Therapy Day

Our daily routine doesn't change much. We get up at the same time every day, and follow the same schedule of scripture study, eating a simple breakfast, listening to something on the Mormon Channel, make some sandwiches for our lunch, and leave for the office around 8:30. That's about as exciting as it gets -- in the morning.

We really enjoy our mission of being office workers. We can honestly say that there has never been a day that we have rolled over in bed and groaned because we had to get up and go to work. We look forward to it. Once there, we are so focused in what we do that we look up at the clock and it's time to eat those sandwiches. We have truly been blessed with a good attitude in serving in a somewhat unsafe area of the world, overcoming adversity that has fallen our way during the last 5 1/2 months, and being the only senior couple in our mission (with no playmates our age).

We love missionary work and the interaction we have with these young elders and sisters. They carry a spirit with them that is contagious and inspiring. We will always hold Mission Presidents and their wives on a pedestal, and respect them for the selfless service they give daily to this calling and the responsibility they have been given. They are the best!

We were looking forward to the physical therapy appointment that was scheduled for Elder Kroff at 7:00 this evening. He has been fearful of walking too much, or not enough, and of misusing his knee in some way that would damage what has been done etc. So he needed some direction and reassurance in the healing process.

Dr. Ottonello suggested we go to his niece, Mariana Ottonello, who is a physical therapist. He said she knew her stuff and was good. And, we were impressed. She was friendly and thorough and didn't waste any time in moving and bending and massaging his leg.

We were so glad we had Rich's camping pants that have zippers to make them long pants or shorts. They were perfect for this therapy. Most things Mariana did with his leg didn't cause any pain. The main problem he had was how he has been walking to favor the knee. During the month since he tore the meniscus, the leg muscles have tightened up due to limping and using crutches.

She went right to work rubbing and massaging his calf and thigh. She did this for about 15 or 20 minutes. She said it was super tense and tight, and that is why he would limp and walk funny. He said it felt soooooo good, and that I had to do that every morning. Awww, I don't think so!!

She taught him about 4 or 5 exercises he has to do daily. As the saying goes, "the proof is in the pudding." When she was finished, he walked normal again. He said it was unbelievable. He isn't to use the crutches anymore, and he isn't to favor the leg or walk flat footed. We are to walk slowly the four blocks to work and he is not to shuffle. He is to put his heel down first and complete the step ending with his toes.

He has a check up appointment with the doctor on Thursday, then we go for another physical therapy session afterwards. We don't know how many will be required yet, but we are glad to be going now, as after one session, the results were remarkable. Hope the leg muscles don't tighten up over night.