4th SaeboGove Check and Further Exercises

This week I had an appointment with the Neurophysio at the hospital, after a lapse of eight weeks. I knew that whatever I had to do would leave me tired.

Two days before this appointment I had a leg massage to help with my painful legs and knees and also to boost my stamina. I do find that these treatments are beneficial especially after a period indifferent health which I have been experiencing recently.

As usual the session with the physio started with a discussion about the SaeboGlove, what not to do with it and further exercises were discussed and undertaken.  One thing not to do is wear it for long periods or overnight.

The tensioners remain as before  except that the middle one on the third finger has been re-installed.(Not shown) The SaeboGlove can be used in two ways: for exercise and for stretching.
The optimum time has to be personally worked out but should not be used for periods of longer than forty to forty five minutes.
The double bands are used when stretching is required and this can be undertaken whilst simply reading or having a period of quiet time.
One band only should be used for exercising.

The first exercise was to make the affected wrist "crease or wrinkle" and in so doing, re-align the wrist.
 By holding on to the walking stick handle, applying pressure through it and flexing the wrist in a downwards movement this can easily be achieved.It is surprising how much better this felt
afterwards.

Triceps

I also was shown how to bring my affected shoulder forwards over my stick to give the triceps a stretch. This has to be done whilst keeping the body straight and ensuring that the shoulder does not cross over my body.
Any time you spend standing or exercising it is good practice to pull in the tummy and bottom which will give better posture.

The second exercise was to hold a pen or pencil in the affected hand with the point facing upwards. Then, reach forwards as far as possible, maintaining the pen in the upright position, If necessary "nudge" the arm out with the good hand to get the arm  to full stretch -  making sure that the arm is straight and take it across to the side whilst maintaining the position of the pen. Quite a task. One to work at.

I do not return to see the Neurophysio until after the summer and I have one last challenge to try:
Disable my good hand, by putting a mitten on it and for a period of time eg: an afternoon or morning if it is a time when feeling refreshed after sleep, and do everything with the affected hand.

It seems that I am about to embark on a busy period during the next few months, but t is another set of challenges that I will undertake in what are the last pieces of the jigsaw of my journey to recovery.

February to May 2016 Varied Health

It is nearly almost three months since I last made an entry, this time has been one of mixed fortunes health wise.

In January I succumbed to the 'flu type virus, as most local people did, and this laid me very low. I have become used to having something of this nature early in the year, and this year was no exception except that I did get it twice - most unfortunate. I was very lethargic and it wreaked havoc with my stamina and my legs!

Determined to get fit again, I spent a considerable part of February walking along the riverside - with refreshments of course. This proved very time consuming but always pleasurable on nice days. I tried to walk a little further each time building up my stamina levels. Apart from this, I didn't do anything, except for an odd trip to see family.
Also in February, I was invited to the Eye Clinic at the local hospital, whose care I have been under since my Stroke. This time, apart from the usual eye chart, I undertook a Field Vision Test, X-Ray and Pressure Test. Pressures, cornea thickness and field vision all proved to be good without evidence of progression or deterioration. I have now regained full sight in my left eye, which was affected by the Stroke.  I have been discharged from their care and from their perspective there are no reasons why I cannot drive again. However, after a seven year lapse, I am not sure if I have the confidence for this. If I decide that I would like to pursue this, the Occupational Therapists would firstly carry out an assessment.

March was the month for the annual Cricket Club trip and this year was to be the Czech Republic to Brno and Prague. We flew to Prague and then caught a train to Brno in the South East near Vienna. We spent 5 nights at this resort before heading back to Prague for our remaining two nights vacation.

Brno - Cabbage Market Square

Brno - Cathedral

Brno - Astronomical clock, Namesti Svobody

Brno - Favourite underground restaurant

Brno - Kninicy Reservoir

Brno - Ossuary, under St. James Church

Brno -Spilberk Castle

On our return, I really found things difficult once more: my stamina, walking, knees, hand and arm all seemed to be fighting to comply with my wishes. I am not sure why this has occurred and I have cancelled and re-arranged appointments twice in some instances. For good measure I had another bout of the 'flu type virus. It has been very difficult to accept that, after working so hard to get fit to the best of my ability, I was facing a bigger battle than usual and I am once more working doubly hard to achieve the levels where I was.
Currently, my knees are painful to walk any distances and to climb steps and stairs and my hamstrings are tight and painful.. I am having acupuncture weekly to aid my stamina and have only recently re-started with the SaeboGlove.

Prague - Castle

Prague's narrowest street, with traffic lights!

Prague - Astronomical Clock

I have also had checks with my G.P. and thankfully all is in order. It is a reasonable assumption that I do get apprehensive when I get days of bad headaches, I know that every headache does not mean that a Stroke is looming but t is always a concern. My Doctor understands this and is happy to do blood pressure and other checks. It is coming up to the 7th anniversary of my Stroke and I have come a long way with work, determination and the support of professionals and family and I am on the last piece of work: to get my right hand and arm working as good as I can get it.  It currently seems a hard task, but have accepted that I will have set backs, but this one is taking longer than usual to overcome.
Over the next few weeks I will remain focussed in my work so I will get as fit as possible before we head South to meet family for a few days. I am more frustrated than despondent - but have to once again, accept that this is now a way of life - and these things will and do happen. You cannot control the uncontrollables, so there is no time in wasting any energy worrying about it.

The last 2 pictures are of the Tugendhat Villa in Brno - a UNESCO World Heritage site
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Tugendha