Pack Rat has met his match

As I mentioned in an earlier post (Pack Rat gets replacement parts) my husband, Pack Rat, had knee replacement surgery a few weeks ago.  The surgery went well and his recovery, although slower than he wanted, is progressing.  One of the people involved in his recovery is Kelly his physical therapist.

Kelly has come to the house three times a week for the last few weeks working Pack Rat through a series of exercises to help him build strength, flexibility and mobility in his knee with the replacement part.  I have been around for a few of those sessions and have had reports about the others.

Last Friday after adding some new exercises and working Pack Rat a little harder than the previous session he was reporting that he was in pain that night.  He called Kelly to tell her what was happening and asked if he should see the doctor.

Pack Rat, "Kelly, I am in more pain than usual tonight.  I am having trouble resting. Should I call the doctor."

Kelly, "Give me the number for your pain from 1 - 10."

Pack Rat, "It's probably between a 4 to a 6"

Kelly, "I can live with pain from 4 - 6.  We worked a little harder today so it probably will be a little more painful.  Just put an ice pack on it and you will feel better."

Pack Rat, "Ok"  Grumbling of course you can live with pain from 4 - 6, it's not your pain!

I know I really liked Kelly but she won my undying appreciation that evening.  Pack Rat took his pain pills and iced his knee.  It was much better later.

So in Kelly the physical therapist, Pack Rat has met his match.  She will not allow him to give in to pain but work through it.  Good for both of them!

I was thinking after doing this post what does this have to do with technology.  My generation (those of us who are Baby Boomers) are now one of the largest consumers of the medical technology of replacement parts.  Go to dinner with a group of our friends and the talk always turns to who has had what part replaced, knees, hips, shoulders, thumb joints.  Even though the mechanics (the ortho docs) are the ones who do the surgery and real heroes (and heroines) of this work are the physical therapists.  They are the ones who push the patients into healing and getting back to their regular lives. So a big shout out to the physical therapists (like Kelly) who are helping those who have replacement parts get back on their feet.  You all are wonderful!