One Step Closer

 Saw Dr. Catino today.  Five weeks out he said everything looks great.  Now I can skip the brace while I am at home. That is a big deal for me.  I still need to be careful not to bend, lift, or twist. Talking to the nurse doing the vitals, I mentioned I had been taking pains meds at bedtime for years to sleep better.  I have stopped, completely. 

Over the past several weeks, I have learned to make the chair my friend.  Since I cannot reach the bottom of either washer without bending, I have learned to sit beside the one or the other to be able to get all the clothes and the bottom rack of dishes.  I have also decided my toes pick up as well as the grabber as long as I lift the items up rather than bend to get them.  

Rocket and I have had multiple long walks after the first couple of weeks.  I do not remember that last time I took a 30 minute walk without sitting multiple times to ease the numbness.  

Yes, I wish I had done this a few years ago, but now was the right time.