0826 a typical day - part 1 of 3

A few of my friends wanted to know what a typical day for me went like. So I wrote it out but it was so long that I’ll post it in parts. If you click on the “typical day” label, you’ll see all the parts together.

I usually wake up around 7am and it takes me a few minutes to take off the CPAP mask and disconnect the hose. I just lie there for a few minutes to think about the day ahead.

Getting up is another story. First, I roll onto my left side and try to kick out my knees and feet. Unless I can get them over the edge of the mattress, I’m not getting up. A combination of shimmies and slides is needed, but the whole process takes about 10 minutes.

Once my knees and feet are over the edge, then I can use my arms to move me up to a sitting position. I sit still for a few minutes, just thinking about my posture and making subtle corrections to straighten my back.

I reach for my shoes and socks. The left foot is easy. I just cross my left calf over my right knee, and use my hands to put on the sock and shoe. The right foot is harder. I reach down to get a firm grasp of my right ankle and slowly pull my right calf to cross over my left knee. Since the injury a few weeks ago, this step takes a little longer to do. I slowly (by fractions of an inch) pull it so it rests on the knee unassisted.

I take a few minutes to massage and stretch the foot and toes. One of the problems I have is that I cannot lift my right ankle. Sometimes I can curl the toes, sometimes I can’t. If I can curl them and uncurl them, the uncurling action will help trigger the muscle that lifts the ankle. Massaging and stretching helps to loosen the muscles and tendons.

Once the foot is massaged and the leg is comfortably crossed, I can then put the sock and shoe on my right foot.

I then reach out to pull the wheelchair to the side of the bed. I release the brakes and move it back and forth until it’s in the right position for the transfer. Once it’s set, I lock the brakes, lift the armrest and place my hands and feet in the proper position. Then I shift my weight over my feet and transfer into the wheelchair. I can then check the brakes, adjust my positioning and secure the armrest.

To be continued ....