Taking it to the streets

Have a happy and safe Labor Day, from someone whose every day is Labor Day. I am writing this from a booth at Kofenya, my favorite place to spend a Saturday morning.

Yesterday was my first outpatient physical therapy. My physical therapist looked at me with a fresh perspective; she doesn't see how far I've come, she sees how far I need to go. What's the advantage of being able to walk if I can only go from my living room to the bedroom?

Our plan is to work on building up my strength and endurance. She noticed that when I walk, I use my hips for most of the motion. I still don't have much activity or control from my knees down. We will work on using the muscles I have the most control over to improve my walking.

She also made it very clear that she expects me to work on these at home.I will feel I 've really earned these gains.

I had my second IVIG made into dose last week and it went very well, I spent the day watching movies. I also reduced my steroids by 5 mg this week. My physical therapist will help to monitor if my CIDP symptoms return. That is a relief.

Adrienne and I began going to the Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center on campus. There is a family/handicapped accessible changing room that is very spacious and equipped with grab bars. Unfortunately they did not install an automatic door opener, and I'm not sure I could open the door from the inside on my own. Being trapped is a great fear of mine.

After we get changed, we roll out to the pool and I transfer into the lift. It is easy to operate and I can use it alone. Once I get into the water I support myself by holding the wall or holding on to Adrienne.

Time to eat my breakfast.