Next Step Tools

I've already shared that I've been struggling with muscle weakness for 4 months now. It came on suddenly about 1 month into taking Plaquenil. We don't know what caused it yet, or even what to do to help. It could have been a rare side effect from the Plaquenil or it could be unrelated and caused by something else. After endless research (and no help from my rheumatologist) the best I can figure is it's some kind of Inflammatory Myopathy. Possibly. Maybe. Could be. Or not. 

So good. You're all caught up. My muscles suddenly went out on me and my stamina sucks. Overall weaker muscles and they wear out very quickly. I'm not one to just sit at home and sob (at least not for long), so I've taught myself all there is to know about the world of adaptive mobility.

For some extra stability or medium length walks I use these Nordic Pole walking sticks. I don't use them often. But when I need them they super come in handy! Like at the beach last Friday. 

I can go about a block or 1 small store on my own power. After that I use "Meg" (my Rollator.) She's fantastic and has been a real life saver. I can go much further much longer with Meg then I would have. She keeps me out and ready for adventure. At least for about 2 more stops, or 1 medium store. Then I need to be done for the day, even with Meg. 

With lack of solutions coming from my doctors and this muscle weakness going nowhere I needed to take the next step. I don't want to be tired, even with Meg and call my adventure short. Being out and enjoying life is very important to myself AND my husband. So when even Meg isn't enough to keep an adventure girl going... I needed to look at using a chair.

I already spoke to my health insurance provider and talked about our wheelchair coverage. Now I have a "wheelchair assessment" appointment with my primary care doctor in two weeks. That's the next step to getting my own electric chair that I can use pain-free.

But in the meantime...

I'd like to introduce you to Shirley (surely actually... as in "Surely You Jest!" As in Surely you jest that I need a chair!") Humor is important. Shirley is a "Transport Chair." A transport chair is a wheelchair that always requires someone to push you in. See how she has petite 8 inch wheels? That's because I can't use hand powered chairs with my "hurty paws." A transport chair is also very light weight, can fold up for easy travel and is easier to push than a hand propelled conventional wheelchair. I'm hoping it's perfect for our adventures!

As of now I don't need it all the time. Or even half of the time. But I will feel much better having it in the back of my car just in case. You know... so the adventures can continue!