So it's only been my second week shadowing an OT (Occupational Therapist), but it's been such a great experience already. Even though I have to wake up at 7am for it, it's totally worth it. The three hours fly by so quickly, and I really appreciate my OT, Sonya. She is such a sweetheart, and she's really happy to answer all my questions and also to fill me on the patients' history and etc. What a run-on sentence. Sometimes, even little things like placing the wheelchair a certain way has a very distinct purpose, and she'll tell me why she does that. It really means a lot to me that she even tells me these minute details.
Every day has been mostly observations with sponge baths or showers since I do go in the mornings, but it's not as bad as I imagined. Actually, it's not bad at all. I thought it would be this weird procedure where I awkwardly just stand there (DUH...being an observer and all) while the patients clean themselves with some assistance by Sonya. It really isn't though. I guess that being in a professional setting, the immature awkwardness I expect just isn't there. Sonya is very professional and the patients are very chill too.
Today, I was a bit awkward because it was the first time observing a female patient. After closing the curtains, I kind of awkwardly stood behind the curtain (not observing), but the female patient waved me in (she could not speak due to a stroke) letting me know that if I'm an observer, I better observe. WHICH IS TRUE!! They understand better than I do what I'm there for--to learn and observe.
Even through these showers, I'm learning a lot too. Every day, I learn soooooooooooo much just from watching Sonya do her thang, asking Sonya questions, or even talking to the patients. Today, I learned about a term called "subluxation". Referring back to the female patient I mentioned before who had suffered from a stroke, subluxation, partial dislocation of a joint, of the right shoulder was a big concern for her. There was something about the joint of the shoulder that, unlike a ball-and-socket joint, the muscle around it has a big role in maintaining the position of that joint. Because she had a stroke on the left side of her brain, her right limbs are paralyzed...she had no (or little) tone in her shoulder to support her shoulder. If it just hung down, gravity would literally pop that baby out of her arm socket. So, whenever she lay or even sat, she had a pillow her family (who are fucking awesome) brought her which she can tuck under her armpit to support her shoulder...sort of pushing it upwards.
Learning these little things now will definitely prepare me for the future, and I feel I can retain it better this way.
In addition, I think one of the best things about being there is interacting with the patients. Even though they're being helped, they help you in a lot of ways too. It's very inspirational to see that even in such an unfortunate situation, the patients can remain upbeat and positive. Again, referring to the kind woman who had a stroke, she was a flippin' fireball. In addition to being half paralyzed by her stroke, she was also unable to speak. However, even without speech, she was amazingly animated with facial expressions, gestures with her left arm, etc. She was so sarcastic, she was so spunky. She was such a hoot. I can only imagine how much of a character she would be if she would talk. Her family was there too today, so it was really fun interacting with all of them and cracking jokes and stuff. She was the mom...and it was clear to see how her personality had rubbed off on her family cause they were all hoots. Fireball, for reals.
Another example was with this one patient from last week. He had suffered a terrible spinal fracture from a car accident. The smallest movement of the back would cause him tremendous pain. That day, we had just spent two hours giving him a shower, which he greatly appreciated, before returning him to his room. You can imagine how exhausted and in pain he was in, under his conditions, just taking a shower. Even so, when I was in the room with him while Sonya got him grooming supplies, he used his grabber to point to where a chair hung on the wall, offering me a seat. In my mind, I'm thinking, "This guy is so drained and is enduring so much pain...yet he has the courtesy to even offer me a chair to sit while I wait for a few minutes." What a great man!
I think that this is my favorite part of observing at the hospital. It's these little interactions with the patients that make it all so rewarding and inspiring. I may not explain my experiences that well, but it really is a huge moment. They acknowledge that "hell yeah...getting better is a process" but they're doing it the best they can, and they're staying upbeat...looking forward to better days. They don't give up. Seeing them do it, it gives me strength to overcome issues I have and do it positively. Instead of dwelling on what's hard about it and what sucks about it, I can only look forward at good things to come. I think that we can all be a bit inspired by these guys.
