Car accident

I have had a few things going on since I last updated the blog. Notably, I was a guest speaker twice for the Creative Arts in Therapy program at Drexel University. The first time I spoke about resilience and body image in cancer patients and disabled individuals for 2nd year Dance/ Movement therapy students. The second time, I spoke immediately after physical therapy about my experiences with cancer and disability to medical art therapy students. I still haven't processed the experiences, though I enjoyed myself.

This Sunday, my sister Athena drove to Philly to help me recover from chemo. She helped clean up my apartment and set up my Christmas tree. On Monday, I ran a slight fever and had a sore throat so I reported my symptoms to the oncology office. They asked me to come in Tuesday at noon. I cancelled my physical therapy appointment for illness.

After the appointment, we waited for antibiotics before heading to New Jeraey, to my parents' house. At first there was lots of traffic, then it thinned out. I kept falling asleep. Then, we were making good time on one the smaller curvy roads.

Suddenly, I heard Athena shout. We were not on the road anymore but sliding up th embankment and into a phone poll. My face felt like I just got slapped. People immediately stopped to help us. Athena seemed fine and remarkably calm. She left the car.

Eventually, I got myself out of the car by taking off my prosthesis and sliding across the drivers side. The front end was smashed in and all of out qitbags had gone off. With help, I crutched over to sit in a police officer's car. My back syltqrted to hurt.

When the ambulance came, the emts strapped me to a back boar which was very painful. We went to the nearest hospital where I repeatedly gave my extensive medical history and waited for morphine. I had trouble breathing on my back and kept trying to curl in a ball, against medical advice. When I left for the ct scan (@ 7:30), dad and Athena headed to the car to get stuff.

The doctor cam back in the room and explained that I fractured my L1 vertebra. She also saw that my right lung was collapsed though she was uncomfortable treating it because of the cancer. I got transferred to another hospital where they immediately stuck a tube in my chest to re inflate my lung. 

I have been in a fair amount of pain since. My parents, Athena, and Ken visited me today. It hurts to breathe but the back brace helps. My eye is swollen shut and my vieiion is blurry.

Please send me good thoughs and thank you for your prayers and wishes.

Mile walk

I walked another mile (just about) yesterday. I stopped for a few minutes on all the benches. I stopped for a bagel and tea at a coffee shop at the .5 mile mark. Then I turned around and very slowly walked home. 

I stopped at the fountain for 15 minutes to restore my energy and make some wishes. Mostly about walking and cancer.

I shopped at a tiny grocery store and bought a bottle of bitters because it is supposed to be helpful for nausea. I also got some ginger candy for the same reason. I hope it helps.

I stopped at Elissa's store and chatted with her for a while. When I left, it was cold. 

I got home fine. I was tired, but I had the energy to work on a crafty project for a while before heating up dinner.

I feel so proud of myself. I walked well enough that someone asked if I sprained my ankle. The asker might not have been too observant, but I like to think I had been bending my knee and balancing pretty well.

Post chemo #4

I was especially exhausted this past weekend. I think I slept about 20 hours a day from Saturday through Monday at Ken's house. I missed Halloween parties. I barely ate. When I returned home, Bunky did not leave my side until I felt better.

Then I had amazing pt on Tuesday and Thursday. I am getting the 4 step gait better so I don't have to think about each step. It takes more energy, so I can't go as far.

I even went for a .5 mile walk after pt on Thursday. When I get my energy back, I really try to use it. I figure if i can do the steps, i can walk at least a block. 

Of course, I spend my evenings sprawled in bed, trying to stretch little leg and my lower back which get so tight and achy with the walking. I

Today, I went to an amputee clinic with Ken. I was ready to work out, but it was mostly educational about foot care, recreation, the wellness gym, and yoga. We had a great lunch and I enjoyed connecting with he other amputees.

Then Ken and I met with the men who will put in the bannister on his steps. I am so thrilled about this change. No more bumping up steps on my butt.

Afterward, my parents joined us for a lovely, leisurely dinner at Le Virtu, across the street from my apartment. I did my best in nearly finishing my plate, with some help. Cathy and Francis, the owners, made it a very special night.

I have been organizing my pills by size and shape before taking them, mostly because I am a weirdo.