November is upon us, and I'm feeling like it's kind of knocked me out already. Although I suppose it's really October that I should still be blaming - with my unfortunate fall outdoors three weeks ago... Looking back at photos, I can see that my body has been slowly but faithfully working away at getting rid of most of the massive bruises I contracted (all over my left leg + right foot). Which is probably what a lot of my energy has gone to, even if my knee still neither looks nor feels back to "normal"...
Yesterday, 31st October, was pretty much rain-free even if overcast, and I managed a short walk outdoors, but stayed within my "immediate surroundings". (I think I was out for about 20 minutes, but walking very slowly.)
Besides still consciously thinking about every step, walking outdoors now also means keeping my eyes firmly on the ground. So to look around me just now means "full stop". And if I want to take a photo, I'd better stop somewhere where I can also place put my walking pole somewhere safe while I use the camera... (Like leaning on a park bench.)
In the early evening, I had one Halloween "scare" that made me jump (fortunately I was lying down on my bed when that happened!) as someone rang my door bell. I did not get up to open, as I assumed it must have been some kids - even if I can't understand how anyone got in, as the entrance is kept locked 24/7 these days. As far as I know, the only kids in my entrance of "that age" belong to a Muslim family, and I'd be very surprised indeed if their parents had allowed them to go trick-or-treating among the neighbours...
This morning it wasn't raining either, and we even got a few unexpected glimpses of the sun. But I felt I had to prioritise the indoors adventure of a proper shower, including washing my hair. (Taking a "full" shower is another thing that has gone from like a few minutes routine to demanding at least about an hour or so of careful and tiring preparations, concentration, and "after-care"...)
Having managed that rather exhausting project successfully, and having decided to stay in the whole day, I celebrated by just putting on cotton tights (straight on my skin!) - rather than wide trousers covering a variety of bandages - for the first time in three weeks...
I really like seeing you, but am so sorry your knee is not all the way better yet! I REALLY know about walking with bad knees! And a bad back. Everyone tells you to look up when you walk. But I have to see where I'm putting my feet! I would surely fall if I did not look where I am stepping! And when walking, I cannot turn my head to look at anything! If I need to see something, I have to totally stop. My favorite photos are 2 and 3.
ReplyDeleteGinny, while sighing over the things that are difficult just now, I do also keep reminding myself that it could easily have been sooo much worse... For one thing, I did not hurt my back. Which no doubt helps a lot more than I'm always aware of!!
ReplyDeleteDear Monica, you are very sensibly getting back to normal step by step (literally), using caution and allowing yourself the necessary time. It must have felt really good to have a full shower and dressing without all the bandages!
ReplyDeleteThanks Meike. I should probably ask an occupational therapist to come and have a look at my "bathroom situation" from present +future situation though. (I have a shower stool since before and managed to arrange things in a "fairly" safe way. But perhaps not optimal from a long-term perspective.)
DeleteRecovery takes a long time, as you are discovering, and with it come new discoveries of 'bits that hurt' that were overlaid by more immediate pains. You are so wise to take it slowly, Monica. Even so, twenty minutes of walking is very good, and quite an achievement. Go well!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janice. Thankfully I seem to now have a week without appointments ahead, so hoping to be able to continue to take things "at my own pace". (One never quite knows, though...)
ReplyDeleteLooking good, lady! So glad you are feeling better, enough for that shower with all the preparations! And yes, looking where you step is certainly a good idea. I get out of breath easily, so stop as soon as I find a safe place to stand/sit, and take a photo of something or another. When I was using my walking stick up until a few weeks ago, I'd sometimes just lean it against myself when I stopped.
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