Since the last two posts were very philosophical, I thought we had better talk about something more normal in this post. The last 7 days involved the passing of a few walking milestones. Over last weekend, I had a go at walking down and up the path behind Parliament, using my stick, that I will use to get to work. I got a bit puffed going up it, but what was physiologically more difficult was getting down it. I had trouble regulating my speed and had to come to a complete stop pretty regularly to make sure I didn't go too fast. Apparently, that is due to difficulties for the quads in paying out properly.
On Tuesday, I walked, with my stick, to the Epuni shops, which are a bit under a km from the hospital, with my physio, Sue. I got about 200m back when my core muscles gave up and my hips started moving in odd directions. It is a bit of a strange thing when your core muscles get tired. It's like you know how your muscles should move to allow you to stay balanced, but even concentrating on making them move that way doesn't fix your difficulties. Fortunately, Sue was pushing my wheelchair so I was able to use that.
On Thurday, I walked, again using the stick, down to Janus Café, the local café and the reason that David Haines lost his bet about cafes in the Hutt not having couches. Finally, on Friday, I walked to within about 100m of the main hospital café, which also has couches, without using my stick. Again, my core muscles gave up with that short distance left and I had to use my stick, which my speech and language therapist was carrying. I might be able to talk the talk ok, but I can only walk the walk for so long.
My muscle fatigue underlines the fact that there will not be a day when I suddenly can walk and run normally. Everything will have to be fought for and earnt. It is only comparatively recently, say over the last few months, that this has become apparent to me, even though it is probably exceedingly obvious to most people. We'd like to recover immediately, but good things take time, I guess.
Cheers,
Mike
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4 comments:
Jeepers Mike, not another cafe with couches. Does that mean I owe you two flat whites now? I hope you don't discover any more on your Hutt Valley hikoi. Definitely the sooner you move to Wellington the better, for my coffee IOU account that is. Anyway, I just wanted to say how great it was to see you the other day - and (in case you're not sick of hearing it) to re-confirm the differences I noticed from visiting you for the second time after a month away. Seeing you meet us at the door and then bound up the stairs to make tea and coffee (well, maybe spring up the stairs. or at least haul ass up the stairs) at your Mum and Dad's place was just incredible, considering when we last met you were celebrating walking a few measly metres without assistance. And the fact that me, my Mum and your folks gabbled for about 2 1/2 hours until you got tired was a definite improvement on where you were at in July. So if it's hard to see your gradual day-to-day improvements in perspective, then take my word for it, things are getting better and at a pretty good clip. Whether or not you need an OT or a PT or a cup of tea, it'll be onwards and upwards I'm betting. I might have lost the last wager, but of this I'm sure.
Keep up the good work,
cheers
Dave.
PS. I'm still working on that Sudoku you sent me. I swear I can crack it without resorting to guesswork. Will keep you posted.
Hi Happy,
It was great to see you out and about on Saturday at New World. We all agree that you've come a long way since June, when Ashwind & I saw you.
Keep the good work mate
Azza
A long time ago, a wise woman (no, not your mum - but sort of in her league) told me to 'listen to my body'. It's hard, accurate advice - and I've not yet come across a man who will take it.
Soduku is on the move - its even in the Dunedin papers so your challenges can now spread far and wide.
natasha
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