Nutrition

Nutrition. I took this course shortly after I had my brain Injury. It was kind-of like a refresher course to see if my brain could handle college level courses. I took the course at Lanier Technical College. Well I’ll admit, Nutrition was nowhere near the cake walk I thought it would be. Originally, I thought Nutrition was an easy course for anyone to take. That was not the case. I ended up with a C and I was taking that course alone! It required so much studying from me, I was always pretty tired. Once I finished, I got worried. I never checked on if it would transfer to Auburn.  I just did not want to spend all that time studying for no reason. Thankfully it did transfer! After taking it, I realized that college classes were very hard for me especially now. It took me taking a course to realize that. It is not just Nutrition! There is a ton of memorization and problem solving in every course. If you’re afraid to begin a new course. Try and let a college counselor or high school teachers help you and get your cognition measured to see if it’s right for you. You might be better off trying an easier intro course. The point that I’m trying to get at was I was successful, but ever since the car wreck things became a whole lot more difficult

Baclofen Pump

On December 30^th I have to go into surgery and get my Baclofen Pump replaced with a new pump which is a hockey puck sized disk implanted in my stomach. It is replaced every 5 years . The pump releases this medicine called Baclofen which reduces spasticity. The surgery will not be as bad as the initial surgery because they do not have to replace the catheter leading to my spine, just the pump itself. However, I still have to go under which is always scary.  As it gets near to the time of replacement a single beep will go off. When it is close to stopping it gives off two beeps which are critical. If it does stop, you can have Baclofen withdraw which can result in either seizures or a coma. The Baclofen Pump has helped my walking tremendously. It has helped loosen muscles up and has made me able to walk. For that reason, I need to get a new one! I walked having the surgery about one day afterwards and there was minimal pain involved, but that was 5 years ago and my body has gotten that much older.

Showering

      There’s a point in the night I dread and it’s something that should be enjoyable. Taking a shower has gotten a ton easier, but it still requires a lot of effort. I use a walk-in shower due to the fact that I might fall because it’s slippery and I have this leg brace that I take off for the shower.

        Now there is a point where I enjoy the hot water streaming down my back, but that is short lived. The shower, as well as my wheelchair and a towel for the floor have to be perfectly set-up. What also needs to be perfectly setup is the shower bench has to be close to the water handle as well as the shampoos and soaps so I don’t have to get up. Since I can’t walk and hold the towel at the same time, I have to carefully place it on myself when I get in the wheelchair..

     My mother had to help me with the shower about a year after my accident, until I could do it myself. I have great pride in the fact that I can do it myself. I feel an enormous sense of accomplishment every-day after taking a shower, but there still is relief knowing that it’s all done. I hope that one day there won’t be relief, but I don’t believe that’s coming anytime soon. My best advice, is to just know your body extremely well. Try numerous techniques, with someone there of course, until you find the safest and easiest way for you.

       Also in order to live on your own, you must shower yourself.  Showering is such an independent thing so is living by yourself! The two go together.