October 10th 2023 – Independence List

Oct 10th

Wow, things really have been able to change and get back in control! The tingling and buzzin that was so prevalent yesterday is no longer there! But has been replaced by a fullness, tightness, and awareness that my legs are really there! Instead of my entire injury section buzzing uncontrollably, my abs have quieted themselves, my hips, and back did as well. I can breathe from my diaphragm without resistance, and only a momentary spasm on the left leg. I’ve noticed too that the left leg has relaxed tremendously, but the flexor is still tight.

I can really feel with each diaphragmatic breath a stretch and movement of my hips and going into my lower abdomen I haven’t ever felt before. My hips, too, I really notice are also there, as well as my lower back and glutes!

The tingling and buzzing has remained only at the lowest section of my legs, it feels like the level has been reduced to only just above my ankles, with the tingling in my feet, and the ankles, and everything up above actually “here” and I’m aware and conscious of them!

I’ve noticed a certain tightness in my hips, as well as in my lower back on my right side extending down into my glutes. My right leg is really feeling a large section of the groin extending down into my knee, with the quads and outer bands also being tight and feeling them as well.

I have also noticed a certain uncomfortableness that arises when I’m sitting on the precious jewels…… when it’s brought to my attention, I go down there and help rearrange, I notice that alot of my lower section as well simmers down and starts to become a more tolerable sensation.

My knees, too, after a full nights rest, become aware to me too that they have a certain “tightness” too. Like, they don’t get to move much, so it makes sense to me that they are also tightening up.

I did have some “firsts” yesterday, that I’m failing to recall. I did get to play my guitar again and yes, my ribs are tender, but I’ll just shorten the duration and try to do this everyday!

The other firsts are eluding me….. maybe It will come to me in a bit…. Oh! Transferring onto a toilet! And off! I did do that myself! WIthout an issue! This is going to set me up so well when I go to Milwaukee!! In therapy we also discussed the switching of priorities in OT to balancing out my back muscles, which you can very much notice the right side of my back is very underdeveloped.

Also, Katie has mentioned to me that in her 17yrs of being an occupational therapist, I was the first person to have an “independence list” ! I was shook. That was hard for me to gather, cuz there was so many things I needed to do! I don’t know how everyone else was able to keep things straight!

So for now this will do, each new day I’m looking forward to getting on my tum, and trying to sit up taller and use my body more and more!!