Therapy. . . again

     So, I am getting ready to start physical therapy again. Yahoo, sort of, I get to deal with the pain, the aches, and the unknown. . . the whole 'shuh bang'. I've taken this week to plan out what exactly I want to do with physical therapy. When I first was in PT, my doctor set the goals for me, but the previous time the therapist asked me what my goals were, and I had none. I honestly thought, "How can I know what therapy I need? I'm the cripple." Then, after some research, I realized that I need to take a more active role in my PT. So, here's my set of goals for PT this time around.

• Work on, "Floor Transfer"
  When I fall, it is never a quick and easy rebound. If I am lucky enough to fall near a chair, couch, or my bed, then it'll only take a mere 15 minutes to get back to my feet. But, when I fall with only my walker nearby, I am at a loss of what steps I can take to get my steps back. On average, it takes me from 30 minutes to almost a full hour before I am back on my feet.
  
• Work on using a 'full walker'
  Right now, I use a rollator: a walker with four wheels, hand brakes, and a chair. My particular rollator also doubles as a transport chair. I have a lot of trouble, however, throwing my weight to lift my legs because the rollator's seat gets in the way.
  
• Develop a better way of 'walking'
  Right now, I am basically rambling through my trying to walk. I want to know if there's a better way to try and move.
  
• Explore using a manual wheelchair
  I have also started to think that, with my recent falls, driving with hand controls, and my scooter having such a big turning radius that it's difficult to use inside most buildings, I should look at moving into a manual wheelchair for shorter 'walks'

Socially UNacceptable

     Society and social are two words that have changed meanings for me over my years in dealing with this dictionary-altering disease. While I never was a people person, even as a child, I did not shun going out and about as much as I do now. Before, I could easily stop what I was doing, get in the car, and go meet someone for coffee, or lunch, or even a trip to a book store. 
     But now, the basic steps that I have to take to be able to go somewhere have changed. I get out of bed, rest, get showered, rest, get dressed, rest, use the bathroom, rest, walk out to the kitchen, rest, get to the door, rest, get in my scooter, rest, etc. Do you see the pattern? 😀
     Now, take that pattern and place it in a public scenario: a church, a grocery store, a coffee shop, or public pool. Social events became such an effort that, at one time, I avoided anything. Yet, there are some steps that I've developed to help me be more socially capable without messing myself, dropping food, saying the completely wrong thing, or worse. ALL of which I've done at the aforementioned places.

Steps I've Developed

💦I do not drink a lot until I am familiar with the place, where the restrooms are located, and how to get into them.

🔥I pay attention to the weather. If the forecast for the day is above 90°, then I do not leave the house unless where I am going has air conditioning AND my vehicle's been pre-cooling.

🏃I don't waste time. When I need to use the restroom, I do not say to myself, "I can wait." That used to be possible, but no longer. Trust me, getting up, walker/scooter included, and moving across a crowded room is FAR less embarrassing than losing one's bladder at church.

🙊I plan my speaking carefully. While it's not common for this MesS to impact speech in the same manner as strokes or other injuries do, MS can alter one's speech. I find that being aware of the possibility helps me keep my focus on saying what I mean to say.

     Of course, I could always just take up the life of a recluse, but that's never worked for anyone other than millionaires or poets. I am far being a millionaire, and I am closer to being a poetaster. 😅

Just Beat It!

     As with many others who have to deal with this MesS, summer can be hell on earth-mainly due to the heat. From icy drinks, to cooling vests, to homemade cold immersion therapy, there are a few ways to beat the heat. Sometimes all that it takes is quick rest in the shade, and others will take a day of inactivity in the air conditioning. So, here's a brief listing of the life-hacks I've found that help me with summer's inferno.

• Cold Coffee: In the morning, yes a good, fresh, hot cup of coffee can really wake me up, and I am SEVERELY ADDICTED to caffeine. But, as the day progresses and the temperature escalates, the heat of the coffee outweighs the benefits of the caffeine. Luckily, many restaurants have developed the drink: Cold coffee. It's even easier to make at home. Just brew some coffee and add ice.
  
• Cold Immersion Therapy [Homemade]: Real cold immersion therapy is something that must be pursued with a doctor's or other medical professional's advice. My version is a little less intense. First, take a normal shower. Second, as the shower ends, slowly lower the water's temperature to as cold as you can stand, Finally, once rested, get out and get dressed feeling more energized.
  
• Sleep: Sometimes, when the AC is running full blast, a cat nap helps.

These are just a few of the ways I try to keep cool. Follow the links below and find even more.

National MS Society

MSAA

So, What's Happening?

     Well, a few events have arisen that required me to take some extra time to contemplate, and Cog-fog did not make it easy.

• My latest MRI was good: no new lesions or activity on current ones.
• I decided to stay with Rituxan vs going to Ocrevus.
• I plan on starting PT this week.
• I am wanting to set goals for this week, but every single time I plan on doing something, things MesS up.
• I wanted to return to the gym, and my scooter died.
• I fixed my scooter, and my van's ramp died.
• I fixed my van's ramp, and it broke again.
• Conclusion: I am destined to be a "shut in."
• But, there is a possible bright side to all of this:
• I can read again, Rituxan is helping cog-fog [a little].
• I am still able to write here.
• My scooter is repaired.
• My van isn't fully inoperable.
• Conclusion: Life with multiple sclerosis sucks.

So, despite all of this crap happening, I am setting just three simple goals for the end of the week:

→Finish, "Storm Front."

⇉Return to PT.

⇶Try to take more 'steps'.