Therapy

The doctors at Abbott Northwestern coordinated with the social workers there to develop a post-discharge plan for Ma. They recommended strength, balance, and endurance building exercises to help her tolerate the chemo treatments and to help her achieve basic household activities, like navigating stairs. Since Ma's discharge, a physical therapist - who specializes in working with seniors - has been coming over once or twice a week.

Today the therapist, Nancy, came over for a session. She was here for about an hour, doing the exercise regimen with Ma. Together they follow sheets with illustrations of the exercises. The illustrations also help Ma go through all the different exercises on her own.

The regimen starts with leg strength exercises with a two-pound ankle weight, followed by arm, shoulder, and upper back strength exercises. Then there are balance and stability exercises where she stands at the kitchen sink, and finally the exercise plan finishes with "laps" for several minutes around the kitchen, living room, and dining room.

Above is a picture of mom lifting the two-pound dumbbells we bought from Target back in October. The therapist mentioned that these are perfect for these upper body strength building exercises. There are about five different exercises with the dumbbells and they help with activities of daily living, like getting up from her chair, carrying water from the sink to the stove, or pouring water into the coffee machine.

Above is a picture of mom using the versatile "theraband." She can use this with someone holding one end or she can use it herself by putting one end under her foot for example and pulling the other end. The theraband has really helped to build up her shoulder strength so that she can pull herself up along the railing while going upstairs. Before she managed to make it up the stairs but she had to go up on all fours and by the time she reached the top of the stairs, she was pretty wobbly. Now she can climb the stairs upright and be stable once she gets there.

Above is a picture of Ma and the therapist doing one of the several balance and stability exercises.


Finally this picture shows the marching exercise. It was one of the last exercises. This marching exercise really helps with endurance since it's near the end of the session. After this she takes a break and then does her laps. I tried some of these exercises with Ma and the therapist and they are actually kind of fun! Who needs the gym!