AuburnChick's Adventures

Did you know that October is Physical Therapy Appreciation Month?

I wasn’t aware of this until I overheard a conversation about it two weeks ago during my physical therapy session.

If you’re like me, you might be surprised to learn that they get an entire month for this recognition. They certainly deserve it, in my humble opinion.

Speaking of which, today, I’m 20 weeks post surgery. It’s hard to believe that five months have passed since I went under the knife to repair my right shoulder.

To date, I’ve been in physical therapy nearly eleven months, so I am especially appreciative of the knowledgeable and gentle care I’ve been provided.

I found it sad that the sweet little office I visit each week barely got a nod of thanks, so I grabbed a box of cookies from my favorite place and took it with me last week.

There are five full time physical therapists in the practice I go to, along with the gal who runs the front desk and the young lady who takes care of the insurance.

They have always been kind to me. They quickly remembered my name and made me feel welcome.

I’ve seen them interact with many, many patients – some of them frequent fliers like myself – others one-and-done.

Their patience knows no bounds, which I can’t imagine given the horrible condition most of us start out in and the incredible amount of pain we’re suffering from during many of our early appointments.

It’s not uncommon for patients to get sick their first visit because of the stress of trying to move body parts that don’t want to cooperate. I nearly threw up during my first visit after my first surgery last December.

I want to be mindful of other places where service goes unnoticed – taken for granted or demanded with the expectation that it’s their job to do such and such.

That little box of cookies put huge smiles on the therapists’ faces and reminded me that it doesn’t take much to make someone feel appreciated.

Oh, and my shoulders are doing great! The left one hardly has any pain these days. The right one is coming along nicely. The pain continues to decrease while my ability to complete routine tasks improves each week.

My internal rotation continues to be a struggle with my shoulder unable to comply, but I know, from what I’ve been through with my left one, that it needs more time and work in the physical therapy room.

My precious five year old granddaughter constantly exclaims over how good my arm is now that it’s out of the sling, and we enjoy flexing our muscles to one another when we FaceTime. I make sure to brag on the “doctors” for the way they help me. I want her to know that doctors are helpers – used by God to provide healing.

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be in physical therapy. I’m thinking it will be a couple more months. I’ll be sad when it’s time to part ways, but I am grateful for having the opportunity, once again (I did seven months of therapy after I broke my ankle a few years ago) to see God’s hand at work, through the human hands I’ve been blessed to do life with this year.

Filed under: This-n-That |