Friday, July 13, 2012

Phase Three: Running Forward and Looking Back

Today I go home.  After two weeks in acute care and a month of rehab, I am now able to transport myself short distances with a walker and climb stairs with the help of a railing or an arm.  I can bathe myself with minimal assistance and get myself on and off the toilet on my own.  My speech is intelligible and the smile, though crooked, is definitely a smile.  I never dreamed I would be here so soon.

The big mile markers are going to be few and far between from here on out, and progress will be more incremental and measured in increased endurance and strength as I gradually develop the stamina to return to normal.  There won't be many exciting breakthroughs to report on a daily basis, but there will be time to sit on the porch and do some mulling over of this time spent between my two worlds.

A lot of this will be backtracking to things I experienced before I was strong enough to write or had enough time to process, and it will be as much for me as anyone else.  I bend my knees now without thinking, and walking will soon be the same, so there's an urgency to get these past weeks down in writing before forgetfulness sets in and the wonder fades away.

But no more sitting in front of the computer today.  It's time to celebrate!

2 comments:

sean said...

Great news! Heard this from my dad and great to hear your progress has been so much faster than expected. We're hoping your recover continues at high speed.

Emily Fifield said...

Thanks, Sean! I couldn't have done it without your parents' assistance and creative transportation methods during my layover in Houston. They have shown you the photos of the reenactment, right?