Catching up

The day I began this blog, I spent a lot of time catching up on emails and spam that wasn't really spam. You know how it is. The weather was crazy so there was no going out on the deck in the afternoon like other Wednesdays.

Monday therapy
Duurbelasting is going well but is still tiring. And it's strange to be working on a "project"without a team. I've gotten so used to playing my part and sharing the load, bouncing my ideas off of people and getting energy from them.

We're trying different methods for keeping my energy up, taking breaks, doing different types of tasks so I don't get to worn out doing just one thing for too long, keeping snacks close-by (which is actually nothing new). I'm just going with the flow and waiting to see what the outcome will be.

Fysio
Having a serious talk with Titia about my leg has been something I've been avoiding. Mostly, I wanted her to volunteer to begin more direct treatment to my leg but only saw her putting it away. So, I told her that I felt strongly that I would never have as good a chance as now of regaining the normal use of my leg. I only get one chance to work with a therapist like her and I wanted to take advantage of that.

In sharing our two sides of the issue, I learned that Titia and the therapists at Bb used to perform the more direct, hands-on type of therapy I've been asking for (and many of you have probably had in your minds). But that was many years ago before research told them that joint control came back to patients within the first six weeks. If they did not regain control within that time, it probably wasn't going to happen. Meaning: if I had no connection with my ankle within the first six weeks, most likely, I never would.

Be that as it may, she agreed to drop all other activities during our time together and, because I asked for it, perform direct therapy every day until I take a holiday in May. After I come back, if we see enough responsiveness, she will enroll me in separate treatment. If not, it ends and I go on with finding the best ways to live with the way it is.

It's a relief to both get my feelings off my chest and to have a plan of action. I know now, and have had a feeling from the beginning, that letting go and accepting the condition I'm in is likely what I need to do. But, as I've said, if I never try, I'll never know.


Nordic walking video is from February 20. Just for fun.

Tuesday therapy
In painting 'class', I put aside the watercolor and began sketching out of my head again. I don't want to give much away as it is one of the canvases from Shiela. She said Anna liked flowers and all colors. So, there's a flower for sure. For this painting, I've recalled a lot the images from my childhood and from last summer with Nico. I used to do a lot of drawings of rainbows, flowers, mushrooms, ladybugs and other happy, little girl drawings.

In archery, I had a bit of a rough start, but a smart finish. I think I have it in the right order now.

Thursday therapy
Swimming is getting to be more like exercise versus just floating around. I now can swim over halfway across the pool with my head underwater. Next is mastering the action of catching a breath so I can continue swimming. Someday, maybe, I'll be able to swim a complete lap!

In fitness today, Rabin performed my second strength test in 8 weeks. Turns out the weights I had gotten up to were almost right on track. That's good because I couldn't imagine lifting much more.

And for the first time, I also saw my heart rate increase to over 130 on the loopband. This means that now I can actually get a real workout on it. Also, they've got a cool device you wear to monitor your heart rate. I ponder getting one for myself but that would be somewhere down the road.

Riding tricycles up hills and without a pedal strap for my foot were on order at the end of the day. It was hard work and my foot slipped off a few times (luckily at opportune moments) but I got it back on and managed to get back in one piece.

Friday off
I had lunch with the gals at the Hoogste Tijd where I enjoyed my favorite sandwich (pictured above) and a surprise guest in the form of Maarten vdM.

My first music get together Friday was good. I was a bit nervous but soon found that I had no reason to be, my guitar playing went better than I expected and I felt confident in the type of music we were playing. It was also a lot of fun. We'll be getting together regularly now.