Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: standing

  • I Took the Zeen Out for a Spin and it Felt So Right!

    For the past couple of weeks, I have been trying to get strong enough to be able to stand up with my walker. I started this process in rehab and never quite finished. I was much more comfortable and motivated at home. All this work was for a very specific purpose- using the Zeen.

    Yesterday, I was able to stand with my arm lift chair at a “regular” height, which I counted as a major victory. It was also a sign that I was ready to try my Zeen. As a side note, I have been wanting a Zeen since I first saw them about a year ago. I tried to get insurance to cover the cost, but it wasn’t going to work. So I purchased my own Zeen. I was so excited on delivery day, but God had other plans for me and I landed in the hospital with sepsis.

    Fast forward to today. I was able to stand up in my arm chair an use my walker to get in position with the Zeen. I figured out the “controls” and in a short bit, I was navigating around my living room and kitchen. The carpet made things extra difficult but a few more times, my legs should be up to the challenge.

    I was so proud of myself for getting into the Zeen and navigating around. It was a goal In set for myself and it feels great having achieved it!

  • 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.

  • 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.