No, this is not the newest offering from the console-game wizards who brought Guitar Hero to the world. Sorry! But my PT brute, Paul, is now my PT hero, at least until my next appointment with him!
I am typing this WITH TWO HANDS!!!!!
Amazing, innit? I have been typing with one hand (and get your mind out of the gutter, you perv!) since I came back from surgery, but Paul said yesterday that if my keyboard is at waist-level, he doesn't see any problem with using both hands to type. Yay!!!
The laptop is now on the coffee table, and my right hand is resting on the hand-rest, and I am typing away. I am not nearly as fast as I am accustomed to being, and since my hand is resting on the computer instead of hovering above, I am not as accurate, either. But what a boon to be using both hands. Using my stupid hand only was frustratingly slow.
AND! And and and...
Paul is my PT hero also because I did not cry a single bit during the post-exercise torture session at the end of yesterday's appointment. No tears *at all*, and he alleges that he wasn't slacking, either. We'll see what happens next time.
I did get some new exercises yesterday, to add to my two-to-three-times-daily routine. I had been doing pendulum swings, shoulder blade pinches, biceps curls, pulleys, and the strap from hell. Now I have added to that a series of isometric exercises, which means that I'm going to be very good friends with the wall pass-thru between my computer room and the living room.
I have a series of seven different isometric exercises that do not require me to actually MOVE my arm, but to stand with my bad side against the wall and use the wall to push against. And one of those, which Paul has named "Shoulder Extension Stretch," may actually enable me to see some progress with the strap from hell. Go, PT Hero!!!
I also told Paul that when my shoulder complains, it doesn't start out with a warning. I get no kind of "watch it, hey now!" from my shoulder. It goes directly from zero to kick-in-the-teeth. Paul says that's pretty normal for this stage, so that's kind of a relief. I was worried that I was causing myself damage whenever I get that sort of pain from it.
Next week is busy. PT on Monday, Dr. Latshaw on Tuesday for a checkup and new PT script, and PT on Wednesday. I hope I'll be able to start my strength-building soon.
My arm is hot in the sling, and the point of my elbow joint feels kinda bruisy, like I whacked the hell out of it a few days ago, but it still hurts when I poke it. I think it's because it's under pressure from the weight of the arm while it's in the sling. I need to replace my flannel liner and use a liberal application of Caldesene cornstarch today. Will be delighted when I don't have to spend so much time in the sling. My armpit looks a fright, and it'll be happier when it can get some air on a regular basis.
When I feel frustrated with how slow my recovery is going, I can just think back and remember what progress I've made in the month since my surgery. I hope that progress curve continues, because I'm due to go back to work on August 20. Wish me luck! And patience, which anyone who knows me can attest that I'm a little short of, especially with myself.
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