tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67106323051795186792024-03-04T22:33:38.922-08:00Health Newsall News Healthanandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-62312794646737795852016-05-18T12:59:00.000-07:002016-05-18T12:59:19.379-07:00The Info Grateful My PT Taught Me to Squat | Health News<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a h="ID=images,5312.1" href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=image+of+squatting&view=detailv2&&id=353C5E751BE15F6B42AF5896360AA3CC68AA363D&selectedIndex=29&ccid=5J5ATiYd&simid=607988274255761097&thid=OIP.Me49e404e261dfe2b16e0ab5ac31e0d31o0" id="detail" style="clear: right; height: 222px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 300px;"><img src="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.Me49e404e261dfe2b16e0ab5ac31e0d31o0&w=300&h=222&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0&r=0" height="148" title="" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did NOT do this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am glad my in-patient PT made me squat while reaching down with my sound hand to pick up plastic cones sitting on a low stool and place the cones on a shelf at head height. She did NOT have me squat deeply like the body builder in the photo. She had me<br />
do a partial squat while leaning over to reach close to the floor. <br />
<br />
At first I loved squats because I felt safer when both feet were on the floor than when I had to repeatedly stand on one foot while walking. When I learned how useful squats are I asked my PT to let me do them every day. The list below shows the value of this basic skill that I took for granted as an able-bodied person. I have used this skill thousands of times. It is a gift that keeps on giving.<br />
NOTE: Reaching for objects overhead is dangerous when I drop the objects on my head.<br />
<br />
Squatting makes me more stable when I:<br />
* Lean down to pull up my underwear up after toileting<br />
* Lean down to pick up my cane after it has fallen on the floor for the thousandth time! <br />
* Lean down to get clothing out of the bottom drawer of the dresser<br />
* Lean down to get shoes from the floor of the closet<br />
* Lean down to get a milk carton sitting on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator<br />
* Lean down to get a box of cereal from the bottom shelf of a kitchen cabinet<br />
* Lean down to get a pot from the bottom shelf of a kitchen cabinet<br />
* Lean down to get a box of dishwashing detergent from under the sink<br />
* Lean down to place and remove dishes from the bottom rack of dishwasher<br />
* Lean down to pull bed linen straight when making the bed<br />
* Lean down to take a book from bottom of book shelf<br />
* Lean down to plug a cord into a low electrical outlet <br />
* Lean down to pull clothes out of the dryer<br />
* Lean down to fill a watering can with the garden hose<br />
* Lean down to pickup a large bag of garbage I kicked down my stairs to put bag in garbage can<br />
* Lean down to pick up purchases sitting in the trunk or on the floor of my caranandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-80875142159473301052016-04-26T05:00:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:40.602-07:00The Info My GPS is an Ideal Spouse | Health NewsI am taking a road trip to present at an OT conference so I am getting ready to use my GPS. <br />I need a GPS because this trip requires me to use <strong>five</strong> different Interstate highways. Highways<br />in the Northeast are a maze of meandering roads that were mapped out before the age of cars.<br />A highway built on the open land in the rest of the U.S. can go on forever. Interstate 80 that goes from New York to San Francisco is 2902 miles long. With many different highways on this trip,<br />I need my GPS to tell me "turn right in 400 feet at Exit 29B to Monroe." I feel confident when I<br />see a sign that says "Monroe Exit 29B" a few seconds later.<br /><br />I call my GPS the ideal spouse because it never gets distracted and then blames me by saying "you should have turned left back there." If I decide to make a detour the GPS obediently says "recalculating." After the GPS says "drive 268 miles to Monroe" it stops talking for 266 miles.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-80467369961615739732016-04-16T05:00:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:40.618-07:00The Info Insight Into My Soul | Health NewsI have wondered why I always get irritated when able-bodied people offer to help me. These kind-hearted people see that they could do what I am doing in a few seconds. What is invisible to them is the story I tell myself when I am slow or fail on my 1st attempt. This morning I had an ah-ha experience. I started to get angry when I was struggling to remove the paper wrapper from a straw. Then I heard myself think "patience - you know you can do this if you keep trying." This thought is based on the hundreds of times I have succeeded at this task. When people try to help me I am afraid of the new story I will tell myself. "I wish someone was always here to help me." And then "I may not find a kind person to help me so maybe I should stay home." If I live long enough I may need to go into a long-term care facility. But I am not ready to be isolated so I have no choice but to do the hard work.<br /><br /><u>Bottom-Line</u>: The stories we tell ourselves are powerful.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-80566424041955285652016-04-03T05:22:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:40.661-07:00The Info Carts Keep Me and My Stuff Safe | Health News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR4wmq43P-hYd2oQxirzsiXp64llejoLe4l_GGvImn84sxG18pf5UZ-5J1ERztHcdY2DjcK49Oz4sz5VpdSYwxsWSadESw28V1ZKbS1Ai0FTWB77RauUN_YnnQWsH-gZpg9kqpyI4tbdR/s1600/Cart+%25231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR4wmq43P-hYd2oQxirzsiXp64llejoLe4l_GGvImn84sxG18pf5UZ-5J1ERztHcdY2DjcK49Oz4sz5VpdSYwxsWSadESw28V1ZKbS1Ai0FTWB77RauUN_YnnQWsH-gZpg9kqpyI4tbdR/s200/Cart+%25231.JPG" width="136" /></a>The photo shows I do not use a cart to transport objects a long distance in my small kitchen. However, the cart saves me from making numerous consecutive turns. For example, when I bring home groceries, the food that goes in the refrigerator is scattered in several shopping bags. I collect cold items on my cart, push the cart to the refrigerator, and stand in front of the open refrigerator. I use my sound arm to transfer objects from the cart to the refrigerator shelves - no turning and walking back to collect the next item and turning to face the refrigerator again.<br /><br />How does standing still as I transfer objects keep me and my stuff safe? 1) Turning can be stressful for the knee when it is not done correctly. <br />2) Turns increase the chance of a fall because turning is more difficult than walking in a straight line. 3) Maintaining my balance while turning is a challenge that distracts me when I carry an object. It is aggravating to have only one hand to clean up a broken dish or food that I dropped.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFQBIaZZwme3Y1xYOxeJdYlrSLVCylmT9wmOT02LjftLp8fxF6pcTGRZzP3hlT8GZlcE5v_Ns6Zfk-yQaPukHnkDBWOIznOSx7-iSJUFe8VAFHQHAwLs7evTGLXrSGywEquXdXB8UEckO/s1600/Cart+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFQBIaZZwme3Y1xYOxeJdYlrSLVCylmT9wmOT02LjftLp8fxF6pcTGRZzP3hlT8GZlcE5v_Ns6Zfk-yQaPukHnkDBWOIznOSx7-iSJUFe8VAFHQHAwLs7evTGLXrSGywEquXdXB8UEckO/s200/Cart+%25232.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>If you have two good hands to carry a stack of plates, bowls, or pots, you can take fewer trips to put away dishes. These stacks are too much weight for one hand. So I use a cart to unload my dishwasher. I transfer clean items to the cart and push the cart to various storage areas. As I stand in front of a cabinet, I pick up and place dishware in the appropriate place. I am not going to turn repeatedly to carry one dish at a time to where it belongs!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixianoQJEOE7NmdFNTf3xLSBwOLnZMewQLcng0q5tfSFB3zPIxGmx4zNB46lcDPp5fsajFupP-MOJo3lHpivoYVjMo7MoXp7Wyvpo5Soxf0L0BNvtOpiRY3dBMJgVl-ITcO6bjndQEZTNW/s1600/Cart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixianoQJEOE7NmdFNTf3xLSBwOLnZMewQLcng0q5tfSFB3zPIxGmx4zNB46lcDPp5fsajFupP-MOJo3lHpivoYVjMo7MoXp7Wyvpo5Soxf0L0BNvtOpiRY3dBMJgVl-ITcO6bjndQEZTNW/s200/Cart.JPG" width="150" /></a> A cart allows me to bring a meal to the table in one trip. Here I am 3 months after my stroke serving myself a cold lunch. When I got tired of eating frozen dinners heated in the microwave I started cooking. It took 3 more months before I had a cooked dinner ready to transport to the table. Initially I cooked one food, ate out of the pot, and then cooked the next food. The day I put three kinds of cooked food on a plate was a triumph. Now that I cook regularly the cart keeps me from burning my hand on a hot dish or spilling hot food while transporting it. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK182qB1pT2WlDGVLdgvcBNiPYwfCH0XC8GM-NofP5NRXIMTSUeAxarFTXGdpqhf9gAePhs3KyrWtTu5xdD85eJaMzV6HT_gAsmzz7rggQELIu0-uPq6Zk2hBZynI5olzKW00DASOBL4WK/s1600/Laundry+%25233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK182qB1pT2WlDGVLdgvcBNiPYwfCH0XC8GM-NofP5NRXIMTSUeAxarFTXGdpqhf9gAePhs3KyrWtTu5xdD85eJaMzV6HT_gAsmzz7rggQELIu0-uPq6Zk2hBZynI5olzKW00DASOBL4WK/s200/Laundry+%25233.JPG" width="186" /></a><br />Two final reasons to love carts - a three-tiered cart allows me to sort my dirty laundry by color while sitting instead of repeatedly leaning over and standing up. This cart helps me safely transport dirty clothes to my 1st floor laundry room. Laundry does not start with loading the washing machine! I also use this cart to transport my large box of Christmas decorations to my couch from the closet where the box sits on an accessible shelf.<br /><br />P.S. I am sitting on a folding metal chair that stays out of the way when I store it behind an open door.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-80896806393434652812016-03-28T05:00:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:40.673-07:00The Info Astronauts & 1900's Women Get Surviving Stroke | Health NewsBefore I had a stroke I would have found my post "9 Things I Have to Do to Drive Independently" obsessively tedious. I know of only two groups of able-bodied people who can understand what you have to do to thrive after a stroke.<br /><br /><u>Astronauts</u>. Astronauts understand the conscious attention stroke survivors have to pay to familiar tasks that able-bodied people do without thinking. As I watched astronaut Scott Kelly demonstrate cooking and eating dinner on the International Space Station, I saw that he had a problem. He repeatedly dropped food because his hand forgot you have to attach an object to a surface or it will float away. To be fair, Scott was distracted by having to look towards the camera and explain what he was doing. I am sure he performs better when he does not divide his attention. I think he would understand why stroke survivors do not perform well when they try to multitask. I also think the months of practice Scott did on Earth would help him understand how hard it is for stroke survivors to relearn to do even simple tasks.<br /><br /><u>Urban Housewives in 1900</u>. If women in 1900 could have read the nine things I do before I drive my car away from the curb, they would have said "welcome to my life." They knew about spending lots of time getting ready to do a task. For instance, before they could start doing laundry they had to do three chores. 1) They had to soak clothes the day before because cleaning agents were not very effective. 2) They had to hand carry 20 to 40 gallons of water from the sink to a large copper vat where the clothes were washed. 3) They had to wait for the coal fire under the copper vat to heat up the water. Only then could they start agitating the clothes by hand with a four foot long pole called a dolly stick. <br /><br />Here is a re-enactment of doing laundry in 1900 from the PBS TV series, The 1900 House.<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd7LzQ-IZ3g&list=PLQ6PTIIwf7PtHO1pLaM4x3uQl_3cgskZr&index=11">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd7LzQ-IZ3g&list=PLQ6PTIIwf7PtHO1pLaM4x3uQl_3cgskZr&index=11</a>anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-80528169554150523822016-03-15T02:30:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:40.715-07:00The Info 9 Things I Must Do to Be Independent in Driving | Health News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dOF5FmwZ5bBj_7ZbUheONDW44RUezoTFyIgWjqUw_Rs0MIq3mDJuNSmJXcqJp18JSyLCXohO0juTR_ChihWUc6OaNZtpgGBxd_umuEcEmSyAKwt1jPiGgX8H2-miC_h94BG4srHm8vAE/s1600/Seat+belt+%25231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dOF5FmwZ5bBj_7ZbUheONDW44RUezoTFyIgWjqUw_Rs0MIq3mDJuNSmJXcqJp18JSyLCXohO0juTR_ChihWUc6OaNZtpgGBxd_umuEcEmSyAKwt1jPiGgX8H2-miC_h94BG4srHm8vAE/s200/Seat+belt+%25231.JPG" width="200" /></a>Regaining independence in driving took more than being trained to drive one-handed by a certified OT driving instructor. There were nine additional skills I had to master. I begin with two tasks that able-bodied people do before they pull away from the curb.<br /><br /><u>Safety</u>. (1) The seatbelt was always twisted when I pulled it across my body. I learned I have to make sure the seat belt is completely straight when I pull it out.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqpJokBdg5tp3jUWLV1BrfoxOJEVgSGN2w0VaKqJzBtP8593AGxIgFouvqjlv2lRMb5DNPImyIxSRn09ah0SQ6vPZZqhoiIoOq1URylUzR9g3DQMjlUUmXnJHDVckGAma9SsLqe4J4HpE/s1600/Car+key+%25231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqpJokBdg5tp3jUWLV1BrfoxOJEVgSGN2w0VaKqJzBtP8593AGxIgFouvqjlv2lRMb5DNPImyIxSRn09ah0SQ6vPZZqhoiIoOq1URylUzR9g3DQMjlUUmXnJHDVckGAma9SsLqe4J4HpE/s200/Car+key+%25231.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJnfVWvfkJNlnCSVkemcMixaEmOSvoLHZF1VGPaO2LJr1FK6Wnr4iPd9ygPVCp7sQhCDdMeYLQc6uQcnw6mKyiHpRf-7CpbAYuWuqPMlMzlLbKDGzYNF7lGcKMn5VRs0I1S08gU6gYYgO/s1600/Car+key+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJnfVWvfkJNlnCSVkemcMixaEmOSvoLHZF1VGPaO2LJr1FK6Wnr4iPd9ygPVCp7sQhCDdMeYLQc6uQcnw6mKyiHpRf-7CpbAYuWuqPMlMzlLbKDGzYNF7lGcKMn5VRs0I1S08gU6gYYgO/s200/Car+key+%25232.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Starting the Car</u>. (2) My left arm is my sound arm so I have to lean over to see the slot for the key. I can pull the key out thru an opening in the steering wheel because this does not require the precise placement that inserting the key demands.<u></u><br /><u></u><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_gT771GoXhRUxlR_rleXqlvUP6osyu4P_Tgj483WR6kO4ym7MT8WFJtJlS1CjPEiZvomQBLVnge89ID0H4MdqWZtOIWZAHYxdki7Gurt-wM0HIyWJCSOEmQapzANi3PiDdhh0TvGnSbw/s1600/Front+Door+%232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_gT771GoXhRUxlR_rleXqlvUP6osyu4P_Tgj483WR6kO4ym7MT8WFJtJlS1CjPEiZvomQBLVnge89ID0H4MdqWZtOIWZAHYxdki7Gurt-wM0HIyWJCSOEmQapzANi3PiDdhh0TvGnSbw/s320/Front+Door+%232.JPG" width="320" /></a><u>Access</u>. (3) <a href="http://homeafterstroke.blogspot.com/2012/04/shopping-is-supposed-to-be-fun.html">Getting out keys for my house and car</a> is harder than it sounds. (4) Getting out of my house has four challenges. First, I must open the door and place my cane on the porch so my sound hand is free to close and lock the door. Second, I have to step over a one inch high strip (arrows on left) as I step backwards to pull the front door closed. <br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLmZ34v4nX3mOmmC6eCsxNcG8WV9DEA91ZAK3Ha_Kcww0udiKrLh-GN3ack_1WSkOnM3cJdCheJvbrt0TVovhYSlBpNXiYLoehWI3nhTPMIE2G1HE8OzBpmHsH6pkho4NA7L-a0sfEESq/s1600/Front+Door+%233b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLmZ34v4nX3mOmmC6eCsxNcG8WV9DEA91ZAK3Ha_Kcww0udiKrLh-GN3ack_1WSkOnM3cJdCheJvbrt0TVovhYSlBpNXiYLoehWI3nhTPMIE2G1HE8OzBpmHsH6pkho4NA7L-a0sfEESq/s320/Front+Door+%233b.JPG" width="177" /></a>Third, I have to hold the screen door open while I close the front door. I used my butt to hold the screen door open because it is a heavy wheelchair-width door. However, I dented the screen so now I push against the storm window which I keep down all year. Fourth, the photo on the right shows a shallow ledge built into the bottom of the screen door. I have to keep the heel of my hemiplegic foot from getting stuck on that ledge as I step down onto my porch. People who hold the front door open are not preparing stroke survivors for the day we want to walk out the door by ourselves. </div><br /><u>Parking.</u> (5) I had to learn to parallel park to pass the on-the-road test. (6) The <a href="http://homeafterstroke.blogspot.com/2011/09/in-land-far-far-away.html">spinner knob</a> I use to control the steering wheel is made of a plastic that gets hotter than a regular steering wheel. I cannot afford to burn my sound hand so I am glad I found <a href="http://homeafterstroke.blogspot.com/2011/06/im-faster-than-able-bodied-person.html">sunshades</a> I can put up in 10 seconds to cover the windshield.<br /><u></u><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD9l3pdkUqsr1zTbOGKwNDT0wNnQ0lNMUPYU-g5PigkvveAhfLU1xfCSpeV3-iS8OcSGGr6mbzxFOzFoCSN0U1kBEe1IQDG37efv3QlQggNk1rvTGR6v2mctQGfX5_F0ByMyJ2N-drUZG/s1600/Driving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD9l3pdkUqsr1zTbOGKwNDT0wNnQ0lNMUPYU-g5PigkvveAhfLU1xfCSpeV3-iS8OcSGGr6mbzxFOzFoCSN0U1kBEe1IQDG37efv3QlQggNk1rvTGR6v2mctQGfX5_F0ByMyJ2N-drUZG/s200/Driving.JPG" width="152" /></a><u>Winter Issues</u>. Before I leave my house in the winter I have to<br />(7) <a href="http://homeafterstroke.blogspot.com/2011/02/snow-shoes-for-stroke-survivor.html">don boots</a> and (8) <a href="http://homeafterstroke.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-zipping-challenge-is-not-what-you.html">zip my coat</a>. <br /><u></u><br /><u>Car Maintenance</u>. (9) Before a mechanic works on my car he shoves the car seat back because I have short legs. Before I drive away I grab the steering wheel with my hemiplegic hand to pull the seat forward while my sound hand presses down on the release bar. The photo shows what OTs call a gross grasp, but it is a skill I need to be independent in car maintenance. anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-11390455697959716402016-03-03T05:00:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:40.727-07:00The Info Conclusions from Multiple Studies Can Be Flawed | Health NewsThe gold standard of medicine has been to find one treatment that makes everyone healthy. To find this "holy grail" authors compare the results from a large number of studies (meta-analyses, systematic reviews, Cochran Reports). Yet conclusions from multiple studies can be flawed when a disease varies widely as stroke does. Here is two examples of what I am talking about.<br /><br />Researchers are doing new clinical trials on drugs that did not help large numbers of people with cancer. Now that researchers know how to identify different subtypes of cancer, they want to see if old studies had a poor match between the drug and the subtype of cancer in the sample.<br /><br />Researchers in the Efficacy of Nitric Oxide Study (ENOS) studied the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on stroke outcomes (1). ENOS looked at the records of over 4,000 stroke survivors in 23 countries. NO had no beneficial effect. The ENOS authors did a 2nd analysis with a subset of people with strokes that affected the front half of the brain (1). Ninety days later the subjects who received NO had significantly better outcomes on the Mini-Mental State Exam (cognition), Barthel Index (ADLs), EuroQol Scale (quality of life), and Zung Depression Scale.<br /><br /><u>Bottom Line</u>. Authors of meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and Cochran Reports need to take a more nuanced approach. When deciding what helps people with a disease that varies widely, conclusions that ignore how samples differ across studies can dismiss beneficial treatment effects.<br /><br /><u>Example of a Nuanced Approach</u>. The CAREX exoskeleton helped stroke survivors draw circles by providing two kinds of assistance (2). High functioning stroke survivors who had strength but lacked control improved when they were given path assistance. Low functioning stroke survivors who lacked strength improved when CAREX supported the arm so they had less weight to move. <br /><br />1. Woodhouse L, Scutt P, Krishnan K, Berge E, Gommans J, Ntaios G, Wardlaw J, Sprigg N, Bath<br /> P. Effects of hyperacute administration (within 6 hours) of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate, a nitric <br /> oxide donor, on outcome after stroke. <em>Stroke</em>. 2015;46:3194-3201.<br />2. <a href="http://www.news-medical.net/news/20160218/motor-skill-training-using-exoskeleton-device-beneficial-to-people-suffering-from-post-stroke-weakness">www.news-medical.net/news/20160218/motor-skill-training-using-exoskeleton-device-beneficial-to-people-suffering-from-post-stroke-weakness</a>anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-5139220180377293192016-02-25T05:00:00.000-08:002016-05-18T13:00:30.661-07:00The Info A New Hand Evaluation for Stroke Survivors | Health NewsVan Lew and associates (1) studied the reliability of a hand evaluation called Functional Upper Extremity Levels (FUEL).<br />
<u></u><br />
<a href="http://healthinfoandmix.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><u>What They Got Right</u></a><br />
To prove the efficacy of treatment approaches, researchers need tests that are sensitive enough to detect both emerging movement and small improvements. Hand tests traditionally begin by asking clients to reach out, pick up an object sitting on a table, and release the object by placing it back on the table. Many stroke survivors cannot do this. The FUEL provides sensitivity by describing<br />
3 levels of skill below the starting level of traditional tests.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlq6NS5iwd9IxVYyxffPw5wSK9Ra-LPIBDVEcZb9gVRQAWZgRVTQ4wzUy2hXZIgHgoL6PafVTn-A9eUhDyLy_N3bkfCUFKmhjyHufIU7dW2WlkVQfXoVr-j3AT0L9zt-9bzD16eFQ7lSQ/s1600/Toilet+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlq6NS5iwd9IxVYyxffPw5wSK9Ra-LPIBDVEcZb9gVRQAWZgRVTQ4wzUy2hXZIgHgoL6PafVTn-A9eUhDyLy_N3bkfCUFKmhjyHufIU7dW2WlkVQfXoVr-j3AT0L9zt-9bzD16eFQ7lSQ/s200/Toilet+%25232.JPG" width="200" /></a> Level 1 = Dependent Stabilizer. The sound hand places the affected hand on an object. The weight of the hand stabilizes the object so the sound can manipulate the object. Level 2 = Independent Stabilizer. The affected hand places itself on the object (e.g. hand holding down wad of toilet paper so other hand can tear paper). Level 3 = Gross Assist. Affected hand holds an object with a gross grasp. No functional release is present.<br />
<br />
<u>What They Missed</u><br />
One task did not have good inter-rater reliability. When scoring a grooming task, 70% of OTs scored the subject as Level 3 while 30% of OTs scored the subject as Level 4. The authors attributed this finding to a video that "did not have the clarity of other videos." However, when a subject does not exhibit ALL the skills of a level it can be difficult for raters to agree.<br />
An alternative explanation may be that reach, grasp, and release do not emerge together - a combination Level 4 requires to give full credit. Before reaching, a hand-to-hand transfer can be done close to the body. The affected hand has to open a few inches to accept a small object from the sound hand and relax to release the object so the sound hand does not have to tug on the object. <b>Ignoring hand-to-hand transfers is not a small omission on a test of hand function</b>.<br />
<br />
1. Van Lew S, Geller D, Feld-Glasman R, et al. Development and preliminary reliability of the <br />
Functional Upper Extremity Levels (FUEL). <i>American Journal of Occupational Therapy</i>, <br />
690650010p1-6906350010p.5 (online only).anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-82731002256656685422016-02-14T05:49:00.000-08:002016-05-18T13:00:12.987-07:00The Info Nails Do Not Stop Growing After a Stroke | Health News CAUTION: CLIPPING NAILS REQUIRES GOOD SENSATION AND COORDINATION<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9x1rO1aBcJEaYuKTIBsMgecF_3cbtR71yQAMad2R4zoMII3xDP4KufLIfzQETHrrzWvR-YlM2YBE0nQxrfuGJpXK7GUa7KSZYqAdJncFb1AM8CqLwL4-R1BQmzRLtGoVK2cw5kktJYIL/s1600/Nail+clipper+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9x1rO1aBcJEaYuKTIBsMgecF_3cbtR71yQAMad2R4zoMII3xDP4KufLIfzQETHrrzWvR-YlM2YBE0nQxrfuGJpXK7GUa7KSZYqAdJncFb1AM8CqLwL4-R1BQmzRLtGoVK2cw5kktJYIL/s320/Nail+clipper+%25232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://healthinfoandmix.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I live alone so I have to cut my nails</a>. I cut the nails on my sound hand by operating an adapted nail clipper with my affected hand. I returned the small nail clipper shown on the bottom. The pointed end (see V-shape) dug into my palm when I pushed down. The short handle also meant I had to press hard to get enough force to cut my nail. I use the larger nail clipper shown on top. The end of the handle is square which is more comfortable. The longer handle gives me better leverage when I push down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_ye7t4IEDVQmKTEuvzbDIIVgH31fQBUgvCbALG2ZD91JUfah9T9v-Fe1yxUkN302xQkrVq4DBkcZcs02qnts7Cu9vMLdDdaoBuu6om8ywFoWaVLsSHWN8MID2U5jlAdYuPnq53oee2nV/s1600/Nail+clipper+%25234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_ye7t4IEDVQmKTEuvzbDIIVgH31fQBUgvCbALG2ZD91JUfah9T9v-Fe1yxUkN302xQkrVq4DBkcZcs02qnts7Cu9vMLdDdaoBuu6om8ywFoWaVLsSHWN8MID2U5jlAdYuPnq53oee2nV/s200/Nail+clipper+%25234.JPG" width="200" /></a>Notice the emery boards in the large nail clipper held by pegs that are tightened by hand. I use these emery boards often to remove sharp points at the corners of my nails. This is safer than trying to get the clipper into these tight spaces. The clipper came with four emery boards, but replacing them will be a challenge. All the stores near my home sell only wide, thick boards (pink board) that do not fit in the clipper. The Internet sells short 4 inch emery boards except for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/20-Pack-NAKAMICHI-Premium-Double-Sided/dp/B00B9KMRMO/ref=sr_1_59/175-0533109-2799827?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1446834056&sr=1-59&keywords=emery+boards+for+nails#customerReviews">this link</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8qUuh40skDq4Q39zDZGzepqXQSN5MNtpzBUqahkE6OEJDLkt2SCJX6szNoBYfnNFAK-JXH4rjJf9zzc216mvq_knBQ07CMfY3HEM9Se3J6JZFz5z1FS8KoyHU6kEB-MI7OmFHQqGy_TS/s1600/Nail+clipper+%25233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8qUuh40skDq4Q39zDZGzepqXQSN5MNtpzBUqahkE6OEJDLkt2SCJX6szNoBYfnNFAK-JXH4rjJf9zzc216mvq_knBQ07CMfY3HEM9Se3J6JZFz5z1FS8KoyHU6kEB-MI7OmFHQqGy_TS/s200/Nail+clipper+%25233.JPG" width="200" /></a>My sound hand cuts nails on my affected hand with a regular nail clipper. Spasticity in my affected hand makes my fingers curl. To straighten them, I prop them one-at-a-time on a the edge of an opened drawer. The open drawer allows my sound hand to get low enough to get a good cutting angle. I put a piece of non-slip shelf liner under the finger to keep it from slipping, but the shelf liner got in the way when I photographed my hand.<br />
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anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-64950579101172969632016-02-03T05:00:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:40.825-07:00The Info Update on Applying Make-up One-Handed | Health News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC26IKAnrogXUe2wzlkEQJEFtCiWOV2LxzsQaoX8GF16WmNaOfkvihiLAumAgYBTLCkNB8DBLWwGy-q0W2Xi5yUDqqVRKmyHlpZhWy0yEkVgWiSFd-V4cuduTDPExEO87e8Ii1ByWRBxQ/s1600/Mascara.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC26IKAnrogXUe2wzlkEQJEFtCiWOV2LxzsQaoX8GF16WmNaOfkvihiLAumAgYBTLCkNB8DBLWwGy-q0W2Xi5yUDqqVRKmyHlpZhWy0yEkVgWiSFd-V4cuduTDPExEO87e8Ii1ByWRBxQ/s200/Mascara.JPG" width="200" /></a> Applying eye liner requires the ability to close one eye while you keep the other open. I can only blink (close both eyes at once). So I use mascara to give my eyes more definition. My affected hand can squeeze tubular shaped objects between my index and middle finger so my sound hand can open the mascara. Then I had to change to a non-irritating brand of mascara that comes with a funky handle. <strong>Rehab never ends!</strong> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJt_c4Fa2Y4-i1VzZ2fkYtaBEkFuCNqvnLehBuqGlQtKNuX4NJKjWblorcD7Ba0vSqV6mXUROq-08J9A7eYPWafl0YDTiQVbvTGvYhUNaaDbOVgEbktnxzwcmLw_4NBfEasZmIhUOGFNE/s1600/Mascara+spill+%25231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJt_c4Fa2Y4-i1VzZ2fkYtaBEkFuCNqvnLehBuqGlQtKNuX4NJKjWblorcD7Ba0vSqV6mXUROq-08J9A7eYPWafl0YDTiQVbvTGvYhUNaaDbOVgEbktnxzwcmLw_4NBfEasZmIhUOGFNE/s200/Mascara+spill+%25231.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wkt2jrygNcdHktBcr0j0cwPtr_6zvuU4L_ZP3yM3jOcle9ag_5rGze4t437NeMa8I948sHkjEfsSKYTQ2-s7TtGz_21LHM1ih7rSmeK3aI8c33KkOsTBZpj8xE2D5YfoIJl_jtgO5XU_/s1600/Mascara+spill+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wkt2jrygNcdHktBcr0j0cwPtr_6zvuU4L_ZP3yM3jOcle9ag_5rGze4t437NeMa8I948sHkjEfsSKYTQ2-s7TtGz_21LHM1ih7rSmeK3aI8c33KkOsTBZpj8xE2D5YfoIJl_jtgO5XU_/s200/Mascara+spill+%25232.JPG" width="188" /></a>I kept dropping the curved top of the mascara. This left dark stains on my rug. I used too much carpet cleaner which left white spots (see black circle). I put a bandaide that has texture around the top of the mascara to give me better traction. I have stopped dropping the mascara.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALFpGXD11Axx4LGX5E87XoOzSYmRBh3wlNPL7i743QLkOfNaKwbqr6Hk81ZMItCxUiqePBNGPXnBCytCKrkR8NwQlsrmxFwC7YNzIqkciLmsd6DtuWgLjL1NjEkovX82JgKt_tZ9712pW/s1600/Make-up+Organized.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALFpGXD11Axx4LGX5E87XoOzSYmRBh3wlNPL7i743QLkOfNaKwbqr6Hk81ZMItCxUiqePBNGPXnBCytCKrkR8NwQlsrmxFwC7YNzIqkciLmsd6DtuWgLjL1NjEkovX82JgKt_tZ9712pW/s320/Make-up+Organized.JPG" width="320" /></a>My balance is not good enough for me to lean close to the bathroom mirror. Years ago I attached florescent lights to the mirror hanging over my dresser. I have a mirror on my dresser with clear Dycem under it to keep it from moving. Leaning my sound elbow on the edge of my tall dresser gives me good control when applying eye make-up. A food container keeps make-up organized so it does not spread out on my dresser. A small round container holds vertical objects upright. It does not fall over because it is clipped to the square container with a <a href="http://www.staples.com/Staples-Small-Metal-Binder-Clips-3-4-size-with-3-8-Capacity/product_831594%22%3Esmall&nbsp;binder">small metal binder clip</a> (see white circle) I got at an office supply store. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_tmgyXAdSTU8zWVDaJbShJYjNMI7F2MGdObbLHcV-za9WtPy5dRYyhCHivOs8lT3RN9eYFsXhDX7ehDZ5Ir6-yRvwM61trsq0UBPs0U-xkJt29EigDlC8ZMk-F6dofRGe9JBOMpgS9E-/s1600/Non-slip+shelf+liner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_tmgyXAdSTU8zWVDaJbShJYjNMI7F2MGdObbLHcV-za9WtPy5dRYyhCHivOs8lT3RN9eYFsXhDX7ehDZ5Ir6-yRvwM61trsq0UBPs0U-xkJt29EigDlC8ZMk-F6dofRGe9JBOMpgS9E-/s200/Non-slip+shelf+liner.JPG" width="200" /></a>A piece of non-slip shelf liner stops eye shadow and face powder from sliding when I open the container and sweep the brush side-to-side. I did not know age would rob my lips of the pink color that keeps them from being the same color as my face. It is easy to apply lip gloss with a hint of color because I do not have to draw a precise outline like I do with lipstick. Now I see lips on the bottom half of my face when I look in the mirror. </div>anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-50427585515572886022016-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:40.839-07:00The Info Outcomes That Stroke Patients Prefer | Health NewsPROSPER stands for <u>P</u>atient-centered <u>R</u>esearch into <u>O</u>utcomes <u>S</u>troke <u>P</u>atients prefer and <u>E</u>ffectiveness <u>R</u>esearch. A current PROSPER study is being conducted at Duke University in North Carolina. A brief description of the study says the following outcomes will be measured in stroke survivors. Primary outcomes: 1) death, 2) days at home after stroke, and 3) quality of life as measured by fatigue, depression, and "medication taking behaviors." Secondary outcome: readmission.<br /><br />A "patient investigator" in this study said "healthcare providers often measure our recovery with functional status...what these metrics cannot quantify is the tremendous loss felt by the driven career woman, the supermom and superwife or the free-willed adults that we all used to be."<br /><br /><u>Bottom Line</u>: It is hard to see how measuring the absence of deficits such as depression and fatigue will capture the outcomes stroke survivors prefer.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-22711983764915021362016-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:40.882-07:00The Info Why Mice Are Not Men | Health News<u>The Dilemma</u>. Innovative treatments have helped mice who have been given strokes, but the results often cannot be duplicated in humans. A researcher on TV helped me remember a fact I learned in college that partially explains these disappointing results. Since the early 1900's researchers have bought specific strains of mice (e.g. B6). These strains have been inbred for generations so there is very little variability in the sample. Follow-up studies may use the same strain of mouse to eliminate sample differences as an explanation for why new findings confirm or refute the original study. Researchers eliminate other alternative explanations for their results by keeping the cages, food, and activities the same for all animals in the study. On the other hand, humans are a diverse group that has interbred for thousands of years. Humans also have the freedom to vary their life experience which modifies their brains and bodies. <br /><br /><u>Bottom Line #1</u>. Apple can send updates to improve their smart phones because the codes are identical in every iphone on the planet. Using genetically engineered mice makes it easier to get consistent results in animal studies. The freedom humans expect is a double-edged sword.<br /><br /><u>Bottom Line #2.</u> No treatment is 100% effective. Even when a clinical trial is successful, some subjects do not respond positively to the treatment. It is impossible to predict if you will be like the subjects who responded positively or the subjects who were not helped by the treatment. A trial period is needed to see if a treatment protocol will help you. anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-85045798145346823132016-01-04T05:16:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:40.896-07:00The Info Snow Shoes for a Stroke Survivor | Health News<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Mx8471ydm2oBMuUgUEDkXoj19EYtLqU3DyRF-fNktC-xlqSc_3fFlLlQrs3q35FKkm7aB8kS1OSBEILtLyllZ0DdeRwKfG9Hjmge83WIvHcta3tHmw2TlY69c7QQsVvC3RIxZe6_ITRW/s1600/snow+shoes+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Mx8471ydm2oBMuUgUEDkXoj19EYtLqU3DyRF-fNktC-xlqSc_3fFlLlQrs3q35FKkm7aB8kS1OSBEILtLyllZ0DdeRwKfG9Hjmge83WIvHcta3tHmw2TlY69c7QQsVvC3RIxZe6_ITRW/s320/snow+shoes+%25231.jpg" width="240" /></a>Since my stroke I am careful about venturing outside when it snows, but I am not trapped inside until spring comes either. I never walk on snow covered concrete, gravel, or grass. because uneven slippery surfaces are a fall hazard. Once streets, sidewalks, and access to my car are clear I wear boots over my shoes to protect them from the slush. Boots I tried on at a shoe store would not fit over my leg brace. My leg brace will not let me point my toes which is a pre-requisite for donning boots. On-line I found the Neos overshoe with a Velvro opening that goes all the way down to my toes. The Villager model is lightweight and designed for occasional use which is perfect for me.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh631-rwSE7fvncyZQwuIxrovKW1HH9CnXfeIZWMsdPyeS-o1QACv9uVg82HNtjrN7mNoyoiiiwn2LtnL0bdyV8WD6d3HRwhhyphenhyphenjNQ969c5QWyrpwKg_sHkkBtOjnyZEmB3bovKxR9PF-Z3l/s1600/snow+shoes+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh631-rwSE7fvncyZQwuIxrovKW1HH9CnXfeIZWMsdPyeS-o1QACv9uVg82HNtjrN7mNoyoiiiwn2LtnL0bdyV8WD6d3HRwhhyphenhyphenjNQ969c5QWyrpwKg_sHkkBtOjnyZEmB3bovKxR9PF-Z3l/s200/snow+shoes+%25232.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>A video at <a href="http://www.overshoesonline.com/">www.overshoesonline.com</a> shows how to don this boot. <strong>Warning #1</strong>: I do not put the boots on while standing as the video shows because I do not have good standing balance. My boots go on safely while I am sitting. A trick the video does not show is to make the ankle straps as long as I can before I put on the boots. After I snap the straps closed I pull on the ends of the straps to make them tight. <strong>Warning #2</strong>: The first set of boots I ordered was too big so they flopped around when I walked. Bottom Line: I get good traction from the treads and do not arrive with soggy shoes. I walk more slowly with boots on, but that beats not being able to keep important appointments like a visit to the doctor.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-35342988779607095602015-12-24T06:09:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:40.939-07:00The Info Keeping My Christmas Spirit | Health News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNfI9UR0x1Co2dm7uYW4SA2fT5-jm_px3wZ8yzloDkRBoaqnPs3PY3r9Ll5jlJpBT2Ji2GTpDr3oq7DlBsZwib1iU1gQS-NrPK-BtmpiOWt1LyV6sf0i7RD2d_Dkl-2yftTRyyPQ4QUCQ/s1600/X-mas+tree+%25231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNfI9UR0x1Co2dm7uYW4SA2fT5-jm_px3wZ8yzloDkRBoaqnPs3PY3r9Ll5jlJpBT2Ji2GTpDr3oq7DlBsZwib1iU1gQS-NrPK-BtmpiOWt1LyV6sf0i7RD2d_Dkl-2yftTRyyPQ4QUCQ/s320/X-mas+tree+%25231.JPG" width="205" /></a>This is a photo of the Christmas tree I have put up every year since my stroke. After I fell on my patio in October I looked for ways to reduce my risk for falling. Denial faded weeks after the fall when I allowed myself to picture what would have happened if I had broken the hip I fell on. <br /><br />I had already made myself safer by keeping furniture sliders under the lounge chair next to this window so I can move it out of my way. This allowed me to place a folding chair next to the tree so I could sit down when decorating the bottom of the tree. However, decorating this six foot tree is tiring. I know fatigue is one of my triggers for falling so I ordered a small table top tree.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiR7ajS537laA-GJmTZdVZy722jBSGel_1LhtqIegqEyQHz39FXXmgeNsENPg-USbH24ClO8MfBBJoQsBOG_eYWzzVEsCfuTQdbLdPuApZs18R5Dd9K3GitZhoyR6S8Qb_guRTiFUQDXsS/s1600/xmas+small+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiR7ajS537laA-GJmTZdVZy722jBSGel_1LhtqIegqEyQHz39FXXmgeNsENPg-USbH24ClO8MfBBJoQsBOG_eYWzzVEsCfuTQdbLdPuApZs18R5Dd9K3GitZhoyR6S8Qb_guRTiFUQDXsS/s320/xmas+small+tree.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />I am happy with the way figures of the magi and shepherd visiting the Christ child create a Christmas tableau in front of the tree. I made these figures years ago when my hobby was needlecraft. I also love the tiny Christmas tree balls. I do not know why small things always make me happy. I have held onto the decorations for my big tree so I still have options if I change my mind.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-75404644796326353172015-12-16T05:00:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:40.951-07:00The Info Pain is a Great Motivator | Health News<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.Me2ef7f647d120274258b8a3e9fac28c3H0&w=300&h=240&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.Me2ef7f647d120274258b8a3e9fac28c3H0&w=300&h=240&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0" height="160" width="200" /></a><br /><a href="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.M273cd27fc25b9f439d7dfa4c0a86f84fH0&w=298&h=299&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.M273cd27fc25b9f439d7dfa4c0a86f84fH0&w=298&h=299&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0" height="200" width="199" /></a><br />My PT made me realize the gluteus maximus (<strong>GM</strong>) muscle on my <strong>hemiplegic</strong> (paralyzed) side was as soft as unkneaded bread dough. This buttock muscle is called a hip extensor because it extends the leg behind the body. Only ballerinas and runners use the GM in this way. </div><br />I am worried about this weak muscle because the GM helps other hip muscles keep the pelvis from wobbling as we swing our leg forward to take a step (1). If the GM does not help stabilize the pelvis, low back muscles have to do it. With my history of back pain, my GM has to get stronger.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am also worried about the violent snapping of my hemiplegic knee when I walk. For the past three months this knee has been painful and slightly swollen at the end of the day. I recently learned the GM also slows the leg's forward motion when we swing our leg to take a step (1). So the GM helps hamstring muscles (back of thigh) stop the knee from snapping into a fully straight position before we step onto that leg. A recent x-ray shows I do not have arthritis in this knee yet. I do not want knee replacement surgery so my GM needs to get stronger. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To strengthen my GM my PT asked me to clench the two halves of my buttock together. I could not feel where the muscle on my hemiplegic side was. The inability to locate a muscle happened repeatedly after my stroke. <strong>I had forgotten how depressing this is.</strong> Thankfully, lots of repetition gave me sensory awareness so now I clench my buttock 12 times a day before I swallow 12 pills.<br /><br />1. Wilson J, Ferris E, Heckler A, Taylor, C (2005). A structured review of the role of gluteus <br /> maximus in rehabilitation. <em>New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 33</em>(3) 95-100.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </div></div>anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-62996858590765178732015-12-02T05:00:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:40.993-07:00The Info Progress 11 Years After My Stroke | Health NewsI started PT after injuring my back when I fell on my patio in October. This is my first experience with precision PT. Instead of having me do generic exercises like walk on the treadmill, Tony evaluated the individual muscles of my back and <strong>hemiplegic </strong>(paralyzed) leg. Here are two of the many things I learned 11 years post stroke.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YzGZw6OqagaV4DvTISXoAscbVslW2eaGktykNK2yjOgn5BI72ysrUC67WhewkWLZrcQ6crC2Ig6OapNqrFT3SB4Op5UrKT1QrdtaPtjBiLao9OqBYtW0O3c0MBOCPPvh_Jx-FaTpbHcb/s1600/Abdominal+exercise+in+supine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YzGZw6OqagaV4DvTISXoAscbVslW2eaGktykNK2yjOgn5BI72ysrUC67WhewkWLZrcQ6crC2Ig6OapNqrFT3SB4Op5UrKT1QrdtaPtjBiLao9OqBYtW0O3c0MBOCPPvh_Jx-FaTpbHcb/s200/Abdominal+exercise+in+supine.JPG" width="200" /></a>#1. Back spasms are a future risk for me because abdominal muscles on my hemiplegic side are still very weak. The stomach crunches I have been doing (photo) let me use many muscles to assist my stomach muscles. Tony, my PT, had me repeatedly lift <u>only</u> my bent hemiplegic leg <u>slowly</u> while lying on my back and then lower my leg without touching my foot to the mat. OMG. <br />I felt increased muscle tone in my abdominals for hours. Guess what I am doing every morning before I get out of bed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">#2. Tony discovered I developed the bad habit of locking my hemiplegic knee so my leg muscles do not have to work. Now I stand with both knees slightly bent during 4 <strong>activities of daily living</strong> (ADLs) - brushing my teeth, putting curlers in my hair, putting on make-up, and standing in line at the store. Standing in line with both knees slightly bent was the hardest to do consistently. Putting both hands on the handle of the shopping cart is a cue that makes me compliant. Retraining the brain requires lots of repetition. This new habit is not automatic yet, but I have become aware of when I lock this knee so I can tell it to stop. </div><br /><u>Bottom Line</u>: I anchor each new exercise to a specific ADL which acts as a visual trigger. It is wonderful not to have to think "I forgot/did not have time for X exercise" at the end of the day. anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-64817991686038291592015-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:41.005-07:00The Info Answering Machine Challenge | Health News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUTEJ7CYpPbS7qPkyzGJ_xvxa0fDA-Rnii32Nz_vYb_4ZAMlmCRRuS0a-8RwB7ZVVql7vMkuXlh4-cgJvpiWlXfoR0gzGQXr2uTsy_UviQnXsna_hirHmfCl27TFwGRlkiXcfIMM5VB4A/s1600/Earbud.%2523+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUTEJ7CYpPbS7qPkyzGJ_xvxa0fDA-Rnii32Nz_vYb_4ZAMlmCRRuS0a-8RwB7ZVVql7vMkuXlh4-cgJvpiWlXfoR0gzGQXr2uTsy_UviQnXsna_hirHmfCl27TFwGRlkiXcfIMM5VB4A/s200/Earbud.%2523+2.jpg" width="150" /></a>Opening voice mail requires a code. I use an answering machine because all I have to do is push the blinking button on the machine to hear a message. I also use an ear bud to listen and speak into the phone. My wireless phone and ear bud allow me to go to the table to take notes and go to the couch to talk for an hour to friends and family hands free. <br /><u></u><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVxXLjOlzLdBSvlj6v2lcTH1v7eQO-sDyAGGwVKgaz0v2rQj_PdzBwl7qAnSi_yE0uv5rDUNBHquMJvskoA7YoiGi_3lqVdnLdoJkm4Xd5plKD1aUM6dcc6BcSZG2xMYH1zlgma9sIxgl/s1600/Earbud+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVxXLjOlzLdBSvlj6v2lcTH1v7eQO-sDyAGGwVKgaz0v2rQj_PdzBwl7qAnSi_yE0uv5rDUNBHquMJvskoA7YoiGi_3lqVdnLdoJkm4Xd5plKD1aUM6dcc6BcSZG2xMYH1zlgma9sIxgl/s200/Earbud+%25232.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><u>Dilemma</u>. I thought I was being clever when I hung the ear bud on the antenna for the phone. Hanging the wire in front of the phone makes the ear piece cover the blinking button (under red arrow). I have made this mistake many times. Then I missed a message from a dear friend who called me after her surgery. Having my friend think I did not care enough to return her call made me change my behavior. Maintaining relationships has been a valuable part of my recovery.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi289C445lC2UktBsClCkVe2ZNv6XiApSQjL4wSxucV8xznHJWUooSWq7kPlQopsRZtvdsruBEY9Ulyh9aCjeK1wrXOfavgV8S8-757Z-sRy3qpCFb4qs0hjqY9Lj7gsgNqBuCh1eon2Pam/s1600/Earbud+%25231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi289C445lC2UktBsClCkVe2ZNv6XiApSQjL4wSxucV8xznHJWUooSWq7kPlQopsRZtvdsruBEY9Ulyh9aCjeK1wrXOfavgV8S8-757Z-sRy3qpCFb4qs0hjqY9Lj7gsgNqBuCh1eon2Pam/s200/Earbud+%25231.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><u>Solution</u>. Now I place the wire for the ear bud behind the phone and make sure the ear piece is not covering the blinking button (see red arrow). Even this change was not enough. I have to turn the phone so it points towards the corner of the counter (3rd photo) instead of being lined up with the edge of the counter (2nd photo). Now when I walk in the front door I can see the blinking light as soon as I pass the TV. anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-49322248549069862752015-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:41.048-07:00The Info Tying Shoes One-handed | Health News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LNVZBG1eQBmrme64tZI67Igdvg4hADitaVw1brzSmll09ta29TKGBHxKd1k_bNz1adhHAoqiP4D9IK_BamKIFo2KJBSzm5OBQMfH_jD6QDrLS1pwLRART1QSUyQCvlzb7f47coowEw9G/s1600/Tie+lace+%25231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LNVZBG1eQBmrme64tZI67Igdvg4hADitaVw1brzSmll09ta29TKGBHxKd1k_bNz1adhHAoqiP4D9IK_BamKIFo2KJBSzm5OBQMfH_jD6QDrLS1pwLRART1QSUyQCvlzb7f47coowEw9G/s200/Tie+lace+%25231.JPG" width="200" /></a>I shuddered when my OT put brown shoelaces on my beige shoes. I had forgotten elastic shoelaces only come in black, brown, and white. I want to wear the color-coordinated laces I paid for. I refuse to wear shoes with Velcro straps that a 10 year old would be embarrassed to wear to school. I was horrified when my PT suggested I wear jogging shoes. It would upset me to give a professional presentation or go to a wedding with shoes that an able-bodied adult would not wear.<br /><br /><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQW1jgNwWaLay2Li-hVQ9_uFlZ7ngiSEluFrfiJnSFf0LBm7nOFg67Ay9OG87sWwbH_fzEI95s0EDgK45xjAVfdECDE2h_L8NWvVdJVzZwEWWnr1RZxXbAYdMOot7qckYeE_8bZILAo3y/s320/Figure+2.tif" width="320" /></div>I pull the free end of the lace shown in photo #1 across the shoe and slip my index finger under the top horizontal lace (photo #2). My index finger is pointing towards my body. I use the tip of my index finger to drag the lace under the horizontal lace to make a loop.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_kMRsjgD5IF_c3T5_461pdLeSymu-dyWVmnE7IRhvm_sQASP4FLvSqieWcI_bGH1kelDFaXnNBKpirG0PXQQ_X80Lx5dizIO0Ss50H6116J2mZcgGy3SzxX9URui2nT5DYWoWe5_JtzF/s1600/Figure+4.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_kMRsjgD5IF_c3T5_461pdLeSymu-dyWVmnE7IRhvm_sQASP4FLvSqieWcI_bGH1kelDFaXnNBKpirG0PXQQ_X80Lx5dizIO0Ss50H6116J2mZcgGy3SzxX9URui2nT5DYWoWe5_JtzF/s320/Figure+4.tif" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Photo #3 shows I used my thumb to push the lace through the 1st loop to create a 2nd loop. You cannot see the 1st loop because my thumb is in it. I take my thumb out of the 1st loop and yank the 2nd loop side to side to tighten the half slipknot.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS5Rx3iX9AcQUf3wyBDfftMIhR2xCDQueQCpdhAb5ZLl-3-_zfA3eLnKKIdZBxBDEDKv9GYyT7YRLeGgtY73axGJAFK4m8WJNkCwA94UWKEayEZH6vev3U4JusprZgtbyUtKIvoC5jhR_/s1600/Tie+lace+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS5Rx3iX9AcQUf3wyBDfftMIhR2xCDQueQCpdhAb5ZLl-3-_zfA3eLnKKIdZBxBDEDKv9GYyT7YRLeGgtY73axGJAFK4m8WJNkCwA94UWKEayEZH6vev3U4JusprZgtbyUtKIvoC5jhR_/s200/Tie+lace+%25232.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>With time the shoe lace stretches so I tuck in the free end of the lace so I will not trip over it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dutton, R. (2013) <em>My Last Degree: A Therapist Goes Home After a Stroke</em>, 2nd ed., pp. 90-95. Bangor, Maine: Booklocker.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-10991849086834638012015-11-04T05:09:00.000-08:002016-05-05T23:36:41.060-07:00The Info The Zipping Challenge is Not What You Think | Health News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyra07c_FotcOoVZ-XghK2bVodxCwTDjwDYccBdE-5JB7cfV0iSKB7BgTwh-QORowAZhTSwvDSSLeUzS_3ur1ZNWRZmxX_OfuFN40A2HS2dJh7AlHEsFVye2S3s3HxKAdf_tGJP8Pn9OU/s1600/Zip+coat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyra07c_FotcOoVZ-XghK2bVodxCwTDjwDYccBdE-5JB7cfV0iSKB7BgTwh-QORowAZhTSwvDSSLeUzS_3ur1ZNWRZmxX_OfuFN40A2HS2dJh7AlHEsFVye2S3s3HxKAdf_tGJP8Pn9OU/s320/Zip+coat.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGiXtwdTq7ul_Z2l2j0x3MINorhPX8lPQEEKl6WmFz21eOdvxA3xat698u9BQbZEu1l1IZ_-hHLQyfMxDpiHgaCt6GJcBWdlhSKu8OygxuiI60UwjrOFOanLKYsgOxEiXpcvIDyCBLjtc/s1600/Zip+ruler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGiXtwdTq7ul_Z2l2j0x3MINorhPX8lPQEEKl6WmFz21eOdvxA3xat698u9BQbZEu1l1IZ_-hHLQyfMxDpiHgaCt6GJcBWdlhSKu8OygxuiI60UwjrOFOanLKYsgOxEiXpcvIDyCBLjtc/s320/Zip+ruler.JPG" width="320" /></a>Now that it is cold I need to zip my coat. Velcro closures on my raincoat do not keep me warm. When I sit, gaps form between the Velcro tabs which lets body heat escape. I was surprised to learn the hardest part of zipping a coat is not grabbing the zipper tab. The step that requires the most precise finger control is holding the bottom of the coat. The 2nd photo below shows I am holding the bottom of the coat with three fingers in a 3-jaw chuck grasp. <br /><br /><br />Holding the bottom of a coat has to accomplish two things. First, my bottom finger is keeping the joined tab and the zipper perfectly aligned. ONLY IF you accomplish the 1st step do you get to proceed to the 2nd step which is holding the bottom of the coat still as the other hand pulls up the zipper tab. Having a stroke does not stop zippers from being cantankerous.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0pXbtAsRWWVteyA5NxetmTjGZARgp0Rox6yg148n9irbtmQe8bS0wJ4WCxJVpLAhIKpr9TDGu1QUC_yT-NM3Jtw1-09fI2VRpX1Um4-anwWQ4KDle_2Dul0EPJODL0io2zCuOiUFJHKy/s1600/Snow+storm+%2523+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0pXbtAsRWWVteyA5NxetmTjGZARgp0Rox6yg148n9irbtmQe8bS0wJ4WCxJVpLAhIKpr9TDGu1QUC_yT-NM3Jtw1-09fI2VRpX1Um4-anwWQ4KDle_2Dul0EPJODL0io2zCuOiUFJHKy/s200/Snow+storm+%2523+3.JPG" width="150" /></a>Before zipping I use one remedial strategy.<br />To remember what I learned while doing finger exercises, I rehearse pinching my thumb and index finger together to wake up the muscles I need to zip. I use 3 compensatory strategies. (1) I don a rubber finger cot designed to sort money to get better traction. (2) My <strong>hemiplegic</strong> (paralyzed) thumb and finger grab a small piece of fabric that is attached to the zipper tab (see white rectangle above). The fabric is less slippery than the metal tab. (3) My hemiplegic hand can pull the zipper tab up only two inches. Going higher requires wrist flexion which forces my hand to open. After two inches I switch my hemiplegic hand to holding the bottom of the coat still while my sound hand finishes the zipping. The 3rd photo shows you why I am not sad that I use a combination of remediating deficits and compensation. I also hate being stared at when I stand next to a wall near a store exit so I will not get bumped by people as I zip my coat - another reason to speed things up with compensation + remediation.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-940332665535911552015-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:41.103-07:00The Info The Garden Hose Won and My Back Lost | Health News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT7-CZz9iVrjShegM2A6ayjLPgjRajvSF0sWtXePWTbB0qrpb3E9CJXuOCoOZYQjUfEf8Hxq-poUHjpbsRLYDm2KZEdI-5Yol9QWtEsDUZiv2OiF8nChWc-aY5p4xq49mshe3mxX28BGB/s1600/Garden+hose+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT7-CZz9iVrjShegM2A6ayjLPgjRajvSF0sWtXePWTbB0qrpb3E9CJXuOCoOZYQjUfEf8Hxq-poUHjpbsRLYDm2KZEdI-5Yol9QWtEsDUZiv2OiF8nChWc-aY5p4xq49mshe3mxX28BGB/s200/Garden+hose+%25232.JPG" width="200" /></a>As the oldest daughter, I learned to pretend to be calm when bad things happened to my younger siblings, like my sister falling off her bike and shoving her two front teeth into her gums. So I was surprised to hear myself crying hysterically while I talked to a 911 operator. I had to crawl to the phone because my back muscles were spasming so badly I could not stand up. Two days earlier I had fallen on my patio while wrestling with a garden hose. I did not stand up straight after I connected the hose. I think I tripped over the hose as I took a big step to regain my balance. The black rectangle shows the small space I had to maneuver in. When I am inside I prevent falls by clearing the space I have to work in. Now I will transfer that strategy to outside. A friend put that stiff garden hose on the curb for garbage collection. I will buy a more flexible hose in the spring.<br /><br />Five years ago a bone scan showed my lumber spine have osteoporosis I am glad the CT scan the ER doctor ordered did not find any fractures. However, intense back spasms made it impossible for me to walk. Fortunately, 36 hours of taking a muscle relaxant while in the hospital made it possible for me to return home with home health services. Once I got home and wanted to do more than sit up in bed I noticed the muscle relaxant made me really tired. When I stopped taking the medication my back got much stiffer.<br /><br />My back is especially stiff in the morning. I have to lie on a heating pad, do gentle leg lifts under the covers, and take an extra strength Tylenol so I can do more than hobble around the house. After I sit for 30 minutes I have to lie down and do gentle back stretches. My home health PT finally had me walk outdoors. After walking about 6 car lengths, the hip muscles that I fell on started to burn. The only thing that relieved this burning was taking the small steps I use when I walk on grass. What a bummer. Thank goodness I start out-patient PT soon.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-64259364925685723032015-10-17T05:00:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:41.114-07:00The Info Snow Strategies Are Here | Health NewsIt is October and I cannot believe I already have to use my first snow strategy. I am paying for the frostbite I endured when I was growing up because girls were not allowed to wear pants to high school. Imagine walking a mile in below freezing weather with bare knees because you are wearing a skirt and knee high socks. I arrived at school with hard, white blotches of frostbite every cold winter day. I think the repeated frostbite killed the oil glands in my skin. The skin on my legs is extremely dry so I have to apply skin cream after every shower even though it is still 20 degrees above freezing. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyKP3MdRk7-uyxwkP7CCD-k4LIua4TR6jjuRLWSA9W-DLLrQ4pti0GBXWYXffxIL_Yos2XW9MK7eCC3i-6qRFB3kMtKxn9fNzIFLOGHPPwkhMjzW6cFXhqwzbwd3LGJXwNgRsh0XDURLw/s1600/Dry+skin+%25232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyKP3MdRk7-uyxwkP7CCD-k4LIua4TR6jjuRLWSA9W-DLLrQ4pti0GBXWYXffxIL_Yos2XW9MK7eCC3i-6qRFB3kMtKxn9fNzIFLOGHPPwkhMjzW6cFXhqwzbwd3LGJXwNgRsh0XDURLw/s200/Dry+skin+%25232.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>After I put on my underwear and top I use my teeth to pull a disposable glove on my sound hand so I will not get skin cream in my hair and make-up. I sit on the closed seat of my toilet and pump a line of skin cream on one thigh. With my sound index finger I pick up skin cream and spread it on my calves and the front of both thighs. I wish I could tell you how good this feels. I let the skin cream soak in while I fix my hair and put on make-up. No scratching dry skin through my pants. The skin cream has the same subtle scent as my shower gel so there are no<br /> competing odors. Happy. Happy. Happy.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-69787414987703710712015-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:41.158-07:00The Info It is Hurricane Season Again | Health NewsSeptember was beautiful but my thoughts go to 2011 and 2012 when New Jersey was hit by Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. Here is my consolidated list of <strong>bolded</strong> To-Do items just in case.<br /><br /><u>Shop</u>. Put <strong>gas</strong> in my car and get <strong>cash</strong> because gas pumps and ATM machines do not work without electricity. I have three flashlights and a lantern, but never remember how old the batteries are. Buy seven <strong>D batteries</strong> before they all gone. I cannot walk in the dark so if my flashlight batteries die I have to crawl. Aiming a flashlight at a task is difficult so I need a lantern. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHsWtZL72NZTQkrSp1a1MNoNLxclys0r3nD7wct6fgyw2088w0OaDcJH7OoT9aQv4p-cZysYA_yAeNS0ezkuvYilh0SwKbsu_irmGdM43VWjRg0tbSxUSz4IpHKARnUnAc2jLC-BaR1uX/s1600/Can+opener.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHsWtZL72NZTQkrSp1a1MNoNLxclys0r3nD7wct6fgyw2088w0OaDcJH7OoT9aQv4p-cZysYA_yAeNS0ezkuvYilh0SwKbsu_irmGdM43VWjRg0tbSxUSz4IpHKARnUnAc2jLC-BaR1uX/s200/Can+opener.JPG" width="200" /></a>Buy <strong>ice</strong>. I can put food in a cooler when the electricity goes out. Buy <strong>bottled</strong> <strong>water, peanut butter, bread, cereal</strong>,<strong> </strong>and<strong> milk</strong>. Buy <strong>canned food. </strong>I can use an Oxo Goodgrips can opener when the electricity goes out. My sound hand squeezes the two handles to lock them shut on the can, turns the crank, and pushes the grey button to release the can opener. My hemiplegic hand lightly holds the closed handles to keep the can from sliding around. The magnet in the can opener lifts the lid. <br /><u></u><br /><u>Prep Home</u>. Charge my <strong>cell phone</strong>. Charge my <strong>iPod</strong> so I will have a radio to get the news. Put new batteries in <strong>flashlights</strong> and <strong>lantern</strong>. Fill empty containers with <strong>water</strong> and place them in my bathtub so I can flush my toilet in case the water is cut off. Run the <strong>dishwasher</strong> and do <strong>laundry </strong>while I still have electricity. Put <strong>garbage cans</strong> in the shed so the wind will not blow them away.<br /><br /><u>If I Need to Evacuate</u>. Pack a rolling <strong>suitcase</strong> with <strong>medicine, soap, a small towel, clothes, toothpaste, </strong>and<strong> toothbrush</strong>. Put my <strong>flash drive, checkbook, </strong><strong>safety deposit box key</strong>, and<strong> </strong>contact information for my <strong>home owners</strong> <strong>insurance</strong> in my purse. Pack <strong>stamps, return labels, envelopes, </strong>and<strong> business addresses</strong> so I can pay bills by mail (no Internet)<strong>. </strong>Bring a <strong>blanket</strong> to the shelter. A blanket takes up half my suitcase so pack carefully. I can carry a <strong>pillow</strong> under my hemiplegic arm, but a blanket that keeps sliding is too much for this arm to handle. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_ijlk3dAyeerOGmez_wRTjus5GCs__EtSPw8HT337LYw19luOziTP6xlXFGxI5s5R58no98lz2Ob5CL_NVgdjh9pmSWK3QcC7aW3zgf-8g3MQzcGuuFND-esywkyz0oacB2IiEUiCa0w/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_ijlk3dAyeerOGmez_wRTjus5GCs__EtSPw8HT337LYw19luOziTP6xlXFGxI5s5R58no98lz2Ob5CL_NVgdjh9pmSWK3QcC7aW3zgf-8g3MQzcGuuFND-esywkyz0oacB2IiEUiCa0w/s200/IMG_0467.JPG" unselectable="on" width="200" /></a>Put adapted equipment that will be hard to replace in trunk of my car. My friends do not have a handicapped bathroom so put my folding <strong>shower stool</strong> in a garment bag. Pack the <strong>camera</strong> I use for this blog which I can operate one-handed, my <strong>Saebo</strong> splints, an <strong>Asus notebook</strong> that is small enough for me to handle during Power Point presentations, and rain and winter <strong>coats</strong> I can zip. Find a better way to transport <strong>software CDs </strong>(e.g. Word)<strong> </strong>that I cannot afford to replace if I lose my computer. anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-60239040334925217352015-09-27T05:01:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:41.176-07:00The Info Frustration is a Promise Breaker and Unsafe | Health News<div style="text-align: left;">Frustration is emotionally draining. Stroke survivors cannot afford 15 seconds of frustration as they struggle to pull up their pants one-handed every time they go to the bathroom or 15+ minutes of frustration while cutting up food. Fatigue is common after a stroke so the energy frustration uses is not good. If frustration exhausts stroke survivors, the promise they made is going to be broken. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6khClLOMOK929WV-SJOUfSU-MqsF8R5aFIbWK3oRX2JajcLf77MsHmEW15SFum81RiufBku87-1WpEQXxS9WtMqb447NC_0S7lGxFMcXtijzJSDuVb-ISHCj-FkYRj_RTwJ7xpv3suTqL/s1600/Vibrate+Finger+Extensors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6khClLOMOK929WV-SJOUfSU-MqsF8R5aFIbWK3oRX2JajcLf77MsHmEW15SFum81RiufBku87-1WpEQXxS9WtMqb447NC_0S7lGxFMcXtijzJSDuVb-ISHCj-FkYRj_RTwJ7xpv3suTqL/s200/Vibrate+Finger+Extensors.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Frustration can also be unsafe. Safety awareness goes out the window as frustration mounts. Grunting and concentrating fiercely for ten minutes while struggling to open my hand during an OT session is one thing. Cutting off a piece of my finger is another. Dropping a therapy ball is not the same thing as dropping a knife. In my opinion, activities that require knives or high heat should be done by working smarter instead of harder. See one solution below.<br /><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwflqhKRpKEm9iQbOyGAPeqBBjLZ4DUx4xrSVXYTxCCvAz-Kua_MynHHuNPSxYau5_Ulq-apcVUPmzUvt8fLrZPXXkF8Ei5Dx8pND1cXBLCd_4J8sonInEz7sW0GiS24QVGLpZM-nB0RFp/s1600/Cutting+orange.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwflqhKRpKEm9iQbOyGAPeqBBjLZ4DUx4xrSVXYTxCCvAz-Kua_MynHHuNPSxYau5_Ulq-apcVUPmzUvt8fLrZPXXkF8Ei5Dx8pND1cXBLCd_4J8sonInEz7sW0GiS24QVGLpZM-nB0RFp/s200/Cutting+orange.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ihRoqSxrosh5YsnkK2CRyu_2R-vSxbAXRKuvo1VOFRjuoUetktdhWQhyphenhyphenMJzfVeGhyphenhyphenZSJtyoQiOE1NDuiQW0hqV1zaWFGrgq1qpusehVstNoj3A8w5_DBxLuK-3IY_t56Eac6cZZZeBpi/s1600/Cutting+board+%2523+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ihRoqSxrosh5YsnkK2CRyu_2R-vSxbAXRKuvo1VOFRjuoUetktdhWQhyphenhyphenMJzfVeGhyphenhyphenZSJtyoQiOE1NDuiQW0hqV1zaWFGrgq1qpusehVstNoj3A8w5_DBxLuK-3IY_t56Eac6cZZZeBpi/s200/Cutting+board+%2523+5.JPG" width="200" /></a>I avoid frustration and increase safety when cutting up food. For example, I cut up an orange using a <a href="http://www.wrightstuff.biz/swedish-cutting-board.html">Swedish Deluxe cutting board</a> that has a vise.<br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">?<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TDMwr6D0Wjo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TDMwr6D0Wjo?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: right; float: right;" width="320"></iframe><br />Graham Drummand has arthritis. He designed a cutting board that gives him control even though he is unable to fully close his hand around the knife handle or the food. I am sure frustration and safety issues motivated him to design this cutting board.<br /><br /></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-58220382389654403052015-09-16T05:00:00.000-07:002016-05-05T23:36:41.219-07:00The Info Walking in the Dark, Part 2 | Health NewsI went to a great concert with a friend. The old auditorium was beautiful. However, we had to walk four blocks to the car in the dark. The street lighting was so poor in certain sections that I could barely see the sidewalk. The darkness was intensified by the low light of a new moon. Decreased light is a fall hazard for me because my stroke damaged the bridge to the cerebellum (pons) that controls balance. I learned I stay vertical by using my vision when I <a href="http://homeafterstroke.blogspot.com/2013/01/walking-in-dark.html">toured a huge Christmas light display</a> with my brother three years ago. This experience gave me the foresight to prevent a fall by asking my friend if I could put my sound hand on her shoulder as we walked. When I maintain physical contact with an object that is vertical I know I am vertical.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMg1YgVGxW3_Kfek7UD34FCr-u847egVPtISv8FIcgLhwp1pedPXY9k05IKh-Rb3eTSg254L89cS_apR3_9Wb2xhnv3bd0UDI7BpGseXPZ-kH05Pms8e3FUKu4jll3uDWpZvds07xeApk3/s1600/Walking+in+the+dark+2012+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMg1YgVGxW3_Kfek7UD34FCr-u847egVPtISv8FIcgLhwp1pedPXY9k05IKh-Rb3eTSg254L89cS_apR3_9Wb2xhnv3bd0UDI7BpGseXPZ-kH05Pms8e3FUKu4jll3uDWpZvds07xeApk3/s320/Walking+in+the+dark+2012+%25231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The four block walk to the car was a wake-up call. I have let my walking endurance decline so my hemiplegic (paralyzed) leg tired quickly. I started scuffing my toe because I did not lift my leg high enough. My walking improved when I handed my cane to my friend. My hemiplegic hand can usually hold onto my cane while I drag the rubber tip on the ground - but not tonight.<br /><br /><u>Bottom Line</u>: Once again I learned that mobility in the community = motor control + problem solving.anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710632305179518679.post-75685154023637065982015-09-04T15:52:00.000-07:002016-05-17T09:49:34.739-07:00Homemade facial mask for Acne treatment | Healthy News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiaCQEXPrNfmIYB6B4C_KSDG8WcApd1KL9iJqsvDYkp6zNwW2QVpSsN3riScd5IaOc2FWGYD24IAf7JT8m0x9cjo-MWKbiYHHrY77KkldRSJG5pjwZQXNebvp5YNoG6nEm21DcOqDmQEm/s1600/Homemade+facial+mask+for+Acne+treatment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="homemade facial mask for acne" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiaCQEXPrNfmIYB6B4C_KSDG8WcApd1KL9iJqsvDYkp6zNwW2QVpSsN3riScd5IaOc2FWGYD24IAf7JT8m0x9cjo-MWKbiYHHrY77KkldRSJG5pjwZQXNebvp5YNoG6nEm21DcOqDmQEm/s400/Homemade+facial+mask+for+Acne+treatment.jpg" title="homemade facial mask for acne" width="400" /> </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Honey is an antibacterial that has been used throughout the ages to dress wounds. It is an excellent choice to use on troubled skin by itself or as a base with other ingredients.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Always choose organic, raw honey for <a href="http://jkzobe1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">natural acne treatment</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Masks can be left on for up to 30 minutes, although some people put up with the mess to leave them on overnight. After that time, rinse thoroughly and use coconut oil as a moisturizer if your skin feels too dry.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><br /><h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Homemade facial mask with Cinnamon and Honey</h4><br />Two tablespoons of honey to one teaspoon of cinnamon. Cinnamon is also an antimicrobial. You can also use a 1:1 ratio for short or overnight spot treatments.<br /><br /><br /><br /><h4><br />Homemade facial mask with Yogurt and Honey</h4><br />Use a 1:1 ratio. Be sure to use plain, whole- fat yogurt. This mask is very nourishing to the skin.<br /><br /><br /><br /><h4><br />Homemade facial mask with Strawberries and Honey</h4><br />Mash up strawberries and mix with honey with a roughly 1:1 ratio. Strawberries are high in salicylic acid and vitamin C, providing nourishment for the skin along with opening and shrinking pores.<br /><br /><br /><br /><h4><br />Homemade facial mask with Avocado and Honey</h4><br />Mash one avocado and add one tablespoon of honey. Mix well. This is a nutrient rich mask.<br /><br /><br /><br /><h4><br />Homemade facial mask with Lemon and Honey</h4><br />Use a 1:1 ratio. Vitamin C from the lemon nourishes the skin and fights infection and lemon tones the skin as well. (You can also use straight lemon juice for spot treatments).<br /><br /><br /><br /><h4><br />Homemade facial mask with Turmeric, Milk, and Honey</h4><br />Turmeric has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Use 4 tablespoons turmeric to 4 tablespoons honey. Add 1 tablespoon of milk or yogurt. Turmeric will leave the skin yellow. Use any astringent (like lemon or apple cider vinegar) to remove the yellow tinge.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXX8iP3_8woMoZqp_lJgTSv7jBHNRCtn-KvwJYzFQYOdQSZOV64Ws8oRAqhyphenhyphen4GHXUHaAGXTcNXDhx9urkfzMCBYIhtvYHp4fNH7PFGBo22jYYqRhTSWG5UPeptzNUQ7tJ_qSOQGlba1vN/s1600/Homemade+facial+mask+for+Natural+Acne+remedies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade facial mask for Natural Acne treatment" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXX8iP3_8woMoZqp_lJgTSv7jBHNRCtn-KvwJYzFQYOdQSZOV64Ws8oRAqhyphenhyphen4GHXUHaAGXTcNXDhx9urkfzMCBYIhtvYHp4fNH7PFGBo22jYYqRhTSWG5UPeptzNUQ7tJ_qSOQGlba1vN/s400/Homemade+facial+mask+for+Natural+Acne+remedies.jpg" title="Homemade facial mask for Acne treatment" width="400" /> </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Other masks to help clear your skin blemishes</div><br />Egg whites-- Whip and <br />apply. Egg whites are said to help fade <a href="http://jkzobe1.blogspot.com/search/label/Acne%20Scars" target="_blank"><b>acne scars</b></a> and to help with <br />breakouts due to the protein and vitamins they contain. They also help <br />curtail excess sebum.<br /><br /><br /><br />Papaya--Mash and apply. The enzyme, papain, helps to reduce inflammation and prevent infection.<br /><br /><br /><br />Orange<br /> peel--Grated, mashed peel with water or mix with aloe vera. The citric <br />acid works as an astringent while the vitamin C helps promote new <br />healthy cell growth.<br /><br /><br /><br />Banana peel--Rub the inside of the peel over<br /> your face. Banana peel contain lutein, a powerful antioxidant that <br />reduces swelling and inflammation while promoting healthy cell growth.<br /><br /><br /><br />Oatmeal<br /> - make one serving of oatmeal and add 1 tablespoon of raw honey. Use <br />after it completely cools. This is a mask to reduce inflammation and to <br />soothe the skin; it is not a mask that will kill bacteria. <br /><br /><br />anandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327283336283672341noreply@blogger.com