Fiercely Independent Pam

Category: Updates

  • The End of an Era: Saying Goodbye to My Dear Sofi.

    I received news today about my dear Sofi! Sofi is my yellow lab that lived with me for over 10 years. She is about 16 years old and currently living with my friend, Lauren. Lauren was my caregiver in Florida.

    Lauren sent me a message that she believes it is time to let Sofi go- and cross the Rainbow Bridge. I am devastated. She has lived a great life and I am so fortunate that Lauren was able to take her when I moved back to Myrtle Beach.

    Sofi was an amazing dog who was beyond spoiled, especially by my dad. Her favorite thing was to share a publix banana pudding treat. She always knew she was going to be able to lick the final product.

    As a puppy, and young dog she was living with my brother and his five kids. She became an escape artist and had the entire neighborhood chance after her. She loved breaking free from the house and running the sidewalks of Carolina Forrest. She loved swimming in the pool and chasing the kids when they ran in and out of the pool.

    When it came time for my brother to sell his house, the kids begged me to take Sofi with me to the apartment. She was totally unprepared for this adjustment and it was hard on both of us. She didn’t know how to walk on a leash, but learned quickly with the support of a e-collar, which I hated to use, but got the job done. Then my health got so bad that I needed to quit work and file for disability benefits. This brought me to moving in with my parents.

    She loved “retirement.” We went for a walk around 2pm each day and then jumped into the pool. This occurred until i was too hard for me and her to get in and out of the pool. I decided to have some fun and got her all sort of accessories for different holidays. She was amazing at this time. I was often running to the hospital and utilizing the ambulance. She never ceased to amaze me. Sometimes I had to put her in her “room” and she fought it, unless I told her that I was going to the hospital, then she got right into her room and never made a peep. I know her last years were filled with love from Lauren’s family and lots of sleeping.

    So, Monday morning, Lauren is going to bring her to the vet that I loved so much and hopefully I will be able to FaceTime with her and order some memorial items. She was my first love and true responsibility as an adult. I learned how to bring a dog to the vet and get necessary care.

    I knew this day was coming. I feel like it is a necessary step in clearing things out in order to receive/befriend a service dog. I wish the dogs could have met, but that isn’t going to happen.

    In the meantime, please keep me in your prayers for this difficult time and for all the help from my friends- Lauren and Maria.

  • Good Things Come to Those Who Fight (For Everything!)

    So, I’ve been keeping a secret of sorts. In October (the 20th to be exact) I was involved in a major accident. I was struck by a car while crossing the street in my power wheelchair. I sustained some major injuries including a broken leg and was in two boots for about 6 weeks. It was a nightmare to say the least. I was non-weight bearing and required a lot of caregiving help, especially in the beginning when I needed to ice everything down. But, I did what needed to happen and finally feel like I’m coming out on the other side of it all.

    I was fortunate that I decided to work with an injury lawyer right away since the driver didn’t have the best insurance and was fighting me. Yesterday, I was informed that the settlement for the accident was going through. Good things don’t always happen to me. Even when they should, so this is a big thing to get some bills paid and off my “docket.”

    Even bigger than paying bills left over from the accident is that I will have the funds to secure buying my Zeen Mobility device! It will be delivered on MONDAY! I am so excited for the freedom of using the Zeen, especially with a service dog. Stay tuned for all things Zeen on Monday! I know it will be a game changer for me. The ability to go for a walk by myself and not fear passing out or falling is huge! As is being able to be at eye height with people as opposed to always starting at belly buttons. The exercise features will be a nice touch too.

    I’m looking forward to sharing some videos of the Zeen on my socials. I ordered all the accessories so that is exciting too! Just a little worried about holding my oxygen, but we figured that out before, so I think it will be ok. Hopefully Uber drivers will figure it out too.

    It’s amazing to think that something good will come out of something that was so rough. The accident was surreal to say the least and I am happy to say I ended up on the right side of things. I am tenacious and fought for everything I got. After all if you have a handle like Fiercely Independent Pam, you need to live up to it!

  • One More Surgery Before The End of the Year!

    Nothing like finishing the year with an unplanned surgery. Yesterday, I ended up having a surgery biopsy of an artery near my left temple in an effort to learn more about a new possible diagnosis. All went well, I was thankful for my friend to take me and despite being a late add the day after Christmas, I made the most of it. Here is a link to the condition they are “treating for.” Basically, it’s yet another autoimmune issue.

    The hardest part continues to be taking such high dose steroids again. I needed a iv dose on top of everything else so sleep is hard to find. Luckily the pain is well managed with my usual and just a little extra Tylenol. The results will be pending until I follow up with the rheumatologist on Tuesday. still figuring out transportation for that trip too.

    In the meantime, I have a long awaited neurologist appointment on Monday to hopefully establish local neurology care and possibly go back to botox shots for my migraines. I made this appointment over the summer, so I hope it will be worth it. I’ve heard good things about the provider. Its hard to keep my expectations low at this point with a new provider, because even those that weren’t able to make much of an immediate difference, usually have something to give. For example, the neurologist I ended up working with in Florida was convinced I had MS, but his help really came in finding me a way to attain my amazing power wheelchair.

    And it goes like that. Some providers have the clinical experiences and are up to my challenge and others have a human side that rise to meet me as well. There are few in between that possess both features and for that I am most grateful. Either way, I have learned to not burn bridges for you never know when you may need them again. Chronic diseases cause extreme burnout for the patient and the providers, but with some patience, it can be managed.

    For this weekend, I will rest and recover, from Christmas, from surgery, and from chronic illness. I am working hard on a reflection of the past year, so that will be coming up. I think I am finally ready to embrace a New Year’s tradition that doesn’t work around a school calendar!