Well, it really hasnt been a week — more like 3 days with the holiday and the evaulation day. Nevertheless, its been interesting. A couple of days ago, I thought this was the magic bullet & after 2 weeks here, all would be well.
Unfortunately, its just not the case. This is just a new level of PT/OT with a different approach. The walking stuff is fine — its been coming along slowly but coming along. It is likely they’ll have me walking w/o the cane next week — I’ve been inching towards it and they taught me some new techniques to help with balance. The biofeedback part is where they graphically show me where Im weak and how to weight transfer. I guess the most important component of what they teach is how to relax one muscle in order to let another one take over. Which is actually hard when youre just trying to squeeze everything together in an effort to make something function.
On the hand part, as I had hoped, I’m learning the most. Basically, my left hand hasnt been functioning properly b/c Im using the wrong muscles to restore function — or to try to function at all. I need to relearn which muscles to think about in order to bring my fingers to closure. Of course, its the ‘numbest’ part of my arms on both. Fairly numb on the right (but kinda itchy sometimes) and extremely numb on left (like tons of bruises on that side). Right thumb checks out; they think my LA OT is totally negligent. Waiting for Mon to find out what the regimen is to fix rt thumb as the protocol is quite prescriptive. Left thumb as expected is horribly weak & they are v concerned. More on that later as we ran out of time to figure out if there is any innervation to allow for opposition (the main thumb function). Apparently their test is more sensitive than the regular nerve conduction studies so if theres anything, even like 1%, it should register. Cross your fingers for me!
Other than that, its monsoon season here in FL. I’m here with Nina for the weekend and as usual, she is yelling at me for being too thin. I go back to Lauras guest hideaway where I get the best sleep ever on Sunday night.
xo
T
