Day 2 - Wednesday, September 14, 2011

We had to change days to better accommodate time schedules and availability. I am now on Wednesdays. :)

I started Session 1 at 9:00 am. I am not a morning person, so this getting up and moving at 9:00 am is tough. Oh well, it isn't therapy if it isn't tough right.

I now start with Catie in the mornings. At least she won't be dunking me. ;) (Sorry Lisa, I had to. LOL) I worked with my fingers and leg movements today. I was able to grab a little bit with my right hand. I am so happy. I am seeing a little improvement.

I have decided to bring a snack with me between sessions. I am starving. LOL

Session 2 with Lisa started out with blowing bubbles. I know she is trying to drowned me now. LOL (SO EVERYONE KNOWS, LISA WOULD NEVER EVER DROWN ANYONE. I AM JUST PICKING ON HER, BECAUSE SHE IS NICE. AND SHE IS A KU FAN, so by all rights I have to pick on here.)

Then I practiced going from a sitting position to a standing position. I haven't done that in a long time. I am usually stuck in the sitting position once I get there. :(

I did a lot of leg exercises with the weights to end my session.

All in all it was a great day at Ranken.

I was also measured for a hand splint to help with my wrist. We will see how that goes.

Day 1 - Thursday, September 8, 2011

Session 1 at 9:00am with Lisa, the Physical Therapist. Back in the pool, 92 degrees and feeling great. I cannot wait to get moving again. The pool is so freeing. I really enjoy being there.

Lisa gave me these floatable dumbbells to move around in the water. I was in shock, my right arm moved. IT MOVED!

I walked around in the pool for while and then laid on my back and floated. Lisa had me kick and move my arms a little bit too. Lisa also tried to drowned me. ;) NOT! My head tilted back to far and I went under. I am just picking on her and telling her she tried to drowned me. LOL

Session 2 was with Catie the Occupational Therapist. Her and I had a lot of fun. We played with a ball on a string, a lot of hand exercises and she placed weights on my feet and had me move around with them. It was hard work but also a lot of fun. I really like being back at Ranken Jordan!

Consultation

I went in for my consultation to receive aquatic therapy at Ranken Jordan. I met with Dr. Amy Zimmermann, a physiatrist and her care team. It was amazing to see how Ranken Jordan hasn't changed at all in the years that I have been gone. The consultation went well. My main goal is to become mobile again and be able to use my right hand again. The team of therapists seem to be on board and understand the difficulties that CIDP causes when needing therapeutic treatments.

I start next week!

Aquatic Therapy at Ranken Jordan

I live in St. Louis, MO and you would think in a great big city like this that there would be more than ONE pediatric aquatic therapy center. NOPE! There is only Ranken Jordan Children's Hospital in North St. Louis. I drive over 45 minutes on a good traffic day to get to Ranken Jordan for two hours of aquatic therapy each week. The reason for aquatic therapy is that it is less evasive than regular therapy and everyone has seen better improvement with my mobility when I have aquatic therapy. I did aquatic therapy at Ranken Jordan in 2006. I enjoyed it a lot and I did very well. I am happy to be back.

I am going to post pictures and blog about each week of therapy. I hope to keep this as an inspirational journey through therapy and to help keep me motivated during times when I don't feel like going on.

If you have a child that needs therapy and you live in the St. Louis area, please check out Ranken Jordan Children's Hospital.