Part VII: Depressed
He was up early to avoid the traffic.
He liked to be early. It just made him feel on top of it all. No rush. No stress. He was looking forward to the results and hoped that the news will be good about his arm. Dr. Lee had hinted that recovery was possible without being too optimistic.
The results had come in and they were very good. There was just a little damage showing on the CT scan and was concentrated on the top of the brain. A mini stroke, or transient ischemic attack.
No more intrusive tests would be required and he was very relieved, as the next two tests would have required a camera down the throat, and then an
incision in his groin.
All that would be done is rehabilitation, consultation and some screening tests of blood and some other indicative tests to make sure all was fine.
Dr. Lee had ready booked him to see a physiotherapist and then the "lifestyle" therapist.
Even though his arm couldn't move. The physio instructed him on a range of exercises, stretches and light massages to be done regularly during the day. This would encourage healing and help minimise abd reduce the level of atrophy or general degredation of the muscle tissue.
The exercises were simple enough. It reminded him of the lesson his grandmother had given him about tiny exercises.
She had significant osteoporosis, fragile bones, and avoiding a fall was paramount. She used to sit in her chair and she would make little squares with each foot.
"1, 2, 3, 4," She would count out aloud up to twenty and then change foot. "If you do these tiny exercises," she had said "then it will maintain your health. Keep the blood circulating."
He employed this technique when he sat for hours at a desk. Tapping out little squares, counting to twenty.
Then similar stretches with his arms. Both hands above the head. Then tapping down to shoulders, back to head and then up above. It is amazing how effective these simple repetitive actions can be for you body and mind. Maybe that's all yoga is. Move and move.
He got taught some techniques to work with his dead arm. How to open a bottle or jar. They provided him a sling so the arm wouldn't swing all crazy. The Do's and Dont's, partucularly with exposure to heat and cold. You may not feel it but no being wary can cause complications.
The lifestyle therapist was a red haired girl. Her voice was but a soft whisper. Very level, balanced with a melodical and musical sound. He imagined that she would be a great Folk singer, soft and melodious.
Her soothing voice made you willing to answer her questions. She obviously enjoyed her job and seemed to be making copious notes.
He had to complete a questionairre on the computer. It was all multiple choice about thoughts, feelings, emotions and some questions similar to others.
She referred to it as a Personal Wellbeing Index.
After 3 hours he had covered so many areas. He was provided a nutrition plan. He needed to eat more vegetables, which he already guessed, and more nutrient rich addons, seeds and powdered this and that.
In the late afternoon he had the final consulatation with Dr. Lee.
Dr. Lee's smile was very comforting. All was stable and ready to progress.
"The results are all good physically. However, we would like you to get further treatment on your personal wellbeing."
"Yes, I need to eat more vegetables! I know."
"Well, it is more to do with your mental well being."
"Mental? But, I've always been stable and dependable."
Dr. Lee smiled gently again.
"That's not all life is about. The survey points to the fact that you might be sufferring from mild depression."
He laughed at that statement.
"Depressed? No way! I have a pretty good grip on things. Life isn't meant to be easy, right?"
Dr. Lee was a seasoned professional. He wasn't here to debate the situation.
"That's possible. These are, of course, just preliminary tests. Let's just put a pin in it. We'll schedule another session and take it from there."
Well that seemed reasonable. He agreed, and they made an appointment for the next week.
Depressed?
He just needed to get back into work. That will bring in the routine. That's it. Back to work.
It's depressing to think that you might be depressed.
Good job @jagged
Wonderful write
Yes...it 'is' depressing to think you might be depressed...Regards @averageoutsider Have a 'happy' day.
Thank you. The story seems to go in its own direction. I think I have many stories, from many people, that need to come out!! 😄
Have a good day, my friend.