We have officially been lengthening for only 3 weeks and the progress is amazing! You can see from the pictures above the difference in Eleanor's lift. The lift was basically halved and she is very proud!

On Monday we met with Dr. Paley (on left). It was a great visit because we learned that Eleanor has already gained one inch of length and has one more to go. If everything continues to go well, we may be home in one month versus two! That was definitely exciting news!!

Eleanor continues to do very well with therapy and bending her knee. She has even taken up ballet with her fixator. She and Elizabeth, the little girl pictured with her last post who also has a fixator, have been entertaining the household with their new moves. A wind wood quartet performed at the house this week with the addition of 2 tiny dancers...make that 3, Margaret joined toward the end.

Dr. Standard, pictured on right, will continue to follow Eleanor while we are here as Dr. Paley is moving to Florida. Dr. Paley will continue to see Eleanor this summer when he is settled in his new practice. Both are amazing, world renowned orthopedic surgeons instrumental in advancing the field of deformity correction. Limb lengthening has really only been around for about 20 years and is ever changing. We are hopeful that this will be Eleanor's only lengthening, but if she has another down the road, it will most likely be a completely different process. Internal devices are now being used in adults. It really is amazing to see what these two talented doctors are able to do. Many of the children they work with have been told amputation is their only option and have fully functional limbs thanks to legthening. Many of you know that we were considering amputation for Eleanor too. We feel grateful to have found Dr. Paley and Dr. Standard. I really don't think I would have trusted anyone else.

We had a great visit with grandpa Dave. Eleanor and grandpa went to an Oriole's game. We also had a chance to visit Shenandoah National Park. The mountains were beautiful and it was great break from city life. Eleanor was able to participate in junior ranger day at the park. The picture above was Eleanor on a nature hike. She was looking at termites with her magnifying glass. She was really interested in the hike and also got a chance to use a fire hose with the fire crew. The fixator really does not slow her down a bit!