Update: As I continue to be faithful to my daily rehab exercises, I’ve noticed that I have quickly gained strength in not only my left leg, but in my upper body as well because of the use of my crutches. Getting outside as often as possible has been a big help. Of course that means attention to detail and taking my time using the crutches to get up and down the stairs. Once I get outside, everything feels so much better. The act of walking around outside on my own, feeling the sun on my face, or the breeze on my cheeks, is very freeing. For me right now, this is the best exercise in the world!
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How are you feeling?
This is a question that you as a patient will be asked many, many times over the course of your healing journey. Whether it is during the weeks preceding your upcoming surgery, during the time of your hospital stay, or during the time of your outpatient rehabilitation visits, this question will constantly pop up. Usually it comes in the form of pictures of a face in various stages of discomfort, or from your healthcare technician asking that dreaded phrase, “on a scale of one to ten…” And while the question can be annoying to hear, or easy to dismiss, there is no more important question that can be asked regarding your wellbeing.
Why do they care?
The people who work in your healthcare plan need to know how you are feeling. In fact, to them the more detail you give them, the better they can help you. This is especially important when it comes to pain management. The type of pain, the intensity, what it feels like, where it is located (and from how many sources) helps to decide the specifics that will be used in your treatment. For example, it is just as important for them to know that you are having flare up pain from the broken collarbone you suffered two years ago, in addition to your current problem. That information may change the type or amount of medication you will need for surgery. That is why it is important for you to tell them everything when it comes to answering the question of how are you feeling. It really is all about you!
Why do we resist answering this question?

The bottom line: Tell it like it is!

Next entry: Home from Hospital - More tips
Blessings,
Frank
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