Biggest walk in 20 months!

I cannot tell you how excited I am about my walk today! I decided to head out to just the coffee shop about a block or so away to get some food and some exercise. I had been resting on couches since chemo and I wanted to move.

After my leisurely bagel and tea, I stepped outside and decided to keep going. The weather was crisp and breezy; I had energy. I decided to get my nails done. I passed the first shop because the steps seemed tricky. On the next block was another nail salon with no steps. 

I was the only customer. Anna worked on my nails and tried to draw me into conversation, but her English was not quite good enough and my Vietnamese is non existent. She was concerned that my nails were brittle and did colored; I explained that it was from medication. Later she asked about my leg and I explained what happened. She told me about her auntie who had cancer too. When we were done, she wouldn't take payment at all. Anna had tears in her eyes. She wouldn't even let me reach into my bag because my nails might smear. 

After thanking her, I left the shop and decided to keep walking. I felt rested and energetic. I figured I could walk a little further and sit at the fountain and people watch. I walked and stopped a few times to catch my breath. I met two middle aged men who asked about my leg. One man, Billy, was effusive in wanting to know what it was like for me to be an amputee. He offered to host a fundraiser or dinner for me and Ken at his restaurant, which happens to be across the street from my apartment. Then he kicked me in my prosthetic leg. He wanted to see if I could feel it. His buddy knew that I could feel it because his kick made my whole leg move. I didn't fall, but mostly because of the crutches and my awesome balance. Oh, South Philly!

I made my way to the fountain and rested a while. I had a lollipop and people watched. I got up and decided to head toward the post office. I needed stamps and I could stop or turn around before that if I started to feel my energy flag. Each step past the fountain was further than I had walked on my prosthesis.

I felt giddy as I got to the post office. I had trouble with the heavy door, but a young man held it for me and kind of spotted me on the steps. I had a standing rest waiting in line because it is the slowest post office anywhere and rarely has more than one clerk working.

When I left, I started to feel a little tired, so I immediately headed a block back onto the Avenue and into the nearest coffee shop for a smoothie and much needed sitting. I felt refueled, but knew I had to conserve my energy to get back home.

I walked and rested for a few minutes at the fountain and, again, on a bench two blocks later. As I walked, I met an elderly man who walked very slowly with a cane. He looked at me and said, "Well, now I know someone worse off than me!" I don't know how to take that. Then the 92 year old told me the pep talk he gives his legs, because he isn't ready to use a wheelchair yet. I admire his toughness and his wanting to say something to help me be tough also.

I kept walking until I got to my bench on my block. I rested a long while so that I could climb my 22 steps. When I got inside, I used a map to calculate my distance. I had walked 1.08 miles!! Sure it took me 4 hours, but I had a meal and a manicure. Besides, who 's counting?

My therapist told me about volunteers who hug folks as they finish races in the Special Olympics. I wished I had a team of huggers greeting me in my apartment to celebrate my walk. I settled for Bunky purring and cuddling, which is pretty fantastic too.

To celebrate (and conserve energy), I ordered delivery. I had steamed shrimp and snow peas with no sauce and it was bland enough for me to eat. Yet another win today! 

I announced my walk on Facebook and felt so supported. My cousin and her family went for a mile walk together in my honor. 

I might stop smiling about this walk, but only because something even more amazing happened.