I am closing in on the end of my time in rehab. Next week I should have my departure date which I am guessing will be around November 12th. Yesterday I was in the surgeon’s office where Doctor Quinnan studied my X-rays and pronounced my bones are regenerating and healing nicely.
He said I can have fifty percent weight bearing on my left foot which means I can walk properly now with a walker supporting my left leg using my considerable upper body strength. No more hopping thank God. Now I learn how to manage increasing the strength in my legs which have been inert for months and then I learn how to handle myself, my wheelchair, and my walker in banal daily activities. A great deal of handling going on here.
I spent all day in the wheelchair and got back to my room grumpy ready for a nap. I was exhausted which in turn forced me to ask myself how will I cope with daily demands if this is all the stamina I have? However the sensible voice in my head told me to take it one day at a time. Yesterday was also my birthday and I was flooded with cards and electronic messages. It was delightful and moving to turn 61. Many of you have appeared not in person but as personalities in my life through this crisis and it is one of the great good things near death has brought me. I try not to think too hard about how important this page is to so many of you because if I do I start down that route I will suffer analysis paralysis.
I have to say I really like Publix bakery and they make a mean chocolate cake but I felt like carrot cake for some reason so my wife, and Publix, came through. Apparently the nurse’s station agreed it was delicious as they weighed in and polished it off. I am lucky to be served by a bunch of really nice people in this place. I am astounded by the joy and compassion displayed by the staff everyday. I feel cocooned by them.
I was hoping to drive Sosa crazy with a Rubik’s cube I was sent. I scrambled my brains on it for a while and then offered it to him. He went mildly nuts wandering the halls fiddling with it between rooms and came back a couple of hours later defeated. Keep it I said, until you get it done. He flashed a glare at me and went outside to smoke and calm his nerves.
My wife brought me birthday greetings from her class. Apparently she “sure does miss me” so I wonder how much time the students can score deviating her mind from the class subject matter in hand to pondering my situation. We used that technique when I was a student: get the teacher off course wasting time on a favorite subject of hers to avoid giving the rest of us a test...glad to be of service students!
The details of what I work on next in therapy, when I leave this place, how I cope in Key West and what work will feel like when I go back part time December 1st...all of that is uncertain. But I am not concerning myself with all the uncertainty at this point. I am here, I am alive, and I am learning and all that feels great. As you all have shown me in this process, it will all come out in the end. Thanks for following along.
A PS to Andrew from Seattle who sent a card recalling our chance meeting in the Dry Tortugas years ago. It was lovely to hear from you and yes I still recall that time fondly as does Layne. Thank you for the card. Much appreciated.
8 comments:
You are progressing nicely, Michael, and it makes all of us who read your blog and know you personally very happy to hear this. One day at a time is the proper perspective here, having gone through something similar last year. Innovate, improvise, and making do with what you got, are the way you will deal with any obstacles that will arise as you get to return to your former life. You are handling this like a champ, please continue, we are all rooting for your health and well being!
What Jay said!
And a very Happy belated Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday Michael! You Would be a Scorpio! my birthday is election day next Tuesday. No wonder I have always felt a camaraderie with you. Welcome to your brand new world!
Great progress!! 50% weightbearing will progressively lead to 100%. And now you can prepare for a homecoming! Yay!! You're no doubt excited and apprehensive, simultaneously. Even a tentative date to return to work! Fantastic!! Rusty will be smiling from ear to ear!! I'm sure Layne will have everything ready for any necessary adjustments you'll need to make in your daily routines until you're settled in and fully ambulatory. Great news!! Good job, Conchscooter! How's that search for a new Baby Burgman going? :) KWBound
Glad our healing is progressing so well. That will be a relief to be able to put more weight on that leg so you can walk some and build up the strength in your legs and stamina in general. Starting out part time at work sounds like a good idea. They will be relieved to have you back, as will Layne and Rusty. All your hard work is paying off.
Belated happy birthday wishes to you, Michael. Glad to hear how well you are doing. The facility you landed in seems like a pretty wonderful place. A caring staff is always appreciated. Again, best wishes, Michigan.
A belated Happy Birthday! And it’s has been encouraging to watch your progress. I like the picture of the car in the hallway. I guess you need to figure out what works when getting in and out. Glad you are able to keep your spirits up.
Thank you all.
Post a Comment