There are better things in life than alcohol, but alcohol makes up for not having them.
Terry Pratchett
Beginning of week 3 back at work and 4 weeks since my last update.
Week 1 was the hardest back to work. On the first day I felt like I had the stuffing knocked out of me – having to tell people what had happened and what my prognosis was – made it all a little real. I haven’t had my head in the sand by any accounts but I came back to a new job as a new me – a broken version.
I had got my groove on by Wednesday and then started to get very tired on Thursday and Friday. Week 2 was the same, although I feel my confidence is coming back. Work has been very supportive. I am still attending 2 physio sessions a week and have the odd hospital appointment that they are happy for me to go to.
I am taking it really easy in the evenings. I am still getting to the pool 3 or 4 times a week and enjoying the days I am home from work at 5:30 with nothing but peace and quiet.
It’s still dry July (now I know how Jesus felt with 40 days and 40 nights!) and I am a new woman! I can confidently say I haven’t done anything to hinder my recovery. Only aid it. I feel like Adam Ant is singing down at me: “don’t drink? don’t smoke? What do ya do?” (shuddup Adam you 80’s throwback!)
I now have my new lightweight, carbon fibre AFO’s. And I have purchased 2 pairs of knee high boots that fit and cover them well. After weeks and weeks of accumulating various versions of knee high socks, I finally feel I am reclaiming my legs! Those skirts and dresses Mum and I buried away a few months ago are now within my reach.
Dorsiflexion: Remember the foot action I am missing? The lifting of the foot – the dorsi flexion. I would gauge I have roughly 20/30% back. When my toenails are looking pretty I will post a new video – I have come a long way since “wiggle your big toe”
I hope you like the video of me showing off. You notice a much more upright me, with less wobble.
Most weeks at Physio, I am put through a series of tests I have mapped this chart to show my progression.
TEST 1 – TUG – Timed Up and Go. From a sitting position, stand up, walk around a cone that is 2 metres in front, walk back and sit back down. The aim is to do it in as little time as possible.
TEST 2 – 10 metre walk. Self explanatory but foot steps are also counted. The idea is to do it in the quickest time with the least amount of footsteps.
TEST 3 – 6 minute walk – Walk as far as you can in 6 minutes. UP and down the Breezeway at the Caulfield Hospital. I started on a gutter frame, progressed to zimmer frame, then onto crutches.
I am now being timed on 1 crutch.
It’s not all peaches and cream. I can’t sugar coat everything. But I am in a good space right now. I have come a long way and am nearly at the stage where people will be asking me how I got my little blue car park sticker!
My physio, Rod , and I have set realistic goals (well I set them and Rod tells me if they are realistic or not!)
These are my latest goals:
By the end of July, I should be proficient on one crutch (nearly there!).
By the end of August, I expect to be proficient using one walking stick (starting to practise with 2 at the moment)
By the end of September I envisage I can walk most of the time without support. Just with my AFO’s.
And I am getting away with myself if I go much further than that – Rod thinks – personally I think I will be 90% fixed by Christmas – no AFO’s for most of the time (but I didn't say that out loud as that would make it real!)
Again thanks for all your continued support, it's been appreciated and I will keep updating you all with my progress.
