41

Yesterday was the first day I was able to use the exercise bikes in my gym since everything started. I was able to go for 15 minutes. The bikes are pedal-powered and require a certain minimum resistance to keep them going, and I just haven't had the strength in my quads to meet that resistance until now.

I'm spending two days a week now doing physio at GFS in both the pool and gym, and the rest is up to me to do on my own. The first week back to work was pretty overwhelming, but now that I've made tentative arrangements so that I can work less than full hours, it should be easier to work and do my physio too.

Last Thursday, my rehab physiotherapist gave me two canes with wrist braces to use at home: not because I'm ready for them, but because she got worried when I told her that I've been walking around my apartment.

My car is still in storage. It took half an hour last week to pull the wheelchair apart and put it into the car piece by piece while sitting in a chair. Since there is no practical way for me to get the wheelchair in and out of the car on my own, I will have to wait until I have a walker that I can easily get in and out of the car before insuring it for road use. I also noticed a squeaking sound from one of the belts under the hood. I want to get that checked out too before I start driving around.

I forgot to call HandyDART today to book my trip to GFS on Thursday. Hopefully I can sneak onto the schedule if I call first thing in the morning.

40

Today was my first day back at work. I spent the day at work setting up a new laptop (so that I can work from home on the days I have physiotherapy), and at GF Strong for my first day of outpatient physio. For now, my schedule will be physio on Tuesdays and Thursdays, consuming about half of the workday, and work for the rest of the week. I have 15 days to reopen the case if it turns out I can't handle work and physio at the same time.

It was also my first time riding HandyDART. The service is pre-booked with 30 minute pickup windows, so it means I must lead a very structured life for the next few months and always carry something to read while I wait.

It feels different being back home. GF Strong makes life so easy. They cook for me, clean for me, make my bed... Now I'm stuck doing all that on my own. It's been three months since I've lived at home and it feels a bit like I'm moving out on my own again.