“A New Normal.” I’ve had a special disdain for that phrase ever since it became popularized a few years ago. All of us probably know exactly what I’m talking about. Generally speaking, I refuse to let outside forces dictate to me what I should accept as normal in my own life. I’m pretty stubborn like that. 🙂 But lately I’ve been hearing that phrase in…
Six Months, Small Victories, & Setbacks
Three steps forward, two steps back. I’ve come to realize that this is a big part of the life of someone with a life-changing diagnosis. Sometimes it can be disheartening, but I’m trying to work on embracing the whole picture and what it means in my daily life. I will reach 6 months post-injury in two days. It’s crazy to think about. I’ve spent half…
Five Months and Fresh Inspiration
It has been just over five months now, and I just wanted to share something with you. Last week in a transverse myelitis group that I’m in, someone shared a book recommendation for a memoir by a woman named Victoria Arlen, called Locked In: The Will to Survive and the Resolve to Live. At the age of 11, Victoria contracted both Transverse Myelitis and another…
First Travel Post-Injury!
Well, I have successfully navigated another first – my first trip post-injury! Last week, Mark and I flew to Orlando for a Messianic rabbis conference. I was definitely a bit nervous about the trip. There is so much I can’t predict with my injury and so many times when things have thrown me for a loop. And I’m not a fan of unpredictability! LOL My…
Four Months: Life with a Spinal Cord Injury
It’s been four months today since God allowed my life to be shaken to its core. Quite literally. 😉 For the most part, things are settling into the semblance of something fairly predictable. I have constant minor burning pain in my legs. The best way to explain the pain is that burning you feel when your legs get really cold outside for a long time,…
Three Months
Well, I have reached the three-month mark! At one point I had been dreading this milestone because of how many things I read about recovery declining after 3 months, but the fact is that I’m at much more peace with where I’m at, and the day came and went without me even noticing! In fact, my 3-month mark was Thanksgiving Day, and I suppose I…
Two Months
It’s hard to believe it’s already been two months since I found myself unexpectedly and unexplainably paralyzed. This is the kind of life change that one could never prepare for or even fathom walking through until it happens. Last night I was laying in bed and thinking about being paralyzed. It might sound funny, but as hard as it was to be paralyzed and wheelchair…
A New Diagnosis
Well, I’ve officially had a change of diagnosis! On Tuesday, I saw my primary care who took the time to call my hospital neurologist and talk to him about my specific symptoms that don’t reflect my Guillain Barré diagnosis. He agreed with her and sent an urgent referral to an outpatient neurologist that he knows. That office got me in this morning (Friday), which is…
A Month & A Half
Hey all! I wanted to give you an update on how I’m doing, especially for those of you who aren’t at The Bridge to see me regularly. 😊 It’s been one month today since I returned home after a 2 week hospital stay. Things are kind of a mixed bag. On one hand, I’m getting so much stronger, which is amazing! I’m walking with a…
One Month
Today is one month since my life was turned upside-down! I’ve been asked about an update by a few people and I think all I can say is that things are going pretty well. 😁 Today is the second day that I haven’t used my wheelchair once and last night was my second night back in my own bed upstairs. I’m walking with a walker…