Member since:
June 9, 2006

Seven Days In A Row...Bring On The Marathon

April 21, 2008 08:24 AM EDT

views: 174 | comments: 70

Thanks to Mother Nature's cooperation with some great weather, I've been able to keep accomplishing what I never thought I could do. I've been blessed in being allowed to get out and walk...err...hobble on my crutches seven days in a row due to sunshine and temperatures in the 70's and 80's around this neck of the woods; unusual for this time of the year. I guess it would take unusual weather for me to get out and do something that's unusual for me to do. Just two weeks ago, after falling on my first attempt, I doubted I'd ever be able to "walk" again. Now, I look forward to the time of day I get out of the confines of my apartment to take a "stroll" around my neighborhood.
I've make the trip across the street to the store to grab a couple items; all I can really carry on crutches as the weight throws my balance off somewhat...and I don't care to take another tumble. I go that route if I have nothing else to do. I've actually 'bettered my time', too; down from half an hour to make the round trip to 25 minuest on the norm. I've also gone the two blocks up to the main intersection for coffee on the corner at one of my favorite cafes. Mid-week, I decided to push myself, without having anyone by my side, and I went four blocks to another coffee shop at the other end of our cafe district. I was a little shaky by the time I arrived, but the main thing is that I made it! The only time I stopped to 'take a break' was when I had to wait for the traffic light to turn so I could cross the street at the main four corners on the way.

      In all my attempts at learning to get around minus my right leg, I've only run into one problem. It's not anything physical on my part. I'm starting to learn I can make it to where I want to go if I just keep at it. My obstacle is also a result of the great weather we've been experiencing...and that's other people getting in my way. Despite their blocking my path, I'm not going to let any one of them stop my progress. It's not that they're doing it on purpose for the most part. They're just out doing their every day routine, too.
      The sunshine and warm temperatures always brings more people out of their homes. In sharing the sidewalk with them, most will walk to the side to let the guy on crutches get past. There have been a few who won't budge and strut right down the middle of the sidewalk and they're not about to move. That's alright. It may be a little rougher for me, but I simply veer to the side and go a little slower with more caution as I try to traverse the uneven, grassy strip to keep on going. The main obstacle is the traffic. Being the most popular strip in the city; when the weather is prime, the vehicles are out in force with visitors coming to my neighborhood. They whizz up and down the street non-stop. I have to stand at the curb a good 10 minutes before there's a break in the flow to be able to 'dart' across. It's a bit tiring for my one leg to be stationary on it for so long, but I've gotten to the point of 'playing' while I'm waiting. I'll slouch down on the crutches for a bit, resting my weight on them through my underarms. I've even gotten brave a couple times and lifted my leg off the ground for a few seconds and just let it swing. Drivers haven't been too attentive in seeing me and the shape I'm in and don't bother stopping; not even police officers out in their cruisers. I've only had one person pause to allow me to cross...a lady in her convertible pulling out of the mini-plaza parking lot. Her gesture was a noble one, but I told her to go on. Sure, she was going to let me cross...but I wasn't so sure the string of a dozen vehicles coming in the opposite direction would stop for me. I didn't want to take my chances of just stepping out...and end up with another trip back to the hospital.
      With my accomplishments out and about as I learn how to traverse on crutches, I've also been figuring out how to get some things done around my apartment. When I'm inside my home, I most generally use a walker. It's much easier...and quicker...to just grab that instead of getting the crutches and propping them under my arms, especially for those middle of the night bathroom calls. I can just see myself, groggy with sleep, falling and getting hurting on crutches...then having the emergency medics show up to treat me while I'm sprawled buck naked on the floor. I've joked with my best friend that I need a cute white basket with a pretty pink flower on it to attach to the walker so I can carry things around. As it is, I use a plastic grocery bag if I need to transport something from one room to another. I've really been able to master some things like making coffee, moving a kitchen chair or pushing it under the table, straightening my bed, grabbing something quick to eat, even bringing a couple sandwiches and some chips along with a beverage in a bottle into the livingroom to dine off the coffee table in front of the televsion...so I don't have to sit at the kitchen table being bored with nothing else to do but eat.
      Though I still can't take my garbage down the stairs and out behind the building to throw in the dumpster, I can get it out of the trash can and get it ready to go. I've also been able to wash my dishes by standing with my walker while propping a kitchen chair behind me to rest my butt on while I'm at the sink. Okay, so I let them sit to air dry instead of drying them with a dish towel when I'm done. Call me lazy! I've also figured out how to sweep my kitchen floor. I had to laugh the first time I attempted it...and no offense to those of you who are...but, for some reason, I felt like a little, old lady hanging onto my walker with my left hand while using the other to move the broom back and forth; the same method I use to vacuum the carpet. And I pull a chair out and sit down while I sweep the crumbs and debris into a dust pan. That chair comes in handy to sit while preparing some of my food, too. It's a little low to the counter, but it's what I've got to work with. I wish I was in Hollywood. I sure could go for one of those taller director's chairs to elevate myself so I could see what I'm doing. Everything's tasted alright, so I guess I haven't used the wrong ingredients yet.
      I've had to sit and think about some things to be able to figure out how I'm going to do them. I can't get into the bathtub and shower, though I've been cleared to wash my 'nub'. I have an old-fashioned, claw foot tub and can't quite step into it with one leg. I'm sure I could use my walker with my arm strength to lift myself over the edge and get in and out, but with the smooth bottom of the tub, especially when it's wet...again, the fear of falling. I know I've slid and almost gone down when I had two good feet. Until I get something for the bottom of the tub to create a non-skid surface; I've opted to other methods of cleaning up. I sit on the edge of the tub to be able to see into the mirror over the sink right next to it so I can shave and brush my teeth. When I wash up giving myself a sponge bath, I sit on the toilet so I'm more stable and able to get everything. For those of you wondering, I don't use Lever 2000...because I don't have that many parts any more. And for washing my hair; it's out to the kitchen sink where I use my walker and the chair propped behind my now clean butt.
      There's really not a lot else for me to do around the apartment. When I'm not out for a 'walk' or doing a quick task at home, I'm either watching television or playing around on the computer. I have a standard-type straight chair I sit it I have to 'scootch' back and forth to get to the desk, over to the couch or back to the telephone. I've thought an office chair on wheels would be great and they sell them at the drug store up the street...until it dawned on me there's no way I could even carry it home and up all those stairs I have to climb to the third floor. I did have success, though, with another task this weekend. As warm as it's been...and seeing how the top floor apartments always get hotter than hades with the heat rising...I managed to get a front window open for cross-circulation. Scott opened the back window for me when I got home from the hospital and I managed to sit in a chair and unload the bottom of one of my closets to drag my oscilating fan out that week, too. (There's just no way in hell I'm ever going to be able to get my air conditioning unit into my kitchen window. I couldn't even lift that heavy, old thing before my mishap.) I had to clear off half my desk and park my butt up on it. Then, I wedged my 'nub' between the desk and the wall and strained sideways to get that bulky window lifted. You know how they get when they're old and the paint sticks to make them difficult to raise. I managed to get it open about a third of the way, but that's enough to let a breeze flow through so I don't roast. Ah...relief!

Don't stand in my way. I'm going forward. I'm going to do whatever I have to do to keep moving toward being successful at what I'm trying to accomplish. I've gotten lots of encouragement from you, the members of Gather, with your well-wishes and prayers rooting me on. Many say I've inspired them...but you've inspired me to become the best I can be...and I'm going to do just that. I've been given the chance to go on rather than the alternative I was facing. I have to make the most of it because I may not get the same opportunity in the future should anything happen to me again. If I can do this; anyone can overcome and accomplish whatever barriers stand in their way. Just put it in your mind you can...and you can! It may be painful. I'm not going to tell you it'll be easy. But it can be done. Some may see me as 'handicapped' or 'disabled'. I don't see myself as either. Granted, I may not be able to do a few things...and other things, I don't do the way you do. It may take me a little longer to do something and I may do it in a way different than you do...but I get it done! Sure, I may look different than you do in that I'm missing a leg, but I'm still who I am and no different than anyone else on the inside. As a matter of fact, I feel this unfortunate event has actually helped make me a better person in many ways. It's given me a positive attitude. Even if everyone was against me; I'd still come out on top because this is something I have to do for myself...I have to be victorious for me and me alone. But it sure feels great having so much support out there even if it's just in spirit alone...and for that, I thank all of you sooooooo much!!! The way I see things, it's almost like I'm running a marathon...and all of you are lining the route cheering for me as I'm on my way to b