Beyond Physical Therapy:
Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.
—Chinese Proverb
Upon my discharge from Spaulding, a physical therapist from the VA visited our home twice a week to guide my progress and offer me new exercises. I continued to strengthen my body with these exercises and with laps up and down our hallway. The walker was essential. During one visit, weeks into our time together, the physical therapist casually mentioned he doubted I would ever be able to go without it again.
I was deflated but continued to exercise anyway, trying not to dwell on my disappointment. After my time with him was over, I continued my therapy but transitioned to a different practitioner, this time at our local Ambulatory Care Center. When she thought I was ready, she gently urged me to try replacing the walker with a walking stick. (I had already tried a cane but found it unwieldy.)
We continued to work on my balance and muscle tone, until I no longer needed the walking stick. My next step was to register for a cardio rehab program. It was August of 2023, a little over nine months since my discharge from Spaulding.
I found a program that was based out of our local hospital. There I met with two members of the team. They outlined the program and rigorously questioned me: What circumstances brought me there? How was I feeling, physically and emotionally? What was my medical history? How did I feel about everything I had been through?
That last question really resonated. Much to my own surprise I had learned how strong I am. After all, my body fought for survival even when I wasn’t a conscious participant!
Our cardio therapy group met twice a week for two hours each, to exercise, learn about nutrition, diet and heart-health. The staff was attentive and welcoming. They offered tips on exercising and helped us set realistic goals for ourselves. Their suggestions on meditation and how to calm the mind were inspiring. To augment the impact and lessons of each class, we received supportive emails that included resources to help us moving forward.
On the first day, I arrived, water bottle in hand. I weighed in and was hooked up to multiple mechanisms that allowed the team to monitor my vitals in real time.
That first day I began with only fifteen minutes of cardio on what came to be my favorite machine, the Nu-Step. The Nu-Step is essentially a seated elliptical whose movement involves both arms and legs. Fifteen minutes was my starting point. By week twelve I was rigorously exercising for thirty to forty-five minutes at a time. I had also built forty-five-minute walks into my daily routine.
From the very beginning, there was real camaraderie in our group. Each of us had come through something significant, and we were energetic and committed to helping ourselves move forward. One person in our group was a researcher who specialized in kidney disease. I never approached him directly to share my personal connection with kidney disease, but every time I saw him, I was secretly grateful. Someday he might be the person to make significant advances towards a cure.
During one nutrition session, he raised his hand to share his motto about diet. It was, simply: Eat to live! I wrote it down. It summed up my dietary goal perfectly. (If only I didn’t care about the foods I still longed for!)
During those twelve weeks of cardio rehab, I came to fully experience the joy of movement, maybe for the first time ever. This was a welcome and unexpected gift.
I looked forward to seeing my body carry out the ordinary functions of walking. I flashed back to my first momentous first step at Spaulding. I was in awe of how far I had come!
The intricate workings that allow us to breathe, our hearts to beat, and our bodies to move are wonders of this life. Each day in each step, with every movement, as I advanced through our neighborhood on my walks, it was as though my body was silently chanting…I am alive, I am alive, I am alive! With each heartbeat…I am alive, I am alive, I am alive! With each breath… I am alive, I am alive, I am alive!
After one long walk, on a beautiful summer day, I sat down and wrote this meditation:
ON MOVING
How blessed I am to experience the fluid motion of walking! One leg in front of the other. Moving. Breathing steadily…my heart beating…my kidneys working. I am alive. I am strong and getting stronger.
Every second is precious. I share my life force wherever I go.
My body is a warrior. I cultivate the strength of her muscles. I delight in her ability to move. I sing to the beauty of God’s grace in allowing her to regain her faculties.
I have been granted this body and this gift—the spirit of life.
This month’s recipe:
Broiled Salmon with Ginger and Honey
Salmon is a great dinner option. It has wonderful vitamins and is heart and kidney healthy. For people with kidney disease three-ounce portions are optimal. This is a real family favorite—easy and flavorful.
Ingredients:
1 piece of fresh salmon (about 1 pound)
Chopped and smashed fresh ginger (Enough to cover the top of the fish)
About 1-2 tablespoons full of honey (We use a honey bear)
Preparation:
- Place the salmon, skin side down, on a piece of foil.
- Chop a good amount of ginger (1-2 tablespoons full) and smash it with a fork.
- Place the ginger evenly over the top of the salmon.
- Coat the top of the salmon with honey.
- Turn on the broiler.
- Place the fish under the broiler.
- The top will get very dark but will still need time to cook. At this point it is usually raw in the middle. This will take about 20 minutes.
- Turn the oven to bake and bake at 350 degrees until fully cooked (about 10 minutes).
- The whole cooking process takes about 20-40 minutes depending on your oven temperature.
- Before serving pull the salmon from the skin.
Enjoy!