It's been a month and so many great things are happening. Before I left Panama I was having a tingling sensation in my left knee when I would rub it. When I would get goosebumps on that leg I can slightly feel the sensation. I can feel the hair stand up on my legs. It's not a overwhelming sensation but I can somewhat sense those feelings. I also have a few spots on my back where I can feel below my injury level. When I have someone rub their fingers on the titanium rods in my back I can feel it from the top to bottom.
My core strength since panama has increased. When I was in driver’s training before I left for Panama anytime I made a sharp left turn I would end up laying on the training instructor. It was funny every time I turned left he would hold me up. I spent the rest of the session trying to get home with only right turns. He prescribed me a chest strap at the time. I finished my driver’s training the week after I came home from Panama. I did a full week three hour a day. I was dreading it but I knew I would have my license at the end of the week so I sucked it up and did what I had to do. My instructor was cool and we just talked about everything imaginable. I picked up the controls quickly. While we were driving and turning the instructor told me he's canceling the chest strap because I didn’t need it. I didnt even realize that I was able to stay upright regardless of turns. It was then I realized my core was really strengthening. I could never put both hands straight out in front of me without toppling over while sitting in my wheelchair. I can do this with ease now.
We drove to Johnstown on Thursday to the DMV. I took my test like I was 16 again and I got my wheels back that day. We went and had lunch at Chili’s to celebrate my accomplishment. Lol. So many things have been better since I have been home. The elevator was finished so I could access my whole house. I slept in my bed for the first time in five months. I showered in my own shower for the first time in five months. I was sleeping in a hospital bed in my living room and showering at my brother –in- laws since I left rehab. My basement is almost finished.
My friends and family put a fully accessible shower and completely finished all my unfinished work. I'm happy to have it all done but it leaves bad memories of the day I was injured. I had the whole basement framed,wired, and insulated. I devoted all my spare time in January and February. March 3rd I brought all the insulation out to the fire pit. Figured I would cut a few dead trees to keep the pile burning and that’s when a tree collapsed on me. The less I think about all that the better off I am. I'm not allowed to think negatively! If I do my wife and kids made up this cute little tune. They call me negative Nancy and sing this little short song about being negative. It's hilarious. I have yet not to laugh when they sing.
My boys have adjusted well to everything. Chris would worry about me a little more than Braden. I tell him that I'm tough and nothing bothers me. He likes to hear that. I think I put his mind at ease. They both have a heart of gold. My 8 year old cooks me over easy eggs for breakfast! Then he screams to me to get down here before they get cold!! Talk about role reversal.
My oldest makes me omelets and toast. Anytime i need to use the elevator Braden runs and wants to ride. He asks me In a real professional voice,"What floor sir?" He is 8 going on 16.
Everything is falling back into place. As close as it's ever gonna get before all this mess. I had my brother clean out my shed. When they modified my garage anything in the garage was brought to the shed. I could only make it halfway to my shed. My yard is like a war zone. Don’t get my yard put in till next month. I sat there while my brother held up stuff and told him where it went. He found all the clothing I was wearing that the paramedics cut off of me the day off my injury. Even the shoes I was wearing. I told him to throw it all away. I did not want to see that. Bad memories. I went back in the house.
I was in a bit of a rut for about a week or two as soon as I got home from Panama. Because I was in the hospital before I left for Panama I needed all new scripts from my doctors. I sat around and did nothing for a week. That is the worst thing on earth to do. You can't quit. You feel like you want to quit about 3/4 of the time but you cannot. Jen got me moving again. She said," I don't understand you. You killed yourself for the Arnold Classic. You killed yourself to build both houses. You worked so hard training for that alumni football game. But now that your life is on the line you want to quit. I don't understand you." I started training that day with my buddy at a local gym. Jen was right for ONCE! Lol. I need motivated sometimes.
I'm now transferring into my jeep Cherokee. I have been driving to therapy in Harmerville and driving home. I don't get fatigued as easy as I used too. I have been using the stem bike and standing frame at therapy. We met with the therapist when I got back from Panama and told him I need more aggressive therapy than I was getting prior to leaving for Panama. He told me I need scripts to release me from my doctors at Mercy. In Panama you don’t need anything. It's a free for all. In our country you need a script for everything. We got the scripts and therapy is going good. I had my best therapy session yesterday. I stood for double the time of my previous times. And I worked harder than ever. I actually broke a sweat. Felt like a true trip to the gym.
The next day I laid in bed till about noon cause I was exhausted from therapy. I'm going on my own next trip to therapy. A true accomplishment for me. It's only been 5 months. I have bad days. The good days are outweighing the bad. Driving has drastically changed my moods. I drive and forget about everything. It makes you feel normal. I even pull my chair in and out of the car on my own. I pretty much do everything on my own. My therapist and I discussed braces to start walking in a month. My strength and ability to stand in the frame is increasing. Good things on the horizon!!!!
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