Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Quick Update
Canes are on order so that I can start practicing with them outside of therapy! I will probably switch back and forth for a while, but I'm already noticing a difference in my balance. I attribute this to two things. One, I'm getting more comfortable with the C-legs. Two, the canes are teaching me to rely on my legs for more balance than I do with crutches.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Moving forward
First of all, I should let you know that the next two weeks are going to be very busy so updates will come when I have the chance, instead of at a regularly scheduled time. Last week was crazy as well, which is the reason for the delay. The good news is that, in all this craziness, I'm still finding time for Physical Therapy! (This may also be bad news, depending on how you look at it, because we're back to doing things that leave me wiped out for the rest of the day!)
I'm now working with two canes! Don't expect to see me out in public with them yet. For the moment I'm only practicing with the canes in the Therapy unit at Wishard. I lose a lot of stability and safety with the canes because they aren't attached to my arms like the crutches are. As a result I'm having to learn to take weight off of the canes and rely more on my legs. I'm not sure where this will lead, but I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to walk with prostheses either!
Putting more weight on my legs is also making my back muscles work harder, which makes my back ache after I take one trip up and down the hallway. For the first time in a long while I had to use an ice pack and sit down each time I would take a walk. Long term though, this will only make me stronger. I guess we'll see what this Friday brings!
By the way, some people have expressed interest in coming to a PT session. I hope you understand that these sessions are private. However, I will try to get some pictures as soon as possible.
I'm now working with two canes! Don't expect to see me out in public with them yet. For the moment I'm only practicing with the canes in the Therapy unit at Wishard. I lose a lot of stability and safety with the canes because they aren't attached to my arms like the crutches are. As a result I'm having to learn to take weight off of the canes and rely more on my legs. I'm not sure where this will lead, but I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to walk with prostheses either!
Putting more weight on my legs is also making my back muscles work harder, which makes my back ache after I take one trip up and down the hallway. For the first time in a long while I had to use an ice pack and sit down each time I would take a walk. Long term though, this will only make me stronger. I guess we'll see what this Friday brings!
By the way, some people have expressed interest in coming to a PT session. I hope you understand that these sessions are private. However, I will try to get some pictures as soon as possible.
