I have gained 28 degrees of movement in my left leg. This may, or may not, sound like a lot, but it means things like, I can tie my shoes without ending up in teeth-clenching pain. It means I can wear the fabulously expensive (and fabulously comfortable) Merrells (http://www.zappos.com/merrell-evera-mj-sunset?zfcTest=fw:1, yes, I found red, high-heeled Merrells) because now I can reach over and fasten them up.
My therapist told me that when I came in, she was not particularly optimistic about my prospects. (I knew that). She said my range of motion was so limited that she seriously didn't think there was anything to be done for me. Honestly, I knew better. I knew I needed an expert, and I knew there was no magic bullet, but I did know that this was a possible thing.
And it turns out it was. Is. I'm not sure how much more progress I can make, but apparently to have even made this much will ensure another three weeks of therapy. I have so many exercises now that to run through them all, if I do crunches as well, takes a good 45 minutes. But that's fine with me. The more I do, the better my chance of coming back as a regular person is.
I was always very flexible. I had noticed, of course, that I had tightened up, over the years, but I had no idea how badly. I think back on all the times when I effortlessly assumed lotus pose, simply because it was an alternative way of sitting on the floor with my legs crossed. Now I can't even get ONTO the floor. Sad. I miss me. I miss being that pretzel girl. But I am also endlessly optimistic. I believe that with work I can become appropriately flexible for a 56 or 57 year-old woman.
No comments:
Post a Comment