Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: My Tribe

  • Quickly Approaching 100 Posts!!

    Technically, this is my 100th post! I started this blog in April and took some time off due to medical stuff, but I’ve been committed to it for almost a year now. Honestly, I did not think I would enjoy it as much as I do. I’ve never considered myself a writer, but I am enjoying finding my voice through “Fiercely Independent Pam!!”

    I have shared things with you, my audience, that I never would have expected to, but feel very strongly that if it can help someone else on their own journey, then it is worth it. My journey continues to take all sorts of twists and turns, most I would have never anticipated. It is so important to note that none of my successes would have happened without the people I call my tribe! These are my friends and family both locally and from a distance. The visit, phone call, text, or FaceTime, makes all the difference in not feeling so alone.

    I need to also include some of my doctors, especially those from MUSC as part of my tribe. I have uncovered answers from medical mysteries that are decades old. Unfortunately, I have also had nightmare gaslighting experiences with other providers. It’s important to remember that both can happen, we need our tribe of family and friends to believe us.

    Looking forward, I have so much to be excited about. Continued care for my dysautonomia/POTS, losing a little more weight, getting a stronger handle on my blood sugar, and getting better at Mahjong, finding the right medication for my RA, starting my tutoring services again, and more!

    Most exciting of course, is the possibility of a service dog with PAALS. Three years ago, I told my brother Tim that long-term I wanted a service dog to assist me with mobility tasks, I think he thought I was crazy, but I told him it was going to happen. And here it is, closer than ever. I pray each night that I am gifted this opportunity (and it happens soon). I truly believe it will be life changing.

    Well there it is, my 100th post- I thank you for sticking with me and reading my posts. The best thing you can do to help me is to share my posts and social media pages. I will continue to create content as long as there are people to interact with!

  • 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!!!

  • Home and Almost Reset! Just Missing a Whole Lot of Strength- But My Heart Is Ready!

    Well I made it home! All safe in my little corner of the world. I even had a wonderful lunch catching up with an old friend, who will hopefully help me find some tutoring gigs too! Even managed to open some packages and get a little organized. Needed the help of lift and assist from the fire department, and they were more than wonderful!

    I was NOT prepared for how weak I actually am now that In am home. I really can’t stand on my own, and terrified of falling. So, it’s back to my “roots” using an old fashioned sliding board to transfer out of bed and into my wheelchair or arm chair. I need to get stronger, but for now, this is going to have to be how it is to be done.

    A huge thanks to my caregiver who with our thoughts together managed a small little shower last night and it made all the difference. I am so bruised up that I hope I heal well.

    Thank goodness I can self catherize anywhere because I really can’t get on or off the toilet right now- TMI sorry-

    It doesn’t help that we are supposed to get a winter storm of sorts, but I guess being stuck in my apartment isn’t the end of the world at all since I am not in the hospital anymore. Unfortunately, I had to cancel facials with my niece because I am not up to it, but I will make it up to her for sure and it will feel even better knowing I did it on my own.

    Today, begins appointments- nurse for resumption of care and hopefully the ENT as well. I ordered an Instacart order and looking forward to some new things to drink. Hopefully, I will also be able to get some organization done too. I also have a newsletter floating out there somewhere too!

    So, I move forward, carefully and intently. Looking forward to working with PT/OT again and being able to transfer without the board and being more independent again. I too will rise again, I have been down before and know what needs to happen. My biggest issue right now is to stay off the floor and in my bed or chair. I have enough new “toys” to play with to keep me busy and not exploring and going places I shouldn’t be going down.

    Other than being just so happy to be home, I am sore- especially where they put my shiny new picc line- its more tunneled than I expected, but it got me home and its able to be used for the necessary IV antibiotics that I need each day to get rid of these major infections- all at the tune of over $3000. No one ever said that chronic illness is cheap!