Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Day 50 - Just want to walk...

Days til this stinkin’, uncomfortable, limiting brace is off: 29


Days til move: 10 (or is it?)


I might have my move date changed yet again.  We’ll see.  Later, if anything.


Have I really been in this hospital/rehab place for 50 days??? That’s 7 weeks.  I was at Illinois Masonic about 9 days before that.  I can’t believe I’ve spent the last two months in a hospital.  


Yesterday I got up and put on the braces, then walked around with a walker for 630 feet, crushing my previous personal record of 310 feet.  So that was nice.  Then we headed up north and checked out the area where my new apartment is located.  We WERE going to check out the apartment, but everyone was off for Memorial Day.  The good news is there is a tiny Thai place that gives a decent lunch with appetizer and soup for $5.99. 


I got really down yesterday.  Trying to imagine myself doing very basic things in the neighborhood we visited was extremely hard.  I realized I’d have to start making notes on places I go when I got stuck in the bathroom at the Thai place.  Not fun.  My dad somehow blamed himself for that.  I didn’t even do anything last night.  I just laid in bed and waited until I got tired, then fell asleep at something like 9:30.  Thus no blog. 

I realize that, especially compared to other people in my condition, I am doing very well.  Many people are very surprised to see how much I’ve progressed in two months.  I am truly thankful for that but it just isn’t enough.  To me it already seems like ages.  I want to walk again.  I want to be the way I was before the accident!  

Today was a little better.  I got into the braces and went 840 feet this time - again, with the walker.  It’s just technique - not any new muscle return or anything.  I’ll post a video my dad took in a sec.  


It’s been hard but I have to try and remember how lucky I am.  I truly am lucky/blessed/whatever you want to call it.  I’ve had an amazing life to this point.  Hopefully in a year I’ll look back and value the struggles I am going through right now, but it’s hard to think that way.  


Another patient on my floor, Mark, was injured simply slipping in the shower.  He has a positive attitude every day.  I see him smiling every day and I am jealous of his consistent attitude.  On top of the usual recovery goals, he was determined to lose weight.  He’s lost almost 40 lbs. in about 4 weeks!  Crazy.  He pushes hard in therapy and works out on his own, as well.  I hope I can be more like Mark.  Please pray for him and his family. 


Also, a long-time friend of my family has a brain tumor.  They find out soon if it is benign or malignant.  Let’s pray it’s benign.  We already know it is inoperable.  So let’s pray for him and his family.  I won’t say his name since I didn’t ask if it was okay to talk about him here, publicly like this.  My tribulations seem like whining complaints compared to what they must be going through right now.  


My mom goes back home to Kentucky, soon.  She knows she is needed back home but also hates leaving me here.  Please pray for her.  She doesn’t realize I’ll be okay here.


My dad, like any guy, just wants to fix the situation.  I had to tell him today, “Dad, you just can’t fix this.”  It was really hard for him to hear.  Please pray for him, too.  He found a sublet here for the summer to help out with the business and help me if I need it.  Of course, he’ll be heading to Kentucky often to see my mom.  Or she’ll be coming here.  


I will try and remember Romans 12:12:



Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.



G’night,


Chip

No comments:

Post a Comment