Standing doing my hair without any assistive devices! My balance has improved thanks to doing yoga with an instructor 2x per week (5 weeks so far) and using my LifeGlider.
I did have a recent fall🤪. I was bending down to pick something up off the floor, I had undone the safety belt on my walker as it was restricting me,there was water on the floor and my legs slipped causing me to loose my footing and down I went. Not smart on my part. Just because my balance and proprioception have improved some does not mean I don’t have to continue to pay attention to what I am doing. I still have to remind myself of walking hill to toe, to pick up my feet, and not to lean forward. Old habits are hard to break!
I am still excited about all the progress I am making. I know I am not doing this alone. Thank you everyone for your continued prayers and your words of encouragement. I know God is with me and because of this anything is possible. His promise to be my side every step of the way helps to keep me moving forward even when there are set backs.
The gorgeous sunset tonight. Enjoying the view while navigating the pain and spams. Have enjoyed the day watching my grandkids and nephew hang out and boogie board. So thankful for the special moments when my pain is down. Ugh!!!!Spams and burning. Man it sucks! The pain often interrupts my life in so many ways. Doing my best to enjoy as many moments as possible. God has painted the sky yet again!
Taking time to relax and rest. After a week of being sick as well as dealing with the daily issue my hubby and I are enjoying visiting our family and relaxing in New Port Beach,Ca. This will be our view for the weekend. Hoping this will bring more healing into my body. Enjoying some of the wonders God has given us!
Enjoying the outdoors and cooler weather in Big Bear. Taking time to seize the moment when my pain in on the low end for me (about a 4) and watching to make sure I do not over heat and cause my symptoms to flare.
Not being able to regulate my body temperature has made getting out more difficult. Because I only sweat on my face and neck my body cannot cool itself which poses the risk of over heating and heat exhaustion, so staying cool and drinking plenty of water are a must. Then there is the opposite issue as well. My body cannot tolerate over air conditioned places. Both extremes cause my body to spam and burn more, which of course, causes my pain to increase. Oh, the joys of living with a spinal cord I jury.
The best thing I can do for myself is to take the opportunities that present themselves and keep moving forward. At the same time, learning to allow myself down time when my body is in pain without beating myself up. I still have work to do in this area.
Made it to the gym! When I awoke on Thursday I wasn’t sure I would make it. I had a rough night on Wednesday because of pain. My left side spasmed and burned at an 7 to 8, off and on most of the night despite taking my extra medication. When I awoke on Thursday I immediately laid back down because I was dizzy and I got nauseated. After about 30 mins. I was able to get up. I got myself ready and headed to the gym. I still was not feeling 100%, but I knew not working out would slow my progress down.
I started off by warming up on the treadmill for 12 mins. I realize that this is not very long, but for me it is a workout especially with it inclined at 5.0. For safety, my trainer stands by me the entire time. We then worked our way over to the TRX (Total Resistance Exercise) area. I do 4 sets of 12 to 15 reps of squats (sit to stands). This exercise is still very difficult for me. I have to be very cautious as doing any exercise that engages my back has the potential to set off my spasming which then leads to the burning (Allodynia). As you can see below that working on the TRX takes energy and a lot of concentration. My right leg wants to turn in instead of out when I squat/sit.
Working on
the TRX
machine
I then moved on to working on some coordination exercises which engage my brain and muscles. The only way to build new pathways is through repetition and concentrating on what I feel and don’t feel.
Simple leg lift-not so simple for me. Hard to control my legs.
Simple tasks
take a lot of
effort.
I will keep working on building new pathways and helping my body heal. I am continuing to crawl daily and practice getting up and down off the floor. I really miss things like dancing and running, but I know that with hard work I can get there some day. God continues to heal me and get me through. Without God and my wonderful family none of this would be possible.
Today June 18th, 2019 I arrived at the gym feeling tired and hurting at a 5. I chose to head to the gym regardless of the pain because I knew that I had to push myself. Please note that I do have days where my pain which is caused by Allodynia and spasms is so elevated that I can barely move let alone drive. Gratefully, today was not one of those days. I do find that exercise and moving around can aid in diminishing my pain. By the time I left the gym my pain was down to a 4.
Todays session was balance training. Because I lost my proprioception, my balance, also went out the window. I have been working for the past two years to regain it. Developing new neuro pathways is essential for me. You see, our bodies are amazing structures that even when it is damaged it looks for ways to rebuild itself. I have to really concentrate on every movement as well as noting what I am feeling or not feeling as each exercise is performed.
Squats while balancing on the Bosu ball.
Balanced on the Bosu ball for 60 seconds. I remember the days that I could not balance for more than 12 seconds.
When I am not in the gym I workout at home. I get down on the ground and crawl on my hands and knees twice a day. I also put on 5 lbs. ankle weights and walk around my house for at least 30mins. practicing to lift my legs as high as I can get them. Often it is not very high, but I know every little bit helps. I also do a lot of stretching and eventually I plan on joining a yoga class. Right now getting up and down off the floor is still difficult and I often look like someone learning to walk on stilts.
Each session is different and challenging. Leaving the gym today I felt accomplished and renewed. I saw the progress I am making. Each day God gives me is a day to show Him that his gift is not being wasted. Because I have hope and faith in what God can do I cannot give up. A very wise friend of mind said, ” Speak to your legs daily and tell them they are healed. God , is healing you right now.” From that day on and I have done my best to remind my legs that they are healed and that they work. God is good!
