My legs were REALLY tight yesterday. Having MS, I am affected when something is bothering me. I knew that that was the cause of my leg tightness and it irritated me but I couldn’t really change that immediately. Phil stretched me at the Keiser machine and we didn’t even attempt to stand before he told me to go over to the table. I was a bit bummed but I understood. I rolled down the ramp with my arms up but in silence. I REALLY thought that I would have a better showing at Barwis because of this whole “polar vortex” thing. I heard about it on the radio a couple of days ago and I was kind of happy. Jim Ryan (afternoon DJ on the Pulse XM 15) said that because of the vortex, temperatures would drop 10 to 15 degrees. I can dig this! The heat has been SO debilitating for me that I could stand to have a reprieve from the extreme temperatures that we’ve been experiencing.
On the table, we did manual leg curls and extensions. Phil was pressing his fingers on my thighs and I asked him why he was, “poking around on my legs.” He told me that he was feeling the muscle to see if it was contracting as I was extending my leg. I asked him if it was and he said, “Yeah.” I smiled and that made me happy. I have been noticing that it is easier to have “more push than pull” when standing/transferring. NOT that it’s easy but easier. SOMETHING is happening!
i went to my annual Neurology appointment yesterday. I still have to keep current with my Neurologist even though I am on the Holistic/Natural path in dealing with my MS. He writes prescriptions for any durable medical supplies I need. I have been seeing him for probably 11 years now. My legs were tight because it was 8 o’clock in the morning but my exam went extremely well! He was surprised that some of my symptoms were getting better even though I am not taking the prescribed medication for it. My exam always ends with a battery of muscle tests. He was pleasantly surprised at how I was doing. I was too!!! Well, not really SURPRISED but PLEASED that I was doing SO well. During these tests, I sit in my chair. He tenderly asked if I could raise my thigh so he could feel the muscle reactions. I lifted my right leg immediately as he gingerly put his hand on my thigh. I remember when I couldn’t lift my leg. It was last year. He was noticeably surprised and smiled. He tested my finger strength which usually I do horribly at. I asked Phil awhile ago for exercises that my cousin could do for her hands. He gave me some to tell her (she also has MS) and I thought how miserably I perform when Dr. Elias checks my hand strength and how my hands get numb and hurt sometimes so I started doing these exercises as well. Dr. Elias raised his eyebrows and told me that, “that’s pretty good!” I still couldn’t touch my nose and then his finger that he holds in front of him very well but I was still pleased with the appointment and can’t wait until next year’s appointment.
So, I thought about my Neurology appointment and Phil saying that my muscles were constricting. I was tired but I smiled to myself. Nick took me out to my car and I told myself, “Little by little…” as I drove away.