Yesterday marked one year post Cauda Equina Syndrome diagnosis, and I had lots of cuddles from my Frenchie puppy because she knew I was upset. Then I went swimming (did my physio exercises, some walking and a tiny bit of "swimming") and walked around part of Decathlon with my mum and nieces. In the afternoon I drove (driving using hand controls rather than my legs feels so natural now) to my friend's and we went to Nando's and had a great time (and I showed off my new CESCI beanie). Then I did my first solo shop at Lidl in my wheelchair (and got soaked getting it in and out of my car).
I was stared at by lots of people whilst using my wheelchair, but I'm proud to use it. Being ambuplegic isn't bad, so why should I care if people comment on me moving my legs or getting out of my chair and taking it apart to put it in my car? Yes, I can walk, but it hurts, and sometimes isn't safe (like yesterday when it was raining badly and Lidl's floors were very slippy and I could've fallen if I'd gone in there on my crutches).
Now I'm in a fair bit of pain and pretty tired after such a busy day (for me, I did 1,342 steps and 1,501 pushes, smashing both my targets). Another positive is that I've been out of the house for the first time in months without wearing incontinence pads and not worried about having an accident because my bladder is getting stronger using the flipflow valve on the catheter, and the Peristeen bowel irrigation is working.
Now just to get through all the emotions today (and the coming week) is going to throw at me since it's the anniversary of my L5/S1 decompression (the surgeon said they were only able to remove about 80% of the compression off my spinal cord) and discectomy. And the potential PTSD caused by my stay on D8 at QMC Nottingham, especially after they nearly killed me with a latex catheter despite knowing about my latex allergy!
