Day to Day

When I first started going to TRC (Tennessee Rehabilitation Center) , I started out part time. I would go Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I would catch a ride with Mid-Cumberland Transportation, or as I called it the short bus. They would normally pick me up around 7:00 A.M. I would have to get up around 3:00 A.M. to be ready by 7:00. Just one of the challenges I have to get ready. Before the stroke I could get a bath and get ready in 30 minutes.  Now it takes me a good hour to a hour and half to get a bath. It then takes me another half hour to and hour to get my clothes on. For you women that have had a stroke, if you have any suggestions for an easier way to get a bra on , please let me know? My" girls" are to big to go without a bra. I have to make sure someone else gets the bra hooked before everyone leaves. I haven't figured out how to get it hooked with one hand at this time. I can  no longer just slip my arms in and pull a blouse over my head. I  have to get the non-moving arm in the sleeve first , then work it over my head then the other arm in and get it adjusted to wear. Buttoned shirts are out of the question! I can not figure out how to get them buttoned? Jeans or pants with a button,snap, or zippers are out of the question! I would like to challenge everyone with two good hands to try and just use one hand to get a pair of jeans on with one hand! I only wear pants with elastic in the waist. Dresses are out of the question for several reasons. I haven't figured out how to put  hose on using one hand yet? I can't control my left leg to keep it closed! I am afraid I would constantly be in trouble for indecent exposure! Sandals are out of the question. I would love to be able to wear flip flops and sandals. But the only shoes I can wear are some tennis shoes with supports in them to keep my left foot from turning so that I  can walk! I have always hated shoes! Shoes are to confining! Now I have gone off in a tangent and got lost in the story, I apologize! Let me get back on track here.  I would catch my ride on the "short bus" around 7:00 A.M. I would arrive at the TBI building around 8:00 A.M. I would get my schedule on Monday for the week. We would have classes from 8:00-10:00. We would take a break from 10:00-10:15.  We would return to class until 11:30 and then go to lunch. Lunch was from 11:30-1:00. We would then have classes until my ride came around 2:00. It would depend how many people was on the "short bus" as to what time I got home? It could be any where from 4:00 P.M.  to 7:00P.M. I didn't realize how my stamina was different now than it was before the stroke? Before the stroke I could work 12-14 hour days and still do what I had to do at home. By the time Wednesday rolled around I was SO tired! I really enjoyed being around people again for the most part.