told her they'd be sensitive to touch for a long time to come because the scars are in a sensitive spot. He asked me if they felt better. I told him, “Yes."

He bent each leg slowly, one at a time, at the knee to see how far each leg would bend. It hurt! He could see it in my face. He didn't have to ask. My right side is better than my left. When he got to my left leg it was so stiff he could barely move it at all! I think it hurt him more than it hurt me it brought tears to my eyes!

He stopped. He looked at mommy then at me and he said, well are you ready for the real healing to begin? It's time my little one here to be admitted for therapy.

Chapter-4 I Meet My Physical Therapist  (E) Marcia is determined to make the best of her time in therapy #1971455 by Marcia~I'm Home :)