OT Febuary Chit Chat

[Cherie]

Also, Jeanie, I was alerted by your comment that you hoped the PT could make you stronger. A PT cannot do that! Only you can do that with the direction and advice of the PT on what exercises are needed to get you stronger. One of my pet peeves with going to a PT over the years is that many have wanted me to do a 30-45 minute routine of exercise with reps in the office. I get exhausted by that and , as a result, often let some of that routine go by the wayside because it has taken so much of a toll. I have been told that they do that because they know that many people only do the exercises with the PT present. You have to do the exercises every day even when the PT is not there to be effective in rehab. Even if you can't do them all at once, it is important to make time for that. To get started, try a few simple things several times a day till they come and set up a plan. Something as simple as walking in place while seated or flexing your foot up and down, back and forth. Also, your core strength is what helps with balance and safe transfers so pelvic tilts while seated, Kegels, isometric (tightening muscle without actually moving) exercises like tightening abdominal muscles or but clenches can be helpful.

[agate]

That is so true! The PT is all but useless unless you follow the instructions about exercises at home. And it's important to get your form right while doing the exercises. I have to keep correcting the form because I tend to slouch into somewhat lazier versions of the exercise.

For instance, with the side leg lift that I do daily, 10 on each side, the temptation is to race through them without thinking, but I do try to keep remembering that the PT emphasized that I should lead with my heel and hold that lift long enough to count to 4. I tend to get lazy about both of those instructions.

[Catdancer]

Yes, I concur. And I notice when I skip a day -- the next day doing them I pay for it! I find bits of time each day. For example, when I'm watching the morning news, I can do some of them. When I'm sitting here at my computer I can be moving my legs. And so forth. But it is indeed very important to keep them up, and following closely the ways the PT instructed.

[Pegakafarmgirl]

hi,, we had one heck of a blizzard go thru the heartland,, 12 inches and 15 ft high drifts,winds gusting to 45,, it just stopped everything in its tracks,, mail/schools/paper, interstates closed down,, we haven't had one like this in a long time,, so far we are okay,, cattle are fine,,

[Sunshine]

Oh my Peg— that sounds completely overwhelming.

[agate]

I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it. Spring is less than a month away if that's any comfort.

The stuff does melt but it takes its time about it all too often.

[Virginia]

Peg, very bad for all businesses and for you farmers. I hope your weather clears up soon.

Jeanie, I hope that you will follow through with what the others have said about doing the things the PT will instruct you to do. What Cherie said is true of me. I had a PT (where I went into the office) and she worked me so hard that I could not wait to get out of there. On top of that it was a long drive. Finally, I stopped. She had given me so many reps of each exercise that I had problems. That was the beginning of the problems that I have with my knees. I think she failed to take my age into account. And I failed to speak up and tell her that I was having a hard time with that many reps. I think you will not have that problem, but will let her know, in a nice way when it becomes too uncomfortable for you.

Sunshine, hope all goes well with eye surgery this week. I hope you will be able to see really well. I guess that is what I will do. Wear glasses to read. I wish I could afford the Cadillac version of this surgery where you can see both up close and far away, but it is just too much.

I have done a little bit of housework today - not much, but that little bit is more than I did last week. Today is my last day on antibiotics. Will see how things go then.

[Lazarus]

hi,, we had one heck of a blizzard go thru the heartland,, 12 inches and 15 ft high drifts,winds gusting to 45,, it just stopped everything in its tracks,, mail/schools/paper, interstates closed down,, we haven't had one like this in a long time,, so far we are okay,, cattle are fine,,

We have had wicked winds of 35-45 mph all day with gusts close to 70 mph. I stayed home because I expected some catastrophe with the greenhouses. So far all is ok. But the wind is getting stronger. Even if we saw a problem outside it would kill us to go out. His is like a hurricane with no rain...no snow...

This is scary.

[Cherie]

talked to my brother in Upstate NY a little while ago and everything had been white out conditions all day. Driving ban with arrest threatened for anyone on the road except emergency vehicles. He said the winds were 60 mph and he had 6' high drifts while snow on the level was a foot deep. Here it has been upper 30s most of the day with rapidly fluctuating changes between blue skies with rapidly moving clouds to overcast. Snow in the air and lots of branches down. Now it is in the 20s and the wind is howling!

[Cherie]

Does anyone here live in the Lexington, KY or Melville Long Island areas or know of anyone with MS who does? I am doing programs there for the MS Foundation on the 5th and 12th of March. Can send details if needed.

[stillstANNding]

Peg, that sounds like a very bad nor’easter. Take care. I hope you have supplies and don’t lose power.

Linda, I have been scared w the wind today, too. I have 22 windows, 2 sets of French doors and seven skylights! There are trees that could hit the house and it’s trash/recycling day so all kinds of things are flying around. I hope neither of us lose power or hear glass breaking.

Jeanie, I saw my neuro about 2 weeks after I finished PT and she told that I was physically stronger. Good luck to you.

I am holding my weight for 2 weeks now, at 132. I just started a new med book (I write down my meds and times I took them, my weight and sometimes symptoms). That book lasted just shy of a year and I weigh 24 pounds less then last February 2018. I am able to eat bigger (but not big) portions. I plan to win this whatever it is.

Has anyone seen Howie on FB or talked to him again? I miss him.

ANN

[nuthatch]

Good to see you here, Ann. I was just typing out a post inquiring about you. Hope the wind settles down for you. Wind can be very scary.
This past year we have and seen, and continue to see an unusual amount of wind. And now we're seeing storm after storm. Just watched the weather forecast . . . expecting rain again tomorrow, then another front is expected to drop 2 or 3 inches on Saturday with lots of wind. After 10 years of drought . . . definite weather change.

Daughter called this afternoon to tell me about her hair raising trip to Reno. Extreme wind, two big rigs blown over on their sides in the road, power lines arcing with blue flashes, then they closed the highway! Climate change is upon us all.

[Virginia]

Strong winds are predicted here also, but I am not sure exactly when this week. I hope they just peter out and don't get here.

Wind scares me. I hope all of you will stay safe.

[agate]

More snow on the ground here today.

ANN, Howie is still in the process of getting a computer repair as I understand it. So he hasn't been on Facebook at all. I have it from him that he'll be back here as soon as this problem gets straightened out.

[Sunshine]

Virginia, I did not qualify for the Cadillac version
And, there are problems with it, some never adjust to it.

Doc is going to do the second eye with slightly worse distant seeing, but better mid range seeing to read with things an arm stretch away, or dashboard etc.

I am fine wearing eyeglasses. And, I won’t have to wear them If I don’t want to. Could just wear the cheaters.

Mine is completely covered by medicare minutes a $350 charge for certain measurements not allowed by Mcare.

DH needed the expensive one due to a certain astigmatism. His cost several thousand dollars out of pocket.