Today is Monday, July 3, 2023 and it’s the first day back to work after the long Eid Al-Adha holiday…so the appointments are back in full swing! But first let’s talk about the past 6 days since my last post. I hope everyone had an enjoyable break, spent with family and loved ones, relaxing and slowing down like I did. There were a couple of fun and enjoyable things I did that I have not done in such a long time…and they felt amazing! I went out for lunch with my husband to a restaurant for a change and (on another day) I went on a much-needed shopping spree for some retail therapy! Changing things in your routine will always do you some good and it definitely uplifted my spirits.
Now back to the appointments…I actually had one appointment yesterday in the private sector with a gynecologist for some screening tests I had to get done…waiting for those results to come out and hoping for the best. With regards to today’s appointments, you remember the drill…5:30 am wake up, got ready for the day, arrival at Amiri Hospital by 7:30 for the weekly bloodwork, then off to my second appointment. Up next was my follow-up with my dermatologist at Abdulkareem Al Saeed Dermatology Centre at 8:15. She was happy with the progress of my skin and with the rash clearing up even more than last time. She gave me a couple of new topical creams and just one corticosteroid because the rash on my knuckles is still slightly persisting. She asked for some extra bloodwork to help us gain a little more clarity on the severity, or mildness, of my condition. ان شاء الله خير. My next follow-up with my dermatologist will be at the end of August and hopefully nothing serious develops from now until then.
By 9:15 we were done there and next up was PMR. First up, physical therapy. I was excited to get into the hydro pool again but unfortunately there was a chlorine issue so no one was allowed to swim today. Instead we focused on my regular lower body exercises and added some challenging moves at the end. I really worked hard on my daily PT exercises during the Eid holiday and it paid off…my PT was super happy with my progress and she saw vast improvements in the 6 days she hadn’t seen me. ألف الحمد لله.
Last item on the agenda for today, occupational therapy…I admitted to my OT that I slacked off a bit during the Eid holiday in terms of my OT exercises but honestly I don’t know why. The muscles and joints in my hands were causing some pain and irritating me with certain movements. We started today’s session by putting some heat compresses on my hands to loosen the muscles, then we focused on massaging the tiny muscles, and then strengthening them with various exercises using the tools in the picture above. It was a lot of work on my part and especially considering the long morning I’ve had, I was starting to feel my energy levels reducing by the minute. Saved by the bell, it was 12:00 and our session was over. Time to go home, and relaaaaaaaaaaaax.
As tiring and non-stop as my morning was, it felt great to be back to the routine of it all. I know all of this hard work is for my betterment and I already see the progress and, more importantly, I feel it.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update!
ربي اجعلني لك شكارًا، لك ذكارًا، لك رهابًا، لك مطاوعًا، لك مخبتًا، إليك أواهًا منبيًا، الحمد لله رب العالمين حمدًا لشُكرهِ أداءً، ولحقهِ قضاءً، ولِحُبهِ رجاءً ولفضلهِ نماءً ولثوابهِ عطاءً
Lulu Al-Issa 
Leave a comment