Physio...

[fajrdrako]

Physiotherapy this morning. My physiotherapist is a lovely, tiny woman named Debbie who does choreography at Orpheus - so we had a good chat about local amateur theatre, including the auditions for The Full Monty. She looked like a dancer. I wish I did. Maybe I should take up dancing.

And I have exercises to do. Many, many exercises. Most of them with a five pound weight attached to my ankle. She said the healing was going well and my legs are still very strong - which, considering that all the muscles in my right leg have evaporated into nothing, surely can't be true. She was very good at answering my questions - why do I always have a lot of questions? - and it was a very encouraging session. She gave me some suggestions of what yoga exercises I could do, and you know what? I think I'll be doing exercises morning, noon and night, with no time for anything else.

I have only two words for myself: Hadrian's Wall.

Actually, I really, really enjoyed the physio session and (contrary to what everyone told me to expect) there was no pain involved. Just as well I enjoyed it, because there is more to come: two sessions per week for the next eight weeks.

Comments

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

You're getting off fairly easily. I had almost 6 months of PT after my shoulder surgery -- started at three times a week, went down to two, then one, then every other for the last month.

I'm glad it wasn't painful, but I wouldn't count on that every time.

And, yes, exercises will be your life for a while. It's worth it, though. 2 1/2 years later I still don't take my perfectly-functioning and pain-free shoulder for granted. I rather doubt if I ever will.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I had almost 6 months of PT after my shoulder surgery -- started at three times a week

That's a lot! Do you still do the exercises now?

I'm glad it wasn't painful, but I wouldn't count on that every time.

Yes. The ankle is rather swollen this morning. And purplish. Complaining. But complaints won't get it out of excerises! Not unless there's serious pain.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Do you still do the exercises now?

No. I kept going with them for a month or two after PT ended, but didn't really need them after that.

But complaints won't get it out of exercises! Not unless there's serious pain.

Ice packs are your friends. Does your therapist ice your ankle down after your sessions? If s/he doesn't, ask her if it's okay to do so. Ice packs (I acquired the habit of keeping at least one reusable one in the freezer at all times, and I still use them occasionally, although not for my shoulder anymore) will make all the difference in the world when it comes to pain. Much better than anything you can swallow for it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Does your therapist ice your ankle down after your sessions?

She didn't for this one - though maybe because it was the first and not very strenuous. I'll ask her about that. I have ice packs in my freezer, as it happens.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

It can't hurt. The worst she can say is no.

Good luck with the PT, and may you have a 100% ankle back soon!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Today so far: two sets down and one to go.

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

As I already said on the phone -- I'm so proud of you. You're starting on an eight-week adventure with an incredible attitude of "let's see what'll happen next!!" I think it's great. Debbie sounds wonderful, and of course you had a lot of questions -- it's good to have a lot of questions! You're ready to get all started, is all! And I'm sure Debbie knew that, and appreciated it. You're making her job easier, is what.

I can't speak to the strength of your legs... but, um, Debbie's the professional, and did she seem to be prone to speaking anything but hte truth, hm? I'd take her word on it, and see hwat happens. After a lifetime of walking and yoga (not to mention tai chi of various sorts, and other enjoyable forms of exercise that have been known to get your blood racing and your muscles working!), it would be my guess, the excellent muscle attachments in your legs are still there even though the muscles themselves have atrophied somewhat. And this is key: it all can be built back up, once your body starts to get used to using everything once again. I know you can do this. (You did it once before, at least once before -- when you first started yoga, right? This won't be nearly that challenging. Or, if it is, you still know you can accomplish it.)

I'm glad there was no pain involved. I think your bones have knit well enough that there may not be any more pain at all, there, from now on, hm? But be prepared to feel that ache of strengthening muscle! It's a-comin'. And it will be great.

She looked like a dancer. I wish I did. Maybe I should take up dancing.

Yes! And you already were, a bit, no? I bet the budgies would enjoy seeing you dance! And it would feel good.

...good for you, great day!...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You're starting on an eight-week adventure with an incredible attitude of "let's see what'll happen next!!"

Which is a good approach, I think. After talking to you last night, I did my exercises - well, most of them - I was too tired to finish the whole set. It goes on for a while, it was getting late, and I was really tired by then... So today, I do them all. Three times. For sure.

After a lifetime of walking and yoga (not to mention tai chi of various sorts

I'm thinking of going tai chi again, or some martial art - emphasis on the 'art' rather than the 'martial'.

You did it once before, at least once before -- when you first started yoga, right?

Yes. Though I was 18 and skinny.

I think your bones have knit well enough that there may not be any more pain at all, there, from now on, hm?

There is discomfort. Not really pain. If there is pain, well, that's why I have pain pills, right?

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

After talking to you last night, I did my exercises - well, most of them - I was too tired to finish the whole set. It goes on for a while, it was getting late, and I was really tired by then... So today, I do them all. Three times. For sure.

I will from now on keep myself fully aware that, when you suddenly stop replying in complete sentences, it's time to say good night! Really, the transition was that quick: within about ninety seconds, I was hearing single-word replies from a sleepy voice that (as I) just didn't want to say good night and hang up [g]... sorry!

I'm glad you got the exercises in. I should not have held you on the phone so long; it will take you more effort to do them, these first several times, until you get to know them.

I'm thinking of going tai chi again, or some martial art - emphasis on the 'art' rather than the 'martial'.

What an interesting idea. The thought being, that's one way to get your body back into balance, no?

Yes. Though I was 18 and skinny.

I know the same memory. I discovered yoga when I was 14 -- a fit, young, lithe, totally natural athlete. The postures posed no challenge for me at all, and the instructions for achieving the state of consciousness were not for me... as I wasn't the typical person approaching it with a neurotypical way of going through the world... and so I dropped it, with regret, wondering why it didn't give me what I'd been looking for. Now, ages later, when I try to go back to it -- well, physical changes make it a true challenge, and time constraints--! Which does not mean that I can't start again. Say, later today. Sigh. But will I?

Which martial art might you be thinking of?

There is discomfort. Not really pain. If there is pain, well, that's why I have pain pills, right?

"Pain" can be just a sensation. I know I've settled on that phrase to try to describe how I perceive, but it never fully works. But truly, if there is pain but it does not hurt, that's just a sensation. Gad, stop now, I'm going nowhere with this! For some reason, I'm all preoccupied today with free-floating mental negativity related to (it seems to me) that "letter of warning" I got yesterday, even though that should be a closed book now, as far as the people involved are concerned. I feel all invaded by others' projected negative vibes. It's perplexing, and annoys me. And gets in the way of my being able to think straight, to be honest.

Well... beautiful day, and life is basically good. I may phone the Las Vegas hotel later today to make the reservations -- be proud of me for thinking that it'll be all right to try this! hee

Good day for you! Exercises, thinking of Hadrian's Wall. Good for you!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

when you suddenly stop replying in complete sentences, it's time to say good night!

I think when it gets to that point, I am beyond being capable of exercising common sense myself... I just kind of fade away into a comfortable sleepy zone.

So far, they've taken me about an hour and a half to do each time, or a little more.

The thought being, that's one way to get your body back into balance, no?

And that it might give me more energy. And generally be good for me, but be interesting and different.

But will I?

I don't know. Did you?

Which martial art might you be thinking of?

Aikido and kung fu have always interested me, but they look kind of... challenging. I love tai chi with sword (which I've done before) but don't know where to find a teacher and, since I've already studied it once, it doesn't quite fit the criterion of 'something new'. I'm intrigued by Kuk Sool Won, which is the martial art Vince's son told me about. I don't know if there are local teachers.

Don't expect I can afford lessons anyway, so it's all sort of academic. While I ponder the question, I'll work on my yoga.

I may phone the Las Vegas hotel later today to make the reservations -- be proud of me for thinking that it'll be all right to try this! hee

I am proud!

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

I think when it gets to that point, I am beyond being capable of exercising common sense myself... I just kind of fade away into a comfortable sleepy zone.

...whereas I just keep chattering, being a person who "wakes up" more the later in the day it gets. Sorry. I have been trying for well over ten years to stop being thoughtless with that situation... eventually I may get it right!

And that it might give me more energy. And generally be good for me, but be interesting and different.

Utterly. New energy!

An hour and a half to do all your new expercises? Wow. It turns into a meditative experience, then. It would for me... and, no, I didn't yet, but I still could -- it's only eleven, the night is young (for some of us!).

it doesn't quite fit the criterion of 'something new'. I'm intrigued by Kuk Sool Won, which is the martial art Vince's son told me about. I don't know if there are local teachers.

Do you know Qi Gong? Would you like a videotape of it? I have one, and it's yours if you like. It's not the same as having a class with someone, but at least it's a start. Myself, I always try to familiarize myself with something before actually going into the "first steps" of a class... but that's just me.

And, um, I did phone the Las Vegas hotel. Talked to Wendy. Wendy was highly helpful. I got the reservations made, and I was efficient enough to give her the e-mail address of our president, so that when the confirmation came it would go straight to him. Also, if there are any glitches, he could deal with them directly. What do you think? Good use of both personal initiative, and teamwork? Yep. Thank you for the vote of encouragement!

oops, forgot

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

I've been on the phone with Jim Swank, my local's president and my steward, and basically, that letter of warning is not worth the paper it's on. They did not follow the required Seven Steps of Just Cause in issuing it to me: therefore, it is not a valid document, and must be withdrawn. That was good to hear! All the same, I wrote up my statement for Jim; I may yet pursue the harassment angle of this situation, if I continue to get retaliatory stuff from members of management due to the unpleasantly factual and frank article in the union newsletter.

But it's really, really good to have the other thing not be floating over my head any longer. Now I can just pay attention to all the other floaty scary things -- such as, will I have a job that's not 10 PM to 6:30 AM, once all these reshufflings are done?! Hope so. Probably. But: right now, no way to say for sure.

So I'll just relax and pet my cats. Ahh. And project healing energy to your foot and leg and arm. How's that feel? Oh, yeah.

Re: oops, forgot

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

So your letter was improperly given anyway. That's good to hear.

Good luck with the job thing!

Foot feels better. I'm exercising.

Re: oops, forgot

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Jim will have it shot down as soon as he goes through the proper steps... which, he informed me today, will be into next week. I found it quite irritating to be at work with the plant manager who was behind all that, pretending not to be incredibly disgusted by the whole situation as I politely did my job. Feh. To be honest, the current situation freaks me out -- makes my skin crawl. It's all very odd to feel.

Anyway, until Jim interviews my witnesses and conducts the grievance, I'm still technically issued this bogus letter of warning (which, fyi, I still have not read! and I'm not going to!!). And so I'm kind of -- well, not holding my breath, but breathing shallowly and trying not to be noticed as I do so. Much anxiety, yes. And also, now I get to think hard about whether I want to pursue a claim of harassment. It's all so ridiculous.

I can imagine your foot will eagerly take to this renewed activity! You said it liked the stretching Debbie did for it -- great! She's reminding it of all that until recently it was perfectly capable of doing without effort or conscious awareness. And, with your exercises, you also are reminding your muscles and joints of the same. It's work, but it's worth it, eh?

Re: oops, forgot

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

now I get to think hard about whether I want to pursue a claim of harassment.

Would it do any good? Would it make you feel better? Seems to me that it makes more sense to let it drop.

It's work, but it's worth it, eh?

So I'm telling myself!

Re: oops, forgot

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

No, mostly I don't think it'll be worth it. But I'm still leaving tha door open. Things continue to happen, to me and others, which indicates that there is free and rampant nastiness at our workplace. Maybe the other project I'm working on will take the edge off this for me.

And... now you have gained your feet again, thanks to hard work and strong determination, and yes, it was worth it!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

being a person who "wakes up" more the later in the day it gets.

I become useless for conversation after about 10 p.m. Usually. Unless I've had extra sleep the night before, or a chance to sleep late that morning. Which I actually prefer not to have.

Do you know Qi Gong? Would you like a videotape of it? I have one, and it's yours if you like.

I studied Qi Gong a little with Jayne. If you don't want the tape, I'd be happy to take it off your hands, but don't send it if you want it back or if you value it.

Well done re the hotel reservations. Excellent!

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Ah, good! No, I don't want it back; it's yours as soon as I can mail it. Something else will be in the box, too, so look for it.

I've often pondered why I slide into "relaxed and capable" mode later in each day. Do I need that long to get accustomed to the day's sensory onslaught, and after a certain exposure (hours of it) find my balance point? Or do I literally not fully wake up until the sun sets? I do find daylight very stressful -- one reason I like my evening-shift post office job (I know many people hate such a shift, but for me it's perfect). Just don't know. Even if I'm short on sleep for that day, come nine at night or so, I fall into a zone and I'm fine for several more hours. Hm!

I still have to check to see if the hotel made the reservations we asked for; possibly some of the nights were already booked full. I won't know till my president e-mails me back, for the confirmations were going to him (his name's on the credit card, so QED). Today, I made the car rental reservation! Yay, me! Last night, the flight! Yay, me! Bring it on! I can do all of this! hee

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I do find daylight very stressful

Dim lighting makes people more relaxed and comfortable in general - candlelight, firelight, dusk, "soft lights". While brights lights are supposed to wake people up more, make them alert or tense. I find I need some brightness to function now (hence the use of a sun lamp!). Sometimes I am more intellectually awake at night, and I can never do creative work in the morning. Or almost never.

Congratulations on all the bookings you're doing. That's great.

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

congratulations on all the bookings you're doing.

I felt good to have done it. I still have not booked the rental car for our drive home from the airport after the convention is over, but I know I can, and there isn't any real rush. I still need to get the full data from Jim the president -- I had all the confirmations sent to his e-mail address, seeing as how his is the name on our credit card. I saw him on Monday but forgot to mention that.

regarding sunlight/bright light: I also need adequate light in order to read or do close work of any kind -- jigsaw puzzle, putting a kite together, assembling something to cook, all of it. I get frustrated if I can't see clearly and well in those circumstances.

On the other hand, I get quickly overloaded if there is just ambient bright light.

It's all a complicated pattern.

Glad the sun lamp helps you. Keep using!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Not all light is created equal!

[cionaudha.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the PT! It stinks, but if you push a little (not too much!) it will pay off bigtime!

Hadrian's Wall... Hadrian's Wall... Hadrian's Wall... Hadrian's Wall...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It stinks, but if you push a little (not too much!) it will pay off bigtime!

Yes. I won't probably be excessive, but I'm planning to be diligent. I may get nothing done but exercises, but I'm determined to do them all. I want my foot back and I want it soon.

Hadrian's Wall!

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

Since your physio is get your joint & leg moving, not primarily to heal injured nerves, it may very well be low-pain if not pain-free.

My physio hurts, but not a lot. Less than the dentist.

Good for you! As walkingowl says, you don't lose years of muscle in a few months, even if it feels like that.

Of course you should ask LOTS of questions. It's your leg, after all, and that ensures your and her efforts are put to the best use, and she's aware of all relevant factors.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

it may very well be low-pain if not pain-free.

Hold that thought! I like that thought. It isn't sensation-free, but nothing like what I'd call real pain. Mild discomfort.

The arm may be a different matter - she didn't get around to dealing with the arm yesterday. She thinks the problem might be tendonitis. (From a fall? I guess it can happen.)

you don't lose years of muscle in a few months, even if it feels like that.

It looks like that! I look at my poor right leg sans cast, and I think of Twiggy.

Okay, now - three sets of exercises today! Plus yoga.