kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I was able to get gas in the car today and drive around a little.
It brings me a lot of joy to do something that use to be as normal as filling up the gas tank.
I think this is the second or third time I have done this after years of not having a car due to lyme disease.
I feel like I am coming back into the land of the living. I still prefer the back roads and the 25 mph roads for now.
Saw a cubbie of quail cross the road this am.
Beautiful area I live in. With pine trees, beautiful blue skies with fluffy clouds and clean air.
don't really see this until you get out and drive around.
I finally ordered Rosie's harness. I had bookcase on sale at a consignment shop that sold.
It was around the same amount I needed to get her a harness to help stabilize me during those short times I am on my feet.
I have needed this for almost 2 years so it is good to have this accomplished.
The hard part is just beginning. Training Rosie to help me.
And learning my limits. The power chair is still the preferred method of movement.
It seems another milestone was accomplished this week but can't recall what it was.
Not sure how long I have lived in teh new apartment. I think I have paid 3 rent checks so perhaps 2 months.
But, I have been able to get Rosie out to toilet daily since I moved here. This is a milestone.
I would have times in the past where I was to sick to do this.
Ah yes. I finally joined the local gym I heard about almost two years ago when I moved here.
I learned if I joined the senior circle for $15 a year that we get special rates at the gym.
It was $42 for 3 months. Not sure what that comes out to monthly but a good rate.
I will finally be able to do the jacuzzi or sauna my lyme doc has wanted me to do since 2003 but did not have access to before now.
No bath in my new place so taking a hot epsom salt bath to detox is no longer an option.
I have yet to go to the gym. Haven't figured out the logicistics of this yet. First trip will be with senior van in power chair when there are less people. Need to figure out hours of gym and when there are less people.
finally set up microsoft money and can now enter income and expenses with help while laying in bed
big milestone. wanted to do this since this hit in oct. 2001
health wise...I would be up a creek without a paddle if it were not for the two ladies that are helping out right now with household chores.
But, I am eating much better, no more stomach pain, no more weirdness in mouth and can taste food, body is feeling the humidity. I think
it is sweating. Not sure. But, it is doing something different that was once normal until lyme.
Shins itch a lot lately. When I dry brush them a lot of dead skin falls off. Same with rest of body.
Very strange but I think good.
I still am getting out about twice a day for an hour or less to toilet and exercise Rosie.
Alternating between taking the car to a fenced in area or the power chair. Nice to have the choice.
Had two cacti bloom this past week. Very enjoyable. I am easily amuzed.
Sleep is inconsitant. I think I slept through the night once last week. But, it is still better than it was without the sleeping meds.
I do get some sleep. Woke up in recliner with TV on around 2 last night. TRied to go to sleep in bed but it didn't work.
Went back to recliner and turned TV back on. Finally feel asleep after some time.
Asked Sallie Mae to send me the form for permanent disability. it was time to get an deferrment again.
Need doc to sign this. Tough call at this point.
STudent loan interest charges are more than student loans were now...about 10 fold...unbelievable.
All in all things are looking much better than they were two or three months ago.
Since the windows are open now, I hear the 8 am, noon, and 5 pm whisle or horn. Learned it is coming from what is not the theater in town.
But, what once was the sawmill in town. I like it.
Trying to do something fun each day. Fun for me is sending a card to someone...not an easy task and not something I can do often for me.
Being able to take a shower without it totally wearing me out.
Going for a short drive.
Watering the few plants I have.
having a successful water therapy session.
More fun to come
Many changes: others provided Xango for me, another provided supplements doc wanted me to take (first time since coming down sick I am doing all my lyme doc suggested), I was donated a new used power chair that fully reclines (needed this for almost 6 years so great to finally have one), moved to more pleasant apartment complex, had car donated to me so able to get out and about on my own now and then.
This is a big stress relief. So nice to know that if I need something I can go get it....if it is important enough to be on my feet to get it.
Usually able to do a little until about 10 am. Then down until after 3 or 4 or 5 or 6. Able to go out again for about an hour. Then down for the rest of the evening.
Taking sit down showers now. Not daily as I would prefer. Still don't have the strength for that.
Also continuing water therapy twice a week. Do 6 two minute exercises without a break on most days now. Missed one therapy session and had a rough one the next. But, the majority of the sessions I am successful.
Insurance only approved 9 more so I am assuming they have hit their limit and they most likely will not approve more after this.
But, they do have a small warm pool at the gym so we shall see how that goes.
AL's like lyme symptoms are still there. Still very weak and not able to do much.
Brain power seems to be improving some. Still very limited.
Phone skills are still not reliable. Need to contact service dog organization in town for at least 2 weeks and still have not had what it takes to call them.
SAme with a health care organization in town.
usually miss sessions as they are around 1:00 pm and I am too low functioning at that time. They are also on Saturday's and the senior van doesn't run at that time.
So, I need to drive and be on my feet for short period of time...which usually doesn't work.
Or cruise over in the power chair ...which it is rare I have the stamina to do this at that time of the day.
We meet at the library and I was told it was the only time open to meet.
Hope to at least drop in today and let them know I ordered the harness.
But, know task work will be out unless someone else wants to work with Rosie.
havne't had the chapped, hot lips for about 2 months now too.
Refrigerator has been full since I moved here. Very nice. Due to help from Sue and Sherry.
Able to cruise to pharmacy in power chair and dog groomers and feed store and something else since moving to new place.
It is much more power chair friendly here. Nice to be more independent.
Also able to cruise to man made lake when I am up to it. Nice to be around water again. I miss that.
Starting to see familar faces when I go places now. Sometimes I know who they are. But, other times I continue to search my memory banks on why I know them.
I saw a very familar face the other day while out in my power chair. But, still can't connect where I know her from. She noticed Rosie did not have her working vest on so I know it must be a business in town.
I do not go to that many businesses. But, still trying to place the face. It is someone I have seen a lot I know.
I'll be glad when it comes to me. Still haven't learned how to deal with it.
Still appreciating and enjoying the computer Doc Dave sent to me and the screen Just Don sent.
All the above help makes all the difference in the world with this condition.
Still trying to figure out how to get to church. Might need to go to a church within power chair distance until I can figure out how to get to the church that I look forward to attending.
Loose ends or things I would like to accomplish
workmens' comp approval...need to do next step..need help with this
come up with funds to purchase a good used couch so i am not sleeping in the recliner but can lay down at night when i am having trouble sleeping
work with rosie with new harness and learn my limits for being on my feet
get to church...trying to do this for almost 2 years now
i also would like to eat out at least once a month or every 3 months for that matter or just go to a restaurant and have a cup of coffee
get files set up and desk cleared off....this has been almost 6 years now
travel..i would really like to travel. But, not sure how realistic this is even if i had the funds.
looks like we will be getting a lyme doc traveling to our state in november so this is good...i hope it works out.
i'd like to try and find something i can do during down times besides being on the computer or watching tv.
it needs to be something i can do reclining. arms are weak so can't do it for long. brain power is limited too. it needs to be very simple
also like to get the inside of the car cleaned out. very dirty. don't like dirt.
brain is feels like it is swelling from writing all this while lying down.
but it was a lot and i was able to do it. down time now.
[ 04. August 2007, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: kam ]
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
kam, so glad life is going better. nice to hear you and rosie having adventures again.
sending positive thoughts to you for continued life enjoyment, donna
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
kam, glad you are out enjoying and getting to know your new area of life!
i have trouble remembering people too; can remember faces but names are forgotten in a few minutes after talking to them.
decades ago i talked with an old high school friend. after 30 minutes i had to ask her name! embarrassing and that was 20-30 years before i knew i've had chronic lyme since age 21!
hoping you find the church of your choice and they can help get you to church too! my dad's former neighbors/my h.s. algebra teacher teamed up and got him to church every sunday after his macular degeneration caused him to lose his precious driver's license! best wishes kam
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
Thanks Betty and Donna.
I finally recalled where I had seen the lady who stopped and talked with me while in her van and while I was in my power chair.
It is the lady at the physical therapy place I have been seeing twice a week for several months now.
The trouble with church is I need my power chair to recline while at church and get around.
Looks like I need to add a lift for the car with obstacles to overcome.
Just not sure of the expense as the car has over 200,000 miles on it and the lift and hitch is more costly than what the car is worth in itself.
Don't know if I mentioned it above....but my finger nails are growing too. It is a very strange feeling to have fingernails. They are not long, but what I have are strong. Very rare for me.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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and that was 20-30 years before i knew i've had chronic lyme since age 21!![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
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