Wednesday, tax day, was Jan's first day for physical therapy. It was pretty easy. He showed her an exercise she can do now called the "I don't know and I don't care." She needs to lift her shoulders up, the don't know part, and to try to squeeze her shoulder blades together.
She only had heat and electrostimulation yesterday and it did make her feel better. She still tired out early. The visits are Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the time being.
Tuesday was her return visit to the heart doctor. She was really worried about it the whole day before her appointment. She took a half valium before the trip and it helped. There was a two hour wait because the doctor had an emergency pace maker procedure.
He explained her echocardiogram and said it was fine. Her valves are good and he mentioned, only because it was on the report, that there was slight leakage. Nothing to be concerned about because 70% of the people on the street have the same thing and will never know it. Other than that, he said she has such long times between the PSVT episodes he wouldn't put her on medication and the cath-electrode (ablation) procedure is only a last resort if medication doesn't work.
She only had heat and electrostimulation yesterday and it did make her feel better. She still tired out early. The visits are Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the time being.
Tuesday was her return visit to the heart doctor. She was really worried about it the whole day before her appointment. She took a half valium before the trip and it helped. There was a two hour wait because the doctor had an emergency pace maker procedure.
He explained her echocardiogram and said it was fine. Her valves are good and he mentioned, only because it was on the report, that there was slight leakage. Nothing to be concerned about because 70% of the people on the street have the same thing and will never know it. Other than that, he said she has such long times between the PSVT episodes he wouldn't put her on medication and the cath-electrode (ablation) procedure is only a last resort if medication doesn't work.
Congratulations to your wife on her return to work and the start of physiotherapy. The physio will no doubt help to get her range back.
ReplyDeleteMy range has improved drastically in the last week. I think sleeping without the collar has helped alot. My neck always hurts in the morning, but it's paying off. I have driven a couple of times this week and although it's not fun, I am slowly regaining my confidence on the road. My only concern is that I don't feel I can do a proper shoulder check, nor can I turn around to see what is directly behind me. This is worrying me quite a bit, but I have to drive so I am just doing it slowly and very carefully. I don't think I will be needing physiotherapy unless I don't continue to improve. I see my family doctor at the end of the month and I guess we will see what the situation is then.
I return to work on Monday and I can't change my mind because they are very anxious to have me back! I am planning to return full time but I won't know until I do a full day. It's possible 7.5 hours on the computer may prove to be too much. We'll see. Has your wife returned full-time now? How is she finding that?
She's been sleeping without the collar for a good while. She can turn her head farther to the right than the left. Coincidence that they had her head twisted more to the right in the halo? I think not.
ReplyDeleteJan wouldn't think of driving yet. She's too paranoid of the traffic we have here. I think she could if she needed to but just isn't ready.
She has been at work all week except for the doctors visits. Full days tire her but she's doing it.
She really likes the physical therapist so that is a bonus. He seems quite capable and gentle.
I notice you haven't updated your blog in quite a while and neither has poor Sue! I hope everything goes well with your first day back!
I`m contemplating another post for my blog, but I kind of feel like I have said everyting there is to say on the subject. It`s not that I have nothing further to say, but I`m not sure it would be of any interest to anyone.
ReplyDeleteOn the work front, my manager called and suggested I come in on
Thursday rather than Monday. The reason is that my unit is moving floors, and he feels it`s not a good time for me to come back, other than to pack up my office which I can probably do on Thursday. I told him no problem since I still have many errands to run before going back to work. I had a problem with my car battery last week which really put a damper on my shopping plans...After four months of hibernation, I have much shopping to catch up on :)
I am having spasms today in my neck and shoulders and I think it is because of the driving I did yesterday. When you are backing up, you have no choice, you have to look behind you. My neck didn`t like that, and I`m paying for it today.
If I didn`t have to drive right now, I wouldn`t. But I have to drive to get to work, so I have no choice.
I`ve been in contact with Sue and she is doing very well. She thinks she will be out of the halo in a couple of weeks. It seems like just yesterday she was just coming home from the hospital. She has coped very well considering she does not have full time support. Good for her.
As I said, I`ll try to post an update tonight or tomorrow. Glad to hear your wife is progressing well.
Take care.
Glad to hear Sue is doing fine. I or our daughter has been taking Jan to work. She has gotten rides home several times and I pick her up if she needs to come home sooner.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are driving. Jan probably could but just isn't comfortable enough with her neck movement to drive. Once she has some more physical therapy I think she'll gain more mobility, both in the neck and behind the wheel!
If you don't have to go back to work for a few more days, you should not look be int too big a hurry.
As for postings, I am posting from the supporters point of view. Jan wasn't interested in doing a blog herself. I'm hoping this informs friends and family of her progress and provides insight to anyone else that might be suffering the effects of a halo.