Slippery Slope

Spring has finally found its way to the Wasatch front. Winter has fought the arrival of spring tooth and nail but longer days of sunlight have prevailed and the days are warming. I'm still getting my bearings regarding life in retirement. I'm enjoying the eight hours a week I spend at 211 answering phones and helping out where I can. The weather has been cold the last two weeks of February and March but now the cold weather is breaking it looks like spring is on its way. I continue to ride UTA on almost a daily basis going to doctors appointments and meetings and work. This is good, I get to keep involved which helps my self-worth. I could really see how some people have problems making the transition to a healthy retirement. So far I've been pretty lucky.

There is something happening to me however which is caused some concern. The spasms I have struggled with since my spinal cord injury seemed to be getting worse. I'm not sure of the etiology and I must find out why the spasms are so persistent and strong. The spasms seemed to peak as I go to bed at night but lately I having a more and more severity with the spasms as I travel out in the community. Yesterday, for example, I was at the local market after I had met with Mark Anthony and Jasmine. But my legs spasms got so severe I was afraid I would be thrown out of my chair right there in front of the market, where I was waiting for DeeDee to pick me up in the van. Usually, I don't think I look as distressed as I seem to be these days. Two or three people actually stopped on their way out of the market to see if there was anything they could do to assist me. I eventually elevated by chair shoved myself back in the seat but something is happening and I'm sure I'll be making another visit to my medical practitioner to see. I'm currently on a regimen of antibiotics to attack persistent bladder infection I have. We thought the medication would have an impact on the spasms but as of yet the spasms persist and I am hypervigilant, watching to make sure I am not thrown out of my chair especially in public. I mean Friday I made it to my meeting with DDS Advisory Board. I was late missing the whole meeting the least getting lunch, but while I was there again, my legs loud in front of me and I began sliding out of my chair. Luckily Paul was not too freaked out and was able to assist me in climbing back into the chair. DEE D EE thinks it may be calcium deficiency or some other vitamin deficiency. Would that be the case I would be so pleased. Will have to keep an eye on my spasms in my chair. I kind of think it has something to do with the cushion and the way the padding in the cushion is pushed to the back and forces my whole body forward on the cushion and I tend to slide out of the chair. There's something about my foot pedals as well and the way my foot tends to slide off, my right foot, the foot platform. So I don't know if this is a trip into rehab or into magic rest are whoever is my provider now. Either way it's just more weird stuff as part of this transition.

Yesterday I was fortunate to spend time with Mark Anthony and Jasmine. Mark made special time to visit with me in trying to assist me in getting a new cell phone. It's time I'm well past the point where I'm eligible for new cell device. Looks like I'm going to go with the Casio commander, which is a special tough cell phone, a smart phone! Not sure how I will deal with this, a smart phone but should be fun and hopefully, reckoned to large a bill. Will watch it closely and see how the transition goes. I really do think I well like the 3G capability. More importantly I think I will like the spring – – temperatures in the 60s by Friday.