I Am in Training

 

Have you ever watched video clips of people trying to get out of the oversized chairs or couches.  They flop around trying to get leverage against gravity.  I had a similar experience lately and the only thing different was thankfully no one was there with a camera.  It all started with me needing to get my shoe from under the bed.  Getting down was the easy part.  Now all I needed was to put my leg under me and get up.  The thing is, the steroids that I am on deteriorate the large muscle groups (quads, gluts, back, etc). When my doctor told me this I thought I knew what he meant.  NOPE!  As I was on the ground, I did not have any quad or glut strength to get me back up onto my bed.  NONE!  I could feel those muscles trying to fire but nothing.  Little to say it was a lot like the video before I was able to get up.  I kept thinking I'm going to need to call the nurse and say "I've fallen and I can't get up".  

You might wonder how I would even consider myself in training mode if I can't do basic activities.  Well this is the best time.  I have physio exercises to help keep the smaller muscle groups going and a few to keep the larger muscles from deteriorating faster than they are.  I look over at my 4 wheeled walker and my stepping block and think "wow, never imagined that these would be in my future".  I could have rejected these aids but I find with the walker, I have more confidence of not slipping so I can focus on keeping my centre low and using proper technique with each step.  My wall pushups and my step ups are all being recorded and counted.  I am also working on bridges, clam shells, leg lifts.  My right quad still remains the weaker and it is very noticeable now but that just gives me a better focus point.

The big difference between my exercises that I do today and the ones I was doing 8 months ago is my stopping point.  Because of low platelets, I cannot push myself past tiredness.  I have to recognize these limitations and listen to my body but I am still in training.  Only if I give up will training stop.  

Haven't posted numbers since April.  I can say all have increased, yes slowly but increased at least.  Small wins and I count those small wins everyday as well. 

S/U - 2,844
P/U - 2,820
18Temple - 46/1000
Cane - 130/1000
Sparring 50/1000
KM - 100/1609

AOK - 1385/1000 
Meditation - 14h 35 min/ 50 hours
Tai Ch/Yoga - 17h 22 min/50 hours
Learn a new language (Spanish) - 2 hours

Attitude and AOKs

I can’t describe the level of care that I am receiving here at the foothills hospital. The nurses are phenomenal and always smiling. Many times over this last week, they have referred to me as one of their best patients [I’m sure they say that to everyone] but they said it’s my attitude and humour that makes a difference. The funny thing is I can’t imagine anyone who would have a different attitude. You take the good with the bad, you laugh over the stuff that’s embarrassing but mostly it’s just being kind.  I know my housekeeping staffs name as well as the other support staff and love chatting with them.  

Yesterday I had a nurse for the first time who also was doing her last shift as she was moving to Saskatoon. We chatted about what she was leaving and what she was moving to and shed some tears on these reflections. What really struck home for me was just how being kind and actually caring about those around you makes such a difference. 

The reason I find it funny that staff keep telling me how happy they are to have me as a patient, I couldn’t imagine anyone from my friend group, from kung fu, from my family that would behave any differently.  Being compassionate is who we are at a foundational level and I believe it’s all due to being mindful of our Acts of Kindness.  

(This journey sure helped my AOKs - over 1000 and climbing).