I Here it is the middle of May already. We did have a nice Easter and I was able to go out and spend time with my grandsons. Near the End of April my wheelchair seat broke and the Extra Mural Hospital nurse who was in to bandage my legs contacted the Extra Mural Occupational Therapist. She came to see me the next day and within a few days I had a power wheelchair for assessment. I was fortunate enough to have it for three weeks! We tried a couple of different seats and backs before we found the right fit for me. In the meantime, my whole world changed. Since I didn't need anyone to push my wheelchair, I was free to come and go as I pleased and became quite confident in a very short time. It made things so much easier for Kelly, she didn't have to go out if she didn't feel like it and she was no longer responsible for every little errand. When the children came to visit for the day, I was able to take them for a 'walk' over in King Square and the Loyalist Burial Ground Park. After that, we went through the City Market and they each bought a treat and then we headed back to the apartment. It was the first time I ever took my grandsons for a walk. It may have been ordinary to them but it was like a miracle to me. I was soon going all over the place, sometimes with a friend here in the building and sometimes alone and it was absolutely wonderful.
On moderate pain days I could still go out and I was even able to take myself to one of my appointments for an ultrasound when Kelly wasn't feeling well. I can hardly find the words to express how wonderful it was to have a wheelchair that would take me anywhere I wanted to go (up to 25 miles on a full charge).
The first week I had the power chair I also had pneumonia and bronchitis and was really sick. They came and took it back this past Thursday and I was sad to see it go but ever so grateful that I had it as long as I did. It will take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to get my own chair and I can hardly wait.
I was able to get the stockings that the doctor prescribed for me to control the swelling from the Lymphedema. I got the over the counter ones (at $25/pr) and if they work well, which they seem to be doing, then I won't have to get custom fit ones which are $110/pr I have to have help to get them on but once they are on they are quite comfortable and they have certainly kept the swelling down a lot. They have also reduced the pain I was having and it only occassionally gets to the excruiating point.
After getting past the pneumonia and bronchitis I thought I was home free but I spent a day with the kids and they were almost all feeling sick. Guess what? They shared it with their dear old gran! I am just getting over stomach flu,
My daughter, husband and children made a trip to Cuba where her husband's family is. It was nerve wracking for us back at home, praying that nothing would happen to them. Her husband fled Cuba as a political demonstrator through the US Embassy when he was much younger and we were so worried. They had a good time but found the heat hard to take and all arrived home safely a few days ago.
As you have probably figured out, I am having a good day today and have for the past few days but they are forcasting rain so my pain will probably flare up any time now. I have to take advantage of these good days. I may go and visit my Mom today.
Hope that all who read this are also having a 'good' pain day.
