Days 253 to 257 - Starting the Regime

Our meeting with James last week proved extremely helpful, and while he agrees that continued physio with him may not be of much benefit, exercises and time will continue to help cleo's rehabilitation.

So, with that in mind we have started out with a regime designed by James which should help to improve cleo's walking, and leg strength, as well as her balance and muscle tone. James is never one to "give up" on anything if there is the remotest chance of recovery so he has added into the plan some exercises for her upper arm and shoulder too, which if nothing else will keep the joint mobile.

He has agreed that he will see cleo every two or three months for a while, to review with us any progress that may have been made. Along with this he can look at how we might change the regime should that be neccessary over time.

For those interested the exercises which we are doing are as follows:

Arm

1. Link hands together, move wrist back wards and forwards, thus flexing the wrist joint.
2. Attempt to straighten the elbow down to the side of the body so the arm is flat against the side
3. Try extending the arm behind you, even to the point of joining hands behind back if you can
4. Twice a week stretch shoulders forward and out to the side several times to maintain joint mobility

Leg

1. Focus on the time spent on each leg while walking (ensure the time on each step is even)
2. Calf stretches: to lengthen the calf muscles, and hold for at least 20 seconds each time.
3. Use treadmill daily, and over time try to increase slowly the walking speed.
4. Try some balancing tasks, like standing on one leg while at the kitchen sink or worktops, to enable the brain to re-learn that fine balance control again
5. Try to maintain a good rhythm while walking, best achieved by swinging the arms as you walk.

We will continue these exercises daily for now, and we shall see James on 5th October next, which will be nearly 11 months since the stroke.

The practice of all these things will, I know, improve cleo's walk. Furthermore, she has to maintain a mental focus, a picture in her mind of where she wants the rehabilitation to go, and never lose sight of that. My job in all of this is to ensure that she does that, by pushing her if I have to, by coaxing, helping and supporting. All those things I do with the knowledge that she will get to where she wants to be.

Of that there is no doubt!