05 Jul Harper Lapp, Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, Week 3

This week was different.

I was exposed to such a different aspect of healthcare this week–in comparison to research or clinicals. This almost comes across to me as the most important, universal, and lifelong lesson I will experience while I’m here. Funny enough–nothing grandiose was altered to cause this. I wasn’t exposed to an entirely new aspect of healthcare or research or yada yada; it was still the same old. It was but a single participant coming in for his usual sessions…whether it be his multisegmental motor response (MMR) on Tuesday or his transcutaneous stimulation (scTS) on Thursday. I had seen it before, and I’ll see it again, but it felt so different this week. I can’t let go of it. As we taped the electrodes on his back or adjusted his seat just right so he could be comfortable throughout his testing, he always made sure to start with some small talk. Sometimes he would mention the birria tacos he had the night before, the upcoming Mexico vs England game (GO MEXICO!!!), or making sure to give us updates on his broken dishwasher. Slipping in between the conversations, the troubles he was facing when finding himself trying to find a handicapable car, but making sure to lighten it up with the recent Mexico win. And with that subject, reminiscing on the days he used to play, saying that he could have been one of them–one of those players representing his very own country. I don’t have one doubt about that. Or the recent passengers he drove around at work the other night who were complaining about their minute worries, almost as if they had completely missed the wheelchair stowed away between their seats. The way he mentioned his struggles was such an everyday thing for him, but there was no getting used to this situation. Why did these struggles have to become every day in the first place? Shaking and slapping his legs, shouting at them to wake up, he was making humor out of the situation, but that moment hasn’t even considered leaving my mind. 

Another participant mentioned an upcoming anniversary for her accident. With that, she stated that she still felt about as old as she was in the accident, and since then, time has moved ever so slightly. But what I wonder–does she feel as if she is stuck in a loop, still trying to adapt to this situation, which causes her to feel unaged? Or is it the era of herself before the accident frozen in time, sitting in the back of her mind, stagnant, and forever unreachable?

Now, of course not everyone in these situations feels the same. They all have their own stories and their own ways they go about their situation. One cannot speak or feel for all. There are so many stories out there, and I know I can’t allow each story to consume me–but the importance of carrying compassion always must be present. 

I certainly don’t have those two balanced out yet (emotions overriding), but this week is definitely my first step in that direction!

Whoa, I got a little carried away there, didn’t I? On to the research side!

Mapping Sessions

My “handmade” pulmonary function test (PFT) device that I was very proud of!

I had the misconception that mapping sessions were like screening sessions.

They aren’t.

Screening sessions evaluate a willing participant’s eligibility for research, while mapping determines the direction of treatment or research for a given participant. Sort of like a map…I couldn’t connect the dots. I messed my notes up just a little, so I don’t have the exact details, but mapping sessions are completed either in the participant’s wheelchair or the hospital bed. It varies on whether or not they can stay in their wheelchair, but the location is adjusted in each type of session to maintain consistency (I believe all respiratory tests aren’t done in a wheelchair…but don’t take my word for it). I’m attending another mapping session on Monday, so I will update you all with verified information (because I know you’re dying to know now). 

This mapping session was for a respiratory motor control assessment (RMCA), which basically served as the mega package with muscle sensors, stimulation, AND respiratory tests. 

No caption, just XStep.

XStep

No, this is not a musical genre. The XStep is a work-in-progress at-home stimulation method. I was introduced to it on my first day, but it was dealing with faulty coding in which once it went past a certain threshold of milliamps you were unable to pause it (that doesn’t sound very good). Thankfully, Ines fixed it, and we were able to test it on a willing participant! At-home stimulation methods are useful so participants don’t have to constantly come in for their transcutaneous sessions and can remain at home and on their own time.

Wingstop w/ Louis 😛

Hamilton was AMAZING!

Free-Time Activities

I am lonesome no more! Last Saturday, the additional Pintern, Louis, arrived! Since he has been here, my free time has become a lot more lively. With going to the pool immediately after work basically EVERY DAY, we spend our time playing water basketball, where I get absolutely humbled (land basketball isn’t any better), and lounging about the lake. Following our multiple hours of swimming, we go out for dinner or on a walk around the neighborhood. And after countless evenings after work spent at Louis’s house–my host mom even asked me if I was moving in with him. On Thursday, I went with my host mom and host brothers to a Hamilton Broadway Tour! I had never been much into Hamilton, but after watching that absolutely breathtaking show in person, I think there has been a change of mind. On the Fourth, Louis and I were back at the pool (not surprising), watching the annual diving contest, followed by a Louisville City FC vs Hartford Athletic professional soccer match (LouCity won!!!) at the Lynn Family Stadium with a fireworks finale over the Ohio River. This week was unforgettable in so many ways, and I am eager to find out what next week brings!