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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.

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In response to: soul’s year of recovery

MaggieSenior Contributor23 Jan 2018, 5:57 am AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

@soul You really are doing so well. I hope the new car works out well for you giving you some freedom. Sending warm thoughts. 💜🌷🐾

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

soulSenior Contributor25 Jan 2018, 7:52 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Yesterday I went to the hospital and had both a physio and occupational therapy session. Good that the two were scheduled on the same day as the Uber fares add up. Both therapists were pleased with my progress. I now have a pulley that I have attached to the wardrobe door to do exercises with - an added challenge

I am also beginning hydrotherapy sessions next week. They are held in the grounds of a different hospital. Looking forward to them. It will be a five week block. Perhaps by the end of that, I can do the routine myself in the public swimming pool nearer to where I live. I have therapy sessions again the week after next and an orthopedic review next month.

I am managing the pain just taking medication at night.I try not to take it too late so I'm not feeling dopey in the morning. Hopefully I can drop them down the track but for now it allows me to function.

My daughter is moving out to an apartment with one other girl the weekend after next so I will be by myself. She's not going too far away - just the next suburb over actually as she likes the area. She's taking her bird but I will keep her dog here. She's good company and I feel safe having her around.

Should I go for a holiday, she'll either hang out here or visit to feed her. My son is off to Japan on Tuesday and hopefully there won't be any wild weather to cause havoc. I'll see him this weekend and he'll take me shopping for groceries and some bits and pieces I need. My daughter is spending the long weekend away with some school friends. I am meeting up with one of my school friends for breakfast tomorrow.

So, with the kids doing their own thing, I thought it was about time I bought a car. Unfortunately, the therapists feel I need to wait a little longer. I did some strength tests and my left hand 9non dominant) scored 6, 6, 6 whilst my right hand 9injured one) came up with 2, 2, 1.75. Need to get a bit stronger before I take the wheel.

It will be nice to be independent again. Hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll be okay to drive. I got my licence when I was 17 and have always had a car until I moved overseas. I had given my vehicle to my daughter and on my return we shared it but with her moving away, it will be good to have a car here.

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

DeterminedSenior Contributor25 Jan 2018, 9:18 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Good to hear some of your hard work is paying off with some improvements @soul,

trust things continue to improve and you can soon drive again.

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

Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor25 Jan 2018, 9:33 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

WTG @soul .... ❣️

In response to: soul’s year of recovery

utopiaSenior Contributor26 Jan 2018, 9:47 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

Will be interesting to see the scores again in 5 weeks time on your injured arm. Especially after setting up the pulley at home and doing swimming / water exercises @soul. I bet there will be a bi enough improvement to see you back on the road.
Well done for managing your pain during the day. That's great that you have reduced the amount of meds you take.
I hope you caught up with your school friend today and that you both had a nice time.

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

DeterminedSenior Contributor30 Jan 2018, 6:03 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

@soul thinking of you...

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

soulSenior Contributor03 Feb 2018, 8:28 pm AEDT

Re: soul’s year of recovery

I'm continuing to work hard on my rehab. I started hydrotherapy this week. I have had sessions many years ago when I injured my back and they were useful then. The resistance of the water was a challenge and I felt the effects the next day. No pain, no gain. Isn't that what they say?

I have another four sessions with the physio in the pool. I also have appointments with both the occupational therapist and the physio next week. Hoping I'll get the all clear to drive again.

My son left for his holiday and is thoughtfully sending me some pics so I am travelling vicariously with him.

My daughter moved out today with probably half her belongings. I am the custodian of the remainder. We went out shopping for a few bits and pieces and had lunch together so that was nice. She's not that far away so I expect to see her regularly. Missing her already but I am enjoying putting on my music without earphones so as to not feel so lonely. The dog will be staying with me but she will take her bird.

I enjoyed seeing my best friend for lunch this week too. Hadn't seen her for a while so we had a lot to catch up on. I'm making an effort to go out now that I am getting stronger but I do feel exhausted afterwards. I'm trying not to succumb to painkillers more than I have to.

Tomorrow, my plan is to visit the art gallery as one of the exhibits there is ending and I wanted to check it out. Going by myself so I can absorb the beauty at my own pace. looking forward to it.

My nasty sister sent me a message to tell me that our mother's dog had been put down. Not sure why she informed me of that when she didn't bother telling me that she and my brother were scattering Mum's ashes in a park afer she passed away. I chose to ignore her message. It's not something I want to respond to.

Then there was also a drama with my living situation. The real estate agent wanted me sign the lease renewal immediately (with the rent increase) I said I was considering my options and did look at some alternatives (especially since it would just be me living here now and I don't need two bathrooms and three toilets) Apparently the owner got weird and next thing I know, I'm issued with a notice to vacate by email.

I weighed up the pros and cons and realised that it was going to be very stressful moving without a couple of weeks so I went down to the agency and said I was there to sign the renewal and nothing more was said. I shall revisit my options in another six months.

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

Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor03 Feb 2018, 9:47 pm AEDT