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JimK's Journal

Good Days Happen Mood

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 | A Positive story

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 – 7:20 P.M.

I saw my physical therapist today for an evaluation and treatment on the severe scoliosis. The first day of traction went nicely. My therapist gave me traction manually because she wanted to see how my body would react to it. Within less than an hour, my level of pain went from eight down to a two. She said that was what she wanted, and would continue that manual treatment for a few sessions before trying me out on the motorized traction.

That part of the day went well, but the remainder of it bombed out. I decided that I had enough time to got downtown and do some banking before I needed to be home by four o’clock.

I missed the second bus by a matter of a few minutes. I had to wait about 45 minutes in the scorching sun (it was 92 degrees). By the time the next one arrived, I was about to pass out from the heat. Thankfully, the bus was air-conditioned, as was the one I took after it.

When I finished at the bank, I decided to go further downtown and catch a light rail because I thought (incorrectly, as it turned out) I was running an hour late. I finally made it to the light rail line and saw that the train was preparing to leave. I took a wild (and stupid) chance and got in front of it so that it could not move without running over me. I then made sure the conductor saw me before I moved toward the ramp I needed to use.

I got on the light rail without being run over. Phew! Then I enjoyed a nice air-conditioned ride of about five miles. Once I got to that destination, I needed to wait on one more bus, which took me to within two blocks of my apartment.

AsI got off that bus, I was unexpectedly caught up in a horrible dust storm. I waited until that died down, and continued on my way home without additional incidents. By that time, I thought I was an hour late, and that the person who does my cooking had probably left. When I finally got into my apartment, I looked at a clock and was pleasantly surprised to see that I was not late at all.

When the woman who helps me showed up a few minutes later, she looked at me and said, “What happened to you?” My arms and face were sunburned, and my hair was wildly windblown. I explained to her about my crazy afternoon, and then said I would never do it again. “That’s what you said the last time,” she replied as she burst into laughter.

Tomorrow morning I am going to have my wheelchair seat worked on again. My therapist is convinced it is causing some of my discomfort and pain. After I finish with that, I am returning home where I can enjoy my air-conditioned apartment until I go for more physical therapy on Thursday. What a life!

Quotes for Success:

“I was made to work. If you are equally industrious, you will be equally successful.”

Johann Sebastian Bach

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Comments

Sheesh... I've managed to get caught in every downpour last couple weeks. What gives?

Weeble Hugs and Mojo.

KweebsLS
Oh my. What a life indeed! Is your sunburn painful? I am very fair, so the sun tries to kill me on occasion. A dust storm and a sunburn in one day. What are the odds.

Jim, I am soooooo glad your physical therapy is reducing that much pain. What a relief if must be. How often do you see her?

You jumped in front of a train? Omg. How freaking brave is that???

Samadian
Don't Ever ROLL YOURSELF in front of a train again please, I would miss you alot. hugs and hugs-Stephanie

CoolGal
I'll trade my dust storm for your rain whenever you want.

I usually see my physical therapist twice a week if her tight schedule permits it. There have been some weeks when she squeezed me in because she knew I was in lots of pain.

I have gotten a few negative comments regarding the train incident. I was, frustrated, angry, and extremely hot and tired at the time. I admit to using poor judgment. I seriously doubt that I will ever intentionally do that again.

JimK
I guess it was poor judgment because you likely would have survived if you'd missed it but Jim, you are recovering from trauma. It's remarkable that you are out and about at this stage in recovery, I think.

I know I've certainly over reacted to life stresses out of shock. If I understand correctly, or if you are anything like me, you were fighting for your very life at that moment. You won and I'm so glad.

Samadian
Sam, sometimes I enjoy taking chances and risks - whatever you might want to call them. I know this probably makes me sound crazy, but this actually made life more exciting for me. My life has become too dull and boring. Admittedly, what I did was definitely not smart, and I doubt if I will ever do that again. But, I also have to admit that I have considered doing more dangerous things, which I believe would have resulted in my death. I'm not sure what stopped me from doing them.

JimK
Egad...what a risk you took! There is a little devil in you, isn't there? lol

Again, I am so happy to hear that your pain is being reduced. I hope it continues to diminish so that you can enjoy some other areas in your life that you can't help but neglect. I guess i should assume, but i know when I'm dealing with chronic pain, I tend to isolate and not do the things that used to give me pleasure. All I want to do is minimize my discomfort. Is this how you are, too? Or do you take on the world regardless?

bato
Pain, more often than not, puts me in a bad mood, and causes me to avoid being around people. I just want to "suffer" in peace. It makes it difficult to enjoy doing anything. In spite of that, I try to keep moving forward in life as best I can.

JimK