Pain and Torture
Did you know P.T. stands for Pain and Torture and O.T. stands for Other Torture? I didn’t either until my patient today enlightened me. Also, he kept raising his arm straight up in the air every time he saw the physical therapist. I thought this was a slightly strange way to greet someone, but I have seen stranger. It was later that I learned he referred to her as Hitler and the occupational therapist as Stalin. Then I understood his arm gestures. So, do you get the idea he does not like going to therapy? He was quite the character. When he got up from his wheelchair, he told a patient facing his dorsal side he would give her a show for 2 dollars and 50 cents. Those open backed hospital gowns have their advantages I suppose. It was quite a task keeping him in line; that’s for sure.
Despite his feelings toward therapy, it was a great clinical day. I felt I had made progress with my patient, and at the end of the day, he told me he really enjoyed spending the time with me. This was comforting because I did not want him assigning me the title of another evil dictator. I’m aiming for something more along the lines of Mother Teresa.