We've been trying to do more walks again. Even when it's raining.
Life hasn't been too exciting. I have had some better days where I had more energy than I've had in months though, which is exciting. Today unfortunately is not one of those days, likely because I overdid it previous days. We've been trying to do more walks again. Even when it's raining. Yesterday I got a surgery date for my elbow. May 11th I'm having a really quick surgery to fix the Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. It should help me be able to play piano, type, use a mouse, and hold a pencil without getting numbness and pain. I've done some doggysitting during the day for my friend's beautiful Samoyed. And by doggysitting I mean just having her hang out with me - she gets walked before she's dropped off at my house. Happy Tuesday!
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*reposted - originally from Feb. 24, 2015* I haven't been feeling great for the past little while and haven't been doing much walking. So today I decided that I'm going to go for a walk with my friend and use my wheelchair.
I've been experiencing a "flare" of POTS symptoms - meaning that being upright causes me to feel really sick and a long walk takes me days-weeks to recover. It's much better for me to exercise on a recumbent bike or laying down. But that means I don't get outside much. So the solution is to use a wheelchair and get an arm workout while enjoying the sunshine. But I have a hang up about using my wheelchair that I haven't been able to fully overcome yet. That is - I can very clearly walk fine. Before I got POTS, when I saw someone in a wheelchair I assumed either they were paralyzed or had a physical disability that made walking challenging. I even remember when I was a kid, I once saw someone in a wheelchair get up and walk, and all I could think about was, "they were faking!!!" I'm really embarrassed to admit that I thought that way. Yet it gives me an insight into what others may be thinking. I have friends with POTS who've been yelled at or chastised for using wheelchair accessible parking, etc. Most of the time people with POTS look totally normal. I kinda want to have a sign that says, "Just because I use a wheelchair, doesn't mean I can't walk. I have a fainting condition called P.O.T.S." AKA please don't gasp that there's been a miracle or shout at me for faking if you see me get up and walk... But alas it always comes down to this - Come on Lisa, who cares what others think?!!! I don't know why this has been so difficult for me to get over, yet when I talk to friends with POTS who use wheelchairs, I learn I'm not alone. No one wants to worry about being yelled at or be called a faker when they're out in the community. Here's a meme from George Takei (who later removed the photo with an apology) that illustrates why I feel this way. While I admit it is kinda funny, it also furthers the misconception that people with wheelchairs shouldn't be able to stand or walk. There are many items that have been incredibly helpful for having POTS. My latest discovery was an overbed table. It's great for doing things when you're stuck in bed. It helps prevent spilling and things getting crumpled or stepped on by a dog. It's also awesome for working on my computer or watching Netflix while on my exercise bike. My husband also loves it and is frequently stealing it, bringing it over to his side of the bed.
It is definitely high on my list of a great item for POTS. We watched Craigslist for a few months until we found a used one. It's a small thing that makes life a little easier. "When will this bootcamp end?" That's often how I look at this season of my life. It's a bootcamp for me to grow emotionally/spiritually/mentally. I know I have learned lessons and gained perspectives that I would never would have learned otherwise. I never knew how to fully soak in a moment and really appreciate the present. I continue to learn more and more how to appreciate things and be grateful. I'm continuing to learn how to be content, even if my circumstances aren't great. These life lessons have been so valuable and I'm so grateful for them. But I also have so many dreams. I want to help people. I want to work again with youth, and people with disabilities. I want to make changes. I want to teach people. I want to feel free and be able to run again. So I find myself wondering again, when will this bootcamp end? I was listening to a sermon online this morning by Mark Clark from the Village church in Surrey. He said, "God is weaving together a beautiful story." I remind myself that I still only have a glimpse of a small part of the story.
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AuthorMy name is Lisa and this is my life with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) Categories
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