Tune-In-Tuesday: April 20, 2021

 I did something today that I haven't done, well, maybe, ever! Maybe I've done it once before, but I really think this was my first time. I got a pedicure. Yeah, no big deal to most. I don't like people touching my feet. It's not that I have a foot fetish or anything; it's that with dystonia, my foot (and leg) jerk a lot and I just don't (normally) feel comfortable enough with myself to get a pedicure. But I did today.  I think the lady giving me the pedicure only told me to be still once - so - WINNING!!!

How is this for ironic? On Friday I was applying some scar cream to my leg and foot. I was in the bathroom and had my left leg up on the toilet and somehow lost my balance and ended up scraping my back on the bathroom countertop. So, not only did I have to apply the scar cream to my existing scars but I created a brand new scar to apply the cream to. Please tell me I'm not the only one who does stuff like this!! 

I think that's it for this update. Not a ton to report on, but just enough to make a short post. I hope everyone is doing well and that everyone will have a wonderful rest of the week. 

Always remember - God's Got This!

Tune In Tuesday: April 13, 2021

I was about to start this entry with..."There's nothing new to report." But then decided against that because while there's no new earth-shattering news to report, there's always something to write about! Or is that just me? I love to write, so maybe that's just me, but either way here's a little update.

I haven't fallen in the last week, so that's good news! Today I had to go to Wal-Mart for something and as I was leaving it struck me...while holding on to a cart I walk pretty normal (unless it's a really bad day), so people may wonder why I park in handicap parking. I then thought to myself, "but take the cart from me and you'll see..." and like it was scripted in a movie that very scenario happened. I parked the cart and while taking the two steps to my car, I stumbled. I didn't fall, but I almost burst out laughing. That's what I get for thinking about falling.

I got the newest publication of the magazine "Brain & Life" today in the mail. Does that make me a geek, because I love the magazine? I find any neurological condition (now that I'm living with one) fascinating, so I love the magazine. And, it's free, so that's even better! Anyway, there was an article in it about a man living with cervical dystonia. It was enlightening to read his story and how he deals with his condition. As he said in the story, we're all different though so what works for him may not work for the next person. And to prove his point, he said that he gets Botox injections that help him tremendously. Botox didn't even touch me (so to speak). I tried it. I tried getting it in different muscles. I tried different variations of Botox. None of it worked. In fact, I actually have an antibody towards one variation (I think it's type A, but I'd have to look that up to confirm.), so that means no Botox for me to reduce lines and wrinkles in my face later in life - ha! (They're always coming up with something new, so, I'm sure I could have something if I wanted it, so no worries there!). I'm very thankful I don't have cervical dystonia. I'm sure this man would say the same when it came to having my version of dystonia (left-sided hemiparesis dystonia - meaning mine is on the left side of my body effecting my hand and leg/foot).

One way I "battle" (not sure if that's the right word to get my point across, but it'll do) dystonia is yoga. I do it one-on-one with an instructor. It's not pretty - ha! She modifies a lot of things for me, but I feel stronger both physically and mentally after I do  it. I like to be pushed. OK, maybe "like" is not the right word, but I love the feeling that comes after I've done something hard (for me!). It's that endorphin rush. Last week, I came home from yoga and my muscles ached (in a good way). I just had yoga again today and I know my muscles will ache (in a good way!) again because my instructor pushed me. I also love working out on my stationary bike at home. Exercise is a good weapon to fight dystonia. It won't ever cure it, but it makes me feel better and gets me moving. 

And now that I've written a lot for someone who was going to start with, "There's nothing new to report.", I think you're as caught up as you could possibly be with what's going on with me. Hey, that rhymed. ;)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and always remember, God's Got This!  

Tune-In-Tuesday: April 6, 2021

 It's April! How did that happen so fast (and yet at times seem so slow)?!! I hope all of you had a blessed Easter weekend - I know I did! Easter is my favorite holiday. We celebrated Maundy Thursday. Then came Good Friday (where my dad resorted to old school methods when it came to the "loud noise" we hear representing the closing of the tomb. Unfortunately, technology has not been our friend when it comes to creating this in the past few years. I won't reveal how he created it "old school" but I have heard that those watching online could see, so some may know. But for those that don't know, you have to keep some secrets - haha!!).  On Saturday we had our Easter Fest at church. It was a little different this year due to COVID, but it was still wonderful. Everything was done outside. I had the pleasure of driving the lawnmower train and I had a blast. It's the perfect job for me because I sit the whole time - ha! I mean, of course I can walk and do other jobs, but this one just suites me the best. I drove it for three hours and by the time I got off, it was a little hard to walk, but so worth it!! 

Easter Sunday was magnificent. In my opinion, it's the best day of the year. Jesus rose from the dead! He won!! Easter service at my church was wonderful. Last Easter, we had to watch from home, but this Easter, we were live in-person (and also online for those who still needed to stay home)! It made my heart so happy to be in church celebrating Jesus. After church, my family gathered at my parent's house to eat and celebrate. We also celebrated (early) my niece, Hope's birthday. It was so much fun. My youngest brother and his soon-to-be-wife came in from out of state to celebrate too. The weather turned out to be perfect (in the mid 70's) and the day was lovely. However, I did fall. I wasn't even walking! It takes real talent to do that - ha! I really don't even know what happened, but my guess is that I was turning around and just lost my balance and fell. We were all outside, having just taken pictures and we were all on my parent's drive-way. My brothers tried to catch me, but were too late. I even reached out to my Mom (who was standing beside me), but she was walking away from me when it happened. Of course, I injured myself - haha. It wasn't bad, but I always fall on the same spot (my left knee) and because of that, the skin there is really thin and always ends up bleeding. I also got some road-rash. But, other then that (and my embarrassment!), I'm perfectly fine. It's just life. I fall, I get back up. That's what you do. I might have cried a little too - not because it hurt, but because I get frustrated. Ahh, life!! Anyway, Satan may have wanted to steal my joy and he may have for a minute, but only for a minute. I got back up, cleaned the blood off and carried on.

I've been doing a lot of travelling starting at the end of March and continuing through April to get ready for my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law's wedding. I've had so much fun. First it was the bachelorette party. The next weekend it was a bridal tea. Then they came for Easter and this coming weekend, Mom and I head back to Alabama for another bridal shower. Their wedding is fast approaching! I'm going to go through withdrawals when I don't get to see them every weekend! 

I have great days when walking is no problem and then I have days where walking is a bit more difficult, but I thank God that my walking is nowhere near as bad as it was before I got the battery switched out. As I said in my last post, I'm giving myself grace and allowing myself to use a cane when need be without shame or embarrassment. I even had a dream last night about a girl (who wasn't me and no one I know in real life) and she was walking around town (OK, in my dream she was walking into a bar - don't judge! I don't know where that came from as I myself never go to bars!) and she was using a cane. Where this dream came from I have no idea, but I distinctly remember her walking into this bar with her date and she was using a cane and it wasn't any big deal. She used it as an accessory. 

This past week has been great (minus the one fall) and I'm so very blessed to be surrounded by family and friends whom I love and who love me. I hope you can say the same. We're all in this life together, so be kind. I'm speaking to myself when I say that too. My problems are a drop in the bucket compared to others' problems. Everyone is dealing with something. I hope all of you have a wonderful week and always remember...God's Got This!