Fiercely Independent Pam

Category: Updates

  • Some Setbacks, but Mostly Progress…

    It’s amazing how fast we can take advantage of things. Three weeks ago I was barely able to stand or walk and now I get up like nothing happened. I don’t want to forget all the hard work I put in to get where I am now, but it’s amazing how fast you do forget how hard it was.

    Besides my recent fall, I’ve been doing super well and exercising on a regular basis. The fall left me severely bruised (especially on my bottom) so I am taking a break from the Zeen for a couple of days.

    Today I am headed to the rheumatologist for a check-in. He is another great doctor on my team, it helps that I taught his kids and always enjoyed talking with him.

    Yesterday, I spent some time repotting some plants and loved being able to do that. My life as a plant mom is awesome, I really enjoy seeing my plants grow. I have a few more to repot but that will come in time too.

    As I look back at all I’ve accomplished in the past month, I am so proud of myself and grateful for the support of my readers, friends, and family. Hopefully things will even out for a while and I will be able to accomplish even more!

  • The Ground Sure is Hard!

    I still can’t believe it happened! I was simply transitioning from the sink back to my wheelchair and BOOM! I went down, and HARD! I reviewed my video footage afterwards (no video of the bathroom but sound). I definitely shouted some expletives and some other unmentionables!

    Sometimes, like this time, I know I am going down. Other times, especially when I pass out from blood pressure, I simply find myself on the floor. I really want to make it a long term goal for PT that I can manage to get up by myself considering that, while I love the local fire department, they don’t need to be coming to my assistance if I can do something on my own.

    So, I am left with several bruises, Including a large one on my bottom, and some scrapes from my wheelchair. It could’ve been worse and required a trip to the ER. I know I was lucky.

    I don’t think other people realize the emotional toll of a fall. Your whole world is untrustworthy instantly. You hesitate to stand again, to transfer again, or even leave your chair or bed. It is totally more mental and physical. I have found that it requires me to challenge my thinking pattern and be willing to take the chance of falling again.

    Yes, it is scary, and yes, it is “easier” at first to stay in bed or my chair, but the show must go on and I need to try again. The first transfer is the worst and then a few hours later you are barely thinking about the chance of falling because muscle memory took over.

    No matter what, the ground in a first floor apartment sure is hard!

  • An Adventure With My Zeen…And An Appointment Update!

    I don’t often say that a doctor’s appointment is “fun”, but yesterday’s visit back to Charleston to see the wizard (the dysautonomia specialist) was a blast. I knew that in the back of my mind was always the desire to bring my Zeen with me since he was so supportive about getting a Zeen.

    Since I have been working so hard, I successfully brought my Zeen with me to Charleston. With some help from my niece to load it in and out of the car. Using the Zeen in new places was quite the adventure. I successfully navigated the bathroom, elevator, parking garage and more! I even had a couple stop me on our way out to ask how I liked the Zeen as they did a virtual appointment with Zeen to help them determine if it would be right for them.

    While I was with the Wizard, he rounded up the residents and medical students in the neurology clinic and then had me “show off.” I had so much fun talking with them about the difference the Zeen has made in my life in the last month.

    I, of course took notice of the small differences. I enjoyed being able to see the person at sign in and sign out instead of staring at the wall like I do in my wheelchair. Also, I can make it go low and be eye to eye with people sitting down. Its nice to not stare at belly buttons all day.

    I’m not quite sure where I would be on my rehab journey without my Zeen, but I am sure glad that I have it!

    As far as the appointment went, I was given the green light to use the Droxidopia as needed based on my blood pressure in the morning. My goal is to get to 45 minutes of standing exercise, using a combination of seated and standing exercises to train for that goal. He released me for 6 months, but he reiterated that he is always available via messages on MyChart.