Has it already been another month? I guess it has. It doesn't seem like that long.
The last month has been interesting. My strategy of spending all my time in bed made a noticeable improvement in my butt pain. In the last couple weeks, I actually had a few days that were almost pain free. As a result, I spent too much time sitting up in my chair, and the pain has started to return. It's not quite as bad as it was, but at least it's proof that I'm doing the right thing. It's also an indication that I'm not just going to be able to heal up and be fine. I'm probably going to have to deal with this problem for the rest of my life. So it's a bit of a mixed bag, but overall, really good.
I did something really exciting just in the last week or so. I have taken 2 (two) separate showers with no assistance or supervision whatsoever. I've finally got the flexibility to reach my feet and take my boots off and put them back on. I'm also finally able to reach my feet in the shower and wash them somewhat. I can't remember the last time I was able to do that, so that's really exciting.
I will say that using my flexibility is very painful. When I move my right hip, it hurts an awful lot. I just finished one of those showers, and I'm lying in bed with my hip just throbbing. I think this is also something that I'm probably going to have to live with. I hope the pain doesn't mean the HO might be returning. So far it doesn't seem like the flexibility is decreasing by using it, but it's something I'll have to keep an eye on. I really don't want to do any more surgery.
For the last month, I've also had a physical therapist coming twice a week to help me work on my car transfers. It's the first step to learning to drive again. We worked on getting into and out of the car, and also breaking down the wheelchair and getting it into and out of the car. So far my best time was under 5 minutes to get in and under 5 minutes to get out. I don't feel entirely confident enough to do it in public yet without supervision, but I'm getting there. One problem I have is that my pants fall down pretty much any time I transfer in or out, and I can't pull them up without getting into a bed. That's kindof a major problem, and I don't know how to solve it. It may require wearing different pants, but I only own one type of pants that fits me.
With all the time I've spent in bed, I've gotten really weak. When I first moved here, I used to go for walks where I'd push myself around the 3 little blocks here in my neighborhood, and I'd barely be tired. The last few weeks, I've been trying to push myself around just one block, and I'm completely worn out. I'd like to do it more often, but the weather hasn't been very cooperative lately. I need it to be over 45 degrees and dry before I'm going to try it. I'm definitely not going to do it in the snow, which I believe they are calling for more of this week.
In conclusion, it's been a pretty good month. I've got a lot more challenges ahead, but overall, things are looking up.
