Monday: For the past couple of months, I’ve felt like I’m in a bit of a rut when it comes to working out. I’ve still been going to Magee to use the stim bike, Lokomat, and Exoskeleton in the Wellness Center, but I don’t have any formal OT or PT right now. After over a year, insurance finally said it’s time to take a break (I can go back in a few months though, no need to worry). I’ve been yearning for something new so that I didn’t lose interest in working out all together. Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated when your body isn’t showing the results you want, but I know it’s important to keep moving. I recently joined a health and wellness center that’s about 15 minutes away from my house to do some aqua therapy. I was a little reluctant at first — I always hated swimming growing up — but so far, I really like it! The nurse who works there, Tia, used to be an aqua therapist, so she’s been working with me every week and always has new exercises and stretches for me to try out. My body feels a lot lighter and less rigid in the nice, 90-degree salt water. Since there’s less gravity, I can take baby steps with my left leg and pull my right leg along to ‘walk’ a little underwater with my upper body supported by noodles. It’s awesome! I’m not going to lie though, it’s a little awkward being the only person there with a spinal cord injury, but, hey, I have to get out of my comfort zone sometimes, I guess.
Tuesday: My surgery was moved up! Yep, I’m getting surgery. It was originally scheduled for March 20, but now it’s happening on March 7 — two weeks earlier! Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m just waiting around for it, so I’m definitely happy the surgeons snagged me an earlier spot. This will be the first of two or three surgeries I’ll be having on my arms to increase my independence. And I sure am ready for that. *Spoiler alert*: my next few posts will be taking you through this journey with me, so stay tuned!
