CIDP and Me - Hello World!

Yesterday I went out for non-medical reasons. It was the first time I have done this since September! We went out for lunch to a nearby cafe and it was great. I wore pants with a zipper (jeans even) and shoes! I felt like a regular person, which was nice. Now, being Cape Breton, we did run into someone we knew from work, but only one person, so I consider that a win. I was a little reluctant to go out into the world because I don't want to run into people who don't know about my situation and then have to explain things. Perhaps I should make out business cards with this url on it and pass them to anyone who gives me that 'look'. We were initially thinking of an outing to the mall but the thought of running into scores of well-meaning but curious international students made me slink back into my shell. Plus, I hate the mall... The cafe was the perfect solution. I had a Thai wrap (not sure why it was called Thai as it had hummus in it... but tasty nonetheless) and a cappuccino. Scott and his mom enjoyed their meals and coffee as well. As I mentioned, we did run into one person but it was not too awkward and I got a little work update, which is always nice.

I had IVIG again last week, so it was a little chaotic but still a good week. I got daily ambulance rides again. It really seems excessive when a taxi or HandiTrans would be fine, but I have no say in the matter. It was raining on Friday so they used a 'cover' on the stretcher. I made a joke about being in a body bag (looked like it to me) and they got all upset... Apparently that is a touchy subject to paramedics. Anyway, the treatments went fine with no adverse reactions. I think my body is used to getting it regularly now.

I packed my daily therapy into the afternoons and really worked hard to make up for the lost time in the morning. I was on my feet each day and my stamina is really starting to improve. I was in the 'Jolly Jumper' Tuesday and Thursday and am able to 'walk' the length of the hall between breaks. We are focusing on form now and trying to get a good gait. The other days were spent in the parallel bars where I can now do 6 passes between breaks. I'm also becoming less reliant on spotters and my arms. I'm a long way from independent walking but am making steady progress, so I'm happy. Our next goal is the platform walker - a walker with a half moon platform for your arms to rest on. It is a little more supportive than a regular walker. My physio thinks that this is perhaps a week or two away.

So there it is, a much overdo progress report. Further updates as events warrant....