Well, I haven't posted in a while, not because I'm lazy, but because I have been " busy", but definitely not because I'm lazy *shakes head profusely*. Because it's been so long, I have changed the background to a new spiffier design (you're welcome).
Since I don't have all day and I am very "busy" I will fill you in over the next few days over what has happened since my last post.
So what category should we choose today, Alex? How about we talk about the therapy for 10. I say 10 because that is the number of shots I got for my last Botox treatment. Four in my arm and six in my leg on the left side. Aside from the very unpleasant experience of the shots, there have been several very good outcomes -
1. My doctor prescribed more physical therapy which I hadn't done for four months or so, it felt good to get back on that horse.
2. The tone on my left side, including my left elbow, my left ring finger and my left pinky have gotten significantly better. My left ankle seems to have benefited, but my toes still curl quite a bit and I still have a tremor.
3. I have no fear of improperly packaged food items because I've been pumped so full of botulism that I am probably immune by this time.
4. Mathematically, I have learned that one shot sucks times one; and 10 shots are 10 times worse. I think I should get math certification based on that simple formula. Think of it like this, if a toffee fudge blizzard is awesome, 10 toffee fudge blizzards would be 10x as awesome. There, I have applied it and taught it, SBEC are you listening? Also, here is a science lesson - if one toffee fudge blizzard gives you brain freeze, 10 toffee fudge blizzards will gives you brain freeze 10 times worse, assuming the rate of consumption is constant.
Therapy itself has been a boon for me, both mentally and physically. Instead of goals like walking and sitting up straight, I've moved up to goals like running and typing faster than a snail. While I haven't reached these yet (snails type fast!), I feel myself getting stronger and stronger, I might even turn green soon. My PT sessions consist mostly of stretches and walking for two purposes -
1. Get the strength/balance to run.
2. Stop left leg circumduction (prevent the foreskin from falling off my leg) .
Actually, circumduction = swinging my left leg outward, rather than bending my knee; this problem along with knee hyperextension has led to the need for a knee brace. I haven't gotten it yet, but I have high hopes. Apparently, Sherman is a geographical oddity as concerns knee braces, one week from everywhere. I have learned patience from this process, but when it comes to things that might fix me, I want it NOW!
Occupational therapy consists of regaining my former strength/coordination in my left arm and improving my penmanship so my writing doesn't look like it was done by a drunken three year old.
I feel lucky with my team of therapists, they seem genuinely concerned with helping me reach my goals AND ensure my success in the classroom, they also give me candy!
I can't think of anything else to report about therapy at this time, so I'm going to sign off, ciao!
@JarrettLWilson
You're a great writer (you probably already know this since you ARE an English teacher). You should update more, I'd love to read more about your experiences in general.
ReplyDeleteAccidently posted on a post of yours from a year ago. Attempt #2 to do this right. I just found your blog from Girl with a pearl sized cavernoma's blog. I too had a cavernoma bleed in exactly or at least it seems the same from your description, as yours. I did not suffer the level of physical injury you endured. I did also have a craniotomy to remove the raspberry shaped tumor a month after my bleed. That was in April 2007. I am also a teacher back at work for the last three years. Cognitive changes are not so fun. http://countdown2brainsurgery.blogspot.com/ is the address of my blog.
ReplyDelete