There are times when I astonish myself.
Take this morning, for instance.
After breakfast I was bending down, contemplating a flower bed when the “walkers” came out.
Dee Dee and Lily suddenly converged on a passing chipmunk, whereupon I ran.
.
“Thank you missus for saving my child.”
Since the population explosion, Zoomer has escape holes everywhere. It’s a bit like “Wack-a-mole” here these days and the cats only want to play…
It was probably my yelling and waving my arms that did the trick, or maybe the girls were stunned to see me move so fast.
“Did you see that Lily?”
.
Understand, this is not a usual happening.
My normal gait it slow. I can walk alright, just not far and not fast and yet when motivated, it seems I can run.
Admittedly, it was only 6 or so strides. But it reminded me of another surprise.
The spinal fusion in 2007 left me with nerve damage that made it hard for me to lift my right foot. When getting dressed, I had to lift the foot manually.
We moved to Cambridge in 2018 and the following summer I discovered that I could now lift the foot normally.
How was this possible? After the surgery I did physical therapy and exercises for months to no avail. So what changed?
.
The house has a long porch with steps only at one end. It sits two feet off the ground.
When coming from the field, instead of going all the way to the steps, I got in the habit of clambering up. I can’t remember how I did it at first and it wasn’t something I did regularly, but it appears that the movement re-awakened my right leg.
A small accomplishment, but certainly a welcome surprise.
.
When I first consulted a spine specialist, I was told that a fusion would rob me of much of my flexion. He told me I would have to live with my situation which had a rather dire outlook, so I found myself another option.
The recovery was long and the condition is still degenerative, but within a year I was able once more to bend, straight-legged and touch my feet with my hands. I wished I had the nerve to demonstrate this in front of that conservative specialist.
.
For most of my life I had an exercise routine, neurotic always about gaining weight. After the fusion, most of it had to be abandoned.
Which makes it all the more strange that I am more flexible now that I ever was when I was young.
No doubt it’s that my frame has changed shape so drastically. This is not something I was told to expect, but strange things have always happened to me.
However I shall not be entering marathon races or anything of that kind.
I can happily join you in not doing a marathon!
Thank you, Carolyn, for such a good news!
Joanna
It’s amazing what one is capable of, right? I mean, you proved a medical person wrong and that’s a win on its own! I also think you may have shown the cats not to take you too lightly 😁. My mother is of the opinion that one should try to take a short walk at least once a day (even if it’s just in the garden or around the house) … just to get the body a bit of exercise and to clear your mind with the fresh air. Love-love your last photo!
I have always wanted a house with a big porch. You rarely see them here of course, and those that I found on the south coast were well out of my price range. I want to sit out there on dry evenings with a glass of wine, and Ollie by my side. Not much to ask for, after a life of hard work. 🙂
I can sit in my back garden of course, but it’s just not the same vibe as a porch.
Best wishes, Pete.
Best wishes, Pete.