physical therapy

Last week, I mentioned having problems with my left shoulder. My dr looked at it and sent me to a physical therapist. I felt like I should have been very pleased...objectively, physical therapists are a lot less dangerous than orthopedic surgeons. (And a lot more useful than saying, "Too bad you have a sore shoulder. I guess you need to wait for it to heal." Which I could have gotten for free from any of you.) But I was terrified, because I've had so many bad experiences with physical therapy.

( cut in case anyone doesn't want to read about bad experiences with physical therapy )

practical details of carrying

No backpack--shoulder.

No purse--shoulder.

Pants pockets are problematic. Right-side pockets are easy to reach, but very hard to get stuff out of. Left-side pockets are much harder to reach. Left hand is becoming harder to work even for key-manipulation.

Jacket pockets on light fleece jacket are useful. Big pockets good for water bottle, mmpb, and sunglasses. Layering jackets gives more pockets. Wearing load easier than carrying it. If I have to carry the jacket, it becomes counterproductive. Light nylon jacket has that big flat pocket in back, holds paper with only one fold. All light jackets have problem that left pocket swings back, hard for left hand to reach.

Routinely need to carry: wallet, cellphone, pillcase, sunglasses, keys, Charliecard, tissues, audio/ebook reader, headphones. All but headphones and sunglasses fit in beltpouch, if case for reader goes on attached webbelt. Fastening is difficult but possible. Is there some way to make that easier? (Other than the obvious, get someone else to fasten it for me.)

Sometimes need to carry: papers, groceries, books. Try using small canvas bag and making multiple trips. No clue how to manage travel. Or carrying snacks or drinking water on long walks.