Perspective: The last of Stage 4
Three days ago I found myself having a hard time getting motivated for physical therapy. Usually I am pretty pumped and excited to go however, that day I woke up focusing on my surgery date and the dreaded inconveniences to come. I couldn't stop thinking about how I’m going to be stuck on the couch on sunny days, wishing I was with my friends on group rides, the races I am going to miss, how I won't be able to go hiking with my dog, taking a shower without breaking my neck because weight bearing won't be an option, the challenge of simply carrying my cup of coffee to the table because my hands will be occupied holding crutches. The list goes on. All of these things were on my mind while driving to PT. Perhaps the gloomy rainy weather had something to do with it. Who knows?
The moment I walked into the Center of Physical Therapy my mood started to switch. This place has become my second home and will continue to be be over the next 9 months. I can't even express how grateful I am for this place. Sheri and DM Foster (thank you!!) highly recommended it to me a month ago so, I decided to give it a go. Prior to my first visit I read some reviews on the staff and facility, but the reviews don't do this place justice. This particular day is the reason why.
Immediately entering the building I was greeted by the friendly smiles of the staff at the front desk, who by the way, make it a point to learn your name on your very first visit. Then Lisa, fitness coordinator and PTA, saw me. She knew I was not myself today.
Side note about Lisa: Lisa and I have become friends over the last few weeks discussing health, fitness, books and exercises. She even took it upon herself to get me hooked up with a Game Ready device for post op home use!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!
She immediately engaged, grabbed Chris, my physical therapist, and both reassured me that I was going to come out of this stronger than before the injury. The staff at this place have way to get your mind focused on the positive outcomes and directions you will go.
Besides enjoying the awesome pre op PT program, I have really started to appreciate the positive vibes you can feel flow through this facility. The staff working as a team, watching the progression of the other patients break barriers that they did not think were possible, and just talking to the other patients.
Over the last month I've met several unique patients who really put things into perspective for me. I’ve had the privilege to watch a young girl, who was told she was never going to be able to walk again, do gait training exercises , march across the gym floor with ease, and use the elliptical machine along side of me. She was so humble yet unbeliavble. I couldn't stop thinking to myself how amazing her recovery has been. The fact that I was sitting there moping about my ligamentous injury an hour ago, was pathetic. Watching her power through exercises with the injuries that she is going to live with for the rest of her life was so inspirational.
I also had the pleasure to witness the progressions of a gentleman who is graduating from his ACL reconstruction rehabilitation soon. Hearing Chris encourage him through the Cybex dynamometer machine, yelling “Go! Go! Go! Push! Pusssh!!!! You got this!! You got this!!!” was awesome. I couldn't stop thinking about how I wish that was me fast forwarded in 9 months. You could see the excitement flash across his face with the advancements he has made with each test result. This particular person gave me motivation to focus on the result, full recovery.
At the end of my PT session, I was blessed to make conversation with another patient while we were both hooked up to the Game Ready machines. By the way, the TENS unit and the Game Ready machine are my two favorite parts to PT. Anyway, before my ADD gets carried away, back to the topic. He was an older gentleman who started PT a few weeks ago to work on gait training and strength. The conversation started with a comicaltopic on how we were both using the stationary bikes earlier. “Ha Ha! All that effort to stay in one place. They should at least give us something to power on those things” he said. We gradually got into the topics as to what we were both recovering from, but I really didn't want to tell my story after he told his. This wonderful man told me how he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer a few years ago and how the mets in spine weakened his body. He told me how amazing he used to be atdancing and that it was one of his favorite things to do. He got so joyously lost within his day dream ofdancing at a wedding he attended recently, but he quickly broughtus back to reality when he said, “ but then I had to stop. The pain slowed me down and I realized I couldn't dance any longer. The cancer is stable, for now, with chemo but, man I wish was recovering from what you young kids are recovering from.” He didn't know my story yet, and I honestly didn't feel my injury was respectable enough to tell him. I too, wish he was recovering from ACL reconstruction.
What I learned from this PT session is, the importance of finding a great PT to build your recovery emotionally and physically, and to be grateful for the health you have. Keep things into perspective. My ACL reconstruction might be life altering in terms of not being able to ride and race my bike, hike with my dog, and not fall on my face to get into the shower in the short term, but 9 months of recovery is a lot shorter than a life timespent by the people I've met at the Center of Physical Therapy. Life will place obstacles that you can get through, hard and easy, but you can get through them.
My surgery is tomorrow and I am growing a little nervous, but I will utilize the remainder of my time pre-op to enjoy the things I love the most. Today I will enjoy my last bike ride out side for a long time, bring my dog for a hike, enjoy the freedom of walking, and the little things I take for granted without crutches and my knee brace. Although these things are coming to a brief pause in life, I know my new family at the Center of Physical Therapy will get be back up and running (literally haha) in no time. Monday is my first post PT appointment and I can't wait to go back.
