window of opportunity

[redcardinal]

I've lived with MS for 20 years. Been in a power chair, used a walker, crutches and canes. But my shifting MS has recently given me a window of opportunity where I can walk about 10 blocks using only a cane; it takes about an hour. So I have built a strategy to make the most of my situation while I can. I walk every day at noon with my dog, Kona. I wear headphones and listen to my favorite rock and roll radio station. When I begin my walk, my left leg drags and I need to consciously lift it forward, but my right leg functions pretty good so I make progress; I hold my cane by the shaft just in case I lose my balance. But when I reach the fifth block the dynamics change. My right leg gradually slows as the blocks pass, and my gait becomes a slow shuffle forward. I grab hold of my cane by the handle and swing it forward in a cadence to match my weaker left leg. I give Kona the command "Up!" and he moves out in front of me so that he does not trip-me-up with his leash. I turn up the volume on my radio for motivation, check my pocket to make certain I have my cell phone. I steady my pace and head the five blocks for home. There is not much thinking to be done in the struggle for home. I keep my eyes on my feet, watching as they move forward and fall flat footed. I concentrate on not tripping while the movement of my cane orchestrates my gait. My pace slows again. I start breathing hard from the effort of lifting my legs. When I reach home I am exhausted, but still I always walk down the driveway to the street to get the mail. It's not a big deal, getting the mail, but it's a matter of having control over this little thing. I don't know how long this window will stay open, but I am enjoying every second of it!

[Sunshine]

I've lived with MS for 20 years. Been in a power chair, used a walker, crutches and canes. But my shifting MS has recently given me a window of opportunity where I can walk about 10 blocks using only a cane; it takes about an hour.

So I have built a strategy to make the most of my situation while I can. I walk every day at noon with my dog, Kona. I wear headphones and listen to my favorite rock and roll radio station.

When I begin my walk, my left leg drags and I need to consciously lift it forward, but my right leg functions pretty good so I make progress; I hold my cane by the shaft just in case I lose my balance.

But when I reach the fifth block the dynamics change. My right leg gradually slows as the blocks pass, and my gait becomes a slow shuffle forward. I grab hold of my cane by the handle and swing it forward in a cadence to match my weaker left leg.

I give Kona the command "Up!" and he moves out in front of me so that he does not trip-me-up with his leash.

I turn up the volume on my radio for motivation, check my pocket to make certain I have my cell phone. I steady my pace and head the five blocks for home.

There is not much thinking to be done in the struggle for home. I keep my eyes on my feet, watching as they move forward and fall flat footed. I concentrate on not tripping while the movement of my cane orchestrates my gait. My pace slows again. I start breathing hard from the effort of lifting my legs.

When I reach home I am exhausted, but still I always walk down the driveway to the street to get the mail. It's not a big deal, getting the mail, but it's a matter of having control over this little thing. I don't know how long this window will stay open, but I am enjoying every second of it!

I broke it up in paragraphs so it's readable. Welcome! Good for you for finding a nice way to stay mobile! Love the name Kona!

[Catdancer]

Oh, man, just READING that exhausts me! But good for you. I am happy when I'm able to swing my legs over the side of the bed and sit up by myself!

Kona sounds like a great helper. My cats would just tag along and tangle around my feet....

And welcome to our little world..

[stillstANNding]

Welcome or welcome back, Redcardinal. I recognize your name.

It's great that you can walk that far. I'm still a walker but can't go 10 blocks! Do you get a lift in your spirit from it? Kind of a runner's high? I always feel that way on days that I am able to walk up to the main street and back.

See you around the board.
ANN

[agate]

WELCOME, redcardinal!

Walking is a challenge, to put it mildly, isn't it? I think it's good that you're keeping at it. They say that we have to keep moving.

You'll find a recent discussion here of the pedallers you can get if you need the exercise but aren't up to the actual walking.

I couldn't do 10 blocks but I do try to walk. Not just now because I just had a fall but I'm working on it. For a while I tried taking headphones along on a walk.

That turned out to be a bit risky. I wasn't hearing background noises that were important to hear because I was hearing the sound from the headphones. I gave up on the headphones idea.

I hope you get a rest after you get home and before you head down the driveway for your mail. Sometimes just 10 minutes of rest can be really helpful, or at least I find that it can.

Are you saying that you no longer use the power chair? That sounds like progress.

I'm glad you stopped by to chat and hope you'll give us a chance to get to know you better.

[Howie]

Welcome to the forum! Agate already used the cool WELCOME thingy. 17 years with MS, take no meds, and to me, MS is MS, I can't change my fate. 17 years, never did any MS meds. Still walk, (like I'm drunk) still drive, and balance is my biggest issue.

Join in, this is a great place to share your daily activities, your thoughts, whatever you want.

[Virginia]

Hi Redcardinal and back. Enjoyed reading about your progress. You never know this window of opportunity might just last and get even better for a very long period of time or even forever.

I can walk, but I cannot go outside and just go for a walk. I do my errands, going place to place by car, clean the house and anything that needs to be done but just have to pace myself.

I hope you will stick around and become a regular part of our group. We talk about everything and try to have some fun, but if one our members is having a hard time we also try to give as much support as possible. So just jump in the conversations whenever you feel like it.

[Parsi]

Welcome, Redcardinal. Looks like you've been reading awhile before venturing in.

10 blocks is quite a feat. Sometimes around the block is more than I can do.