For avid Internet users, those that are familiar with the shortcuts used in blogs or forums, "T&P" usually means "Thoughts and Prayers." It's expresed when people learn of tragic situations, illness, passings, etc. In this case, "T&P" means Therapy and Pathology. -- physical therapy and speech pathology. However, we welcome the original intended use of "T&P" as well.
We are starting with physical therapy.
We answered some general information questions. Then the therapist took measurements to get a baseline of where Jennifer is currently. After contemplating the dire physical consequences that awaited me, I decided not to take a picture of Jennifer in the contraption they strapped on her head. The contraption was a series of rulers and compasses (mathematical and magnetic) used to measure distance and angles relative to a starting point. She looked like she was wearing a GPS device that was invented before the advent of electricity (and satellites). Instead, Jennifer assured me I could take a picture next time. I think she may have just said that to postpone the inevitable.. I will get a picture at some point. I have a new mission. ;-)
It turns out that Jennifer can only swivel her head about 90 degrees.....40 to the left, and 50 to the right. You need about 120 degrees of coverage to drive safely. So, it looks like I will be "Driving Miss Jenny" for a little while. Fine with me, I'll get to wear a golf cap.
After the baseline, we went over a series of arm, head/neck, hand, and lip exercises to stretch muscles and get them back to where they were before. pucker..smile...pucker...smile...pucker..smile, left, right, up, down. Jennifer can already feel a difference.
We then scheduled for the next two months. Twice a week therapy.
We discussed the Epstein Physioplasti mask for treating lymphedema, but the physical therapist was out of stock. Jennifer really wants one to get rid of the double chin she has now. I told her that, once the lymphedema swelling is gone, she won't have an excuse for any double chin that hangs around. That got me a dirty look....there's the look I'm use to seeing. Jennifer is back, baby (insert fist pump here).
The physical therapist prescribed a giant wedge to help support the upright position when sleeping. At the end of the day, we carried it around the hospital like a prize "Look Jennifer! I finally won you a giant stuffed animal. Too bad it's in the shape of a giant three dimensional scalene triangle.". Jennifer used it when napping today. She LOVED it. I wish we would have had it about three weeks ago. It would have saved a bunch of fitfull nights. Oh well. Here's to fewer sleepless nights.
We then booked it to the speech pathology appointment, 5 elevatore over and 10 floors up. MD Anderson is its own metropolis.
Speech Pathology:
We asked our questions: When does swelling go down? How do I eat red beans and rice? My tongue's tired (I know. It's a statement.). How am I progressing?
Jennifer has a little lymphedema, so we are scheduled to see the lymphedema certified pathologist next week. It's Brad, the original pathologist we saw. We like him (not to take away from Denise, the current one. We like her too.). We learned that part of the massage therapy for lymphedema is to retrain the body to ship its waste via alternative channels than the now-blocked channel.
We then worked on sounds (s, d, t). Jennifer's doing great with them, but needs to work on her tongue therapy (I have ideas ;-), but I digress). I still have to practice on my sounds.
Swelling of the tongue should still go down, but may require lipo if not down in three months. Personally, it's looking much better than the first two weeks.
She was given the green light to eat a cheeseburger. Funny, the therapist said to start with fast food burgers because they are generally smaller/thinner and greasier. You know....pink slime and all.
For that matter, she was given the green light by the therapist to try anything....only to stay away from popcorn, nuts, and chips for the near future. I am no longer the Food Nazi. Chapter closed. Now I will be Awnold Swartzenhoelscher, the physical trainer.
A little side note: Jennifer was having problems with the red beans and rice. The therapist called it scatter food because it scatters when it gets in the mouth. Cornbread does the same. The tricks are to put scatter foods into a medium that will hold them together: red beans and rice -- squish the rice into the beans; cornbread -- lots and lots of butter; Mexican food -- put the Spanish rice into the retried beans. Better yet, try to stay away from the dry rices and stay with the soft, sticky rice.
All-in-all, the consults were good and we have some direction on what to do, and how often. Jennifer is motivated to push through this. I can't wait to see the response from the therapists next week when we start the marathon schedule.
Thanks to everyone for the T&P. Coworkers for helping pick up the slack, etc. I only wish Jennifer would have gotten me something for my birthday....all she does is hang around and do nothing all day. Geez....Just kidding people. I don't need anything, I have her and the kids.
Till next time....take care all. We are.
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