Reflections of My Life

Kaila said:
I love this post, and the other one from RR, that says to start with the stronger leg going upstairs, and the weaker leg first when going down.
I think I will adapt that meditation for some other challenges I face.
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Yes, I knew that. It is a problem when both legs are bad though. It depends on which is the worst one on that particular day I suppose.
 

Well, I am a little sad because today one of my friends who lives upstairs is moving out. He is a nice guy and I enjoyed our conversations. He had trouble setting his new phone up and I tried to help him (even though I barely know how to use my own). He lives on the 3rd floor and has only been here a year. He has been moving all day packing everything into a rental truck. By himself and it looks hard. That is why it is taking him so long. If I could have helped him I would.

He is moving to another subsidized housing apartment in a small town (smaller than Norwich) not far away. He told me yesterday his apartment is on the ground floor and in fact, they all are on a ground floor. No stairs! And the parking lot is larger and he can park almost right outside his door. Sounds nice. Actually it is the perfect set up for us oldsters. But not having a car, I need to be here. Plus I love my apartment. I do not want to live in a small apartment that makes me feel all closed in.

Not sure what my day will be like today, but I am sure it will involve vacuuming.
 
A friend moving away can be heart wrenching.

My elderly neighbor, my longtime friend, a Korean War veteran and a long retired Ford assembly line worker just moved out of the neighborhood to live with his daughter out of state.

I shall miss him and our trips to get nuclear hot chili hot dogs and milkshakes. He complained that I drove too slowly; “Step on it. I ain’t getting any younger. Those speed limit signs are just suggestions!”
 
I spoke too soon...........guess who rode in a malfunctioning elevator today?? Right. Me! I took it to go outside and come back in. A little while later I got a message that my package was delivered by FedX. So I went down to the 1st floor to get it. When I got back in the elevator........I had a feeling about it. The doors are closing super slow and a little buzzer sounded as the doors closed.

It goes up to my floor, 2nd. Does not open. It stopped so I hit the button that makes the door open. Would not open. Finally it started moving but took me to the LL. The door opened and my manager was standing there waiting for it. I was shaking because it scares me. I don't know why. I told her what happened and she went into the machinist room and did something. Said she reset it. She rode up with me and it was okay.

Going to try doing 3 steps on the stairs tomorrow. Going to go up 3 and come down again. Just one time. It will be a start.

I will still use the elevator but going to work on the stairs. I watched a bunch of videos about people being afraid of stairs and I think that is my problem. Not my mobility so much, though I have not really tested that yet.

Made a pork roast in the IP for supper tonight. Going to go have some now.
 
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katlupe said:
I spoke too soon...........guess who rode in a malfunctioning elevator today?? Right. Me! I took it to go outside and come back in. A little while later I got a message that my package was delivered by FedX. So I went down to the 1st floor to get it. When I got back in the elevator........I had a feeling about it. The doors are closing super slow and a little buzzer sounded as the doors closed.

It goes up to my floor, 2nd. Does not open. It stopped so I hit the button that makes the door open. Would not open. Finally it started moving but took me to the LL. The door opened and my manager was standing there waiting for it. I was shaking because it scares me. I don't know why. I told her what happened and she went into the machinist room and did something. Said she reset it. She rode up with me and it was okay.

Going to try doing 3 steps on the stairs tomorrow. Going to go up 3 and come down again. Just one time. It will be a start.

I will still use the elevator but going to work on the stairs. I watched a bunch of videos about people being afraid of stairs and I think that is my problem. Not my mobility so much, though I have not really tested that yet.

Made a pork roast in the IP for supper tonight. Going to go have some now.
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I agree that's excellent to do just 3 steps up and back down 3. A good goal.

Plus, the p.t. at rehab instructed me to have both my feet point toward the wall or hand rail, while I hold on to the rail with both hands, and go one stepat a time.

Then to have both feet point toward the wall or rail as I go down each step as well.

In addition she taught me to step up or down the one step, then step the other foot on to the same step.

I'm sharing this in case these tips help you, but of course if they don't work for you, then do it the way you find best for you. 🥰
 
katlupe said:
I spoke too soon...........guess who rode in a malfunctioning elevator today?? Right. Me! I took it to go outside and come back in. A little while later I got a message that my package was delivered by FedX. So I went down to the 1st floor to get it. When I got back in the elevator........I had a feeling about it. The doors are closing super slow and a little buzzer sounded as the doors closed.

It goes up to my floor, 2nd. Does not open. It stopped so I hit the button that makes the door open. Would not open. Finally it started moving but took me to the LL. The door opened and my manager was standing there waiting for it. I was shaking because it scares me. I don't know why. I told her what happened and she went into the machinist room and did something. Said she reset it. She rode up with me and it was okay.

Going to try doing 3 steps on the stairs tomorrow. Going to go up 3 and come down again. Just one time. It will be a start.

I will still use the elevator but going to work on the stairs. I watched a bunch of videos about people being afraid of stairs and I think that is my problem. Not my mobility so much, though I have not really tested that yet.

Made a pork roast in the IP for supper tonight. Going to go have some now.
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:) So fear is probably a factor, that's good news. I bet you can find your stronger leg by finding the leg you prefer for your first step up.
At every point you will have the use of two healthy arms and one (weak) leg --I bet you can do most all of this with arm strength only. We're standing by and cheering for you!

But if there's a problem, remember you have the option of placing your hands on the steps (instead of the rails) for added stability up and down. JUST FOR THE FIRST FEW TIMES for the sake of confidence.
 
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Thank you for the good tips! I will write them down so I can take them with me.

I think there are only 8 steps to the landing. The only problem I have carrying my cane only is that I cannot sit down when I get to the landing. Nor when I get down to the LL. So really thinking about putting the other walker in the storage locker. I just have to be strong and improve my mobility. I hate being dependent on the elevator or other people.

This morning I hear people using the elevator?????????? Driving me crazy..........

One thing that is encouraging me is the other night when it was out of order and not usable at all..........the lady upstairs came home from her doctor appointment and had to get home. She is in a wheelchair and has a broken ankle and cannot stand. Well, she wanted to go home so with the help of her daughter-in-law and son (one in front of her and one behind her) she went up one step at a time. Took her a lot of time but she did it.

Then Sonny said when he was leaving on the stairs that night, the guy downstairs who has one artificial leg was coming up the stairs with his walker. He was putting it on the stair in front of him and then would step up. The whole way, which is 2 sets of stairs total. He is blind also.

So I am not as bad as them and if I make myself step out of my comfort zone I will be happy I did it.
 
Yesterday I had my appointment with my foot doctor. He came here and did my toenails. So nice of him to do this!

Supposedly the elevator was working and I took it downstairs to the first floor for a grocery delivery. Went fine down but coming back it stopped at my floor and would not open. I pressed the open button and it opened. So I guess if it works like that I can live with it.

Today is cold but sunny. I like days like that. I will work on a new blog post in a little bit. I want to update it and post more often. Like I used to. Then clean up a pile of papers that have accumulated again. Nothing really big today because I know I have to rest up for errand day tomorrow.

I am using the Vibration Plate daily. Increasing a minute a day. I am now up to 10 minutes on 2-3 speeds. Still sitting. I just do not feel safe to stand on it yet. Maybe someday. I am also walking 2 laps around my hall every day. I will be increasing that also but not today.
 
Today is my errand day. Sonny is coming to pick me up. He is bringing someone he knows (she was friends with his daughters when they were kids) with him because she asked him if she could ride to Walmart. So there will be another person squeezed into his car. Not easy with my walker in there too. Anyway it is snowing this morning so hope it stops soon. I believe the elevator is still working because I heard it once already. The third is a busy day around here as you can imagine.

So Saturday I placed an order for a bunch of things on Amazon. I must not have been paying attention because yesterday I checked on that order to see when it would be delivered. Not until the 10th!!!! I needed everything in that order right now. So I cancelled the order and reordered it with the delivery date of this Wednesday, the 5th. I just checked and the cancelled one is cancelled and new order will be here on Wed. A big sigh of relief from me...........
 
Yesterday I got all my errands done and finished up at Walmart. I am lucky because Sonny goes into the post office for me to buy the money orders for the rents. Then he goes into the smoke shop to buy Jeff's tobacco for me. He brought his friend with us and she was nice. She bought a huge amount of groceries. Her cart was piled high.

Mine filled 3 shopping bags (and one is eggs only) and the other bag I have is for my son. Still I wasn't sure it would fit in the trunk (since Sonny leaves all kinds of things in it). Turns out he had actually cleaned out the trunk this time. I wish he would keep it that way but he won't. I carry all that on the seat of my walker to my apartment. It will hold a lot if you know how to do it. Anyway I was holding my breath that the elevator would work and it did. Kind of like getting on a ride at the fair. Don't know how it will turn out.

Today I will pay bills mostly. I have no other plans. So staying in and recovering from Walmart. :)
 
Gosh, you got a lot accomplished yesterday, from reading your posts, @katlupe !
You'd need a rest day at home after that! 🤩

I'm glad to hear that everything that you got and that the friend got, all fit into the car, and the 3 of you as well.:giggle:

I agree that is the perfect mobility chair for @hollydolly !
I'm sure she feels anxious to need one, now that she sees it!
:ROFLMAO:

Sonny is so helpful on these types of errands, but please inform him that we all want him to keep his car trunk cleaned out!:LOL:
I'm just trying to be helpful in my own way, which I am sure will make a big difference.;)☺️
 

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