Incontinence, confidence, and some pretty neat people: Week 1

This was my first week on the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) team at Rusk Rehabilitation[1] for my third clinical.

My first day began with a swim at the rec. I got out of the pool, went to go take a shower and realized I had no underroos. You can’t go without underroos on your first day! Thankfully, I made it home for the extra pieces of clothing and to work on time. 

The first day was a nice surprise, while my clinical instructor (CI) set the day aside for me to learn how Rusk works, I found myself jumping in with treatment ideas and the desire to lead the session.  The butterflies went away, I realized how much I have learned and how excited I am for my future career.

The second day was quite amusing.  My CI walked into the patient’s room while I was performing a transfer, the elderly man said, “Now this is a transfer I like” and patted me on the butt! We were both quite speechless; he hadn’t seemed like a dirty old man!

During another transfer the patient said, “You are slight, but you are strong” and I took that as a compliment.

I tried swimming before work again on Wednesday.  I had all my clothes to get dressed, pulled on my pants and my zipper was broke. Broke in an unfixable way.  Broke in a almost late to work, thank goodness for safety pins sort of way. 

Despite my mishaps, I have met some pretty neat people.

A young man with a TBI is one of my favorites. He is a Rancho IV[2]; therefore, agitated, impulsive and has a tendency to perseverate. He calls his wife his sister’s name, but he knows who she is and she never leaves him. One day we were walking and he said, “We make a great team.” Five minutes later he shook my hand and said nice to meet you. He may not remember what he says or who I am, but these patients steal my heart.

Another one of my favorites has a demyelinating disease[3]. The first time I walked with him in the parallel bars he had very little control over his movements, and poor balance and coordination. We barely made it from one end to the other.  He is so motivated to improve; he remembers any corrections and instructions I give him. After four days, we tried walking again; his movements were slow, controlled, and purposeful, and the smile on his face held every reason I want to be a physical therapist.

After multiple experiences with incontinence, a patient telling me who won The Voice after begging him not to, and pulling every muscle in back transferring a patient with double amputations, I have come to the conclusion that I love inpatient rehabilitation and the amazing people I am humbled to help heal.

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[1] An inpatient rehabilitation center.  People will usually come to Rusk after the hospital before going home.

[2] Rancho levels measure cognitive functioning. IV = confused & agitated

[3] Affects the function of the nervous system and therefore movement, balance, coordination, sensation, cognitive functioning, etc.