It was eight months ago yesterday that I took a little fall and broke my wrist, and yesterday was my last physical therapy appointment for that wrist.
Seems like such a long time ago, that October 2nd evening when I fell in a friend’s driveway and shattered my right distal radius, and in terms of days and months, I suppose it is. But in terms of years, it’s just a blip on the radar, isn’t it? That 8 months turns out to be 66% of a whole year, or 1.0417% of my entire life, if you count all the months that I’ve been here on Planet Earth. Now that puts a little perspective on it, doesn’t it?
I still have a ways to go to get as close as possible back to what I had before that fall and the subsequent break, but I won’t be going to see Liz, the physical therapist, anymore.
I wanted to take balloons and cupcakes in to the office for my celebratory last PT visit. I really did. In fact, I even stopped at the store before my appointment but I opted not to get anything. By the time I left the medical building after my PT appointment though, I was regretting my decision. I’ve always been about celebrating and why I chose not to do it this time is beyond me. And I’ve been sad ever since. 
Sad I didn’t follow my heart, sad I didn’t listen to that voice that was telling me to celebrate this final visit, sad I didn’t get those cupcakes, sad I didn’t take balloons with me. Sad I’m not going to be seeing the people who have become my PT buddies anymore.
Liz, if you’re reading this, I really wanted to have a celebration yesterday. Instead, I found myself feeling weird and uncomfortable and when I left I wanted to cry. You have come to mean so much to me over the past seven and a half months, more than just a physical therapist. You’ve been the person who has encouraged me to do what I needed to do to get back enough function in my fingers to be able to type this blog post. 
You’ve been patient, even when I came in discouraged with the progress I was making, or rather, the lack of it. You’ve explained muscles and tendons to me in words I could understand. You were always cheerful, always pleasant, always had an ear to listen to whatever the latest string of words was coming out of my mouth. Even through all that, you remained focused on the task at hand. (Haha. Check out the pun!) So think of me whenever you get a steaming hot cup of that delicious Meyer Lemon Tea – it truly is the best tea ever, isn’t it?
I will miss the people at Rebound Physical Therapy. While I was trying to juggle six or eight doctors, multitudes of procedures and labs, crazy living situations, and a body that was not cooperating with me (not to mention the holidays!),
everyone in the Rebound Salmon Creek office was a delight to work with, from the front desk people who were always smiling and helpful, to Kayla, who tied my arm (and sometimes both of them) into the Fluido to warm up the muscles and stuff, and who willingly shared her favorite nearby eating location with me. And I will miss that weirdo machine with the heated flying chucks of corn cob or whatever they were – Mr. Guido the Fluido.
Perhaps it was the nature of this injury (being my right wrist and being the hand and arm I do most everything with) and its surgery and subsequent recovery that made this past eight months at Rebound PT seem so high-profile in my life. Whatever it is, I can tell you all, having a great experience in physical therapy is a joyful thing indeed. Thank you, Rebound PT, for being there for me.
So it’s onward and upward from here, folks! I’ll still be doing my daily exercises and adding in the ones I asked Liz to suggest as “upgrades” to my current routine as the months go on and my muscles continue to get stronger. I suppose I could have used that as an excuse to go back and see those Rebound PT people just one more time, but there’s also a part of me that knows it’s time to move on. Kicking and screaming perhaps, but moving on. I’ll miss them, for sure, but now I think I just might have an excuse to go get some cupcakes and balloons and stop in to say hi. What do you think?
Ok, no more sad. It’s time to rock on, everybody!
Because among other things, I’m looking forward to the day when I can put on a bra without grimacing in pain. Hehehe…
And Liz, you will be my first invite when I get that house on the beach in Mexico 😀
Great post! Yes, there are times we should listen to “that small voice within”. Then again, it is never too late.
Love to you as you get stronger!
Lorna
Thanks, Lorna! Even after all these years, I’m still learning to listen to that little voice. You’d think I’d get it by now 😀
I am sure you know that you are NOT the only one! I am still working on it, as I said, it is never too late!
Oh yes, don’t I know it! A lot of us are learning to listen and a lot of us are still ignoring that voice…
Wonderful memories Lois! As those of know it is the PT’s that put us together after the doctors cut us up or set our broken bones! I will always be grateful to the wonderful PT’s I have had! You go girl on keeping up on those exercises!!
Hi Cyndi! I think those PTers are the life-lines, the ones who encourage, who instruct, who have the patience of Job. It’s not a job I could ever do. And those exercises are so flipping’ boring… I want to do anything except those! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Yay! Time for a road trip? Love, Mareena (Ella)
I’m hoping soon, Mareena! I still have my cardiac issues going on and not sure what to do about them when I set back out on the road again. One day at a time! Thanks for reading!
I completely understand about the cupcakes and balloons, Lois. On more than one occasion I have wanted to do something to celebrate another and was totally prepared to do it; but for some odd reason I change my mind at the last minute. For me — insecurity, I guess. It’s never wrong to follow your heart and this blog will now be my reminder to do so. Lois, thank you for being you. You have been a blessing to me in so many ways, you will never truly know. {{{ HEART }}}
I think I find myself second guessing because I don’t want to look stupid or something. You’d think after 63 years on this planet I’d be over that but I wonder now if it will ever go away. After a conversation with a friend this morning, I realized how much that early childhood “programming” stays with us unless we consciously change it. From now on, I vow to do whatever dumb thing pops in my head whether it’s dumb or not. I so appreciate you, Nancy and I’m happy we are friends!
I agree with your comment about early-childhood programming. Looking back, I am so glad I moved to Richmond. I love my family, but in many ways [some things-people] were just too toxic for me. I have grown in so many ways since I moved to VA and I didn’t realize how much I had grown-matured until years later. It’s like being in an art museum and looking at a piece of art from a distance vs up close. At a distance, I can see [things-people] far more clearer than I ever could have if I had stayed there. I never would be the person I am today had I not moved.
I’ve often wondered what my life would have been like if I had stayed “moved away” when I did so – how many times? – as a young person. The pull back to my birth family was a strong one and I answered the call more often than I care to remember. Now at this late date, I think I’m finally am ready to move away from it all, although I’m most saddened to leave my son, or rather, to leave the relationship we once had and no longer have. I sometimes wonder if I’ll ever be ready to live my own life.
Your strength has often been an inspiration to me, Nancy. Thank you for being my friend ♡
You are such a wonderful role model Lois. You seldom focus on what hurts and instead focus on what doesn’t. Several years ago everyone was asking “what would Jesus do?”. To heck with that, when I am in doubt I ask myself “what would Lois do?”
Oh, Barbara, you don’t know just how loud I laughed when I read your comment! Laughed in a good way! It was the perfect start to this day and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m blessed to call you my friend! ♡
I am so happy to be responsible for your laughter Lois! <3
All this is now in the rearview mirror, Lois. Knowing where you’ve been provides the lessons for planning where you want to go. So, I’m so glad you’ve now “graduated” from this “course in life” and are celebrating your “commencement” to the future. You said it, “Onward & Upward!” Carpe Diem. Your future is now.
BTW, great post! I know Liz & company really appreciate knowing how much they have positively impacted another, your, life.
Live free & be happy,
Ed
Yes, indeed, Ed! Graduation day! Moving forward. I still have a few more graduations to make and then… the sky’s the limit! Of course, it’s unlimited now because I won’t wait for “whenever” to be happy 😀 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!