Rehab progress 30

Physical therapy turns out to be just plain hard work.

I don't know that I expect anything different. I have been through it all once before. But I guess the reality of it all is always a bit discouraging, especially to know that I am covering the same ground again.

Today I pedalled the bike for more than two miles in ten minutes, and I was able to run the treadmill for more than a half-mile. This is about halfway toward the mark I was setting for myself before the last stroke.

If I can sustain a pace of constant and consistent improvement in performance, I may be up to par again before the winter is over. I'm not sure I can build up enough stamina in time to get out on the snowshoes while there is still some deep snow on the skyline, but it is something to work for.

Tomorrow is another day.

Rehab progress 28

Back to the treadmill today. Nothing remarkable, except that I tire so quickly, and can only go half the distance I was making easily a few weeks ago.

More slow progress ahead.

Rehab progress 17

I am obviously not ever going to find a magic spell that will relieve me of this current problem. But I am making some progress toward regaining physical function. So says Ben Robinson, the physical therapist I am going to.

Today in an hour-long workout I pedalled the exercise bike 2.5 miles and walked the treadmill at 3 mph for 20 minutes. By the time I finished the circuit of exercise machines I was totally out of energy.

I bemoan the passing of the time when I would have laughed at such trivial exercise. But apparently the gains I make will continue to be minuscule and painstaking. This is the way with normal exercise, but I was expecting to regain strength more easily, because I was in better shape beforehand. Apparently brain damage doesn't work that way, and I needed to start all over again from where I was after the stroke damage. I didn't know that, and nobody really took the time to explain it to me. Perhaps others who have to go through something similar can be forewarned.

Anyway, I continue to believe that some progress is better than nothing -- notwithstanding my impatience. I am still better off than the man with no legs...

Rehab progress 16

I have made regular visits to the physical therapist in Mt Pleasant. They have gotten to know my dad and me pretty well. He is getting therapy for a painful back condition -- something I hear them referring to as "lumbago".

I have been making slow but steady progress, improving my performance and increasing the weights and the length of time, so my workouts are building stamina, as well as muscle strength.

Unfortunately, I have a vast gulf of disability to overcome. Compared to my capabilities before I had the stroke, my recovery is so slight as to be almost not worth noticing. I walk on the treadmill, for example, at 3 mph for 20 minutes. After that exertion I am reduced to a sweaty heap. I can't manage much more, in present condition. Before, I could climb on high mountainsides all day without stopping. I passed the fireman test which requires walking 4 mph for 3 miles. It makes me feel sad to remember, I thought I was doing so well. I wonder now if I will ever regain such capabilities. Probably not. But I will keep trying, nonetheless.

Everyone is very encouraging at the workouts. They all say I am improving.

But if I am doing so much better. why don't I feel happy?