Wheelchair and other things.

Ok! I finally got my new wheels, check 'em out (the cat wasn't too happy with me...). I do get a lot of comments on the fab green color. I got this from MedTech and it's perfect - it's a proSPIN 4x from Invacare. Smaller than the "other" one, lighter and just plain cooler. Best part; it has a butt pillow! A $450 one at that. The cushion is an Invacare InTouch Flovair. It is basically temperpedic foam with a gel/air topper. Super comfy. Normally when I would go places, I'd transfer to another chair. But this cushion is so nice, I don't really transfer out unless I need to.

Let's talk about all the cool features of this wheelchair. First, it only weighs about 28 lbs. So, it's about 12 lbs. lighter than the other one. We already talked about the cushion, but what a difference it makes. The back of the chair is shorter and I can adjust the tension as needed. I also added anti-tippers since some ramps a are little steep and freak me out. Just a safety thing. I also got swing away arm rests that are lower than the ones on the other chair. I opted for this because it makes it easier to get in and out of the chair. I also opted for the foam covered rests instead of the padded ones because the cover on the padding can crack and break with too much wear and tear. I got no puncture wheels. They're a little heavier but I won't have to worry about flats. I also got larger caster wheels on the front to help go over bumps/edges and carpet. The chair also has swing in or out leg rests. So awesome and convenient! Best part is, most of these items come off for easier lifting. The wheels pop off, the arm rests come off, the leg rests come off and the cushion does as well. The whole things folds up and can easily be transported. So, in short - I'm really happy and excited about this new chair!

Speaking of being in this chair, let's talk about the kid at Subway who is much braver than I. Basically, went to Subway to get a sandwich - so good! Yum! Anyways, went to pay and he asked me, "So, are you paralyzed or  just hurt?" Ummm... how to answer because technically I have "partial paraplegia" - so kinda paralyzed... but I'm also kinda hurt. I didn't feel like explaining my past year to him, so I said, "Just hurt." He replied, "Oh, ok. Because you look like you're just hurt, not paralyzed." Oh. Ok. Apparently I need to work on my "paralyzed" look - whatever that is. I wasn't upset or offended by his comment. I was just taken back by how bluntly he just asked. I mean, how many times do we see people in wheelchairs and we want to know what happened but we're too "politically correct" or polite to ask? So we just look. And that's probably the worst because, guess what - I can see you looking at me and asking me with your eyes, "What happened?" Maybe I should just get a shirt that says, "I might not be able to walk, but I can still see you." LOL! It's fine, really.

But, let's also talk about how inaccessible the world really is if you're in a wheelchair. Doors are hard! I still have issues opening some of them, especially the one to the bathroom at the Cancer Center - in the hospital! What's up with that? Then the things that are high up, like at the grocery store, yeah... Aisles that are too narrow or there's too much stuff in the way (hello World Market, I love your store, but move your shit. Big girl coming through.) And stairs! I can't even go to my friends new place because she's on the second floor! Then there's the bathrooms. Dear able bodied people, please do not use the ONE handicapped stall when you have, oh, I don't know, five other ones to use. Nothing erks me more than having to WAIT for someone who can actually WALK to get out of the handicapped bathroom. Yes, I know it's bigger and well, you had your toddler with you, but seriously? Get a clue and be more considerate. And then able bodied people that "BORROW" a disabled placard to get a closer parking spot or sit and wait in a disabled spot - WTF? All of us with those placard had to EARN them by either being old or actually disabled. And guess what - we actually need to park that close. So quit being rude and use your legs that actually work.

I think that's all the venting I need to do today. So, just stay out of my bathroom and parking spaces and we can all continue to get along. LOL!

Wheelchair

Who's getting new wheels? This kid. Well, at least once insurance approves it.

I am so excited about getting it. Here's a link. It's going to be the Quickie 2 with an awesome butt pillow, foot-rests that swing IN and OUT, arm rest that swing away and are low enough that my shoulders aren't in my neck. And it's going to be a sparkly green (pretty close to the Toxic Green)! And best of all, it's only going to weigh 28 lbs. instead of the 41 lbs. this beast weighs (we weighed it at the Cancer Center...). Also, the wheels pop off, so if I get to the point where I can drive myself, I can just pop off the wheels - put them in my car, then lift the rest into the car and off I'll go! Can't wait!

The Results are In

And they're inconclusive! LOL! Apparently I'm still radioactive. The radiation has made my spine and spinal cord still swollen/inflamed. With the image on the MRI, we can't tell where the tumor is because it shows up the same as the inflamation - of course.

Anyways, I have a follow up with my neurologist and another MRI in three months to see what's going on... so I guess that means I'm doing ok for now - nothing too immediate to worry about.

Photos

Here's some photos. The first is my mom and I trekking through the snow, from the rest stop, on our way to Stanford Med. Joan called this one "sledding." Rather appropriate I suppose. That's one nice looking rest stop, right?

The second one is of the fab new ramp my bro and father-in-law built for me in a day! It's great for the wheelchair, not so much for using my walker.

Thankful

I haven't posted anything in quite awhile. Sorry about that. Basically, I am done with radiation! Woo-hoo! It really wasn't that bad, just kinda hard having to go everyday. Luckily, everyone at Renown Cancer Center is really nice and understanding. I'm actually going to miss seeing the techs everyday.

The good news is things that haven't moved since before surgery are moving! I can actually wiggle my toes, I have some movement in both my ankles, I can bend my right leg up towards but butt while laying on my stomach, walking is easier than before, and I can get off of lower seats easier while sitting! It's amazing, everyday I feel like another part of my body wakes up and says, "Ok, I'm ready to work again." I just can't believe it. I feel like it's a miracle. Joan did say the radiation would work, and I think it is. I guess we'll know for sure next week since I have an MRI on Saturday. :0)

My mom was up here taking care of me while going through radiation. We talking about a lot of things, one being God. I think she's right. People turn to God, usually when we need something or are going through a bad time. I would probably be one of those people. I'm not overly religious but I have to believe because healing myself is beyond me. This is the hardest things I've ever had to deal with because I can't fix it on my own. I've always made my own way, but I can't with this. I have to rely on faith and doctors and technology to make me better.

This whole experience makes me realize just how lucky I am to have done the things I have and to have such great friends and family in my life. A lot of people have reached out to me and have helped me and it's just so touching that people can care about me that much. The other day, Mom and I were watching the news and they were doing a story about the homeless at the tent city. There was a girl there, in a wheelchair, whose name was Jessie. She had just gotten out of the hospital after surgery when her dad died. She was left with nothing and no one to help her. She was living on the street. It made me really think about how easily that could have been me.

So let us all be thankful for the lives we have, the people in them and cherish each moment. Let us be thankful for hope, faith and miracles.

Kitty Meow

Any cat lover will enjoy this link. http://www.catswhothrowupgrass.com/kill.php
Super funny and completely true.

Since I've been home so much, it seems that our cat, Belle, is my constant companion. She now sleeps with me, wakes me up in the early AM before I want to, and just enjoys hanging out with me. Needles to say, it's kinda nice having a furry companion that makes you laugh because she's just being her.

Radiation

This week is the start of my 28 day radiation treatment. So far, it's not bad. It's only the third day though...

I'm undergoing Tomo Therapy radiation. (http://www.tomotherapy.com/) I was a bit nervous at first since I didn't really know what it was going to be like, but it really wasn't that bad. It's basically being stuck into a donut type machine with a bigger hole than an MRI machine, which is nice. I was a Waitbit worried that it would be really tight in there, but it's not.

Also, it helps that all the nurses/doctors are super nice. But I guess when you work at the Cancer Center, you probably should be an extra nice and understanding person. Anyways, the two gals that run that machine are funny. They have music playing and said I could bring in a CD if I wanted too. I'm only in there for about 15 - 20 minutes when I go in, so that kinda seems like a lot of work. And so far, I like the music they have. The first day, it was instrumental, spa like music. The second day, it was Michael Buble. Then today, it was Michael Jackson!

Treatment basically goes like this - check in 15 minutes prior to get a wristband that no one looks at. Go to the special radiation waiting room with no clock. Read Reader's Digest till the nurse comes out to get me. Go into the room and somehow manage to transfer from my wheelchair to the rather high platform with some assistance. Lay down, making sure my head is in the right spot. Grab the bars above my head so I'm inline of where I need to be and I don't move my back. Have the nurses scoot my body around so the tattoos I got line up to where they need to be. Have them help me lift my legs up so they can put a support under them so my lower back doesn't hurt. Then, into the big donut I go.

Radiation will hopefully stop the tumor from growing and shrink or get rid of it. I really hope this works...