Another Therapy Update

When I first started this therapy, I had my doubts as to whether it  was going to help me. I was determined to give it my best. I've had two wonderful therapists working with me twice per week. Francine and Leslie are wonderful, loving and caring ladies. They want me to get well. I can't tell you how much I appreciate them. 

I had a difficult time in the beginning, but after the last session I came home and did the usual. Took a pain pill and put ice on my back. I had the best week since surgery so far.

Today, the parking lot was full when I arrived, but I was able to walk the full length of the building without the horrible hip pain that I had just a couple of weeks ago. I can't even describe how bad it was. Amazing! The workout was fairly rigorous. Balance is a big part of helping the back recover which means strengthening the core muscles. I'm doing much better with balance. I told Leslie, today, that I can almost pin point the exact time I let my core muscles go--when I stopped wearing heels and dressing up for the job. I'll never do that, again. Easy to hide not holding your stomach in with a sweatshirt three sizes too big for you! Leslie and Francine make workouts fun because they are such pleasant people. I don't know how many people in the Atlanta area ever read this blog, but if you ever need therapy, ask your doctor to write a prescription to Integrated Therapy. They have a number of locations in the Atlanta area.

As I did the workout, today, I kept my focus on being able to travel, again. Different scenes and places I want to see, again, were like a movie in my head. Before I knew it I was done. I'm still keeping the fall as my goal to go camping, and it seems more realistic, now. If it works out, during the winter I'd like to head south to some of the parks I've read about in Sherry and David's blog. Oh, and Susan would like to go to Charleston--she loves it there and wants to take Jack so I'll have to fit that in. Probably should make reservations, now.

I belong to a swim/tennis club a couple of miles from here--have had the membership since my kids were little. Rich always kept it so I did, too. Funny how that worked out. I'll use it this summer to continue to strengthen my muscles on my own. I'm going to post a few of the memories that I was thinking of while in the pool, today. Onward and upward.

James Island

Haystack Rock Pacific City, OR

Santa Fe

Virginia City, NV

Hemingway Reading Area Memorial, Ketchum ID

Don't Need to Tell Most of You Where This is-Jackson Hole WY

A Picture I'd love to See Again For Real, But I'll Always See it in My Memories 

Silverton CO

DAV Memorial, Taos NM

DAV Memorial NM

The Square in Taos NM

Things Looking Brighter!

Doctor first thing this morning. Pain is normal and as expected so he was not surprised at the extent of it. X-Rays look great. He said this particular surgery is a "long term investment". I could still be healing after a year. (Guess I didn't take my age in mind--huh?)  That was a good way to explain it. He changed my pain meds and gave me a new prescription to continue therapy. I have to call him in six weeks. My activity level is dictated by pain (let's hope that means the new meds will work better and I'll be able to vacuum "under" things, now)--pain in the hips IS coming from the back.

I'm making a new promise to myself, today. JACK.AND.I.WILL.BE.CAMPING.IN.THE.FALL!!