Well who would’ve known putting on your own shirt after GBS would be so hard. Occupational therapy has been want me to learn how to do it with what movement I have. For something so easy to do before Guillain Barre Syndrome it is now a difficult task. This is the part of therapy that can be frustrating. How do you put on a shirt when you can’t grab something with your fingers and you can’t lift your wrists up against gravity and they just hang? I know this is just one part of the therapy and part of this whole journey but it can be a little frustrating.I know I’ll manage and I’ll do it as I’ve always been able to figure out ways around issues.
Sure enough after trying several times throughout the week, I did it. I can now put on my own shirt. At first it was hard trying to get it done but after several attempts I was able to do it. I’m getting more movement and flexibility in my arms and I’m now able pull the shirt over my head. This was the issue before but now I’m able to do it. My occupational therapist is already after me try my pants and shorts next. I just wish I had the full use of my hands, fingers and wrists. I know I’ll manage but it will just be one harder task for me to do. Basically I have to learn how to do everything all over again and to live independently.
Everything I’ve done to this point was to restrengthen muscles, regain motions in my arms, legs, hands, now the next phase is preparing a person for discharge. Learning to do everything on my own again with what mobility I have now. My discharge date as of now is April 10, 2020. This part of occupational therapy is frustrating for the patient but a very rewarding feeling for the therapists. Helping a person get their life back can be a great feeling I’m sure.
I’m looking forward to getting back home, getting back to life but a little scary too. It will be mostly me when I go home and I have to manage on my own. I know I’ll probably have a support care worker with me a few hours a day like previous GBS patients have had. This will help some but I need to learn to care for myself. The next month or so will be interesting, frustrating and exciting all at the same time as I try and hit that date for me to go back home. Only time will tell and one day at a time.
We live our lives and we often take things for granted until there gone, then it’s an eye opener. Think about it for a moment…. Putting on a T-shirt, opening a door, opening a container, cooking, washing, going to the washroom, brushing your teeth, feeding yourself etc.. when you have no strength in your hands and not much use with them as of now. Mind you I’m doing some of these things now but you gain a whole new level of respect for life going through something like Guillain Barre Syndrome.
Next time you do something, all the things in a run of a day that you do, think about how difficult things would be. Enjoy life and be thankful everyday for what you have. 🙂 Nothing is guaranteed in life and things can change in an instant. Doesn’t matter how careful you are, how healthy you are, sometimes things just happen out of nowhere, I know. Live life, enjoy everything about life but most importantly respect what you have everyday. 🙂 Tomorrow is not guaranteed.