Therapy Tools & Day 14

After my first hospital admission for my hip... Crutch buddies :)

If being chronically ill has taught me anything, its that therapy is an important part of recovery. For me, as there is no cure or really treatment for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome- Type Hypermobility (EDS-HM), my health and wellbeing relies solely on different therapy tools. From physios and OTs, to crutches and theraputty, all these tools are important to maintaining a liveable lifestyle.

Purple thumb splint to ease the pain

Dynamic tape holding my thumb into hypeflexion instead of hyperextension

Today I spent an hour at the OT whilst we tried to figure out how to best manage my thumb, hand and elbow pain, especially when writing and occasionally when typing. We tried 4 different types of splints, different sized pens, different pen grips and it look 4 goes to tape up my thumb. In the end, the result is not pain free movement, its practically no movement and adapted equipment. Beds with tape around them to make them bigger, purple splints, theraputty, dynamic tape and hand exercises. She was stumped and so was it. It's appointments like these that make me lose faith. If a professional can't even help, what hope is there? I don't know if anything that we did today will work or even help slightly, but it's worth a try. That's what therapy is about, trying something to achieve the impossible. I have gained so many therapy tools to far, it seems ridiculous that I haven't had much improvement in mobility or pain so far, but I know that rehab is an ongoing process and will likely never end for me, so if settling in for the journey with my purple hand splint, my wedge cushion and a ever-increasing exercise and treatment program. Therapy is teaching me that it's okay to break, as long as you put yourself back together and keep going. Learn where your strengths and limitations lie. So whilst there is no end of physiotherapy sessions in sight, I just have to believe that they are helping. And, I need to learn when enough is enough.
 

Some therapy tools... theraputty, wedge cushion, thumb splint, adjustable pen, therapy exercises and a peg...

Day 14: Give 5 things your grateful for.
I am grateful for so many things in my life.
1. My family and friends- for being so supportive and loving. Especially my parents- for putting up with my endless problems, crying and pain. For knowing when all you can do is sit and cuddle me, and knowing when to speak up.
2. My physio- for actually taking the time to be holistic and looking at everything that's going on. Oh and of course for diagnosing me.
3. My highschool head of house- whilst I may be finished school, you were always there for me when I needed to talk. You always knew the right thing to say, whether it was 'go home and rest,' or 'you're amazingly strong.' You only had to look at me to know when something was wrong and I thank you everyday for your support of me. And I am grateful for your belief in me. For believing that I could achieve anything I wanted despite my illnesses, and for knowing when I needed help.
4. LEAP into life (chronic pain clinic)- for showing me that life doesn't have to end at a diagnosis of chronic pain. For pulling me out of a dark hole and showing me how to get on with life. For showing me that chronic illnesses aren't something to be ashamed of. For giving me my life back.
5. My crutches- for holding me up when I can't walk and for all the stares that I get because of you (haha).

BB :)