Changes in Everyday Circumstances

As much as you plan for something in your life, there comes a time when you learn new things that change how you interact with the world, even on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes our circumstances offer restrictions that keep us from performing what we’ve come to take for granted as simple, everyday tasks. Having surgery on my left foot is teaching me about restrictions, moving slowly, kindness, and the healing process beyond the physical.

Now, as I walk and move in my home, I have to concentrate on my steps. I’m allowed to “bear weight as tolerated”. I take that to mean, if it’s too painful, I need to use my crutches. Sometimes I use the crutches, and sometimes I slowly hobble my way to my destination. As I move, I’m reminded of my mother, and how, after a very massive stroke that left the right side of her body immobile, she re-learned to perform everyday tasks again, everything from bathing, to cooking, to walking, first utilizing a walker, then a quad-footed cane. With the help of a physical therapist, she learned how to balance on her right side. Fitted with a stiff plastic leg brace, so her right leg could bear the weight she didn’t fully have control over, I realize, in the short time I’ve been physically challenged with my restrictions, how amazing my mother’s accomplishments and efforts were to live with her abilities after her stroke.

I’ve been told I have to “bathe creatively”, which, so far means sponge baths and clean clothes. I’ll attempt to wash my hair in the bathroom sink today. Right now, how I look isn’t as important to me as how I feel. I still am committed to eating right, cooking myself a nice meal, and having my home be as clean as I can make it. Some things (like vacuuming) will have to wait, though.

The three most challenging issues about my physical restrictions are the pain involved, getting up and down the stairs with whatever I need, and asking for help.

I have been taking pain medication to help ease the hurt, and I make sure I have something to eat before I take any medicine. I’m also taking Arnica Montana, a homeopathic, to help with the trauma of surgery.

Sometimes I will crawl up the stairs on my hands and knees, and “slide” down the stairs (on my bum), and sometimes I use my crutches. It depends on how I feel (if I feel unsteady, I don’t use the crutches) and assess what needs to come up or go down with me. So far, so good. The nurses at the surgery center taught me how to go up and down stairs with the crutches.

I normally rely and take responsibility for myself. Now I’m much more vulnerable, and I ask for help. My roommate Janell took me to surgery, and my friend Christina picked me up and brought me home. Christina also offered to shop for me, if I need something from the grocery store. I received a “care package” from a friend in North Carolina that brought lots of smiles to my face. Even my cat, Sturgis watches over me, being sweet, and a little less demanding.

I called the phone tree at the little church I go to and asked if I could get a ride to a Thanksgiving Eve service (if the weather is not good, I will stay in, though).

As my life takes on some very temporary restrictions, I take heart that nurturing myself, and accepting the kindness of others will be the comfort I can use to heal quickly. I am very grateful for going through the process of healing and of being tender with myself.