Fiercely Independent Pam

Blog

  • Dreaming of Wet Noses Again… Gaining Strength and Making it Happen…

    Well it was bound to happen… I made a giant leap and ordered my first new pet product. It’s a smart collar that is almost like a fitbit for a dog. I was excited to do so and being then”gadget queen” I just knew it was a good purchase. But now I wait. PAALS is accomplishing amazing things, with this, being their 20th year. I am excited to hopefully attaining/befriending my service dog this year.

    I have learned a lot more about the process that PAALS uses to place service dogs with clients and am very ready to take on training, fundraising, and the hard work that is needed to build a bond between dog and handler.

    I spend a lot of time dreaming about a service dog and all it will be able to do for me. I think of dropped items, holding doors, accessing areas of the grocery store that I can’t access now. And the biggest thing- companionship- I long for sharing my bed with a sloppy, lovable beast of sorts. It’s been a long time since my dear Sofi was able to come into bed with me, but I remember it well, and it felt so perfect.

    Next steps include a site visit that will be combined with a community visit. PAALS is going to bring a service dog to help me negotiate the grocery store and gain some skills with cues. I so appreciate their willingness to help with transportation since the beach and Columbia is not the closest. It looks like this visit is going to take place in either March or April.

    I am also enthusiastic about the training process. I love learning new things and processes. Learning cues, signals, and directions are right up my alley. I am looking forward to daily training exercises and getting outside for walks several times a day.

    October is the big deadline. My 25th College Reunion is in October in Baltimore. I am so looking forward to seeing my friends, and having my service dog and making the big travel plans by flying to Baltimore. I missed my 20th reunion because my dad was dying so being on campus is even more important to me. It sounds like its a long shot to have my dog in time for reunion, but patience is the name of of the game and I will demonstrate that the quality of the process is more important than than the timing.

  • I am Finally Getting Somewhere, But Is It Fast Enough and Brings Me More Confidence?

    So, I am slowly making progress in gaining strength , but my confidence is very much laking and I am terrified that I am going to fall. I am able to stand with the help of either PT or OT being right by my side and even then I hesitate to be able to stand or take a few steps. So, I have decided to enter and intensive inpatient rehab program. If I am accepted, I will start on Saturday after my IVIG infusion on Friday.

    I think this might be the best thing for me as, I need to gain some confidence to be able to stand and walk short distances. I am hoping it is for 5-10 days and then I can return to be Fiercely Independent Pam World.

    The jury is still out to see if I will be accepted. my track record isn’t the best in being accepted, but I am working with some incredible people that seem to want to make it happen.

    In the meantime, I am working hard to build my own confidence and hopefully some standing and even a little walking on my own. I’d love to be able to get scale reading, but that is big deal and not the easiest to get when you are barely standing on your own.

    I have a sneaky idea that I am going to be on the cusp of being able to things on my own when it comes time to enter rehab. I guess I’m just going to have to trust my gut about what is the best decision for my progress. I also have to remember that I have important doctor visits, especially down at MUSC. No matter what, I need to be able to stand and move in order to get in a car and use either my walker or Zeen to be able to get around.

  • Rough Times Ahead! Working Oh So Hard At Building Strength!

    So, things aren’t going as smooth as I thought they would. I am definitely on the struggle bus for strength and ability to transfer. I’ve gotten stuck in more places than I chose to share but I cannot say enough good things about the fire department (lift/assist). They have been wonderful in getting me out of unique situations. It is a combination of not enough strength and complete fear of falling and being on the ground. I started with PT yesterday and just need to keep building strength so that I can stand on my own. Once I can stand, all will be fine. In the meantime I am using the transfer board as needed.

    On top of all of this, I am dealing with a crazy amount of thrush in my mouth mostly from the steroids. It’s quite painful and limits how much I want to eat or drink. I have medication, so I am hoping that makes a big difference today.

    I also am almost caught up with my Bible in a Year Podcast- I fell behind while I was in the hospital and it’s a lot to catch back up, but this is happening too! I got so much out of the Rosary in a Year, that I thought I would try the Bible in a Year!

    Then, once I have gained enough strength to stand, I am looking forward to trying out my new Zeen. It has the ability to move me from sit to stand, so that is a good thing and I can even get some exercises done on it.

    I also have a lot of organizing to do and unpacking of some shopping adventures- looking forward to seeing what I was able to get. The biggest adventure for today is to not get stuck anywhere(especially on the toilet) and not end up falling on the floor.

    I GOT THIS!!!