All I Really Want

All hail Alanis. (With that out of my system, I can now proceed.) I’ve been finding it really hard lately to accept help from PSWs. There are several reasons for this, chief among them that support workers represent, to me, what I’ve lost in terms of independence. As I’ve become increasingly capable, I’ve also become … Continue reading All I Really Want →

Spa Day for Toe(s)

Yes, the title of this post is a little misleading. I had to draw you in somehow, though, and I’m weirdly excited to share news that it’s kind of weird to be excited to share (and also kind of weird in general). My big toe—the one on my right foot, to be specific—had its second … Continue reading Spa Day for Toe(s) →

The Gift of Gab

My parents called this morning to remind me that it’s an important anniversary, one I honestly would’ve forgotten had they not remembered. Exactly a year ago, I regained the ability to speak. Though I hadn’t known the precise date, I do remember the moment. There had been some buildup to to it, and my anticipation, … Continue reading The Gift of Gab →

New Wheels, Gotta Roll

At very long last, my new wheelchair arrived on Thursday. It’s a thing of beauty. More importantly, it’s mine. Not on loan from the medical supply company. Fitted for me, with everything tightened up where it ought to be. Smooth and shiny (for now, anyway). Ready for the accessories I’ll inevitably buy to make it … Continue reading New Wheels, Gotta Roll →

The Flip Side of a Flop

I like to tell myself that everyone has those “yeah right, medical professionals, quit the hyperbole and lemme do what I’m gonna do” moments. Aren’t I, after all, the expert on my own body? (History would suggest otherwise, in my case, but I’ll conveniently brush over that part.) Don’t hold me back! I’m regrowing a … Continue reading The Flip Side of a Flop →

“Should I Be …”

As soon as I heard myself say it, I burst into the kind of self-aware laughter that’s been coming to me frequently and spontaneously as of late. I’d been obsessing about something I did a little compulsively (all of this in a very OCD manner, of course), and, as I am wont to do, I … Continue reading “Should I Be …” →

Sleep or Swim?

My body and brain must miss the recreational swimming I enjoyed before I had epilepsy. Three of the last four nights, I’ve woken up in the wee hours drenched in sweat. I mean, drenched. Through-the-sheets, through-the-duvet-cover-and-the-duvet, stringy-hair drenched. Gross and uncomfortable? Yes. Disconcerting? Also a yes. I’m not particularly worried that these four-in-the-morning swimfests are … Continue reading Sleep or Swim? →

Let’s Get Physio, Physio

A few weeks ago, I started going to a physiotherapist around the corner from our apartment. I hadn’t had any physiotherapy since leaving the hospital, and I’d begun to decompensate while waiting for PT through homecare and/or an outpatient musculoskeletal rehabilitation program I’d been referred to. When it had become evident that I needed and … Continue reading Let’s Get Physio, Physio →

Random Acts of Nerding

My husband returned to work on Thursday after a five-day weekend. He spent most of it recouping, running errands, and going to appointments of his own. On Tuesday, however, we took advantage of his weekday availability to venture out of our neighbourhood for the first non-medical-appointment time since I was discharged. We’ve devoted a lot … Continue reading Random Acts of Nerding →

No Silver Linings, No Playbook

Well, today’s been a day. Yesterday was too, for that matter. Please note that this post makes no attempt to incorporate humorous anecdotes and won’t end with some nugget of wisdom and/or with a playful splash of optimism. Indeed, it isn’t optimistic at all. Quite the opposite: the unapologetically negative pity party that I’m about … Continue reading No Silver Linings, No Playbook →