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My doctor told me today that generally the longer a recovery takes, the less chance there is of a full recovery. I've been at GF Strong now for nearly three weeks, and there is definite improvement since the PLEX treatment. My endurance has gone up, and I am more mobile than at my worst, but I haven't gone through any significant increases in strength. That's disheartening, because my tentative discharge date is just over two weeks away. The date could get pushed back, but only if I'm not in a condition to live independently at home. I will continue to be an outpatient, going back for physiotherapy twice a week.

My occupational therapist did a home visit with me today to see my apartment and what needs to change in order for me to be independent in my home. She suggested raising some surfaces, like my couch and bed. There are also special grab bars that can be installed on my bed to help me stand up. The big problem will be in the kitchen. I won't be able to carry heavy pots (or even light pots) from the oven to the opposite counter. Shopping will also be an issue, but there is a Choices a block away. It will mean many small purchases throughout the week that I can carry back.

It looks like I may also need to investigate the possibility of buying a wheelchair. I was hoping to just rent one for travelling long distances until I am well enough, but I may be stuck with one for longer than I'd like. I am supposed to meet with some dealers next week to get more information and find out costs, although I already know what a decent wheelchair costs.

As for work, they already have a laptop lined up for me so that I can work from home. I can't work from home indefinitely (and there will be times I'll need to be there for things like meetings), so I've looked into transportation options. The paperwork has already been submitted so that I can use the HandyDART service, but they are very rigid and only operate until 7pm. There is also one bus route that might work to get me to work in the morning, but it lets me off a block away, and I need to do some recon to see if I can physically travel that block on my own. Getting to the bus stop to go home will be more difficult, as it requires going down a steep hill, where I will lose control of the wheelchair. I live only eight blocks from work.

I've lost my freedom. I can no longer just jump in my car on a whim and go somewhere. Even though I can go home from GF Strong on the weekends, I'm stuck at home on Saturday nights because I have no way to get where I want to go - and typically can't participate because it requires full mobility.