October 22nd – 28th 2023: First Train Ride

Oct 22nd

So, I had a pretty good start to this day! I’ve really been able to get myself up and out of bed on my own actually! And, not to mention….. I actually got my first shower in a house?!?! That was crazy! I can’t believe that happened! The only things I needed some help with were getting the supplies moved around, but once I was in the shower, I was good to go!!

I woke up feeling pretty peaceful and pretty well rested. It was really nice, getting up and getting to do all that! I’m equal parts excited and grateful that I’m able to do so much!

There’s definitely some apprehension and excitement all at the same time for what you’re doing! That part is really odd and weird to me!

So, I really do feel like I can feel these thick socks on! Which is really cool, I can feel em up the part of my leg as well! Which is really interesting to me right now! My knees also have really been feeling that, I did some exercises, hip thrusts and dips, and I really do feel it in my knees as well!

When I do those dips/ thrusts, I really do feel it in my glutes and knees! Feeling it even through my feet as well! Which is phenomenal!

I definitely have noticed that not only do I like doing things with people, but it’s nice knowing that people are around when I have to do things? I think that’s something to work on, which is good to make sure you’re always making progress!

I think I’m going to do these dips/ thrusts much more often, because I know it’s good for my hip flexors, I can feel them relaxing! I can especially feel it in my feet/ the pressure thru my legs when this is happening as well!

I’m really appreciative of all the help that I’ve been getting, but how do I give more back? It’s so hard sometimes, I just want to be able to do more, but I need that help.

Oct 25

Wow! It took 3 hrs to get the wheelchair! Also…… I definitely lost some turds in the shower…… it was kinda interesting but I’m wondering if this means I’m getting some function back?!

I used a public toilet for the first time!!!

Oct 26th

So what’s really wild, is doing things without letting someone know I’m doing them. It’s been such a long journey that even things as simple as that are significant! I even got up and went pee at 6am and just needed a little help with the blanket around my feet! I did need help getting back, straightening out my legs. I’ll have to get creative with that.

What’s really interesting is laying in bed I do feel back to normal and don’t feel like I’m injured. It’s really a nice feeling to actually be able to experience! I don’t get that too often ifeel.

The sensations are progressing! What’s really cool is how they have been changing to where I notice and pickup on when I’m uncomfortable cuz I have to pee, or when I need to readjust in the seated position too!

Laying on my tummy, I really feel in my feet so much differently than I have before even. I can legitimately feel the weight and pressure in my upper thighs, and on the tops of my feet! When I shimmy my hips! Back and forth, I can honestly feel that weight shift in my feet, which is phenomenal!

My hips in the new wheelchair are really responding! It’s been a really cool opportunity to try and get myself more

Straight!

Oh, lower back?? Yeahhh definitely am feeling that tightness when I lay on my chest for which I’ve never felt before.

What was truly amazing about this trip was being able to do so many things on my own for the first time. I hadn’t had the opportunity to do these things previously, as I wasn’t able to fit thru the doorway of the bathroom at my folks. So, unfortunately that meant that I wasn’t going to be able to get into the bathroom, to try and use the toilet and the shower, unfortunately. My parent’s tried so hard to make it as comfortable for me as possible, by adding a bathroom to the barn even! It was really hard to just trying to navigate life this way. So I was actually able to get in and do my business, by myself! Never having to get to do that for 5 months, almost 6 months, is a really awkward time.

I was so lucky, that Callie was able to let me stay with her! it was really something special, having someone I have grown to love so much be there for me. She has really just been doing so much, without question, and without asking for anything back. She’s been pretty dang special. She really made this trip worth it.