S-u-c-c-e-s-s

Finally my energy seems back after my chemo session last week. Life is infinitely easier when walking across a room does not induce napping. It is hard to function when you are too tired to focus on a movie plot. 

I had fantastic therapy with Deb on Thursday. I got to ride a (stationary) bike! And stand on a cool machine that measures weight distribution between your feet. When I thought I was 50/50 with my weight even on my feet, I actually had 70% of my weight on my left prosthetic) foot. That surprised Deb and me.

Today I spent girl time with Emily and Nicole. We chatted at my place and then drove up to Royal Tavern for lunch. I had a Bloody Mary and a burger. I can tolerate more spice now, yay! Though my belly was pretty upset right afterwards, it was worth it. It was worth just being out of the house and in a place I hadn't gone in years. I ate half my burger (a lot for me). Success!

Then Emily and I went to Green Street Consignment shop to get her a dress for her brother's wedding. She tried on dresses and I sat in a comfy chair by the shoes. Nothing fit. As we started to leave, Emily pulled out a pair of bright red skinny corduroys a few sizes too big for me. I said, "Let's try them." 

I asked her to come into the dressing room with me. There was no chair. I popped off my leg and handed it to Emily. Then I sat on the floor in my shorts. I slid them off while she took my sneaker off the prosthesis. Then we dressed the leg. I got off the floor and, with Emily's help, donned the leg. Then I finished putting on the pants. I turned and looked in the mirror. The leg didn't look too weird with these pants. I would need a belt but the pants looked good. I stood in the checkout line with them. The computers were down, so the salesclerk had to manually run credit cards. As we waited, Emily saw a navy blue cocktail dress and tried it on. It looked perfect on her. Success!

We left the store without a single person asking me about my leg. I mean, there were stares. But no comments. More success!

Pt with Deb

My new physical therapist, Deb, is amazing. She is like a cheerleader, a coach, and a mom in one. Deb said that she believes I can walk without an assisting device and that we will get me walking with a cane before too long. She asked me my goals for therapy. I said 1) walking without assistance, 2) climbing steps with overhangs without tripping, 3) riding my bike, and 4) doing a cartwheel. I had never really done a cartwheel before, but I always wanted to do one. Plus, it will be a good party trick. Deb didn't bat an eye.

We did lots of leg lifts while I wore my prosthesis. I lay on my right side, my back, and my left side while using my little leg to kick out the 10 lb prosthesis. It was hard work. My homework is to practice laying on my belly for 15 minutes twice a day. That's about my limit anyway.

Next, we practiced walking with 2 canes. It is hard for me to get the rhythm of moving the right cane, my left foot, my left hand, and my right foot down, but I am getting better at it. I haven't walked naturally since last February, 20 months ago. I have no idea what I am supposed to do with my arms. Deb says that it will come, but for now I count out the rhythm. I did better walking with a single cane after all my practice with two canes.

When I got home, I treated myself to a smoothie and watching Beverly Hills Cop (again, for the 1,000 time). I love that movie. Then my baby brother Jimmy came over and we talked and laughed and watched movies for hours.

Today, I have been utterly exhausted. I went for a very short walk, but had to rest. I hope I didn't overdue it yesterday.