Mixing it up
Since my last blog I’ve been mixing things up, mostly due to enjoying my newfound freedom from the cast. I’ve gone back to the normal two handed wheelchair, which means I can push myself outside a lot more easily and get myself to physio in about half the normal time. It has meant I can no longer wheel myself while carrying a cup of tea but I’m ok with compromising.
It’s been a full house of visitors lately, which has been a nice change from having some quieter weeks (by request). I had my Mum down for a couple of nights, which for the first time didn’t involve Scrabble but did include lots of time outside sitting in the sun, my first regular takeaway coffee and another beautiful bunch of fresh flowers.
I had visits from work friends and managers as well - they’ve been consistently generous throughout this journey and they’ve never stopped sending messages of support. For a while there I hadn’t missed work much but recently I’ve been thinking quite a bit about what I enjoy about it. I figured that I’m lucky to work with some pretty great people and that I enjoy having the opportunity to constantly learn, which I feel is something I’d started to neglect. It’s not that I didn’t want to learn, I think I just used being busy as an excuse to not learn as much as I could have. I’ve started reading more now that I’m a bit more focused and I’m enjoying having the time to find new sites/topics to read. I’m also completely addicted to Sudoku, it’s my new favourite way to pass time and I’m proud to have nailed my first Sudoku X (columns, rows as well as diagonals are 1-9).
Physio is going well - Chris has started me on the zimmer frame, I’m really feeling my age. It’s really difficult to hop on my bad leg and move forward with the frame. Hopefully once I start putting weight on my right leg in 2 weeks it’ll be a lot easier. I find I have no balance and it’s so dicey shifting my weight forward but all the core work we’re doing will make it easier. I’m also using the total gym, which allows me to leg press and do calf raises taking about 30% of my bodyweight. I’ve also started hand therapy for my right wrist to get it a bit stronger after getting the cast off. Last Friday Chris seized the opportunity to change from R&B Friday to his own playlist - we have the same taste in music so it was a big win for me. Phoenix any day over Sean Paul (sorry any R&B fans out there).
Last week I started hydrotherapy, which sees me going to the Epworth Richmond every morning instead of physio with Chris. The Epworth arranges a patient transport bus and there’s about 3 of us each morning that take the 8:30am bus. We’re in the pool from 9-10am doing various activities with the help of one of the exercise physiologists (EPs). My focus at the moment is on building my ROM for my right hip so that when I start walking it doesn’t get too stuck. We also do some kicking to help with the strength in both legs. I was a bit sad after the first day because I thought swimming would be the one thing I could do that I didn’t feel was difficult. I’d already conceded with walking but I thought the pool would be different.
In reality it wasn’t to be - I literally feel like I’m learning to swim again. I know it will all come back eventually but I keep having to try and reset my expectations. Here’s a look at the pool and the hoist that I use to get in…
It’s weird being submerged on the way in and even weirder on the way out when my body feel so heavy out of the water. I’m absolutely wrecked after hydro, Chris is kind and lets me have 10mins with the heat packs when I arrive for my 1pm session. By 2pm I’m a wreck, so I’m back to the afternoon naps. I also see one of the consulting psychiatrists a few nights per week - he drops in to quite a few of us (I think he sees around half of the trauma patients) just to check on how we’re going and see how our headspace is. Some days are easier than others but it helps so much having support from all directions. Weekends are back to being my rest days because it’s full on Mon-Fri.
This weekend I’ve caught up with work friends Brad and Luke (thanks for the coffee Luke!) as well as cycling friends Mick, Suz, Maria, Rob and Bridge (thanks for the doughnuts Maria :)) Today Dad came down to Melbourne for the day and we went out to lunch for the first time. I’d been pretty apprehensive about it for a while - I usually don’t love going out in the wheelchair and didn’t want there to be a big fuss. Dad’s wheelchair handling skills have reached new heights and we found a cool little place up the road. I went for the freshest sounding thing I could find on the menu - all day breakfast salad with a fresh OJ. Ticked all my boxes :)
Tonight Ghita is coming in with dinner and I’m looking forward to catching up on her outpatient adventures. Next week sees me doing much of the same - a lot of hydrotherapy, physio, Sudoku and hopefully sleep. I have some sessions with my OT Monique to continue with functional hand therapy and I’ll also go to lunch group on Friday, where I get the opportunity to practice making my own lunch. Still a couple of weeks from going home but I’m heading in the right direction.