Jean Batenhorst 2017
December should be a time of holiday joy, rest, and relaxation. This was not the case for Jean Batenhorst in December of 2015. Jean had a terrible fall in her living room resulting in excruciating pain in her left shoulder and arm. Her daughter drove her to the emergency room, where she received the news of a three-part fracture of the bones in her left shoulder. Surgery consisted of placing a plate and screws, and then it was time to begin rehabilitation with occupational therapy. Jean recalled, “It was brutal at first, they really pushed me.” Rehabilitation went on for a while but Jean was not progressing how she or the therapists had hoped. After re-evaluation, it was determined that Jean required a second surgery to repair her rotator cuff. This took place in March of 2016 and then therapy began again. “It felt like I was starting all over, it was quite the setback for me”. Jean fought through the mental struggle and pushed herself again in occupational therapy. “I remember everything was hard at first but I made progress so much faster the second time around.” Jean had made progress within therapy and it was time to transition into a home exercise program. She participated in a home exercise and wellness program to advance further. Jean recalls the therapists saying, “If you’re happy, quit. If not, keep working at it.” Jean was not ready to accept her new level of function so she continued “her own therapy” in the wellness center. She recalls, “My husband took on more with our farm and I could finally make getting better a priority.”
She stretched her shoulder and lifted weights in hopes of getting her range of motion and strength back. “Initially, my goals were simple; to put things away in the upper cabinets, open cans, and jars, or even grate cheese.” As time went on, her goals advanced to being able to do a regular push up and to flip the riding lawn mower on end in order to sharpen the blades. Therapy staff recalls Jean frequently asking questions, like what else she can do within the gym. She eventually met her personal goals and has returned to helping her husband on their farm. Jean reports that it was not always easy to stay motivated. One of the most rewarding things she can do now is hug her family normally. “My daughter kept reminding me about my progress and recalls the day I gave her the most ‘normal’ hug following surgery.”
Jean’s advice to other rehabilitation patients is to set goals and remember to trust your therapists. Don’t give up, it might take a long time but stick with it. The rehabilitation department is proud of Jean and all of her accomplishments both in and out of the therapy gym.
