Fiercely Independent Pam

Blog

  • The Name of the Game is to Stand at Many Different Heights and Gain Some Strength Too!

    Today was my last therapy session for the week. I worked with the OT assistant, who is wonderful. She and I figured out the best thing to do is stand up several times with one of them consisting of walking to the scale and getting a measurement.

    Each time I went to stand, I lowered my lift chair to make it harder. We have a goal of getting it lower than the toilet so that is not a problem either. Eventually it needs to be pretty low so I can get in and out of cars.

    My goal is to be using my Zeen at least part time by then end of next week. I know if I start using it, my legs will get stronger making my efforts to stand so much easier. It is just a matter of standing long enough to get in the Zeen.

    This weekend will once again focus on whatever I can do to help my legs and arms get stronger to make my efforts to stand easier. I know these extra exercises are making a difference. I will continue to complete the various exercises, especially any that involve lifting my botom

    I really want to be able to not only use the Zeen, but also start using the toilet again. That would be a huge movement towards independence. I don’t even want to try the toilet until I know I can be successful and because it is so hard to stand off the toilet and so embarrassing if I can’t.

  • Working Hard, Focus on the Goals of Independence and Success!

    I am a big believer that goals are only as good as who you share them with.I spent a great PT session today standing and walking a little bit from my arm chair and gradually lowering the arm chair. I did this until I was exhausted. I felt good about being able to stand on my own. Its all a matter of focus on what needs to be done.

    Looking forward, I would like to try being on the Zeen next week or the toilet. I have to decide where I am going to focus. It would be huge to be able to actually use the toilet and be able to get up from it unassisted. At this point the unassisted is the most important part.

    I still have a OT session this week and hoping to work on some transfers (pivoting instead of using the transfer board.) Again, it’s a matter of focus and energy conservation to get this done. This will be most possible from my arm chair to wheelchair and bed to wheelchair.

    In other news, I managed to completely get ready on my own today. I managed to set my clothes out and other than that, I was able to do everything!I needed to focus and make it happen. I am finding my independence one way or another!

    I even had maintenance install my new toilet riser so it set up for when I am ready. I got them to do it while they were here changing light bulbs. I am setting myself up not only for independence but for success as well, all through focus.

  • UTI’s, Antibiotics, Standing, and ,More, All Good Things Happening

    So, it finally happened. My UTI came back with a vengeance. I started having symptoms yesterday and it got bad overnight. Luckily, my primary care already had sent a urine culture out so we know what we are dealing with an what antibiotics are a match.

    I have a call into infectious disease and hopefully the antibiotics won’t be too expensive.Last time they were $3000 which is crazy!

    I had all sorts of trouble calling the infectious disease doctor, but I finally was able to leave a message and the receptionist called me back and will call me back again when the doctor gets in from the hospital.

    Hoping this round of antibiotics clears everything up, as there is nothing more annoying than having a UTI. I am pretty sure the antibiotics will be via IV and not oral, but just hoping they aren’t too expensive.

    In other news, I did great today with PT standing up about 99% by myself, which is a huge improvement. It’s also not a scary for me. PT/OT and I created a calendar for this week to keep trying to stand and hopefully even try some pivots.

    I am so eager to get to the point that I can use the Zeen, but I’m not there yet. I am thinking I will be using it in the next two weeks.