This week started off really well. Tuesday saw my goal planning meeting go brilliantly, it was the first time I left feeling really positive. We discussed even potentially moving my discharge date forward! Everyone agreed I was doing well, and there were just a few more issues to iron out until I can go home. Following that, my coastguard team were in the area so I popped out to see them. That was really lovely, I miss being out on jobs with them so was great to catch up for a minute.
Since then, I’ve sort of been sliding downhill. Obviously after such a high on tuesday, I had to start coming back down to earth. Wednesday wasn’t exactly a bad day, it just certainly wasn’t as good as it could have been. I’ve said it before; these things are to be expected, but that doesn’t make the day go any faster.
Thursday was a bad day. Overnight, somehow pressure was on me in the wrong kind of way, leaving a bright red mark on my skin. After being checked by my consultant, it was decided to be on bed rest until Monday. Because of the placement of the mark (yes on my arse again for those of you wondering) I have to be completely on a side again, practically at 90 degrees. I can do 4 hours on my left, but only 2 on my right. This also doesn’t help my bad right shoulder, that aches after two minutes. I managed to get some ibuprofen gel prescribed with the help of a fantastic healthcare assistant we shall call KJ, which really helps. Cheers for that!
I really hate bed rest. It’s boring, a waste of time and most importantly it takes away my independence and freedom. I know it’s for the best, but that really doesn’t make it easier to deal with. I sound like a broken record, don’t I? I think it’s fair enough. I was meant to be starting car transfers, meaning I could get out and about much easier; but it wasn’t meant to be. Now that I’m not so acutely unwell, all of these setbacks are extremely frustrating.
I heard a quote once, life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you deal with it. I’m still learning to make that 90 percent positive.
Wheelchair Sam 
I’ve really enjoyed following your journey, Sam. As someone who was born disabled and is now a teenager in a wheelchair, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to start out walking and then end up in one half-way through life. Your journey has been a tough one – most of the disabled people I know have all their life to get used to some of the issues which have all been flung at you during an extremely small space of time. I can relate to a lot of the issues you discuss though like pressure sores (I’ve recently had one on my bottom which got infected. Being in a wheelchair, all I can do is stay sitting on it so every moment is agony) and I love your optimistic attitude. I look forward to continuing to follow your incredible journey which is even moving for someone like me 🙂
Love,
thewheelchairteen.home.blog
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Wow, thank you for taking the time to read what I have to say! Life can be tough for anyone in a chair as I’m learning, but my eyes are open to the frankly endless opportunities still available to me! Take care, and feel free to get in touch! X
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