PT, OT, ADL and DC

If you’ve ever been in the hospital for an ortho issue or know anything about some hospital admissions, there are certain things besides going to the potty you have to do in order to get out. It’s like working parole.

So my first attempts at physical therapy were miserable failures. I was taught how to do butt crunches (yea it’s a real thing), straight leg raises (really relatively speaking), heel slides (sure can’t bend my knee but if you say so) and I think there was one more but I can’t remember. My first attempt to get out of bed and walk was met with lightheaded and decreased BP. My second attempt was a rapid response. Third time was the charm. Hands on walker, right foot on the floor let’s go. Man that was hard, but getting out of that room was nice. Now I could see the hallway and the elevators/exits. I would soon be liberated from BMH. The therapist and her student were fantastic. The walker had wheels on the front, and the back walker feet sliding on the floor made a marvelous, loud, disturbing fart sound! (Giggle)

Occupational therapy is interesting. ADL=activities of daily living. Before I could be discharged I had prove that I could do basic things to take care of myself- shower, put on socks, shoes and clothes. In order to do all these things the occupational therapist comes. Are you serious lady, we are going to the shower together? Lord. Fortunately this lady reminded me of a tech i have known for years, but how freaking weird is this? So literally I had to wash my hair, body and especially feet. Had to use a sponge on a stick to reach my feet. Mind you it felt good to actually have a real shower Next was getting dressed. So we shuffle back to the room where I was given a long reacher and the best tool ever invented—the sock tool!!! But wait, i forgot the best part. My very wise Mom had brought my clothes a day before knowing I was getting discharged soon.

As the OT was helping me learn to use the reacher to get things around my feet then up - we got my underwear started and up I pulled. Uh oh!!! They got stuck halfway up my left thigh. They were too small!!! Oh no! Of course I started laughing. Why would anything work out right now? So we just punted the idea of underwear and decided I would just go commando.

 

Once I was dressed and sitting back in bed. All that remained was a dressing change, remove the iv and get discharge instructions. It was time to leave! I had seen Builder Bob for the last time the previous day because he was going on vacation and would miss my discharge day. I assured him I would work hard in rehab and once I made it back up Mill Mountain would send him a picture so he would know I made my recovery.

Soon the discharge nurse came, the PT and the aides were in my room stuffing anything and everything in belongings bags. Bandage changed and IV out. Into the wheelchair I went to go outside for the first time in days. The two NAs who helped us out to the car were super sweet. Once we got down there the mystery of how I would get in and out began. There was no way I was getting in the front seat. Despite pushing the seat all the way back, I couldn’t bend my leg enough to get in. So to the backseat I went. Got in on the drivers side and slid myself to the other side so I could keep my leg in the seat. I was finally free!!!!