Our Rehab Experience at Rex Rehab

Rex Rehab. 

Dan and I both have been lucky to have had access to the Rex Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation in Raleigh.  The staff is marvelous, and the therapists are so well-trained and so encouraging.

Brian, my physical therapist. 

In January I had a complete knee replacement, and I followed up with outpatient rehab at Rex.  It went so smoothly for me and my therapist, Brian, kept pushing me and I have made a very quick and complete recovery.  My new knee is GREAT!  Thank you, thank you Brian.

Dan was recently diagnosed with Parkinsonism---very early stage of Parkinson's Disease.  One of his symptoms was that his usual booming voice had become quite weak.  He first went through an intensive voice therapy program that has improved the volume of his voice. 

Dan with Nancy his occupational therapist.

To improve his handwriting he worked with an occupational therapist at Rex, so that his writing is now legible once more.

During this month of April he has been enrolled in the LSVT Big program that consists of a series of exercises that he performs twice daily.  Four days each week he is at Rex PT and the other days he does these exercises at home.  This program allows the patient to improve mobility, flexibility, balance, and range of motion.  When started at the time of early diagnosis, the program can prevent the body rigidity that often accompanies PD. 

Dan with Martha his LSVT therapist.

The folks at the front desk are also welcoming.

Friendly ladies at the front desk.

 Yes, we are fortunate to have this facility available and only fifteen minutes from home.  And we are fortunate that Dan's Parkinsonism was caught in the very early stages.  We are very hopeful!

My New Knee

My new left knee. I know this is gross, but it's not as painful as it may look.

I've missed blogging for the last two weeks, because I had total left knee replacement on January 2.  Dr. David Stanley at Duke did the surgery.  He is a former student of Dan's as an undergraduate at Duke, and he had repaired a torn meniscus for me in that knee years ago and had repaired Dan's knees when he fell in the mountains some ten years ago.  So I was determined to have Dr. Stanley for this.  It looks as if he has done a great job.  He's wonderful!!!!

I'm home now and mobile with my walker.  I go tomorrow to get the stitches removed.  The problem is I'm not allowed to drive for six weeks and that is more painful than the knee. Right now I am not allowed to leave the house except for doctor's appointment.  So I can't even get to a ballgame. I don't think this will last long though.

Dan and I did see the Porsche Exhibit at the Museum here in Raleigh just a few days before my surgery and I plan to blog about that.  I could blog about my two "hellish" days in a Rehab Center, but I might get sued for slander.  My friend, Helen, a nurse "sprang" me from there home after just two days.  And was I happy to get home.  I have wonderful physical therapy aides who come to the house and a nurse as well, so I'm well cared for.  They, Dan, the kids, the grands and friends have seen me through this.

I can't wait to go dancing with my new knee!