My trip begins tomorrow, and I spend next week at the Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington, learning to use my ExoSyms.
But first, I must document yesterday, June 10. At 9am I went to my first occupational therapy appointment for my wrists/hands/thumbs. I gave her the whole story about using trekking poles and then having pain and not using them (for months with no improvement). And now I need to use them, so I need help. From behind masks, we did the strength and range-of-motion baseline assessments. My therapist told me that it sounds like I have several things going on (yay). She gave me exercises for De Quervain’s tendonitis and the radial nerve. Showed me how to massage the palm side of my forearm with two tennis balls taped together. I’ve never thought about those muscles being tight before, but she said they were. She massaged them with cocoa butter, which was the first time I’ve had human contact from someone other than my spouse in three months. She showed me how to tape my thumb and wrist and also approved of the brace I’d tried. Made adjustments to my trekking poles to try to keep my wrists in a good position. Sent me on my way. Productive appointment.
Later in the day, my neck and shoulders–the whole trapezius–began to feel different. Tingly. A little like the clamp on my neck that’s been pulling my head and shoulders painfully toward each other for four years was…loosening. Some. I got down onto the floor and carefully went through the stretches I’d been given years ago (and still attempt regularly). And I felt actual stretching, not just fighting against tension. Huh. Perhaps this was how it was supposed to be all along. Perhaps this is why physical therapists often seem a bit skeptical/frustrated when I tell them stretching only feels the same or worse. Because I’m supposed to feel this instead of that. Maybe now all those things I’ve tried before will actually work? Quick, somebody give me some Flexeril! Kidding. Sort of. After stretching, I meditated (third consecutive day!). And darned if I didn’t achieve a full-body floaty relaxation. Wow. What’s going on? This morning, when I sat down to put on my shoes, I think it was just a bit easier to bend over and reach and pick up my shoe from the floor.
So what did it? Did I just need someone to massage my forearm with something that smelled like chocolate? I’ve had my forearms massaged before. Maybe not for that long in just that way. I am getting better at meditating. Maybe that’s it. Distance learning is finally over for the summer. Maybe that’s it.
It’s not as though my neck pain is gone. There’s still a long way to go. But now I know that less pain is possible. That I can continue to work to loosen the clamp.
It’s ExoSym time! I’m trying to be excited and positive, but honestly, I’m scared of how hard this is going to be. I’ve never asked my body to do something like this, and I don’t know how it’s going to handle it. I cannot expect to strap them on and go like so many others. Another ExoSymmer with cerebral palsy pointed out that it’s a little like having surgery. A period of rehabilitation must follow. There might be pain; there will definitely be soreness. We have to give ourselves time to adjust and build our strength. Weeks. Months. Years.
Megan, who blogs at Wheatfield Ramblings, has very helpful advice for people who are just starting their ExoSym journey. One tip she gives is come with goals. Here are mine:
During my week at the clinic, I would like to learn how to:
Walk
Step up and down, as with a curb or onto and off of a bus
Get down onto and up from the floor
After all, I have to start at the very beginning. It’s a very good place to start.
What Happened to Your Legs? 