The last time I saw it my physiologist was in December. He told me I needed to be back in six months. So, what the hell, I scheduled a visit on my birthday.
My visit to my doctor's office at the Rusk Institute started really well. I got there a little early and stoped by to see my old physical therapist. Jenna got me from wheelchair-bound to being able to walk comfortably without a cane. She gave me the confidence to try to do the things that I didn't think I could do. I'm glad she was able to come out and say hi and it's a good thing she was busy. Because when I gave her my finisher's medal from the Brooklyn Half Marathon we were both going to cry. Since I'm not sure if I could cry and walk at the same time I hurried up and went down to see my doctor
There are certain moments that get stuck in the repeating loop in my mind. One of them was when I was in acute care and having my first relapse. Dr. Ahn saying, "I think you have the chronic version of GBS and we will have to treat this more aggressively." "Chronic", "aggressively" and GBS in one sentence. NotSoGood. I never held a grudge against him for promoting me to chronic. I was only there a few weeks before I got another promotion and became acute. (I don't know, which is worse having a chronic condition, when you have to live with for the rest of your life or in acute condition, which is really bad just once?)
Anyway, the first thing I did when I saw her Dr. Ahn was give him my other Brooklyn Half Marathon finisher's medal. (Yeah, I have good friends who gave me their medal so I can just give it away.)
Then, Dr. Ahn measured the strength in my legs. He noted that in the last six months they significantly improved. Significantly Improved. Significantly Improved!! My progress has been coming in itty-bitty increments. It's so hard to see for myself how I have been improving.
But I have been improving. Two years ago I needed help to roll over in bed two weeks ago I walked 13.1 miles without stopping.
Don't ask me how much better I'm going to get. Ask me how much better I got.
I'm going to start my next chunk of physical therapy in the Sports Performance Center. I am an Going to get treated like an athlete again.
What a wonderful birthday gift indeed. Kudos to your perseverance and progress!
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