Today we had therapy at 9:00.  He was pushed really hard and did well.  Increased speed and incline on the treadmill along with riding tricycle and climbing, so really hard hour.  It was a gorgeous fall day today.  We decided to drive to Purina Farms today.  We were expecting to see some cats and dogs, but laughed after we arrived because we didn't see either!  Only farm animals and not many.  The dog show was approx. 15 minutes long and we were going to have to hang out on the farm for over an hour to see the dog perform, so luckily I convinced the kids to leave!! 
We found another mall with an indoor play area and then called it a day early.  We came to the hotel and packed our bags for home and then took one last trip to the local park to climb and slide.  We cleaned out our refrigerator for supper and rested.  It has been a very busy and fun week but we are ready to be home.
As to what to expect when we arrive home, it is pretty simple.  Kase can go back to school in 1-2 weeks depending on his incision healing.  It looks really good already but not good enough to be around alot of kids.  We keep a very close eye on him and are always an arm distance away so he won't fall and bust the incision open.  So, as soon as that looks better, he is back to his normal routine.  I am hoping next Sunday  the 24th (I think) we will be back at church and beginning our week as a normal week.  As for therapy we will begin with a 5 day a week routine starting Monday, but we should quickly drop down to 3-4 times since he is growing so strong so quickly.
I will be signing off tonight for a while.  I think we will continue to get stronger and when he starts to jump or run, I will let you know.  Then hopefully in 4 months when we come back to St. Louis for the post-op visit video, I will be able to post his pre-op video for you to view and the 4 month post-op.  The change is already significant, so it should be exciting to see in four months!
Again, thank you for investing your time in prayer for our family.  We counted on you once again to believe in prayer and to pray faithfully.  You give us strength during these times because we know God hears our unified prayer request and thank goodness Kase's progress was in His plan.  He continues to show His power through Kase and it is such a blessing to witness it.
We love and appreciate all of you.  May God continue to bless.
Jason, Leigh Ann, Charli, Kip and Kase

Well, we are almost home!  Two more days of therapy and then we head back to Kentucky!  I am excited to be back in our home, but this has been an amazing experience to say the least!  NEVER in a million years would I have thought we would be doing what we are doing, having such a grand time each day!! 
Today was a special day.  Kase's therapist from home joined us for therapy.  I was so excited for her to see him.  We had talked so many times before hand debating whether the surgery would make enough of a difference to put him through it and neither of us dreamed he could be doing what he is doing now!  So, when she saw him today she was just in awe and I think those of you that know him so well are just going to be speechless too. 
We went to the St. Louis Mills mall today.  I told my mom he was walking around in the toy store like he didn't even have any physical issues.  His speed is slower, but he looks so normal.  My mom said well haven't you noticed no one is even looking at him?  Normally people will glance down at his legs as we walk just curious to what is going on and no one was doing that!  I had not noticed that until she said something and she was so right.  How amazing is that?
So as we end today, I just can't be thankful enough for what God has given to me and my family.  This has been a life changing experience for Kase; as for the rest of our family.  We never know what trials will come our way, but we can mark this one off our list as another success story and our sweet Kase will never remember the days of aching legs, tight muscles, and bulky braces.  It will be through this blog and pictures that he will know what happened and as my mom said to me almost 2 years ago when I was so devastated about his prognosis, "Kase will run a marathon one day if he wishes I just know it and you will be at the finish line cheering him on"...I do believe that and oh how I feel like we have just crossed that first finish line!  My heart is so full of thanksgiving.
We give praise to our God.

Haven't posted in a few days.  Friday was a great day.  Kase walked on the treadmill for approx. 15-20 minutes.  He worked really hard during his therapy.  The facility is just so wonderful.  The treadmill is pediatric with a television that rotates around to whatever position the child is walking such as sideways, backwards, forwards.  So, he watched Mickey Mouse the entire time he was walking and it made the time fly.  Charli and Jason arrived that evening and just having her back with me made my day.  We had a nice night back together as a family and it just felt good.
Saturday was Jason's birthday.  We went to the Arch and ate downtown.  We were going to do the City Museum but decided it was too much for Kase physically so we went to the Magic House.  Needless to say, we had a full day and Kase did wonderful.  He walked some, climbed and rode in a stroller.  We were really pleased. 
Yesterday, Jason's parents and his grandfather came.  We went to the zoo.  It was a beautiful day.  In fact, it seemed like we were there for a normal weekend trip.  Kase is doing so well everything was just normal.  His endurance is like that of pre-surgery.  He would always tire due to the tightness in his legs and we would have a stroller for him, so all in all, it felt really comfortable for us.  To think our next trip to the zoo he could be running by Kip is so exciting!
We started back to therapy today.  Jason left early this morning to go back to Kentucky.  His mom is staying with us.  The work-outs are getting much more intense and Kase is working extremely hard but he seems to enjoy it.  I think he realizes things are different with his legs.  He really pushes himself and for those of you that know his personality for him to be pushing at anything is great.  He is an extremely laid back kid, so he has a drive that wasn't there before.  He walked on the treadmill, rode a tricycle, and did several range of motion exercises in an hour.  We also visited the Missouri Botanical Garden.  It has a phenomenal children's play area.  The kids played on a rope course, in a general store, small water area, and a tree house to name a few in a beautiful garden.  It is a great place to visit.  So, even though we are here primarily for physical therapy, we are finding fun things to do with the kids. 
They are now all playing cars and puzzles in the floor while I type this and we are having lights out at 8:00, so great day, great weekend, and I just praise God for his goodness to our family.

Well, he is doing it!  Walking by himself many steps...would do more if I wasn't so nervous he was going to fall!  He is pretty steady on his feet, much better than yesterday.  At therapy today they put him on a treadmill and he walked backwards and sideways for 2 minutes each.  He was much weaker sideways, but still did very well.  Our therapist today said he did this exercise for kids 2-4 months post-op not a 1 week post op!  That is exciting!  He should continue to get stronger day after day.  Our daily exercises we are required to do before PT have gone well.  There are some that show considerable weakness and then others that he breezes through.  He has difficulty bending down to get things off the floor and usually drops to his knees, but is strong enough now to get up off floor to standing position without assistance. 
Having Kip here has made a huge difference as well.  The two of them never stop!  They have so much energy and are having so much fun.  I am happy he is here. 
Our therapy isn't until late afternoon tomorrow, so we are going to find a park to play and then Jason and Charli will arrive late afternoon early evening.  I am so excited to have my sweet girl back with me! 
Going to bed...everything is catching up with me, I am so tired!
Leigh Ann

Kip finally got here and Kase is so so happy!  My parents and Kip arrived right after therapy today and we were so excited.  Kip and Kase hugged and kissed and then went right to playing.  They have not stopped talking all day and are very energetic to say the least.  It has been a fun day watching them and I have missed Kip so much.  It is great having him here.  He adds such a spark to our lives.  Charli arrives on Friday evening and then I will feel so much better.  I have missed them so much. 
Briefly, today in therapy Kase climbed ladders independently, took steps holding one hand, walked all around the place pushing a grocery cart, and climbed steps using a rail, and that is just a few of the things he did in one hours time!  The kid was so busy, we felt like we were chasing him around.  Erica, PT, saw him for measurements of range of motion for pre-op and this was the first time she had worked with him post-op.  She compared him to a 2 month post-op patient.  She couldn't believe he could already be doing what he was doing and without pain meds. Oh, he also climbed all the way up the rock wall with little support and then climbed down.  He has this drive for physical activity that I didn't know he had in him, but when I ask him how his legs feel he always answers good, or real good, so I know he can tell the difference.  His posture has improved already, he looks an inch taller, probably is, seriously. 
My mom and dad are just amazed as well.  I know I keep saying this, but it really is just a miracle to us.  The only way I know how to explain it is if there was something on your heart and mind that you pray for everyday for years sometimes many times a day, you cry over it, pray for it, and then dream of it and then one day it comes true and you think, is this for real? That is how I feel.  I feel his feet over and over, I stretch his legs every which way, I watch him stand straight with his feet straight with no effort at all, and then I watch him move those legs which I never dreamed he would be doing already and I think is this going to last?  He is by no means back to the strength he was prior surgery, so I don't want to be misleading, but he is doing things that he shouldn't be doing for at least a month or two and the quality is good. 
I am going to post through the 15th when we arrive home and then I will only post when new things happen.  I just want to have this as a reminder to my family and me of the journey we have taken and I want to have this for Kase because luckily he won't remember the tough parts and I want him to have this one day to remind him of God's hand on his life.  I think there are times that we all need to be reminded of that and I am sure there will be a time in his life he will have questions.
Much love and thanks to you all.
Jason and Leigh Ann

Kase was discharged this morning after his physical therapy.  His therapy session went great.  He actually took a few steps today with us holding his hands, which is remarkable!  He climbed a rope net ladder, slid down slides, climbed a few rocks on the rock wall, and pushed a grocery cart around walking all by himself and the kid wanted to keep going once therapy was over.  We knew he was a tough, determined kiddo, but had no idea he was this tough!  If you could have seen his smile as he was accomplishing all of this, it was just awesome.  I know I keep saying this but there is no tightness anywhere in his legs and feet..it is just so odd to see him so flexible.  I still haven't absorbed it completely.  Jason and I have both wanted this for Kase all of his 3 1/2 years of life and now it is happening and it just seems like I am dreaming!  So hard to explain, but just so amazingly good.  Pain seems to be at a real minimum as well. 
Jason has made it home safely.  Kase and I are in the hotel room and settled as well.  As I am typing this, he is using the coffee table to support his stand and is cruising around using all the furniture in the living area to play with his toys.  He is crawling when he has to, but wants to walk so I have been holding his hand and getting him places.  He is really getting a feel for his new legs, really cool!  One other thing, the painful tingling that is experienced in the feet by some patients, Kase of course has none.  I am telling you it is just amazing how well he is doing. So, tonight as you go to bed please send a praise for his continued recovery and for Dr. T.S. Park for using his gifts to help kids like Kase. 
On another note, as we are celebrating, our friends Ed and Beverly Thweatt are still waiting for their miracle.  We know God is in control of all situations and we just need to keep praying for Beverly and her family.  You can visit her caringbridge website by typing in her name once on the caringbridge site.  She is battling a return of leukemia and really needs a miracle at this point.
Thank you for always praying.  We count of you!
Jason and Leigh Ann

We have had a very busy day.  Kase slept really well last night, so he was feeling really good this morning.  Because of that, he wasn't wanting to rest.  Although his back is sore, he has not had any pain meds today except over the counter Tylenol, so nothing to help him relax.  Needless to say, Jason and I have been doing anything to entertain him in bed.  He is allowed to sit up after therapy which is two times a day an hour each time, so we took him to the children's play room a couple of times. But no long naps today which is good that he is feeling well, but bad that we are in this hospital room!  Thank goodness we are discharged tomorrow.  He is really ready to move on..ha! 
Anyway, he is doing really well in therapy.  His lower trunk is stronger than we thought it would be, his legs are really weak, like jelly legs so he can't hold himself up independently but with support of his arms he is able to stand today.  He began crawling some today so that is good, at least he will be able to get around independently.  He has so much motivation...a really tough kid.  It is amazing how determined he is to walk, so we really don't think it will take but a couple of weeks tops to get him walking holding our hands.  I am so excited for him.  When he is sitting in the stroller, his right foot no longer turns in and his range of motion is amazing.  Not the same legs or feet.  Now it is going to take a lot of dedication to exercises and patience.  We will have a follow-up appointment in four months.  By then, he should be doing really well and by a year going strong! 
We will have therapy in the morning and then discharged.  We will then have therapy once a day for an hour every weekday through the 15th and then when we get home it will continue until we see we can drop to 4,3,2,1 day a week.  So we are looking at a long process but a positive one.
I will post tomorrow night after we get settled in the hotel.  Jason will be travelling home tomorrow afternoon.  My parents and Kip are coming on Wednesday morning.  Please pray for all of their safe travels.
Leigh Ann and Jason

We have the IV out, brushed our teeth, put contacts in, diapers off (Kase is so thrilled about this!  This bothered him more than we ever imagined), favorite cut off khaki shorts and motorcycle shirt on...he feels like a new man!  The floor nurses are calling him a movie star. We just came back from our first physical therapy for the day.  We learned how to transition him from bed to stroller and he did really well.  We took a stroll to the therapy room and it is amazing!!!  They have so much equipment even a rock climbing wall, so we are so excited about this!  The best part is the first thing Kase wanted to do was walk.  He didn't want to ride in a stroller, but attempting to walk is not an option today for him.  Jason and I are thrilled that this is what he wants to do!  He feels really good today, of course weak, but ready to play cars, build with lincoln logs, and of course watch Zac Brown Band on DVD.  We will go back again at 1 for another session and then he needs to rest.  Tomorrow will be the same schedule hopefully he will be able to attempt to stand tomorrow and then Tuesday we will be discharged after his PT that morning. 
We have made one change to our plan.  Jason and I have decided to keep Kase in St. Louis until Oct. 15th to have intensive therapy here.  The center is so amazing and this is such a critical turning point for him, we think this is just best.  Jason is heading home on Tuesday afternoon while Kase and I will move to the Residence Inn by the Galleria in St. Louis.  The plan is for Kip and my mom to join us and then Jason and Charli will come after school on Friday.  With it being fall break, the decision was easy to stay through the 15th.  Charli will remain with me and Jason's mom and my mom will take turns helping me during the week and then we will travel home after therapy on that Friday. 
I think this will help with Kip and Charli too because if we were home during Fall Break, they would be extremely bored travelling back and forth to therapy and not getting to go alot of places.  Now they are at a hotel which is always fun for kids and we can take little trips to the zoo, magic house, parks, etc.  So we are excited about the plan and also think Kase will be primarily walking by the time we return. 
We are so thankful for Kase's continued recovery.  If I could have imagined the best possible scenario I don't think I would have thought it would be this good.  I should have known it would be this way, when we had so many prayer warriors praying for us!  God's power is just awesome.  To our family at First Baptist Church, words can not express how much you mean to us, and your constant dedication to lifting our family up in prayer.  I hope you will continue to be reminded every time you see Kase that God hears your prayers.  He answered every one of them for us thus far. For all of our family and friends that have done the same, we know how much you love us and how long you have been praying for an answer to help Kase with his walking.  God heard you and He is providing us with many opportunities to make Kase better. 
The spasticity is gone so now our prayer is that Kase will be able to develop strength to correct his gait pattern (walking pattern) and his balance will improve so that he can run and play like other boys and girls his age. 
Again, we love you and thank you with more than we could every repay.
Leigh Ann

We have hit the 48 hours post-op mark!  Kase just did wonderfully with all the meds and pain.  He will begin the weaning of meds this afternoon and will be switched to Tylenol with Codeine as needed.  This alone will help him have more energy and feel more like himself.  He needs to continue bed rest lying flat until late afternoon/ evening then we are going to try to elevate his head in bed and to help his equilibrium.  Tomorrow PT will start first at bedside and then on their floor. 
He ate breakfast this morning, fruit, dry cereal, and a hershey kiss.... he deserved that! 
We just can't thank you enough for all of your prayers during this critical part of the procedure.  It is so awesome to say every prayer we requested was answered over and over.  Please continue to pray for his rehab and that the surgery will prove beneficial to his daily quality of life.
If all goes well today, I won't post again until tomorrow after therapy.
Leigh Ann

Quick update, luckily not much to share.  He has had a wonderful day resting.  When he does wake, he is irritable but lively and talking to us.  He spoke with my parents, Charli and Kip on the phone tonight.  He complains of back pain but only when valium in wearing off, so not for long before new dose takes effect.  He will begin physical therapy on Sunday, so one more day of bed rest. 
He is just doing remarkable.  Thank you so much for praying for him.