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Update on two weeks of PT

Lots of interesting exercises and some gray rainy days during the last two weeks of PT (Physical Therapy).

sunset clouds North Ranch Congress ArizonaAfter I got settled into my RV space at North Ranch last month I set up several weeks of PT mostly Mon, Tues, and Wed like I was doing in Cedar City.  I do have about a 15 minute drive now instead of the 10 minute walk and my appointments tend to be in the morning instead of afternoon.  But it’s all good.  I’m getting lots of practice backing up, leveling by not too much, and plugging into electricity because I have to move my home on wheels whenever I want to drive somewhere.

window view birds yucca North Ranch Congress ArizonaMy social skills at the park have only improved a little.  Met some gals that meet up twice a week with their various beading projects.  I don’t think I could hold a hair-size beading needle right now and don’t have my bead stuff with me. Other than for making earvines which I was told I could teach. They have a bead supply that puts mine to shame and could open a store.

birds tree Altostratus undulatus cloud Congress ArizonaPaid $5 towards Thanksgiving dinner and signed up to bring a dessert that came from Safeway.  Lunch at 2pm in the activity center for 200 people was delicious. Met three delightful couples at my table.  I am grateful to have a place to be.

roofs Palm tree snowy Weaver Mts reverse sunset clouds North Ranch Congress ArizonaGray skies dropped only a little rain that day but it rained on and off all night and snowed less than 2000 feet above on the Weaver Mountains.  Strange to look at those mountains from this opposite side from Yarnell where I watched for years.

fingers squeeze clothespin North Ranch Congress ArizonaPT starts with arm cycling for five minutes to improve upper arm strength.  Picking up marbles one by one from a small jar and then putting them back for fine motor skills.  Squeeze a clip with each finger 20 times.  Go ahead, try that with your pinky finger and thumb.  After a few other exercises the therapist stretches on my wrists with noticeable increase in mobility.

Sierra cat window in camper North Ranch Congress ArizonaIf it’s not a PT day, or I cancel due to wet weather, it’s a hang at home day when it’s gray.

sundogs and circumzenithal arc Congress ArizonaJoann came for a visit and we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon chatting plus a drive out Ghostown Road and late lunch at Nichols West.  Plus we saw sundogs and a new to me phenomenon called a circumzenithal arc, or a grin.  Both are caused by sun reflecting off ice crystals in clouds.

rough can lid North Ranch Congress ArizonaI still do PT at home but I thought the can opener was going to defeat me. Pressure and turning at the same time not so easy on these healing wrists. Good thing I don’t usually eat caned food so no need to buy an electric opener to take up space.

PT is helping.  I’m now typing with all fingers again.  I still can’t attach the sewer hose.  It’s a PT goal.  Along with using my big camera.  Have to see what happens in another two weeks of PT.

life 25 Comments

PT in Cedar City Utah

Sierra cat wants water Cedar City UtahOM, I’ve been going to PT in Cedar City Utah three weeks.  Sadly, I am nowhere near 100% fixed.

Sierra cat wants water Cedar City UtahShe likes fresh water from my glass

My life is typically planned for in six month increments, though the last two years messed up that balance of work and play, first loosing my best friend then my job.  Breaking both wrists mid-August put a snag in my life.  I should be on the road and gone somewhere instead of sitting in the Cedar City Utah KOA watching the leaves drop in a chilly north wind.  (Sorry I couldn’t share the phone video of the leaves being blown about.)

Sierra cat open camper door KOA Cedar City UtahThank goodness for electricity providing heat, whatever it’s costing. Some afternoons are sun warmed enough to have windows and the door open.  But nights have been cold.

fall leaves Cedar City UtahI’m walking my two blocks to PT three times a week.  Movement and stretching increase in tiny amounts.  I mostly ache all the time from 1-3 on the pain scale.  I’m up to lifting about 3/4 of a gallon, six pounds, using a handle and with both hands.  Living alone kind of means everything I do is PT.  Just give a thought to using your hands and wrists all day long.  I’m getting better every day.  Yet still not much motion backwards or side to side.  Am I expecting too much?  Look forward to a re-evaluation.

Gaelyn with caramel apple cocktail Cedar City UtahCaramel Apple juice cocktail

Besides some necessary grocery shopping, PT is about all I do here.  I haven’t moved the truck in a month, but have started it’.

Parowan Gap UtahI did visit a local novelty which I will try to post about soon.

Sheep parade Main Sreet Cedar City Utah by StewartA Flagstaff friend attended the sheep parade for the Cedar City Livestock & Heritage Festival.  I didn’t go as I’m not a lover of crowds, or dust, or sheep poop.

unusual 5th-wheel KOA Cadar City UtahPulled into KOA for a couple nights

Daytime temperatures in the mid 60° is nice.  A few nights below freezing prompted me to buy a second room heater.  Now that nights are in the high 30s it feels like a heatwave.  Did I really just write that, the person who HATES being cold?

Sierra cat fur on table Cedar City UtahGetting cold is unhealthy for me with my poor circulation.  It’s stressful, which is never healthy.  Even poor Sierra went through stress the two weeks I spent in the hospital.  Her normally beautiful long fluffy fur became matted.  Thank goodness Jen is a cat whisperer with the right tools.  I am amazed at how cooperative Sierra was when Jen basically shaved part of her back.  She doesn’t want her photo taken now from the back.

After three weeks doing PT in Cedar City and only 30% improvement in motion there is concern that I need more aggressive (not torturous) PT.  My Dr. says I’m behind schedule on mobility.  Also tells me I can’t rely on only continuing on my own.  It’s not easy to stretch one bum hand with another bum hand.  So, I’m adding another week to Cedar City before I head further south to I’m not really sure where.

2020 calendar page with printer glitch Cedar City Utah

calendars in envelopes Cedar City UtahUpdate on the calendars:  Just like last year, the first shipment had a printer glitch on 1-2 photos, every calendar.  So Shutterfly sent a second shipment that included quality control.  I have most of your calendars in addressed envelopes.  Now I need to get to the post office and that might be a week or two away.  Thanks for your patience.

Cedar City, Utah 21 Comments

Settling in Cedar City Utah

trees sunset clouds KOA Cedar City UtahI never thought I’d be settling in Cedar City Utah, yet all conveniences are here and so is physical therapy (PT).

inside 5th-wheel slides in Bryce Canyon National Park UtahLooks tiny with the slides in

Under normal circumstances without two healing wrists I would have been moved with everything battened down in the 5th-wheel with slides in in a matter of hours instead of days.  Yet I had plenty of time until realizing night time lows would drop to teen° for several nights before I was scheduled to leave the 8000 foot Bryce Canyon National.  So I backed up my departure date by two days and with the generous help of a friend, Jen, moved the last stuff into the camper and packed it away.

Sierra cat on camper bedSierra was honestly the last move and she may have been worried what with watching us go in and out of the 5er all day.  Plugged in with heat, we slept the night in the tiny house.  In the morning, Jen and husband Todd came over and he drove my truck the 1 1/2 hours to Cedar City following Jen with me as a passenger.  Saved me from the long curvy drive in my wrist braces.

truck camper KOA Cedar City UtahFirst stop, surgeon’s office for x-rays that look good and referral for PT, which is right across the hall.  And only two blocks from the next stop, KOA, home sweet home for a month.  With me guiding and setting leveling blocks, Todd parked the truck and I plugged in to electricity.  Much needed for the next couple 20° nights.  Because I’m parked next to the dog run, Sierra and I are entertained by the variety of breeds.

Then we were on our way to drop donations at Deseret Industries Thrift Store where I bought a pair of size 10 jeans as the 12s are falling off.  Next stop, broken denture tooth repaired followed by a few groceries and back to my new temporary home, exhausted.  And that’s pretty much where I stayed for the next three days with highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid 20s.  I also took the wrist braces off for most of the day.  I don’t have a lot of motion in my wrists but am able to do more every day.

2020 calendar cover shotI finished formatting and ordered the 2020 calendar.  Still taking orders.

trees sunset clouds KOA Cedar City Utah

trees sunset clouds KOA Cedar City UtahI’ve actually taken a few photos with the small camera and hoped to shoot full moon rise from the KOA.  There is a low ridge across Main Street to the east but it was almost past my bedtime when the moon would crest so I took advantage of the few clouds that showed color for sunset over the condos and missed the moon.

Gaelyn's hand with puttyTuesday I walked 15 minutes to PT.  The therapist was happy with my progress so far, measured my mobility, and set me to exercises trying to bend the wrists all directions.  Backwards is the most limited.  I’ll do these exercises at home three times a day.  Plus squeeze a chunk of silly putty to strengthen my hands and forearms.

Coal Creek from Main Street bridge Cedar City UtahCoal Creek

Because it was a pleasant 70° afternoon I walked about six blocks for a burger and fries, don’t recommend Brad’s.  On the return I stopped at the Cedar City visitor center adjacent to the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum that I’ll have to return to earlier in the day.  I think I’ll be able to stay busy in Cedar City Utah for a month.

Cedar City, Places I've been, United States, Utah , , 24 Comments

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