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soul’s year of recovery

soulSenior Contributor07 Jan 2018, 10:45 pm AEDT

soul’s year of recovery

Hi - many of you on the forums know me. Thought it might be time to start a new thread.

2017 was an especially awful year for me. I escaped an extremely violent and abusive relationship fleeing the country where I was living and returning to Australia. My mother passed away and I was ostracised from my family. And lastly, just when I thought I was getting my act together and was on holiday, I sustained an injury from an accident which has left me somewhat incapacitated.

I have found a lot of support here and will continue to lean on those who I have come to know as friends. So come along with me as I try to make this year an improvement on last @Faith-and-Hope @Former-Member @Shaz51 @Former-Member @utopia @Bunniekins @Former-Member @Determined @outlander @CheerBear @Maggie @TAB @Sans911 @Former-Member @Former-Member @frog @Former-Member @Bimby2 @Appleblossom and anyone else who has followed my story.

When the clock struck 12 on New Year’s Eve, I made a few resolutions and goals in various areas of my life for the coming year. One thing I wanted to do was to regain was my physical fitness. I had been feeling so strong and well before my accident. I had been walking/jogging for at least 10kms each day and going to yoga sessions seven times a week. After my shattered shoulder and nerve damage through my arm, Yoga is out and I was fortunately able to put my membership on hold. I started walking again this past week and can manage 2kms. My arm is still in a sling and feels as heavy as lead and I can’t manage walking the dog yet. I am trying to be as independent as I can be and have seen progress. At least I can shower myself now. I miss being able to do the things I used to - like driving and even hanging out the washing.

Today was my Mum’s birthday so that was really hard. The kids and I went to the park where her ashes were scattered - the rose bush sporting a single feeble looking bloom. Afterwards, we had lunch together so that was nice.

I’ve had a break from medical stuff over the Christmas New Year period but the appointments start back tomorrow with an EMG where they will put electrodes on me and give me electric shocks to assess the nerve damage. Not really my idea of fun.

Anyway - onwards and upwards. That’s the plan in any case.

305 replies

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In response to: soul’s year of recovery

Unknown userMember11 Jan 2018, 8:45 am AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Good morning @soul. I hope the pain has eased a little for you this morning. Thinking of you 💐

In response to: soul’s year of recovery

DeterminedSenior Contributor11 Jan 2018, 6:40 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

@soul
Quick hi and thinking of you...

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

BunniekinsSenior Contributor11 Jan 2018, 6:42 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

@soul His soul looking forward to hearing from you again. Take care gp xx

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

soulSenior Contributor11 Jan 2018, 8:22 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

I went out for a walk yesterday without my sling and my arm was aching so much. Think I'll have to use it occasionally and not go cold turkey.

I took my new medication again last night but a bit earlier. Couldn't sleep for a while but woke up feeling a bit less dopey.

Certainly hope @utopia that my case isn't too bad. I've seen and read some pretty awful stuff on the internet. Does your Mum take anything for the pain?

I am really worried about the lack of strength and stiffness in my joints. Hope I'll be able to drive again one day.

In response to: soul’s year of recovery

utopiaSenior Contributor11 Jan 2018, 9:56 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

@soul. Yes mum takes a lot of pain meds. But she also lives with Fibro Myalgia and Osteoarthritis. So I can't specify how many meds she takes for the Regional Pain Disorder.
Some symptoms she gets - the injured area on her leg now sprouts dark hair - the rest of her leg is almost hairless. That part of the leg sweats. Just that area and no other part of the leg. It's all very odd. And the area looked really badly bruised even though the injury was over 6 years ago - maybe even 7 years.
They used to call it the Civil War disease as that's when it was first discovered.

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

MaggieSenior Contributor12 Jan 2018, 8:08 am AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

@soul 💜💕💛

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

soulSenior Contributor13 Jan 2018, 8:45 am AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Getting used to these meds. Not sure if they are making any difference. I wake up very early and need a nap during the day.

I have kept up my walking so that's one positive thing. Not the 10kms plus that I used to do but it's a start. This morning I have put a load of washing in the machine but will have to get my daughter to hang it out as I can't lift my arm up to the washing line. She is looking at moving out and if she does so whilst I am still somewhat disabled, I'll have to sort out some domestic help. The house looks a mess and needs a good clean. She's not the tidiest person around.

Later this afternoon, my son is coming around and I'll get him to mow the grass. I know he won't mind but I hate being dependent on others. He'll stay for dinner - pizzas. I miss being able to cook but I don't have the strength in my hand to use the utensils I need or carry anything of even a light weight.

I also need to go for a pedicure as my toenails are ridiculously long and I can't cut them. Probably need a little treat.

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor13 Jan 2018, 9:44 am AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Can’t cut my toenails properly either @soul ..... I love that there are walk-in places for that now that don’t cost very much for something small like that, but if you go for the full pedicure you get a massage chair along with it ❣️

In response to: Re: soul’s year of recovery

Unknown userMember13 Jan 2018, 9:06 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Hi @soul

Good to read that you are treating yourself to a pedicure. It's so frustrating when we can't do the things we use to after an injury. I remember this well when I tore a tendon in my foot and couldn't walk probably without a moon boot for twelve months. I use to look at others around me walking at normal pace and think "I so wish I could walk like that again". Never realised just how wonderful it was. It did get me down a little. We don't realise these things until we lose it.

I use to work around it best I could. It took me 12 months until I could walk properly again. When that 12 months arrived I gave the moon shoe the boot and never enjoyed walking and dancing so much in my life! Felt great.

Your strength in your joints etc will increase gradually with physio - worry not.

It is a good idea to arrange some domestic help allowing you to heal, until a time when you can do your normal activities again, and it will happen. One day at a time for now. I hope the pain has eased. Enjoy the pizza with your son tonight and a well deserved rest. Sending you warm thoughts

In response to: soul’s year of recovery

utopiaSenior Contributor13 Jan 2018, 11:54 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

@soul - a pedicure sounds like the perfect treat to give yourself.

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