I just passed “inspection” to move back to my apartment on Friday after spending nearly a month in rehab.  When I reflect on the progress I’ve made, it seem more like months and months of rehab. I remember being petrified of what had happened to me when I was lying in ICU in Wichita and I couldn’t lift my legs on the bed or even move them at all.  I wasn’t much better trying to lift a fork to my mouth to eat.  Mostly I remember Todd cutting my  food in bird-size pieces and coaxing me to eat.  I just couldn’t. One can’t be very hopeful when faced with those circumstances; however, it has all turned out very well and I’ll soon be better than ever.

It’s a good thing I had presence of mind  to remember what Jerzy Slomka told me about my bout with Lupus and that if I had any kind of serious surgery, it would probably rear its ugly head again despite the preventative meds I was taking. He is heads and shoulders ahead of other doctors I’ve had.  If it weren’t for him, I’m not sure where I’d be right now. After my insistence, I guess the doctors in Wichita reluctantly decided to give prednizone a try after transfusions failed to help.  Then once again, I had to insist on them again when the beast took over in rehab.  I’m still taking small amounts and will for awhile and then taper off them.  Meantime, I had the energy to do my physical therapy.  Without it, I was limp as a rag and not making any progress at all.

It has been suggested I get a shower chair with arms and back, which I’ll do, but other than that, there were only positive marks to my return to independent living.  My little bench I use sometimes is about shot anyway, so, over time, a more stable chair  will get lots of use.  Ally is coming to spend a few days and nights with me to make sure I am comfortable getting through my morning shower routine, dressed and off to the day’s events.  I expect it to go smoothly.What would I do without help from my children?  I’ll be elated when I can shed my walker and strike out on my own.

Today is Doris Wyatt’s 104th birthday.  She is one of my new friends, sharp as a tack and a wonderful person.  She remembers my brother very well and speaks of him often.  They’ll have something special for her today.

Now I’ll return to rehab and have lunch with the “girls”… Flora, Vona, Angie, Sandy,  etc.

Thanks for tuning in ….