How odd - 1/2 of me is really, really, really excited that this is almost done and 1/2 wishes this could continue because I see and feel the benefits.

Today, I was assigned someone who I had on Day 2 - when I was really frustrated and almost walked out. I don't know what it is about her - I like her but I constantly fight with her in my head. I couldn't put my finger on it until today.

#1 - she told me that she is having me do some stuff because "strokers don't want to do it" which made my red flag peak. She thinks that we just 'don't want to do stuff'. I was honestly struck speechless. I think she treats me as though I simply just haven't wanted to do stuff rather than reality which is that no one has been able to help me a) identify the issue and b) create a program that addresses it appropriately.

#2 - she really likes to analyze and point out all the deficits. One at a time is doable, having each and every deficit told without some type of success is not only exhausting mentally and a blow to the ego, it is counterproductive and defeating.

Okay, enough with that - clearly I survived today (although nothing of much interest happened so I will keep it brief).

Hour 1 - strap on and strap in. 3.2 mph for 20 minutes. A 2 minute burst of 4.4 mph for a jog. Reprieve. Another 2 min at 4.4. After that one, I felt lightheaded so they loosened the chest harness so that I could breathe easier. Whew! A 3rd session of 2 min at 4.4. 10 minutes at 3.2 walking speed. As a finale, 5 minutes at 3.8 so that it is a really fast walk. The primary person stepped behind me to keep me on the treadmill but she often held my hips so that walking was difficult (try to walk without moving your hips!). And - Done.

Hour 2 - hallway walking because my 'push-off' is weak - the point where the toes push off to propel the foot forward in the walk. Then, outside for some bench work - as quickly as possible, touching my toes to the bench (6") one at a time. My leg is pretty good, but my ankle is stiff and terrible. Then the rope ladder is laid out and I need to high step into each 'box', then quicker, then backwards, then sideways, then quicker. At the stairs, she said "you're getting a little better" & I said "you sure are stingy with your compliments!" So, she got silly and told me how I have improved tons and tons and tons. I like her, don't get me wrong. I just don't think PT is really for her if she can't work up some empathy and/or understanding for the patients.

Hour 3 - inside. Balance work with my feet touching each other and having a basketball thrown at me for me to catch and throw back. Then the same with a medicine ball with feet in a semi-tandem stance (one foot in front of the other so that they are just barely not touching and the front hee'ul is just a little offset from the back toe). Same thing in a tandem stance (hee'ul toe). Same thing in a lunge. Then tandem walking while swinging the medicine ball from side to side to challenge the balance.

Done.

I'm sorry that this is a grumpy post. I'm even posting this 2 hours later & I'm bugged by today's session.

~sigh~ Tomorrow's the last day, so there's that, right?