Honestly, I start feeling better, oh so much better and I hurt my back! I don't know how I hurt it but I've strained it somehow.
I could blame it on the ride I took on the handicap bus. On the way home, we drove through some serious road construction and the bus hit this bump. There were three passengers on the bus by the way. When we hit that bump the three of us all kind of came out of our seats.
You remember that song, "The Wheels on the Bus". There's a line in there that goes, "the people on the bus go UP and Down..." That was us.
Then, the same day, my friend came by and she had some of those window cling on things. Snowflakes. She said if I used them my cockatiel might not fly into the window so much. (you have to know birds to understand that statement) I thought this was a great idea so I began putting them up.
This entailed the up and down thing again. I had to stand, wet the area the cling on was to go then wipe it dry. Then sit down. Only problem there was instead of sitting, twice I plopped and plopping is not good when one is in a wheelchair. One can damage one's back. It was what I was taught in therapy.
I don't know what happened, I just know the next day, getting out of bed was the worst. Even sitting in a wheelchair wasn't comfortable. I'm sure anyone who has injured their back knows how I felt the first day.
It's gradually (oh so gradually) gotten better. Getting out of bed is a feat but I am on the mend.
I've had issues with weakness also. I noticed it when I got out of the hospital that second week of November. My hands weren't strong. It was difficult to wring out a washcloth or I found myself holding a cup of coffee with both hands. I didn't understand it.
When I was re-assessed by therapy I told them my concern and it was noted but after checking me over it was decided that I would continue physical therapy but wouldn't need occupational. I was good with that, I figured my strength would return.
And it did, somewhat.
But then I went back into the hospital at the end of November.
I did well after the surgery. I came out of it like I was supposed to and then some. I'm not bragging. I was constantly told how good I looked and how well I was doing. It wasn't unprecedented, the nurses and doctors just didn't see it very often.
When I came home I noticed an overall weakness with my body. So anxious to come home it was something I didn't pay attention to in the hospital I guess but I was weak. Transferring from my chair to the bed for instance required two or three tries. My knees just weren't supporting me. Even my legs and ankles seemed to fail me.
Some of that improved a little over the days. Again, one should expect something like this when one goes through any surgery.
My concern grew when I caught myself dropping things. I'm always dropping things,, I have arthritis in my hands but it just seemed I couldn't hang on to anything. I was making coffee and just opened a brand new container of my favorite dark roast. I held the container and spooned coffee into the filtered basket when suddenly the coffee container was on the floor!
Coffee went flying! It went all over, I'm telling you. There was some still left in the container though. I picked it up and nearly dropped the thing again! I finally got the lid back on it and and at it on the counter. Do you know how long it takes to clean up coffee like that?
I've paid attention to my body since. I was just recently re-assessed again (when one misses sessions one has to be re-assessed). The nurse decided to suggest I have PT and OT (physical and occupational therapy) after our first visit. She, as a nurse will also visit once a week. Most likely until the stitches come out.
Someone lost the paper work on me or wires got crossed because the assessor for PT just finished with me yesterday. Long story short here, she can okay both PT and OT which she did.
When I explained my about my weakness, she was a little concerned. Especially after she did her little tests on me. I don't think I passed.
I walked a little for her with my walker but I didn't do it very well and I could tell. When I've walked before she's never put her hands on me. I could feel her hand on my back and hip trying to support me. I knew I wasn't standing straight either. I did about twenty steps - maybe. Not at all what I'm used to doing.
Two things happened yesterday after the assessment. I became tired suddenly. I closed my eyes and dozed a little in my chair. Not long, maybe fifteen minutes or so. I was fully awake though when I woke. I had to go to the bathroom.
When I tried to transfer from my chair to the the toilet my knees just went weak. I nearly fell. The space in my bathroom is limited so I wouldn't have fallen far or hurt myself if I had fallen. When I transfer I hold onto the shower chair or bar on the shower and wheelchair then transfer. My legs buckled. I don't know how I caught myself but I did and managed to transfer.
It scared me.
Transferring back was fine. I could feel the weakness but I didn't have a problem getting back to my wheelchair.
Last night, I was making coffee for this morning. I dropped the container again! Coffee everywhere!! I nearly cried. I was so upset and frightened.
I cleaned it up then just sat there for a minute. I tried to remember how my hands felt while I was holding the container. I can feel it in my hands so it's not that. I suppose it's not being able grip. I don't know! I know how frustrated I am. I mean look at me typing this!
I can feel the keys and I've got one of the old key boards so I really have to punch when I type.
Therapy should start this week and hopefully I'll start getting my strength back. Until then, I have to be mindful of my weakness. Especially when I'm making coffee. You can laugh, might as well, crying doesn't help. Until next time.
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