Well Actually this the Game Charger!!

Hey everyone! Time for another Mayo Update, and this one's a biggie! So, I'm going to skip over my recent consultation with the PT and OT therapists for now because I've got some exciting news to share!

Yesterday, my mom and I headed to May for my OT therapy. It was at 745 again, so we left at 530 again.

This time, I knew Mom was going to be a handful yesterday. She got Peanut Butter all over her arm and the armrest (we were just getting on the highway yet). Then she missed her exit, so we had to take a different way - no Biggie. Then we get to the parking ramp and the ticket things that you get your parking pass, weren't on, so we just went through the gate, the thing was open. We get to park, and she starts singing Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. I give her the look, so I get myself checked in, sitting in the waiting room. Now she is humming it. I gave her the look again, and my OT therapist came out to get me. She saw me give Mom the look, and she said, 'Oh, what did you?' I said, ' She was singing and humming on our way up here.'

Then, in my session, we were going over things that are working and things that are not working. The good news is that I'm getting better at it all. Then I took a drink of my coffee from my bottle. My therapist goes I wasn't thinking that was going to brown, she was like what are they drinking in Iowa, We all just laughed, Kept going on my session, We told her about our exciting time driving home last time, It was on the day that storm pop out of no where in clear lake that had tornado warning, yep that one we were driving in it.. If we hadn't stopped at Albert Lea and gotten Frosties, we would have almost made it home before it really started. Everyone knows I HATE storms, so I was trying to stay calm and play with whatever I could get my hands on. She said, 'Oh, I hope you don't have that much fun driving home this time.' I said, 'Yeah, me too.

So, my session was over. I had to go to the bathroom, went, and then came back. My mom goes here and gives me a sticker for having a good session. It was a little pony sticker. I just looked at her like, really. I told her I was going to leave her there, and if anyone wanted a new mom, everyone in the waiting room just laughed. I might have been hangry...... She was something else yesterday. I think we both were nervous about our upcoming appointment that afternoon.

Ever since we talked to the TBI specialist, she told us about this Pain Rehab Program that she thought might be helpful. Still, she wanted me to do some PT & OT first. So, we've been doing some OT and PT for about two months now, and I'm finally getting to a place where I can manage my therapy at home. My eyes are still a bit of a mess, but they're definitely better than they were at On with Life, which is a relief!

I brought up the Pain Rehab Program with my therapists and the TBI specialist, and guess what? They think it might be the missing piece in my recovery puzzle! It's all about learning to live with my pain instead of letting it control my life. They really focus on rewiring how I think about pain, which sounds amazing!

Just yesterday, we had our consultation, and I'm thrilled to say—we're in! 🎉

I need to wrap up my last few OT and PT appointments before diving into the program. This program is intensive—16 business days of full-on focus. I'll be staying in Rochester during this time. I could come home on the weekend, but honestly, I think I'll want to explore and enjoy Rochester and relax while I prep for the next week!

The woman we spoke with said she believes this could really be the key for me. While I've learned a lot about managing symptoms when they hit, I still struggle with preventing them from coming on in the first place. The program also dives into medication management, how the brain processes pain, coping with those pesky negative thoughts, managing stress, sleep, and even physical therapy to rebuild my strength. They'll teach me how to make all of this stick even after I graduate!

But here's the best part: they have a family program! My mom, Jim, my dad, and Nanci will get tips on how to support me, how to help me stay calm, and effective communication strategies. I'm even considering bringing Diane along to help Mom out as well. It's just a one-day thing for them, but it means the world to me!

I genuinely believe this program will help me navigate daily life with chronic pain. It feels like the missing link we've been searching for! I'm nervous, excited, and feeling all the feels right now. Next up, I'll finish those last four sessions of OT and PT, then I need to call admissions and check with insurance about hotel coverage. And let's be real—I definitely need to grab some more exercise gear, not just leggings!

I'll drop the link to the Pain Rehab Program here for anyone curious to check it out. It's a bit hard to explain, but I'm super excited about this next chapter in our journey since 2018!

Thanks for the support, everyone! Let's do this! 🚀✨

https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691