Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Strictly on my pins

They took away the cane...it's just me and my feet.  I'm excited, man. 22 days ago I was completely paralyzed on the left side...I needed a nurse to help me roll over...I had a catheter in me...I couldn't get out of bed and couldn't conceive of anything being like it was.  I was helpless, angry, frustrated, and scared about my future. All I could think of was, I'm glad my dad is dead, because it would break his heart to see me like this.

Then I was able to wiggle my toes, and the world changed.

I knew that if I could do that, then pathways could be re-opened, with some luck and a lot of hard work. So that's what I did. Worked my ass off. Relearned to use my leg, lifting my leg when I was alone and in bed. Finding that with supreme effort I could bend my knee. Was able to wiggle my thumb sometimes, then all the time. Couldn;'t turn my hand over - then I could.  Fell in the crapper.  THAT was fun.

Transferred to rehab. Spent 3 1/2 hours a day in therapy.  I could walk around a rail, holding on with both hands. Couldn't lift my arm halfway up. Strengthened my shoulder.  Got my range of motion back. Worked on fine muscle control.  Flipped cards.  First time. flipped a straight!  Second time too! Thought it was a miracle until I realized it was a pinochle deck...

Started writing. Shuffling. Two-hand typing (mixed results). So many things.So many things you can do with a strong shoulder.  Couldn't put my shirt on.  Couldn't put my socks on.  Then I could, Fuckin miracle.

And it looks like the next phase is about to begin. Home care, which means I'm gonna be housebound. Then I won't.

Still can't drive. But then I'll be able to.  Watch me.

9 comments:

  1. You go! Awesome recovery. Way to work hard.

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  2. Wait....you fell down in the bathroom or actually fell INTO the crapper?

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    1. no, fell in the bathroom...I didn't trust the head was directly behind me, thought I had to scooch to the left.

      I didn't have to.

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  3. I hear that if you need help going to the bathroom, Josie will help. Just tell her that you are unable to point the ... uh ... you know ... in the right direction and could she literally lend you a hand?

    Don't mention this stuff to any guys though, as I know at least one guy in the area who singlehandedly (smirk) helped increase the profits of Jergens lotion.

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    1. First of all, eww. Secondly, after this she's like the only human being in the tri-state area who HASN'T seen my junk. Modesty kinda goes out the window when you're in the hospital. Lastly, if she wants to handle a small dick she has plenty of options, including yours.

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  4. My heart is singing with joy for you !

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  5. Great, great news Gary. So happy to hear about your progress. Keep it up! (And no, that isn't a reference to Lightning's crude suggestion about how Josie could help you out)

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    1. Spoken from the man who kept Vaseline profits in the trillions ...

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