Good Days Happen

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 – 7:20 P.M. I saw my physical therapist today for an evaluation and treatment on the severe scoliosis. The first day of traction went nicely. My therapist gave me traction manually because she wanted to see how my body would react to it. Within less than an hour, my level of pain went from eight down to a two. She said that was what she wanted, and would continue that manual treatment for a few sessions before trying me out on the motorized traction.   That part of the day went well, but the remainder of it bombed out. I decided that I had enough time to got downtown and do some banking before I needed to be home by four o’clock.   I missed the second bus by a matter of a few minutes. I had to wait about 45 minutes in the scorching sun (it was 92 degrees). By the time the next one arrived, I was about to pass out from the heat. Thankfully, the bus was air-conditioned, as was the one I took after it.   When I finished at the bank, I decided to go further downtown and catch a light rail because I thought (incorrectly, as it turned out) I was running an hour late. I finally made it to the light rail line and saw that the train was preparing to leave. I took a wild (and stupid) chance and got in front of it so that it could not move without running over me. I then made sure the conductor saw me before I moved toward the ramp I needed to use.   I got on the light rail without being run over. Phew! Then I enjoyed a nice air-conditioned ride of about five miles. Once I got to that destination, I needed to wait on one more bus, which took me to within two blocks of my apartment.   AsI got off that bus, I was unexpectedly caught up in a horrible dust storm. I waited until that died down, and continued on my way home without additional incidents. By that time, I thought I was an hour late, and that the person who does my cooking had probably left. When I finally got into my apartment, I looked at a clock and was pleasantly surprised to see that I was not late at all.   When the woman who helps me showed up a few minutes later, she looked at me and said, “What happened to you?” My arms and face were sunburned, and my hair was wildly windblown. I explained to her about my crazy afternoon, and then said I would never do it again. “That’s what you said the last time,” she replied as she burst into laughter.   Tomorrow morning I am going to have my wheelchair seat worked on again. My therapist is convinced it is causing some of my discomfort and pain. After I finish with that, I am returning home where I can enjoy my air-conditioned apartment until I go for more physical therapy on Thursday. What a life!   Quotes for Success: “I was made to work. If you are equally industrious, you will be equally successful.”   Johann Sebastian Bach