Musclebound

I go to Occupational Therapy twice a week, and the last few sessions have focused on my right arm. There a a large plate and lots of long screws starting at my shoulder and working its way down. It is both mezmorizing and horrifying to look at the x-rays. That bone must have been pretty pulverized.

At this point the bone is pretty well healed, but the muscles have a lot to say about the situation. I am sure they had to be moved all over the place to get my arm looking like an arm again.

Today, my OT,Kaitlyn, started the session with heat. which I think of as my spa time. Parrafin on my left clenched fist, a pad under my right elbow, and another pad on my left upper arm and shoulder. She then went to work on the right arm, using their version of cupping on it. After that, we started me moving the arm-- side to side, up and down. There is one particular spot that does not want to release. But I will keep working.

I went back to acupuncture yesterday to see if that could help, and with only one session, the jury is still out. I was hoping to continue once or twice a week but my practitioner's schedule and mine seem to be in conflict. I have been toying with starting massage but I think I need to wait a bit, giving my chest and left arm some more healing time.

Kaitlyn said something to me today that was perhaps as important as the physical work we accomplished. She reminded me I'm only 90 days out from the worst day of my life, and I've made incredible gains. And a year from now all this will be a mere blip on the radar.

I mostly focus on looking ahead, but some days it is just so damn hard. Kaitlyn's words reminded me that I've just begun, and I have made great strides. Every day I get stronger and closer to longterm goals. On my worst days I need to remember that and keep looking down the road.