Rub Downs

Daily, the rehab gym was full of those of us learning to move our hands, sit up, roll over, transfer, stand up, put pegs in holes, walk, climb stairs, ride bikes, match up cards, bake, etc. It was full of music, laughter, and love. Always so much love! It was always a happy place... a positive place. I loved therapy everyday. Loved it. I was so set on working my trash off because I felt like if I did, I was getting closer to going home with my boys. That was what I wanted. There were also tears... of joy, of frustration, of fear, etc. I cried when I couldn't roll over the first 20 times I tried. I cried when I took my first steps. I cried when I did my first squats. I cried when I baked my first cookies. I cried when I would get stretched. I cried when I left.

Within those walls, there is also yoga and rub downs. The muscles that aren't getting used like what they are used to need to be stretched and worked a lot. It also helps with the sensations, I learned. The more touch, the more stretching, the more work... the more feeling I had.

When I was discharged, I noticed a difference when I was no longer getting stretched and rubbed down. A sweet girl in my ward volunteered to come to my house twice a week to give me a massage on my left side. It helped so much. I noticed such a change in the amount of sensation I was getting back when she came. She has a little baby and it became hard for her to come. I went to the nails place near my home a few weeks after I got discharged. They had missed me! They began to rub my leg and foot once a week... just because. They don't speak very much English, but they get SO excited each time they get more movement out of my foot and leg. Yesterday as they were rubbing my foot, it was ticklish for the first time since the stroke! They all gathered around to watch me react to the sensation. They are so much a part of it and I am so blessed with a team that cares so much about my recovery!!!

Today, I feel strong. I feel a good amount of energy. I feel like I will be able to rest tomorrow and then I am very hopeful that I will have a good amount of energy on Thursday and Friday. That's the goal!