Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: transfer board

  • 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.

  • The Honest Truth of Where I am… the Good and the Bad!

    The Honest Truth of Where I am… the Good and the Bad!

    So, I’ve been pumping out blog posts and making sure they match the highest SEO, which means I have to write with a specific pattern. I feel like I’m not able to simply write anymore and I don’t like that. I want to connect with my audience and the truth.

    Here is the honest truth. I feel like a squirrel having to use the transfer board to go from chair to wheelchair to bed to wheelchair and all over again. It is less than fun. It’s a lot of work to line up the transfer and then make sure all is set to go. Luckily I’m getting good at it, but It truly is not fun.

    Second truth, I am unable to use the toilet. It is super low and I am not strong enough to lift myself off of the toilet. This is going to take the most time and I really miss using a toilet. The OT helped me order a 5 inch lift so when the time comes that will be helpful.

    I desperately want things to go back to normal, or even better than normal when I use my Zeen. It’s hard to fight the urge to create timelines in my head for when everything will happen. The more I do that, the harder it is to meet those goals.

    Until then, I will do everything I need to to get in exercise, rest my bottom, and dream of days of taking my service dog out for a walk with my Zeen- This is the image I need to focus on!

  • 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!!!