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Newly diagnosed with Neuropathy - Advice?
Neuropathy | Last Active: Sep 12 8:15am | Replies (49)Comment receiving replies
Hi Ray- I’m a retired OT. The best gift a patient can give a Rehab staff person is to be ready to “graduate”- you know you’ve done your job and done it well as, in your professional judgement, the patient is ready to be released from care, to carry the program on and to put your instruction to use on their own.
It’s common for people to find it hard to let go of the rehab folks, especially in the home setting. We are a new friend, visiting and working with you one-on-one, bringing positivity and hope. There is also often a bit of “magical thinking” that somehow, some way, this person has the key that will make me better.
If your coach really felt there was more to do, they would be on the phone to your PCP and FAXing notes and making arguments to the insurance people to extend services. It’s hard for Rehab folks to say goodbye too and it can be a relief when the insurance says “no”, as it’s an exit everybody understands and won’t be mad at you.
Don’t worry, do your program, hug your partner, and enjoy a good cup of coffee on the porch or deck or treehouse (wouldn’t that be fun?!).
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Hi,@centre
As a retired OT, you probably had experiences similar to, if not a match for, those my OT has almost daily: clients having forgotten appointments, clients low-spirited or ill-prepared for a session, clients giving little if any thought to their progress and showing an eagerness to "graduate." I try my best to show an interest not only in my OT's excellent work but also in my progress: how soon might I "graduate" and what are my options, if any, after graduation?
"Magical thinking" can be powerfully alluring, particularly to a person who is feeling powerfully vulnerable. Medical conditions of various sorts––PN being only one––only began to play havoc with my life a few years ago. Not too long ago, a fellow who had only his annual PCP check-up and an every-so-often dental cleaning on his calendar, I awoke day to find my calendar had become a dense arrangement of medical appointments: two, three, sometimes four a week. I had to remind myself that I am a necessary participant in my health care, a partner holding a majority share of Ray's wellness stock; me, and and my doctors, all of us doing all we can to keep Ray in the best of health.
A cup of coffee in the treehouse? Now, that does sound like fun. 🙂
Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)