Yes! – I've Started Physical Therapy
Today I got to see my all time favorite physical therapist Mike T. He has gotten this body through a lot over the years: two knee replacements, ham string insertions that were pulled from the pelvic bone, the left shoulder and now doing the work for recovery of the right shoulder. The wonderful thing is that he has the history that is needed for him to work with me. For me the task is to do as I am told because I believe in his help.
I have no restrictions as per the visit last week with the surgeon for the use of my shoulder and right arm. The rest of the story is that my muscles and tendons don’t listen to the instructions that I give my brain for delegation of movement – so far, that is. I have a lot of work to do at home in between my sessions with Mike T. The strength that I have with my arm while standing at ‘chest high’ pushing down or lifting up or to the side is very desirable. I could push snow off of our driveway for a long time before getting weary. Lifting weight from the floor is very doable. The strength that is needed is to get the arm to hold itself up beyond ‘chest high.’ This is where the hard work begins.
Doing exercises while standing is much different then when sitting. The length of my core helps immensely for the pushing and pulling that the arm is asked to do. Sitting in a car the arm can’t get the the seat belt pushed into the lock on the driver’s side but the arm can reach around to my back to tug on pants while standing. I can stretch my arm out to pull and push the lint filter out of the stackable clothes dryer, but sitting in the car I cannot push the shift lever in the upward motion to put the car into gear.
I am totally at Dennis’ disposal for getting off of Stauffer Avenue — for now, that is. Patience is a great virtue and I am living proof that one is never to old to learn a bit of it. I also know from my previous health history that the time invested after medical procedures is going to be so worth it going forward. It’s been a less than desirable Minnesota winter and even those that have been able bodied have had restrictions. I am still in good company. For me it’s either this or better. Dennis, Mike T and me are voting for the latter.