Turning Over a New Leaf

At least I'm trying to. Change is difficult, especially when both partners in a marriage have problems with their schedules. It isn't an issue when we don't have places to go, but when we do, it presents a problem. So today was the start of making a change. But let's back up to Sunday. I didn't wake up Sunday until after 7 PM. This meant having to stay up all night so I could make it to a 2 PM appointment Monday afternoon. That was my plan, and it worked well. I even had time for a shower at nine in the morning, knowing that showers and then drying my hair takes a little more than an hour, and wipes me out. But it was planned so I had plenty of time to rest before we had to leave. Even so we were late. DH has a problem with being on time for appointments.

So we arrived late, and I cheated myself out of ten minutes of a 45 minute session. Okay. Now my sessions are focusing on increasing leg strength and mobility. Quad and Hamstring strength and stretching. Gluteus medius strengthening. Adductor/abductor work. Any of you who have done the PT work for walking know the routines. Stand at the counter and do some squats, or slide you leg out to the side - the trouble is that I am so weak, standing at the counter doing those things is exhausting, and after a minute I start to slump and get shorter and shorter. "Help, I'm Shriiinnnking!" So onto the bed to do some stretches. Sad to say, I found it depressing, as I wrote last week. It surprised me haw demoralized I felt.

Then yesterday I reported all this to Shannon, my PT, and she heard me. She had actually prepared a new set of exercises that I'd not done before - at least not in the same way. Shannon is a specialist in working with people who have issues with incontinence. Go figure.
Who knew that my issues and the pelvic floor muscles were related? I am now working on the "Beyond Kegals Home Program" called Roll for Control. I am to work with a ball that I put between my knees, and a black Thera-band around my knees. These items come in a "Roll for Control" kit that costs $13. It comes with a clip that goes around the band so you don't have to tie it.

Anyway, 1st you point your toes inward and roll your knees in against the Beyond Kegals ball, holding for a count of 5-10. 2nd, you put your heels together (as well as you can) and roll your knees out against the band and hold for a count of 5-10. 3rd, and this is important, relax and release for a count of 10. Repeat this sequence 5-10 times 2 or 3 times a day.

Next I am to do a seated 'march in place' for 2-3 minutes once a day.

Then do my quad and ham stretches and a seated piriformis stretch (cross one ankle over the knee and lean forward as you sit tall and lean forward til you feel the stretch in your buttocks).

That's my simple PT routine. And I am to stay with a count of 5 for while to see how I feel, then build up. Shannon seems to have a good understanding of MS fatigue issues, and so far I am impressed with her. She explains thing well, and listens and understands when I tell her how tough it is for me/us to get this routine worked into out non-schedule. I don't feel I am being judged by her, and that is a good thing.

Later she said we'd go into the 'gym' and work on some of the equipment. What equipment, you ask? I have no idea.

After the session, DH decided it would be a lovely idea to WALK over to the medical supply to get these items. So, I made it about half way (the equivalent of maybe a city block) before I was tired. So I sat on my walker and let him push me the rest of the way. Keeping my feet off the ground was strong isometrics for my quads, as I later noticed by the sheer exhaustion I felt when we got home.

And, if that wasn't enough, we had to stop by the grocery store on the way home. He was taking too long, and their electric cart was in use, so I walked over to get some hair elastics which I hadn't put on his list, and which I now wish I hadn't bothered with because they just slip out of my thick, but fine slippery hair. Oh well.

Good Night, TTYL and Be Well.