Necer,

I can’t tell you about steroids, but about rehab, I was told that my body would rebound on it’s own. I just rested ever chance I got even between PT exercises. My strength and mobility would just came back. I did everything my PTs and OTs told me to. The hospital was large and we would move around in wheel chairs. On day two my OT had me take off the wheel chair foot rests and asked me to pull myself along with my feet, I could do 30 feet. Then I would lift legs and motor with my arms or get a push. I also could only walk 10 feet with a walker. By day 14 I could walk 500 feet with a cane and I could go everywhere using my feet on the wheel chair.

Your wife’s body will rebound on it’s own. As the nerves come back, each muscle group or organ will start working normally again. Rehab will help her restore her weakened muscles and get her mobility back.

Just keep the Faith through the Valley of Darkness!

Mark.

Julie,
I have tried PT or rehab a number of times in the past six years, but honestly never felt it did anything for me, but wear me out. I have done water aerobics twice a week for the past 3 years & find that it keeps everything “well lubricated”, as we do exercise every part of the body under water. It also wears me out, but to me it is worth it. I would try to use your pool more & not worry so much about rehab. An old member Marc M once explained to me all of the rehab I could get just doing things around my home, such as chores, & I took it to heart. Much better use of my energy.
Pam

Helga,
It sounds to me like you are overdoing it. I would do either the water aerobics (which I have done twice a week for two years now), or the outpatient PT. But I think 4 times a week is too much, twice a week would be much more reasonable.
Once I was able to get up & walk with a walker & then canes, I quit going to outpatient rehab. I found that by just doing “normal” ADLs, such as cooking, washing dishes, & having to push a cart around stores, that was enough for me. Because I am left with a lot of residuals (must use AFOs to walk & take a cane outside the home), I have a cleaning woman come in twice a month to do the majority of my heavier housework. Then I can conserve my energy for more fun things to do with my husband. Thank goodness my children are grown & out of the house now…
Pam

Liz,
Go for the rehab, it will make you feel better about yourself & you will love being in the water. I do get worn out the days I have water aerobics, but I feel I am getting wonderful range of motion as well as regular exercise. It has also helped me in my weight loss program, so I feel better about myself in that respect as well. I have also made a lot of new friends in my swimming class, as we socialize in the hot tub before & after. I think I would be depressed if I did not having this outlet, especially since we have been in the deep freeze for awhile now. Cabin fever is starting to set in around here!