LJ Idol Week 1 - Chillin like a Villain

[deza]

I'm not sure who all remembers this, but I recently spent a bit of time using a wheelchair. Nearly four years, actually.

One thing about being a chair that no one ever mentions is the havoc it plays on your circulation. Sure, it makes sense when you think about it -- how often do your legs fall asleep from sitting too long, after all? It's just not something most people bother to think about. Wheelchair, really? How often will your average person deal with that?

More often than you'd think.

Once you're in a chair for a bit, though, you start to notice the circulation problems. Sure, there are foam and gel and air mattress cushions to ease the symptoms, but nothing changes the fact that you're sitting All. The. Time. Humans just aren't made for that.

It starts off with the tingly, pins-and-needles feeling. Then you start to notice the swelling in your feet and ankles. Over time your toes resemble little Vienna sausages and get a little purplish from the blood pooling in your feet. You develop a little bonus condition called Reynaud's phenomenon, which leaves your feet extra susceptible to frostbite, even when temperatures aren't particularly frosty outside. Your feet start to feel cold all the time, even when the rest of you is sweating.

There's not much that can be done about this process once it starts. Elevating your feet helps, but only on the short term. The longer you use the chair, the worse it's going to get.

In February 2012, I was told the damage to my legs and feet had progressed to the point I'd never walk again.

I made a choice not to use the chair any more. Actually, I gave up on Western medicine entirely. All the drugs that have been extending my life at the cost of the quality of living are gone. Fifteen months after hearing the doctor's doom on my mobility, most people can't tell I've ever had a problem with walking. I'm a little slow, particularly on stairs, but I'm upright. My toes aren't purple any more.

I'm chill. My feet aren't.

This has been my entry for Week 1 of LJ Idol. This week has been a pairs week; I'm partnered with the lovely cheshire23.

Comments

[vvalkyri.livejournal.com]

It's just so amazing what you've done re mobility. I'm sorry we have yet to have a chance to get together.

[deza.livejournal.com]

I'm planning to hop down to DC at least a couple of times this summer. Kyle doesn't remember the Smithsonian at all. :)

[peachette48.livejournal.com]

Good for you! The world looks peculiar from a chair, and it also looks peculiarly at the person in the chair. Hugs!

[deza.livejournal.com]

There are days when I miss the anonymity that being in a chair gives you, when people are so busy looking at the wheels they completely overlook the person.

[similiesslip.livejournal.com]

Wow, you made the right choice. How scary. I'm glad you went against what drs. might have been recommending!

[deza.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I am too. It's not the right path for everyone, and there are days when I really, really miss the painkillers, but it was what I needed to do for my kids.

[x-disturbed-x.livejournal.com]

I like how you talked about walking again and it's a good thing, in this case at least, that you didn't listen to the doctors.

[deza.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It's been a challenge. Even more of a challenge is not letting it show.

[paradoxymoron.livejournal.com]

Wooo!

[deza.livejournal.com]

:)

[michikatinski.livejournal.com]

Good on you for diverging from the western medical path toward something that could actually work for you. Sometimes the crap we're fed by doctors is just that. Intuition and experience matter when it comes to one's own health! <3

[deza.livejournal.com]

It was pretty obvious that the chemo was just making me sicker. I have days like today when the neuropathic pain is pretty severe that I still miss the opiates.

[belleweather.livejournal.com]

I loved this, very thought-provoking.

[deza.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[ashgaelsonaria.livejournal.com]

Note to self. Do not use wheelchair for mobility. My feet are always cold to the touch with out adding to the issue.
Hope things continue well for you.

[deza.livejournal.com]

There are still times (thankfully few and far between) when I use the chair just for personal safety reasons. If my legs aren't supporting me, that's it. I do make sure to sit with my feet elevated after.

[majesticarky.livejournal.com]

Wow congrats on regaining your mobility! It's amazing how much of a recovery you have made.

[deza.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[tatdatcm.livejournal.com]

What a great story of courage and perseverance. Good for you!

[deza.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

I'm glad your choice worked out well for you! Given where things were headed, it was certainly worth a shot.

[deza.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's awesome that you could make a recovery like that! What were you in the chair for originally?

[deza.livejournal.com]

How far back to originally do you want to go?

What put me in the chair was surgery on my knee for avascular necrosis (the interior of my bones started dying; left untreated I would have either lost my leg or become a zombie; the doc was kind of fuzzy on that) in 08. At the same time, I was going through low-dose chemo and increasing amounts of painkillers for autoimmune issues. My knee never received any rehab work; I couldn't drive and my ex didn't bother to stay in town long enough to get me to appointments. Between all that, the leg is still incredibly weak. I make myself walk to work most days just to try to build up my strength there.

[cheshire23.livejournal.com]

Hey partner!!

Great job on this, and very inspiring.

[witches.livejournal.com]

This is really inspiring! I'm so glad to hear you regained mobility and didn't listen to the doctors!