From KT – Aug. 18, 2016
Good Morning DaVita Teammates !
MTM 9 rolls on, almost 2500 strong, linking our arms together as we march towards a healthier life!
It is Thursday am, I am on a plane heading to a business meeting in Vermont. But let me double back a bit …
My PT session yesterday morning was somewhat brutal (does it make sense for something to be “somewhat brutal?”). It started with 30 minutes of deep tissue massage, which in my case is painful but essential to loosening up the tissue. The second half was spent doing a subset of my daily exercises. Some of them she led my arm and shoulder around, to try to expand my Range of Motion in a way that the patient cannot, because there is not enough muscle left after the x weeks without any movement. Some of them I did myself, so she could review technique.
About half of the stuff hurts, because you are trying to break thru resistance and expand the Range of Motion. My surgery was pretty severe, so they told me right up front I was going to have to wait much longer to start more aggressive PT, because they needed to make sure a bunch of the healing was done. Unfortunately that means the tissue et al has had more time to settle and solidify, and so breaking and loosening it up will be more difficult. Life’s rich pageant!
I have had some big victories in the last 3 weeks (the accident was 10 weeks ago)!. I can now dress myself with about 80% of normal clothing (thank God for Hawaiian shirts which I wore for the first 4 weeks out of the hospital). Also now on most days if I want to move my arm from resting on my leg to a table or arm rest I can do it! For the prior 8 weeks I would have to take my left hand, grab my right hand at the wrist, pick it up, and move it to the new place. If the counter or whatever is too high I still have to pick up my right hand with my left. I can also shake hands, as long as I just put my hand out but leave my elbow tucked against my torso.
We do not know how much range of motion I will ultimately get back, my glenoid (the shoulder socket) was shattered and so required pretty radical reconstruction. and my new nickname could be Titanium Man. But my goal is to get back to where I can swim as part of my exercise regimen. And throw a ball with the grand-kids I hope to have one day. You get the picture. But first I have to get to the point where I can lift my arm up more than a few inches. The journey continues …
After PT I raced into the Casa for meetings for the rest of the day – Compliance, recruiting, an acquisition, those were some of the topics. I do some PT exercises in the meetings, there is no way I would come close to the daily regimen without doing that, and teammates get used to it. In addition some of the flexion exercises are best done in 6-7 small batches through the day, not 1-2 longer ones.
I love our building, La Casa del Mundo … hope you all have a chance to visit some day.
I then had a quiet dinner at an Asian restaurant while I worked on a presentation I will be giving today. After that I headed to the skilled nursing facility where my mom is, and had a wonderful 90 minutes with her. Then the governor called out of the blue and we spent an hour on a number of topics. At 10 pm I headed home from my mom’s, and did a little more PT, followed by putting ice on my shoulder and torso. On the days I have a live session with the PT I do less of the exercises myself, of course. I spent 8 minutes in the hot tub meditating before bed. If you recall I did 30 minutes of good cardio on my lifecycle at home before I went to PT, so I did get that in
I hope each of you had a successful Match the Mayor day, where you did what you said you would do! Remember there are 2400 of us rooting for you, wanting the best for you according to whatever goal you set!
Carpe Diem!!! Yours in health !!! Your Mayor, KT
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Jenn said,
August 18, 2016 @ 11:57 am
You’ve got this! Hang in there and keep up the hard work. 🙂
Enjoy Vermont. It’s beautiful at CdM today.
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Sandra Sephos said,
August 18, 2016 @ 4:59 pm
You look great on the video. I know it takes a lot to come back from an accident. But it looks as if you are on the right path. Speedy recovery!!! We are rooting for you 🙂
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Gwenn said,
August 19, 2016 @ 4:42 am
The support of the team is so vital! Every morning (except my rest day) I get up, ease into yoga, and climb onto my bike for an 11 mile loop to work. Every joint is arguing for the first couple of miles and little doubts start festering. Fortunately, the voices of our enthusiastic team here in Florida, my fellow Dolphinados,and everyone sharing their journeys on this special venue drowns out nearly every negative thought. Truly One for All!
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Libby said,
August 19, 2016 @ 4:43 am
Your struggles and true honesty, gives us hope with our struggles. Stay strong.
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Maureen LaMarca said,
August 19, 2016 @ 6:07 am
KT,
I can completely empathize with you regarding shoulder pain and losing range of motion. I strained every muscle in my rotator cuff which in turn aggravated and inflamed my AC joint. It has been difficult to recover from this so although not exactly the same, I do get it. My shoulder after several months is much improved but still not 100% and I may never get there. Patience and perseverance is key! Keep up the good HARD work! You inspire us all!
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Bernard said,
August 19, 2016 @ 9:19 am
I can relate to your recent accident. I had a similar one last year. When it seems your recovery and gains have stalled, be reassured that you will progress. It will take about a year for the dust to settle. In no time, you will be back and better than ever!
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Alvis said,
August 19, 2016 @ 11:27 am
Great story – very inspiring! Realizing how you stay positive and handle adversity motivates the rest of us as we climb our mountains. You’re very busy, but very organized, it seems. And you still take time for meditation and spending time with Mom! Great stuff!! Thanks!!
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Susan said,
August 19, 2016 @ 12:12 pm
Keep it up! It’s not easy work! I struggled with some rotator cuff tears earlier this year and am staring at a knee replacement this fall. I’m meditating that stress away–or learning to anyway.
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