Cancer/illnesses, and caregiver, support thread

[gnalan]

I've slowly stopped relying on using a cane to walk with over the past few days. Today, so far, I haven't used it at all. That's doing two walks, going to see my counselor, walking through the grocery store, and even walking through the house. Right now I'm at around 4600 steps, and close to 2 miles for the day.

I'm pretty proud of myself, and the progress I've made so far. I'm still a ways away from my goal, but I'm still making progress and that's what really counts. I'd rather gain back what I can little by little than to force it too fast and end up fracturing bones or tearing muscles/ligaments/tendons. (I've been through that already, and I don't ever want to go through it again if I can avoid it.)

[volvolugnut]

That is great news!
volvolugnut

[gnalan]

A lot going on recently. I'm done with physical therapy, at least until my insurance will pay for more visits. I'm not at my goal yet, or even to where my Ortho wanted to see me get to yet. I'm still going to try on my own to keep the progress going. I'm not sure what's keeping my knees from bending like they should, so I don't know how aggressive I can be with exercise/muscle strengthening. I still haven't gained much range of motion in my right ankle, and other than continuing to do stretches like I have been the only other option is to have my Achilles tendon lengthened (and that doesn't sound very pleasant, especially if I end up tearing it afterwards).

I'm having more issues with my car that I'm not able to fix, and I can't afford to pay anyone to fix it. As much as I hate to sell it, that seems like the only option I have right now. I need something I can drive without any issues, or without needing any major/costly repairs. I only have it posted on here in the classified section.

Been thinking a lot about different things. I want to travel out west and see the mountains, and the Pacific Ocean again. I want to take my camera out and start shooting whatever catches my eye. The bad thing is there's more needs than wants right now that I have to take care of first.

I had an amazing offer land in my lap to buy my own place, at a really great price, and I can't afford it. I'll never see another offer that good. The extra cost of paying for everything myself is just too much, and I have a hard time trusting people enough to have a roommate. Not sure what to do. I need to just clear my mind and try to focus on exactly what it is I want to do, need to do, and make wise decisions. The last thing I want to do is overextend myself, and end up losing everything because I can't afford to pay my bills.

Being an adult is harder when you're trying to do everything on you're own. I envy all of those that have, and do, and I have a lot of respect for single parents that do what they can to make everything work not just for them but for their kid(s) as well.

[matthew1]

For all my big decisions I ask myself what Derek Zoolander would do, and do the opposite. (Funniest movie ever made in my opinion.)

Joking aside, here's Nick's S60 if anyone is interested.

Nick, text me a photo you've snapped recently. Just whatever.

Also, what can I do (or we, MVS, do) to help you with PT, or anything? You can sleep on my couch if you come out...

[gnalan]

Thanks, Matt. I don't have any recent pics. I meant to take some of my S60 today while I was out, and ended up running errands and forgot what I was planning to do.

I'm not sure what anyone can do to help, honestly. I wish I did. Most of what I need to do is to just keep focused, set goals, and keep on moving towards the next goal.

I'm hoping to take you up on your offer one of these days. A vacation would probably do me good.

[gnalan]

I'm trying to figure out what's keeping my knees from regaining their full range of motion. Right now it seems like I'm maxed out at 88 degrees in the left knee and 78 degrees in the right knee. I walk at least 2 miles a day, even in the rain, but that doesn't seem to make either knee bend more than they do. I'm thinking about either joining the YMCA, or a gym, so that I can do some strengthening of the muscles and maybe get some more range that way. My right ankle needs more range, too.

I still need to rebuild some of the muscle that I lost from the muscle atrophy, which I was told I may or may not be able to get back. I won't know until I try. Walking has brought some of the muscle mass back, and I think if I work hard enough at it, doing the right fitness routine, that I can gain back more and increase my range of motion.

I know I need to figure something out before it's too late, and that I need to talk to my Ortho to make sure whatever I do end up trying isn't going to cause more harm than help.

[kallekula]

What kind of sick are you. I understand you have some type of cancer, but what type?

[gnalan]

No cancer, thankfully. Family members I've cared for up until their passing had cancer.

[kallekula]

What kind of illness do you have

[abscate]

Greg, Robert is back in Cincinatti. Once he comes back on line, I bet he could help you get that s60 back online.