I am glad you have found a routine that works for you. I agree that each new therapy after surgery creates new pain - recovery is not for wimps, but the end result is worth it. I commented to my husband after one wrist surgery "Who knew that lifting one pound could be so hard?" But I got good use back, and the pain eventually went away.
My daughter, who is rehabbing from a really bad arm fracture, says she visualizes paddling her paddleboard again when she is fed up with her PT.
How do you reward yourself after a PT session?
Sue