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
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
Welcome to our household, ice maker. We love you. I’ve had a handful of nicknames over the years, none of which have really stuck. The latest? Ice Queen. This wasn’t inspired, as might be the natural assumption, by my frigidly cold soul, but rather by something more literal. Before last summer, I wasn’t a lover … Continue reading Ice Queen
One of the neat things about having PSWs visit twice a day is that I get to people-watch from the comfort of my own bed. This usually gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction. I love glimpsing into worlds that aren’t my own, even if—especially if?—that other world is as boring as mine is. Please do … Continue reading Self-Help (Part One)
I have very complicated feelings about my G-tube. Understandably so, I think. Its insertion, after all, was what led to the infection that led to the septic shock that led to much of what’s happened this past year. I agreed to get the G-tube in the first place because some part of me realized that … Continue reading G-Tube Troubles and Tantrums (a Ramble)
The fact that I’m home, in a new home I’d never stepped foot in (rolled into?) before last Sunday, is almost surreal. Sleeping in the same room as my husband? Eating at the same table? What is this? A beautiful, deeply satisfying, work in progress. As you likely anticipated, there’s a catch, for with the … Continue reading Home New Home
I have a new body part. (That’s what you call an ankle-foot orthotic, right?) Acquiring it took time (of which I have near-endless amounts) and patience (of which I have almost none). Since the orthotic is custom made, the orthopedist had to come to take a plaster mould of my foot and leg and carefully … Continue reading AFO
I’ve been at rehab for over two weeks. I’ve settled in and already feel as if I’m making progress, though I’ll admit that, being the impatient person I am, I get frustrated that I’m not a specimen of perfect human health already. I try to consistently look back and reflect on where I was a … Continue reading Steady(ish) She Goes
It’s been a hectic but very positive week. Real progress is being made, readers! I traditionally haven’t done well with transitions. As I’m sure I’ve written a bazillion times before, my preference is usually to remain in an uncomfortable situation rather than face the risk presented by change. (Which happens to be one of my … Continue reading Transition
Good things are happening. First and, probably, foremost, I’ve started taking steps (using an “air walker” and with the assistance of two physiotherapists, but still). My first attempt I managed six; now I’m up to around twenty-five. It’s absolutely and unbelievably exhilarating to “walk.” It’s also very, very exhausting. Second, I passed my swallow test! … Continue reading (Literal) Steps Forward
