Pretty in Pink Powerwheels

Today was a day filled with so many good things that I don’t think there is room for any more. My morning started off with a fresh latte from a good friend and then I proceeded to have my hair and make-up touched up by another good friend. I’m adorable 🙂

Last week I had scheduled a Seattle Times interview with a photographer, for today. So at 10:30am the reporter arrived and we began. I started with my occupational therapy and doing something on a device called an arm skate, which is exactly what it sounds like, a skate for my arm. It moves smoothly and without resistance. I should mention, that I did four brand new things today! New things don’t exactly happen all the time, so having four in one day, is absolutely better than any Christmas I could ever ask for! The first of these things happened here in OT. I straightened my right elbow all the way, on my own! It doesn’t sound like much, but I assure you it was very exciting.

Following OT, I began physical therapy where I was presented my new POPSTAR PINK WHEELCHAIR! I love it, it is beautiful and ghastly expensive, think off the lot BMW. Currently only the bottom part is pink, but I have plans to modify and make it look like Barbie designed it herself. You should know that although I adore having a very expensive ride, I do consider this my temporary set of wheels, until I literally get on my feet. Josh, my PT, was wheeling me over to my mat when I caught a glimpse of something over my shoulder, when I yelled, “Stop! Turn me around! That’s my sister, that’s my sister!” as I desperately tried to throw my body out of my chair to see her. Jaime had an appointment at Harborview today and wanted to surprise me by watching my therapies. Needless to say, I was thrilled! As I began my physical therapy, I had about three cameras shooting photographs of me…granted two of them were cell phone cameras, but I felt like I was being chased by the paparazzi. I’ve been told I make REALLY great faces in pictures, so you can all look forward to those. The second new thing that happened was that I rolled to my left. I have been able to roll to my right, but I nailed the left on my first try today.

After PT, we went back to my room to do the interview part and it was nice because Jaime got to be a part of it as well. I’m looking forward to the article. After the interview, the third new thing happened: I pushed a button! It was on my wheelchair and very close to me and it was hard, but I did it! I managed to take my little pinky, position it right on the button and lean forward enough to turn the wheelchair off.  Mind blowing, I know. 🙂

The last great thing that happened today, was that I managed to get food into my own mouth. My friend put a popcorn bag in my lap, and being a very neglectful person, she was not feeding me. So I hiked the bag up in my arms, and stuck my head in the furthest I could get it, much like a feed bag. Dignity is not something that is important when caramel corn is involved. See the picture below.

I want to include some things about Jaime and Steven as well tonight. SUPER BIG NEWS: Jaime is cleared to start weight bearing on her left leg. She does need to be careful of the fracture in her left wrist and when she starts walking, she’ll need to platform support. This means that she will need to use her elbow, not her forearm in a walker. Tomorrow she will try standing at the side of her bed! I could not be more proud of my little, baby sister. Watching her walk! J Not very many big sisters get to see this happen twice in a lifetime. Her right leg is still 6 weeks from weight bearing, but is cleared to toe tap as she needs to balance. Her right knee has been cleared so that she no longer needs to wear that awful, atrocious, full-length, LED brace. Unfortunately, that has been transferred to me. J She has earned it though, 24 hours a day, for 9 weeks. And let me assure you, it is HOT and annoying. I’m also happy to inform you, that she was equally pleased to see me today. She spent some time examining and prying my fingers open to inspect me, just like a little monkey. She misses me!

Steven had a bachelor day with his wife out of the house. No big news, but he’s happy to report that his doctors are satisfied with his progress on the CPM machine. He goes in to Harborview tomorrow to get his cast looked at and he is crossing his fingers that it comes off.

As I wrap this up, I’m happy to report that I have a fifth brand new thing that I’ve done today! I managed to scroll through a text message on my iPhone, with my hand. Small victories.

Keep on keeping on and kicking ass.