An update on the state of the me:

[draconis]

An update on the state of the me:
I'm continuing to make progress, even though the rate of improvement has become frustratingly slow.
I still have to wear my back brace (that will be the case until at LEAST mid-December). It's cumbersome, but not actively uncomfortable unless I accidentally tighten it too much or have it snug and then eat a big meal.
I can get around reasonably well, if a bit slowly. My normal walking speed is between 3.5 and 4 mph. I haven't timed it this week, but last week it was almost 2 mph. I am moving faster now, but I don't have measurements to say how MUCH faster.
Most of my range of motion is pretty good. Riding in a car is still not comfortable, but I can manage just about any other normal daily motions. The biggest exception to this is I can't bend forward very well (think "touch your toes"). Even though I am limited with this, I can also see progress -- a week ago, I could barely bend forward far enough to reach my knees. This week, I can manage to reach 1/3 to 1/2 way down my shin, so that's good.
The biggest single evidence of progress this week is probably going to sound very trivial. When I put on my socks in the morning, I typically sit with one ankle crossed over the opposite knee. Until a few days ago, I could not get into this position without using my hands to pull my "crossing" leg into position, and then it was uncomfortable. This week, I can bring my leg into position without using my hands and without discomfort.
My biggest challenge is probably my right hand -- or at least the one that is at the forefront of my mind as I type this! The hand is still swollen, and while I still have full range of motion and strength in that hand, I do not have full sensitivity. Needless to say, this makes typing an interesting challenge -- although that is steadily improving, too.

TL/DR? I've still got a good bit of ground to cover, but I *am* covering it, and I *will* get there. I will not allow any other option!

Comments

[ilyena_sylph]

I'm so glad to 'see' you!!!!

And even more glad to know you're still getting better!

[draconis]

Thanks! I'm working on it! :-)

[senmut]

+throws confetti everywhere, then cleans it up+

I am so glad for you.

[draconis]

Thank you, Asp -- and for all the help you and yours gave in the early stages of all this!

[senmut]

If my car had not been in the shop all my week of Vacay I would probably have been bugging y'all to see if I could come back and help more.

[draconis]

Oh, NO! I hope they were able to fix whatever was wrong with it!

[senmut]

Oh she's good as new now, and pretty to boot. Just took them longer to get her back to me than I anticipated.

[devilc]

I'm glad to see you' making progress. Be well.

[draconis]

Thank you! And I *will* be well, you'll see!

[raine]

{{hugs}} Thanks for the update, amigo. Just remember, progress forward is always good but pushing yourself too hard too soon causes worse frustration!

[draconis]

{{hugs}}

Yeah, I know... and I'm a VERY patient man -- when it comes to others! lol

But yes, I'm being very careful to go at a reasonable pace, even when that isn't the pace I WANT to go at, or especially the pace that I feel like I COULD go at, REALLY I could!

[rhi]

REALLY, you couldn't! (Thank you for being a good dragon patient during this!)

[draconis]

I'm really trying to be a good patient during this!

For those of you who don't know, I very rarely get sick... and so I have very little practice at being a patient. As a result... I suck at it! LOL

[kickair8p]

Glad things are getting better!

~

[draconis]

Thank you -- me too! :-)

[killing_rose]

I am very glad you are getting better. Slowly is better than not at all.

[draconis]

Thank you, K-R. And thank you for your help, too... and it was great to finally get to meet you!

[tarshaan]

{{{HUGS}}} Good to hear you are still improving, even if it's slowed down a lot and isn't the leaps and bounds of the first two weeks any more.

You will definitely get there, and I'm impressed by how good a patient you're being considering you have no practice at it! Although I am still going to come back early next year and get proper Dragon hugs :)

[draconis]

Yeah, well... you'd better! I'd hate to think I'd left you with second-rate Dragon hugs! ;-)

[devohoneybee.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you are making progress!
And if your hand is swollen, that's sounding a lot more peripheral (rather than brain-related) to me. This is a good thing. :)
The interesting thing about recovery from a big hit like this is, it's not about going BACK, but going forward, not only whole but with new insights, abilities, and skills. That you'll do this, I have no doubt whatsoever.

[irishkate.livejournal.com]

Hugs

So glad to hear from you. So pleased you are well and improving....

I have no doubt you will get there.

Hugs to Rhi.