Chloe was born with a bulging disc in her neck which caused a pinch nerve in her upper back which caused her not to move and develop her muscles properly due to pain when she moved. This is the theory the doctors, occupational and physical therapist are working with.  Chloe saw the neurologist this last Thursday. The neurologist sees through exercising with the bulging disc is now mild Chloe’s arms has more strength and she has more control of them. Her arms are recovering nicely with proper exercise. Her ability to bend her back she still problems with so the neurologist has referred for more physical therapy on her upper back to evaluate it and give suggests how we can work on it after therapy. The neurologist complimented Chloe on her progress and the Doctor says she sees major changes every 3 months when she sees Chloe.

Recovery plan

Chloe sees a personal trainer 2 hours a week at the YMCA, usually on Tuesday and Thursday to work on strengthening her arms without weight bearing and cardio-vascular activities. Chloe goes to the YMCA and either swims 10 lengths on her back and works on proper arm movement after, or she does a cardio-vascular and stretching type workout and  I supervise either one.

For the past 3 months Chloe has worked a volunteer couple hours at St. Vincent DePaul thrift store on Saturday. Her job is to pick up the clothes and hang up Shirts, Skirts, Pants and shoes. She straightens shelves and book shelves. All activities she is using her arms and whole back in none weighting activities.   I supervise her and she is very slow but can eventually do these tasks independently.

She volunteered at ST. Ben’s meal program. It was too fast a setting and Chloe had a hard time bending her upper back slightly and scooping food up on trays she seem to just not be able to do that either.

So as you can see finishing the final chapters as we do them can take us in different directions then expected!