Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Sometimes the hardest thing is the right thing. Case in point, my physiotherapist and I "breaking up". It's something the two of us have debated off and on for some time now. The day we finally made the decision, she looked at me and said, "I feel like I'm about to break up with you."

In 7.5 months I have had just over 150 physiotherapy and rehab Pilates sessions. 96 of which have been with my physiotherapist. She has been with me since day one when I walked into their clinic back in October. Back when not one person at that clinic had heard of, let alone seen anyone, who had gone through the surgery I did. When I started going to this clinic I saw my physiotherapist 5 to 6 times a week. After about 2 weeks, I began seeing their rehabilitative Pilates instructor 2 days a week. It was weird at first to drop my physio sessions down to 3 or 4 times a week because we had already become used to seeing each other basically every 24 hours. It would feel like so much time had passed between appointments even though it would only have been a day or two. It's going to seem really strange at first, when I switch therapist, not seeing her all the time. Fortunately, we have become such great friends that we get together outside of physio as well. This being part of but not the entire reason we decided to "break up."

The new physiotherapist I'll be switching to is at the same clinic and seems very nice. I've gotten to know her a little bit in passing as I am there 5 days a week. She has additional training as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist which may come in handy for coming up with creative ways to treat me. My current physiotherapist has said in the past, "I should really share you." Usually followed by, "but not yet. I want to keep you all to myself." With my surgery being so rare, it's not likely any of them will ever see another "me" in their careers. So I think it is a great opportunity for another physiotherapist to work with me. Not only is it a great challenge and learning experience for her, it will keep things interesting for me. She is sure to have new ideas and exercises, and even just different approaches to some of the things I'm already doing.

As a parting gift and a bit of a thank you for everything my current physio has helped me achieve so far, I had a custom t-shirt made for her. At physio I'm constantly wearing all the t-shirts my girlfriends have made for me, it only seemed appropriate to have one made for her. On the front it says "Jen's Physio" and on the back "Leading Physiotherapist For Hemi Pelvectomy Recovery". It's meant to be funny but at the same time I believe it to be true. The number of physiotherapist to have treated someone after that surgery has to be at least as rare, if not more so, than the surgery itself. Regardless, no matter how many others there may be out there, I can't imagine any of them working with me better and getting me to progress faster than she has.

The whole thing is kind of bitter sweet. The idea of working with someone new is exciting, no question there. But no longer working with my current physiotherapist, after accomplishing so much and coming so far with her help, that makes me a little bit sad. In the end though, I've made an amazing friend for life and not just a physio for the time being. And there's nothing sad about that.

However, I do wish we had just 4 more sessions together to make it an even 100.