Journal entry by Tara Chestnut —
Hello Family & Friends!
Apologies that it’s been a while since my last update. I am continuing to make incremental progress toward my recovery. As my doctors have said (and I say when I’m hiking), slow and steady wins the race. Although I am still struggling with pain in my back and hip around the surgical sites, I’m maintaining a good attitude and getting stronger every day. For my birthday (Groundhog Day!), I wore a sparkly dress to PT and pretty much glitter bombed the whole place!
A wise Physical Therapist once told me to keep a record of accomplishments to look back on so here are a few… I’ve been driving myself to and from therapy and even to a couple of trips to doctor appointments in the city. I am stable enough on my feet that I haven’t fallen down when my friend’s VERY GOOD dog jumps up to greet me. My BIG NEWS is that I’m graduating from my current physical therapy program to a Work Conditioning/Work Hardening (WC/WH) program. I only recently learned about WC/WH programs, thanks to my new Occupational Medicine doctor. The facility where I’ve been doing PT, Arbor Health, doesn’t have a WC/WH program so I have to drive an hour and a half into town. The program starts at 2 hours/day, 5 days/week and builds to 8 hours/day, 5 days/week. My goal is to be field ready, doing what I was doing moments before I was injured, by my one year anniversary.
I have mixed emotions about my ‘graduation’. The folks at Arbor Health met me when I was incredibly vulnerable. They literally taught me to stand, walk & dress myself again. They saw me through such tough times & believed in me even when I was uncertain. Critical Access Hospitals are a true lifeline to folks (like me!) who live and work in rural places. Although I wish they had a WC/WH program, I also feel ready to move on to the next step. That said, although I agreed to have a photographer come to PT sessions, I don’t think I agreed to have my armpit hair photoshopped out, but I forgive them 😂
I start my new WC/WH program on March 11 and will report back on how it’s going. Your support has been a beacon of light. Your belief in me has helped me believe in myself. I truly appreciate your kindness and encouragement.
Much love,
Tara
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