Life Seeeps Back in The Common Room

Bit by bit life seeps back into this old body. I am now able to say, "I am better." I've been weaning off the oxygen . Three days ago, Husband and I went to Olive Garden and I didn't take the tank in, nor did I use the walker. I did hold to his arm, which I won't do again, because he lurches and throws me completely off balance.

Two days ago, I went outside without the tank, sat on the low stone wall and trimmed the jasmine away from the decorative stones in front of my little statue. It took an hour to do ten minutes worth of work, but I did it. I cam in and showere and had no repercussions.

I haven't slept with the oxygen for a week.

Today, I'm going to Home Depot (only about a mile from home) and buying light bulbs for my bathroom and looking at fall flowering plants . Last winter, with no one here to care for them (I was in hospital) my winter blooming plants all died. I'll take the tank in case of emergency, but go into the store without it. There are carts, so I won't take the walker in either.

Anyone been tethered by a plastic leash in your nose to a bottle or machine for 6 1/2 months? How freeing to be with out it. Not to mention the rash I got from the plastic canula always rubbing across my ears and throat.

I'm trying to consider this period as rehab, although I have not been declared in remission and the heart thing will never heal. I cope with a lot of light-headedness from those meds that regulate my heart. Still, my body is more my own than it's been for years and, even with the weakness from not moving for so long, I move more easily than in many years.

Yesterday, I was doing some clearing out of my closet; getting rid of some super-sized things bought in the last months before I flat-lined, and tried on a few other things that were hanging around. I had a completely ecstatic time discovering that all those things fit perfectly - work and dress clothes from the 90s to 2004. I've always favored the tailored and classic lines, not fads nor fashpns, so these clothes are fine to wear now. I was very happy and laughing about it until Husband, who could suck the joy from a child's first birthday, asked me where I would wear them, "the grocery store?" He's right. I will not have occassion. Still, it's nice to have a closet full of things that fit. Oh well.

I re-read the obove paragraph and it sounds as though I'm a conservative dresser. Perhaps you should know that I combine those classic togs with the wildest jewelry I can get my hands on.

For example, here's my ancient hand/arm with a couple of my favorites::

Going to shower now -- just me -- no wedging in a funky tank - no plastic tube messing with the shower curtain -- no trying to wash my face with stuff in the way -- just me and the hot wter and soap. Joy

Last updated August 17, 2014