Scanxiety
is driving me nuts with my CT Scan looming this week for my 12 month follow up from lung
cancer surgery.
Soooo I took
a brisk two mile (3.2K) walk around the neighborhood with an audio book then
headed over to pick up Patti for a push and roll on a gorgeous sunny 64°F afternoon.
Another
mile and change pushing a wheelchair would give me 5K for the day.
Trails
through woodlands and parks are OK but rarely can Patti actually see anything.
The Army Heritage Trail dotted with tanks, helicopters, and more is MS visual
impairment friendly. Even a legally blind person can see a tank.
Plus the
US Army knows disability and most everything is wheelchair accessible unless of
course it was meant to be climbed on. Unlike parks and such the trails at Army
Heritage Trail are maintained regularly.
Pushing
and rolling through US Military History we decided to detour into 1965 and the
Battle of La Trang Valley. Visiting a Vietnam Fire Support Base we found their 105mm
howitzer totally wheelchair accessible. Then it was off to WWI to play hide and
seek in World War I Allied Trenches.
Even
though she does not appear to exert energy just being outside and rolling on
different terrain amplifies her MS fatigue and she was ready to call it day.
Heading
back for dinner at her care facility for dinner I fed Patti stuffed green
peppers, mashed potatoes and apricots. When I stay to assist her with dinner it’s
like having her own personal attended. No waiting before bed. No hoyer lift
needed. After brushing her teeth and transferring her to bed with a one person
unassisted transfer, one of the evening CNA knocked on the door to change her
and give her a nightly sponge bath.
Patti is
not only ‘non-ambulatory’ but unable to reposition herself in bed, or by
definition ‘bedridden’. Now you have learned something new to kick off Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
Where
two CNAs are needed to complete the task whenever I am there it only takes one
plus me. MS fatigue never enjoys waiting.
Patrick Leer
Health Activist:
Caregivingly Yours, MS Caregiver @ http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/
My Lung Cancer Odyssey @ http://lung-cancer-survivor.blogspot.com/
Good luck with your scan!!
ReplyDeleteHooray for Patrick! Prayers and good thoughts for a great scan!
ReplyDeletePeace,
Muff