Put One Foot In Front Of The Other...
Losing the ability to walk was one of the hardest things that I ever had to swallow in my life. There were several steps to getting back to where I was before TB took control. First, I would have to kill all of the bacteria inside my body. Then, repair all of the damage and get back to a healthy weight. After that, I need to rebuild and strengthen my muscles. Lastly, I will have to learn to walk again. Whew! That's a tall order but I know I can do it. Since I have been taking medication for about a month now, the bacteria is well on it's way to being wiped out. Getting back to my fighting weight and strengthening my muscles will be an ongoing journey. Now walking on the other hand... There was a knock at the door and it slowly opened. "Hello Ricky, my name is Carla and I am gonna be one of your physical therapists. So can you move your legs at all?" Carla asked. "Hey Carla, I can't move them off the side of the bed without assistance but I can move them around a little," I said. "Okay, no problem. We are gonna come three times a week and see if we can't get you walking again. I am gonna start you off with some leg exercises today and next time I will see what you can do with a walker," she said. Damn a walker. I never thought about that part of therapy. Am I gonna be handicapped for the rest of my life? "Okay, let's do it. I will do whatever it takes to walk normally again," I said. She adjusted the bed so I was laying flat and she moved all of the covers off of my legs. She had me do individual leg raises. My legs would shake uncontrollably because my muscles were pretty weak. I did as much as I could. We continued with a couple more leg exercises until my muscles gave out. Oh man, that was a good workout. I can feel it in my abs and my thighs," I explained. "That's good. I want you to do these on your own but don't over do it. That's all we are gonna do today. Do you need anything today?" asked Carla. "Nope I am good. Thank you for a good session," I told her. "You are welcome and don't worry cause this will be a process. Don't expect too much too soon," she said. After giving me a few more words of encouragement, she said bye and walked out of the door. About that time, my nurse returned to give me my evening dose of pills. "I'm back and i have your meds," the chocolate bandit said. "Oh goodie. How are things going out there?" I asked. "It's pretty busy. I think your night nurses will only have 10 patients to care for tonight," she added. "Oh is that all?" I asked sarcastically. "After you finish your pills, I have your blood thinner too," she said. My blood thinner comes in the form of a shot until the levels are high enough in my blood for me to take the pill. It came in a tiny needle; however, the shot had to be given in my stomach. My body fat percentage was always low plus throw in the fact that I lost weight and ouch. Right in the abs twice a day. I felt like a pin cushion. "Okay I am ready Lisa. Please be gentle," I pleaded.
Losing the ability to walk was one of the hardest things that I ever had to swallow in my life. There were several steps to getting back to where I was before TB took control. First, I would have to kill all of the bacteria inside my body. Then, repair all of the damage and get back to a healthy weight. After that, I need to rebuild and strengthen my muscles. Lastly, I will have to learn to walk again. Whew! That's a tall order but I know I can do it. Since I have been taking medication for about a month now, the bacteria is well on it's way to being wiped out. Getting back to my fighting weight and strengthening my muscles will be an ongoing journey. Now walking on the other hand... There was a knock at the door and it slowly opened. "Hello Ricky, my name is Carla and I am gonna be one of your physical therapists. So can you move your legs at all?" Carla asked. "Hey Carla, I can't move them off the side of the bed without assistance but I can move them around a little," I said. "Okay, no problem. We are gonna come three times a week and see if we can't get you walking again. I am gonna start you off with some leg exercises today and next time I will see what you can do with a walker," she said. Damn a walker. I never thought about that part of therapy. Am I gonna be handicapped for the rest of my life? "Okay, let's do it. I will do whatever it takes to walk normally again," I said. She adjusted the bed so I was laying flat and she moved all of the covers off of my legs. She had me do individual leg raises. My legs would shake uncontrollably because my muscles were pretty weak. I did as much as I could. We continued with a couple more leg exercises until my muscles gave out. Oh man, that was a good workout. I can feel it in my abs and my thighs," I explained. "That's good. I want you to do these on your own but don't over do it. That's all we are gonna do today. Do you need anything today?" asked Carla. "Nope I am good. Thank you for a good session," I told her. "You are welcome and don't worry cause this will be a process. Don't expect too much too soon," she said. After giving me a few more words of encouragement, she said bye and walked out of the door. About that time, my nurse returned to give me my evening dose of pills. "I'm back and i have your meds," the chocolate bandit said. "Oh goodie. How are things going out there?" I asked. "It's pretty busy. I think your night nurses will only have 10 patients to care for tonight," she added. "Oh is that all?" I asked sarcastically. "After you finish your pills, I have your blood thinner too," she said. My blood thinner comes in the form of a shot until the levels are high enough in my blood for me to take the pill. It came in a tiny needle; however, the shot had to be given in my stomach. My body fat percentage was always low plus throw in the fact that I lost weight and ouch. Right in the abs twice a day. I felt like a pin cushion. "Okay I am ready Lisa. Please be gentle," I pleaded.
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