I was visiting the US to attend a wedding. After which I fell very ill and was diagnosed as having endo-carditis (an inflamation of the heart that causes an infection to spread throughout the blood stream). The doctors were unsure of how I had contracted it. They suspected a spider had bitten me during the outdoor wedding reception. I had to undergo a month of intravenous anti-biotics. My body utilized so much energy to fight the infection, and as a result, I suffered from muscle atrophy making me practically unable to use my volunatry muscles. I could hardly lift a glass of water, much less walk.
This was for me a very frightening experience as I have always been very athletic. I was convinced that I would never be able to play sports ever again. I underwent a one month physical therapy programme with Carissa in which we painstakingly worked each of my muscle groups. Carissa was very patient with me and her encouragement helped me through the toughest times of recovery.
The programme was very specific and progressive. Slowly, I began to regain my strength and I improved from lifting plastic bottles of water to lifting actual weights. By the time the programme was over, I was walking again, performing normal everyday activities that most of us take for granted. I was also able to move my arms freely whereas before I was compltely unable to lift my left arm no matter how much I willed it to move.
Before I knew it, I was back at the gym, practising yoga, and enjoying an active lifestyle. Without Carissa's help and dedication to my recovery, I doubt I would have regained my former fitness level so fully and rapidly. And for this, I will always be grateful.
Abigail |
