Pain Physical Therapy #15

Friday, January 10, 2020, 3:00 p.m.

I was ready today to see Francis for Pain Physical Therapy. I didn’t even feel guilty that Linda had to drive me, especially since she had yesterday to recover from Wednesday, and because she found her new tube of eye gel on the “running board” of the van on her side.

The parking lot of Building C looked strangely empty, and there was NO ONE else in the waiting room. I saw a sign on the door that the OCD and Addiction Groups were temporarily meeting in Building A. (Hey, I didn’t even know that an OCD group existed!) And, strangely, I didn’t have my usual struggle to make small talk with Francis as he was escorting me back to his office.

If there was any “theme” to our session today, I would have to say it was “New Year’s.” And, as I expected, he suggested I get weighed in–just like I did last January. I complied and was surprised that I was 2 lbs. less than my last weigh-in in November with my annual physical at Dr. Prabaharan’s office. 141.7 lbs. Of course, that was the middle of the day, fully clothed, and with socks and shoes on. Still, it gave me a starting point.

I mentioned his planned mission trip to the Philippines, leaving next week. I asked him about the Pain Management classes. He told me that they have changed Dr. Kalra’s schedule since he does not have time to follow every patient once they are diagnosed, but will work as a consultant with the patients’ PCPs who will then manage the patient’s medications.

He said that he’s getting ready for retirement!

“Oh, you’re not that old!” I insisted.

Well, I found out how old he is and that he and his wife are both taking early retirement so they can have time to enjoy the retirement. It won’t be until 3 more years, he said, but he’s definitely looking forward to it.

He said that not only are the OCD and Addiction groups moving to Building A, but also Child Psychiatry, for the next 10 months while physical renovations are being done on Building C.

As I had planned, I wanted to talk about the increased stiffness in my hands. I told him I was doing the hand exercises that he gave me, but it was still very painful and that I could not make a fist with my left hand (and not very well with the right hand). He asked if I needed a referral to orthopedics. I said no, that I’m thinking a lot of it is due to the cold weather.

Eventually, I got around to mentioning Lisa Galen, and how I didn’t know in the beginning that I would be limited to 6 sessions, and that a group for Seniors with Depression was so popular that there wouldn’t be any openings until next summer!

And, of course, the subject of exercise came up. No change in my behavior. As a blathered on about exercise and my usual excuses, Francis was busy making notes in my chart (typing on a keyboard at his workstation). So, based on our conversation today, he printed out and handed me this list of 2020 Goals:

1. Walk 30 minutes/day
2. Continue riding tricycle, at least once a week
3. No bedtime snack, 5 days/week
4. Individual acupuncture with Sophie [6 sessions beginning next week]
5. Depression group for seniors when space opens up next summer
6. Lose weight – goal is < 130 lbs.
7. Intermittent Fasting (16:8) 5 days/week

Finally, before I left, we made my next appointment for Friday, April 24, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.

And I told him (again) that I want him to know how much I appreciate him. That I have turned my guilt into gratitude. And that of all the Kaiser practitioners that I’ve had over the years, I think he has helped me more than anyone else has!