You know that old saying, the bigger they are, the harder they fall? It turns out it's true. When I fell, I meant it. My knee has been quite unhappy since the embarrassing crash I took at work over a month ago. I shall hereafter refer to that moment as "the incident."
As a result of "the incident" I have been ordered by medical professionals to attend weekly PT sessions. About 10 years ago I got whiplash and went to see a PT. Mostly they just massaged and stretched me. That PT never really asked me to do anything, and I was fine with that.
Not so with this new bunch. They work me hard. I have teased the PT Assistant mercilessly about putting me on the racks and locking me into stocks. I asked her about the thumbscrews and, fortunately, she didn't know what thumbscrews were. (I encouraged her to chat with her Game of Thrones friends.)
My PT and her Jovial Assistant (aka J.A.) not only force me to use various torture devices in their presence, they also want me to inflict myself at home with a regimen of exercises including one which involves looping a dog leash around my foot and pulling it vertically across my back and over my right shoulder. I have named this exercise the Ouchy Dog Walk. My book of physical terror games grows thicker after each visit.
In spite of rehab's discomfort, I appreciate how my PT and J.A. smile and lob words of encouragement as I suffer. Sometimes they even offer some praise when I get through something with only minor (although amusing) complaints. J.A. even laughs at my torture related jokes. Even though she has probably heard them all before, she does a nice job of pretending that she hasn't.
Health care providers can burn out. Personally, I often tire of seeing suffering weather it's a pet or the human family. I've had times in my career where I was pretty low after a what seemed to be a plethora of negative outcomes and grumpy people. Most of us have crossed paths with a health care provider or two who is tired and/or jaded by the system.
I am fortunate to have some superior providers on my case who care about the outcome and can chuckle with me about "the incident." So the saga continues until this knee resolves or I see a thumbscrew and run. (Dang, I'm in trouble! I can't run!)
Thanks to my peeps at Providence Rehab & Sports Medicine-Tansabourne for great service and support.
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| No Sonic, we aren't going for a walk. I'm doing my PT. |
lw
I've had so much PT over the years that I can do it all in my sleep - neck, back, hip, shoulder, elbow, knee . . . . it's a hassle, but stay with it. You'll thank yourself in the not too distant future 😆
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