Tips and Tricks

A few things I have learned since becoming weak:

• when a door opens inward, just lean into it (throw your weight into it!) to open it
• use a backpack (with both straps)-- hands tire quickly when holding onto a purse or bag
• relax shoulders whenever you think of it... when driving, walking, sitting, eating-- this will release tension
• use cruise! control, that is. Both our cars engage at 25 mph, so it can be used even in neighborhoods. This saves your foot/ankle/leg from applying constant pressure.

Some of these things seem silly, but all conserve energy to be used for specific strengthening exercises or cooking dinner or whatever you really need to get accomplished today, or any day. Think about that! It's worth it to me.

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Time to see the doctor

I have a really nice family doctor. He saw me for a check-up, then a month later saw me in a follow up visit to my first hospital stay, sending me straight to the neurologist who eventually diagnosed GBS.

It was time for a check-up again this month and again, I was impressed that I have such a caring doctor. He asked many questions to make sure that during my relatively slow recovery that I am keeping my spirits up. He is a civilian doctor at the Air Force Base Hospital where I live. I'm glad he chose to work there.

We rely so much on competent doctors to help with our health concerns. As far as Health Care Reform goes, I just hope that it is clear that we need good, smart doctors and we need to compensate them fairly. What smart, caring person would decide to go to medical school if they know they will be poorly paid and have little decision making power in their practice when they graduate? Just something to think about.

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Two great examples

Did you know Rowdy Gaines had GBS? I didn't until I was looking for an online version of a recent recoveree. I remember his name from the 1984 Olympics--he was a swimmer. And he won gold medals (wow!). Anyway, in the 1990's he had GBS and was investigating the LDS church. Story here.

Then here is the article I was looking for in the first place. I asked my young son to read the paragraph describing the onset of symptoms and he recognized those as GBS. The article is about a high school athlete recovered from from GBS in time to play his last year of football. Part of his recovery was shooting baskets and playing basketball. How fun is that?!

Being forced to slow down

Have you noticed that you can learn a lot from things that you don't want to have happen (i.e. trials)? I read The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks this week and was impressed by a quote from page 264.

Strange, what being forced to slow down could do to a person.

Applies to GBS, for sure! In the book, a girl and her brother go from NYC to live with their dad on the beach in North Carolina for the summer and as the pace of life slows down, they learn to be less selfish, more aware, and to love. It's quite beautiful, actually. Didn't know till I was searching for a book image that it is soon to be out as a movie. Hope my favorite quote is in it.

Regain, Rebuild, Restore

• Regain fitness
  
• Rebuild strength
• Restore active lifestyle.

These are the goals of my new plan to use our Wii Fit to help me toward my best possible physical functioning this year. Check it out at MiiontheWii.

Check out this stance!

Christmas Day, 2009

10 months since the onset of GBS. Look at those feet?! Just keepin' my balance, baby. You know, I did not realize I was doing that, or if I did, I thought my feet would not be in the photo. So, being pigeon toed does not mean that I should stand around all twisted up, but it might explain why a tired leg would resort to the above position.

All in all, lots of progress is happening...just very slowly. I estimate myself at 70-75% of my normal functioning (though significantly less if you count endurance). At the latest neurologist visit, he said to give it a good 12-18 months and see where we are and what residual effects linger.

As of now:

• No deep tendon reflexes (zero, zilch, nada).
• Still walking with a wider than normal gait (very cute-- not so much! but what can one do without those reflexes!).
• Able to walk a couple of miles on an easy going day without other demands.
• Spending time at work 2 or 3 times a week doing light duty RN stuff (sort nurse in triage, a couple of hours patient care here and there).
• Doing more cooking, cleaning, laundry and other regular chores (the family LOVES this!).
• A couple of hours rest is often enough to recharge after doing a little too much--better than a day or more!

We had a nice Christmas at home with the traditional scones and fruit soup for brunch in the morning after presents. I slept all afternoon after working the night before and staying up finishing wrapping (procrastinator that I am!), so life is getting back to normal. And I am happy.

Month of Gratitude!

Did I really not post anything for over a month?! One thing that should have made it here was a photo of myself asleep at the computer along with an explanation of how that happens now and then (I put it on my personal journal blog instead). That would not have happened in my life before GBS. I guess not posting could mean that things are progressing, life is busier with normal stuff.

Truly, though, I never forget that I'm recovering from something big (at least big for me!). I am grateful to be recovering--this is a blessing. Life is slower and more careful. And you know, there is a lot of good in that. I appreciate the view from my bed (the best reclining place of rest for me in the house) so much. Instead of a window, I get to look out a full patio sliding glass door past a normal balcony into a big backyard with trees and grass. Anytime of year it's interesting and a great view. Most of the year there are times of the day to go out and sit on the balcony and rest, read or watch the kids play in the yard. Today there was plenty of bright sunlight to be seen and felt. This is one of the many things I am grateful for.

Gratitude is endless for my family and the love and patience they show me. The kids really do help more (hint, hint), and they keep me supplied with soft stuffed animal companions on loan to sooth my tingly hands (note the hamster in my hands!). Wade is tired for having so many additional tasks to do around the house yet he remains loving and sweet. I constantly wish I was doing more and watching or sleeping less, but I am glad to be able to do more all the time. Yep, there is so much I am thankful for!

(photo is Mae soothing me as I rested between things on Thanksgiving Day, 2009 in Nashville)