After Seeing Physical Therapist, I was DISCHARGED...

Mar 29, 2010

I know, I know, that may sound ominous, but it was a complement!  I met one therapist who wasn't assigned to me, his name was/is Jason.  Anyhow, real nice guy, did my intake for a "program" to get me in tip top shape for surgery... Hahaha... Anyhow, after getting all my history, I told him how bad my left foot and ankle are - he read all the doctors notes, so he actually had a pretty good idea how bad BOTH feet are.  He did his workup, asked me to walk non-stop for six minutes, to measure my endurance.  Took my vitals, gave me a couple of sheets of exercises, and sent me home with homework.  I then was told I needed to head into UW (University of Washington) TWICE weekly... ugh.  But, I am good at doing what needs to be done - so proceeded to make a months' worth of appointments with my actual P/T - Sandy.  OH!  and at my weigh in, I lost seven pounds -- goooood! 

My new therapist was out for a week, so I got to meet her Friday afternoon.  Grumble grumble - drive through traffic - grumble grumble - PAY for parking, grumble grumble - I am so tired from my mile swim just an hour ago, now I have to walk the length of they dang hospital (how the HECK is that Handicap Parking, if I have to go to the OPPOSITE end of the TWO buildings?!?)... Ready to see you Ma'am, I smile, shake her hand.  She says, "We need to talk..."  Uhhhh, here it comes... "Why do you swim every other day?"  Ummm, my ankle cannot take daily workouts.  "I hate to tell you this, since we just met, but I am DISCHARGING you from P/T!"  Ummmm, okay, why?  She tells me that I was so impressive at the six minute test (here I was thinking an 80 year old could have kept pace with me...), and she saw how much I swim (one mile in 45 minutes, three times a week), I do NOT need to see a physical therapist. 

We talk more - since I am PAYING the whole hour!  She asks me what she can do for me, that day.  Ummm, can you help me with the pain in my left foot?  She worked me over soooo much, I actually hurt the first two days, but yesterday & today haven't been as bad (insert smile, here).  I ask if she wouldn't mind taking me to the scale - down the hall, turn the corridor... and she takes me to the scale.  It gets zeroed, I pop on - I say, "Not bad."  She looks at my chart, looks at me - "You gotta be kidding?!!!"  I say, huh?  I only lost six pounds...  She scolds me (one of those overly upbeat kinda gals), LOOK AT YOUR CHART!!!  You lost FIFTEEN pounds!  Ummm, no, Jason transposed the number, it's only six.  But, deep down I am really happy, 13 pounds total since my surgeon met me on March 3, so I feel like all this wasn't for not.

I will be looking for a Physical Therapist locally, who can work on the tendon & plantar pain -- and who knows, I might get a bug up my butt to go back to five days a week swimming ;) 

I don't start jumping through the real hoops until May 10 - I had to push it back, as I will be out of town (waaaa!)  I am hoping that if I "ace all the tests," the surgeon will give me an ATTA GIRL!  and give me a date!  Oh and if anyone wants to get in some great lap work - I and my sweetie swim at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.  I am starting at 7am, as I really hate dealing with all the little kids and their moms in the dressing room... I may have more spirit than most, but I still dread the children making the comments about the "fat lady"...  Most times I try to remember I am the adult, but damn-it!  Don't parents think it is rude to stare or worse, make crude comments?  That's another rant!

I am looking forward to being back in Hawaii next February - able to scuba with a lighter weight belt!  Damn the jelly fish, BRENDA'S coming through!!!

B  : )~

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