Yes, it’s funny how our homes fixtures and fittings become our gym in stroke recovery Kitchen chairs for sit to stands, countertops and sinks for balancing and knee bends, skirting boards for plantar fascia wall stretch, walls for press ups, etc
Thanks again Lorraine for your help.
At the moment I feel like I can’t cope.
My physio called me on Sunday and discharged me instead of waiting till after Wednesday which means no nurses can come but he’s coming tomorrow?
I don’t even know why he’s bothering except he gets paid for it.
I’m going out for a walk and fresh air and to think.
You have helped me so much you have no idea.
As I am now my fingers open on their own morning and night I wear a foot splint that I hate.
I walk with a quad stick but only use 2 legs as I’m faster.
Before my stroke I was fit except for arthritis and migraine.
My mother died of a stroke so I could have inherited it from her so I found out.
Thanks for being there
John
Yes, make the most of the good weather while we have it. Lots of sunshine will lighten the mood, and we have this weather for at least the next week.
In saying that, I’ve spent half the morning with appointments and the afternoon spring cleaning half the kitchen, I’ll have to leave the other half 'til the end of the week But I’ve had the windows and doors open so the birds have been serenade me while I work
Fact is your called angel eyes because you’re an angel who has definitely earned their wings with all the people you have helped.
Including me.
Thank you
It may not have been the reason I joined the forum, but it’s definitely the reason why I’ve stayed, to pass forward all that I’ve learnt from my own stroke. In particular for those who can’t communicate as yet but can at least read in increments. I’m alway happy to give up my time
And I’m glad if its helping you! Stay strong and be positive because it will get better, onwards and upwards
You have no clue how much you have helped me.
The video showing toes against a skirting board I don’t think I will be able to do as my toes won’t go at that angle.
I really hope those angled insoles help as I hate wearing the plastic splint.
According to my physio the splint will stop the toes curling and foot turning but I don’t think so.
I have not had any stretching or bending done on my foot and toes since February.
My physio is coming tomorrow even though I have been discharged from him and his team.
I think it’s pointless and it’s only for the money he will be getting for coming.
When I do my squats in the bathroom my toes still curl abit would wearing 2 toe separators be better?
The toe separators I used went between all the toes. But I’d only wear them for a couple of hours as they did make my toes ache after an hour or so.
I’d suggest, if the skirting board is no use yet, then maybe do as that guy in the video suggested and wedge a rolled up sock under your toes instead. I would try and do it standing up if you can, and just put some leaning weight onto the front of your foot. Hold to the count of 10 then release and repeat. That is one you can be periodically throughout the day, every day, when at home and say watching tv.
I take it you are continuing all exercises, stretches and manipulations the physio does when they’re not there. You’d really be surprised how many people think they only have to do them in the presence of their physio; and shocked and dismayed when there’s no improvement
The exercises my physio does I am not able to do alone.
The only ones he has shown me are
Standing on 1 leg
Standing for 10 minutes without holding on
Leaning forward with my bad foot in front and Leaning against a wall when I do it
And bending and straightening my leg on the bed and that’s it
Forgot to tell you that I have 2 stretching bands.
1 is tied to my grab rail which I put in my hand when it’s clenched then pull
And the other I put round the lower half of my foot to stretch it
These are the toe separators I used and they’re made of silicone rather than foam. So a little more substantial for splaying your toes. Those foams one you got look as though they will flatten with wear. But I could be wrong. And besides, the silicone ones you can’t wear with shoes or trainers as that would crush your toes. But they’d be good in bare or stockinged feet around the house.
It will take time though, I’m talking weeks to months to realise the change it will make for you, so do bear with it. Unfortunately nothing happens over night in stroke recovery, more’s the pity
Yes I have many of them dotted around the house of various sizes and resistances. You wind up with quite a variety of exercise kit over time as you progress. And I’m kind of glad I was left to wing it because I just found the physiotherapist held me back anyway, and I wasn’t even given any aids for walking. Being in lockdown at the time, I might as well have been on a deserted island.
Physio certainly won’t push you, so if you want to make any real progress you have to be prepared to push yourself. No your own limits and work to them, the physiotherapist have to be more cautious with you for health and safety reasons, they can’t sense when something is too much or not enough for you. Only you know that.
How is your eyelid now? Has there been any improvement with that yet?
Can you find a position to put it in where it doesn’t turn while sat ? So the muscle can learn to relax in that position.
You’re actually reminding me how maddening that was. I have a TENS/EMS machine and I used to put the electrodes on my shine and fire the muscles to watch my toes lift up. If nothing else, it did give them a break from curling. I don’t suppose you have a TENS/EMS machine do you?
Did you get any drops for that eye so it doesn’t dry out?
I do have a bag full of them.
I need the type I can wear with my splint.
When I first put the separators on they did seem to help in some way.
Tonight I am changing them and putting 2 on see what happens.
My physio has just been for the last time and said any crack would mean fracture.
He said my foot splint would sort foot turning, foot drop and toes turning
I agree with @EmeraldEyes if there’s a chance you have a fracture you need to get it checked.
I know you’re worried about your physio not coming anymore but from what you have said I think you’ll come on better now you have been set free. You sound very keen to try lots of things & that is what will get you through.
Kitchen chairs for sit to stands, countertops and sinks for balancing and knee bends, skirting boards for plantar fascia wall stretch, walls for press ups, etc 
