All Charged and Ready to Go

I had an appointment at Hopkins today and all went better than expected. i got x-rayed and had my sutures removed. Everything was so well healed I didn't even need a bandage. I asked the PA when I could start wearing my prosthesis and she replied, as soon as I got home.

So I have now had it on several hours, but I have to admit I have not walked much. The PA told me it would likely hurt to wear it, and she was right. In addition, I am using my walker because my balance is just not there.

I know every step will make me stronger and better, but I also know that overdoing it will not speed up the process.

When Jerry and I bicycled we always said: slow and steady wins the race, except in a race. So I am thankful I am not in a race. I have no deadlines. I also admit I'm a little afraid. I don't want to hurt myself. I don't want to fall.

So I will take my time. Also, I am taking Calcium and Vitamin D in the hopes that if I do fall, I won't break anything.

So now I am using a walker, which I admit is a step forward from the wheelchair, but not, of course, where I want to be. Before my fall I was walking around the house unaided; now my hope is to get back to using a cane.

It is an absolute joy to be out of the wheelchair. Even with the walker I will be able to drive again. Jerry and I will take the Leaf to a parking lot so I can practice. It will come back quickly.

In some ways the walker is more limiting because it is harder to open doors than when I am in the chair. My hands are busy. So that makes me even more motivated to get back to using just the cane.

But so much of the world is once again open to me. I'm so excited.

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