Monday, November 29, 2021

Some prooogress to report

Last week physical therapy read  me the riot act. I have progressed dramatically in physical skills rquired to care for myself in my incapacitated state. There is little left to teach me, that I need to know when I get a new weight bearing status in that leg in three weeks?

Except Joanne, the instigator, already had a new appointment for Tuesday, to get a new number from the young ortho fellow. I was on the way to the nurses' station to be sure I'd picked the correct date for the appointment, and I intecepted the physio person and the scheduler.

The scheduler was on the phone with the doctor's office, cancelling my appointmrnt tomorrow. "It is far too soon to be exposing that leg to another x-ray." Where were they when I was fighting off that chest x-raying fool of a doctor at the hospital?

Long story short, the physical therapy lady and I went back to my room and made a new plan.I can transfer from place to place using the Hoyer lift and the slide board. I also figured out how to get from seat to seat without an intermediary device. But, I have not been trained, or the aides certified. With shorter sessions, we can cover three weeks.

In the meantime, it snowed last night. Also in the meantime I cannot see how to get to the "dashboard" and read your blogs. I'll see what I can do about that tonight!



39 comments:

  1. Do be very careful that you don't fall again. I sometimes set off on a journey of three or four steps about the house holding on to things without any of my aids - and then suddenly I find myself marooned and have to turn round and return holding on to things again.

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  2. Glad to hear you're making progress -- you're such a trooper! Hang in there, my friend!

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  3. So you need the staff to be certified before they can help you....they need to get their admin up to date!

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  4. You are so feisty and such a hard worker at everything you put your mind to, Joanne. Here's a toast to you being out of there soon. In the meantime you are doing everything possible to make it so. Kudos! I'm thinking of you and wishing hard for all the healing you need to take place ASAP.

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  5. Hari OM
    Joanne, you are just never gonna be put down are you...LOL!!! Feisty, keep it feisty dear lady. YAM xx

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  6. Wow, keep it up and you'll be out of there before you know it.

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  7. Totally impressed Joanne with your persistence and grit. But please don't try too much as your bones are far too fragile.

    XO
    WWW

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  8. You have made fantastic progress. These rehab facilities try to keep you as long as possible. Remember when you leave the revenue leaves too! Do they really think you would hire untrained and unlicensed people? Ridiculous. My next door neighbor tore his ACL skiing and required 2 surgeries. Most of the rehab was done at home with professionals. The PT brought in equipment required and the Ortho recommended he purchase an exercise bike on Amazon. This combination strengthened the leg and he is fine today. Keep up the good work Joanne!

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  9. Not sure I understand what all but it sounds good. I know you want out of there, I would too, but give it time to heal. I assume you're in a wheelchair when you're down the hall stalking the nurses' station. You aren't missing much on my blog, just grumbling because things aren't going smoothly on these shadow boxes.

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  10. I am so sorry that you are in that pickle! Think bone thoughts, pain free strong bone thoughts! Pretty sure that will get you out of there just in time for ice on the sidewalks! Bad time of year!

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  11. Yep, you, and another hip surgery friend, are progressing too fast for the injury to truly heal inside. Remember, oldsters don't heal and make bone as quickly as we did when we broke something as a youngster. I'm confused, but you used the term Hoyer, and that's usually a lift in a seat/sling thing to move you from bed to wheelchair. It's not something you use on yourself. But yes, learn each of those little tricks from the Physical Therapist to help you get stronger. Listen carefully. Besides money, they ARE trying to keep your movements safe for recovery AND to prevent internal injuries and falling injuries. Yes, it's an economic and insurance racket, but you're very lucky to find any PTs, OTs at all these days, anywhere, big or small town. My patient's PT quit to go to another group, so all of his standing into a special tilt table has quit. Nurses (LPNs/RNs) are not authorized to do PT work. The PTs do have master's degrees and reasons they make their specific recommendations. IF it's a PT Assistant working with you, that's usually just rote repetitive movement guidance and documenting. PTAs usually have a few months observation training, not specific education. Ask what's working with you: you have the right to know. Remember, your bones probably have half of the scaffolding they used to have (osteoporosis,) and can more easily break. Hope it gets easier for you. You can usually "get out of PT" sooner by doing what they suggest. Linda in Kansas

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  12. You're strong-willed, if nothing else. I'm thinking positive healing thoughts for you. When I broke my shoulder, I went online and found a healing meditation--I don't meditate, so just visualized being painfree and moving again. It did help the healing and it was relaxing to just sit, listen to the music and imagine my body healing.

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  13. Hang in there. You are strong and this too shall pass. xx

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  14. Looking at the weather channel while sitting in the hospital waiting for Bob to have his colonoscopy, it looks like you can expect more snow and bad weather!! Glad you are making progress.. keep at it!!

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  15. I hear your impatience to get moving and home. I used a Hoyer lift to move HP from bed to wheelchair, so I'm familiar with that. I assume they're expecting you to have assistance or an aide at home? The rehab trained me in using the Hoyer, more or less.

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  16. I am thrilled to hear that you are making some progress at least. And awed at your resilience.

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  17. Good to hear from you..your writings are missed!
    Glad that you now have a physical therapist that you can work with.
    Mend well and steadily xx

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  18. Any progress is good, no matter how slow. Try not to be in too much hurry, you don't want any setbacks.
    You aren't missing much by missing my blog, apart from the news that my youngest son and his girlfriend are expecting identical twins!

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  19. Please be careful Joanne and do not rush into doing things that will endanger you. You are very important to us. I think about you a lot.

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  20. Seems like you are making progress with everything but Blogger, Joanne. I think we can all sympathize with that!

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  21. I do get a kick out of you! Glad to hear you are making progress.

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  22. That sounds like good progress though slower than you’d like for sure.

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  23. Goodness, your physiotherapy is turning into a bit of an obstacle race! I hope it gets a bit simpler.

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  24. Sounds as if you are making progress. Slow but steady. But as usual the mind and body do not always know exactly what's going on with each other. it must be so hard to be patient. To BE a patient. We miss you truly out here in blogland.

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  25. It is good that you are determined to make progress. Glad you are discussing things with the PT and listening to the advice you get. Stay safe!

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  26. Doesn't it seem infuriating when the people who are supposed to be helping act like they are trying so hard to hinder? Good luck with your healing process.

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  27. I know you can't wait to get back your independence and taking it slow must be agonizing. I would hate it myself! But as Linda says, we oldsters don't heal as fast and you have to be careful. I'm happy to hear about the progress and love to see you back to blogging. Big hugs! xoxo

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  28. I hated the Hoyer lift. As soon as I could stay awake, I began using the wheelchair. I'm so glad to hear from you. Is there some other way you can read us rather than your Dashboard. Can you click on our names in these messages as they are links to our blogs? Lots of hugs.

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  29. Being with out internet, I need to go back and get caught up. Hang in there and let things heal properly.

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  30. Coming right along - progress is good, slow or no.

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  31. Happy to hear there is progress on the PT front.

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  32. Dear Joanne, I think of you very often. At the moment I am not often in Bogland - but I wish you all the best !!!

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  33. Good to hear about the progress, Joanne. Take care of yourself and hang in there.

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  34. I'm glad things are looking better, Joanne. You are such a trooper. I really admire your strength of spirit.

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  35. Hope all is well Joanne. I'm finally able to comment again- hope you're able to read again 🙂

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  36. Thinking of you, Joanne, and hoping that you're coming along in the healing department. xx

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  37. Oh gosh, Joanne. We're all thinking about you and hoping you get well soon!

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