Updated Update

[filkertom]

So, today I stood on both feet.

I was still using the parallel bars... mostly. But, several times, I let go, and just Stood There On My Own Two Feet. For 6:15, then 5:10 -- long enough that the problem was my back hurting from my weight, not my legs.

Lotsa wheelchair pushups today, i.e., pushing myself up and forward as if I was rising from the chair. Superb exercise for the shoulders and legs, and it wasn't hurting the left leg much at all. I'm also using my left foot some to move the wheelchair around.

Tomorrow we start doing transfer work. Bed, bathroom, walker.

I honestly don't know how long it'll be till I'm really mobile, and I promise I'm not gonna push too too too hard... but damn this feels fantastic.

I hope your day is going as well...?

Comments

[jenk]

Yay :)

Wait'll you get to "Sit in a chair. Stand up. Do 1-2 sets of 10-12 reps a day." I was like, huh? Then I got to the 3rd or 4th rep and started to feel it. My.

[druidsfire.livejournal.com]

Awesome, Tom! It's quite an achievement, and something many of us take for granted.

[maiac.livejournal.com]

Yay, Tom!

One of the things I had to work on in physical therapy for my knee was using my legs to stand up out of the chair, instead of lifting myself up by pushing on the chair arms. I hadn't been aware of how much I wasn't using my leg muscles. Ouch!

You're going to feel it, my lad, but it'll be worth it.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Already feeling it, but, yeah. Already worth it. :) So many hugs -- I haven't seen you in so long....

[trektone.livejournal.com]

Great progress!

You'll soon be doing The Hokey Pokey with ease and grace ...

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

You ain't foolin' me, bucko. Nobody does the Hokey Pokey with ease and grace. ;)

[markbernstein.livejournal.com]

But that's what it's all about!

(Great work! Keep at it!)

Especially Dick Chaney

[qnofhrt.livejournal.com]

As drawn by Ann Telnaes (Sound required to get the joke)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/telnaes/telnaes07182008.html

[pjhandley.livejournal.com]

it's been a very productive day so far. Getting all the "show" planning wrapped up for 2008, and starting the plans for 2009. We may get to run into each other at a few cons, depending on your schedule.

[jimhines.livejournal.com]

It's great that you're making such progress, and I hope it continues as rapidly as possible.

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

Love the icon. :)

[jimhines.livejournal.com]

::Grin:: Snoopy is my muse.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Really? Has Jig ever met Dark N. Stormee Knight? (Suddenly flashing on Bloom County: "Ah'm 'Stormee' with two E's." "I'm appalled with two P's.")

[jimhines.livejournal.com]

One of the pixies who makes a cameo in my next book is basically Woodstock -- does that count?

[the-dark-snack.livejournal.com]

Yea! for progress! We all miss you and wish you were up and around again.

[sazettel.livejournal.com]

Faaaaaaantastic! So good to hear you're on the right road.

Me, I've got 412 pages locked down on the mss. that's due at 5:00 pm Monday. 111 pages to go.

Bar disaster, I am going to clear the toughest novel deadline I've ever had.

'Sa good day.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Go! Go! Go!

I suspect the ravishing Ms. Zettel is gonna have some announcements soon that you'll all be real interested in, so watch her LJ. :)

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

If nothing else, this whole experience is going to be good for your upper body strength.

Ever see a wheelchair basketball game? Damn that's physical. They don't call it "Murderball" for nothing.

[twfarlan.livejournal.com]

I've been in a wheelchair, several times in my life, actually. Probably spent over a year of my life rolling along. (In your case, you really could be rollin' along, singing a song... but I digress.) There really is no describing the feelings of freedom and accomplishment in rising onto your feet for the first time after something like that.

I'd say something about taking your first steps into a larger world, but it is both cliched and lends itself to impolitic humor, so I'll just say, good work and enjoy it.

[holmes365.livejournal.com]

Better with hearing your news. I am so happy you are progressing so quickly! Yay!!

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

Congrats! Glad to hear you are on the mend.

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear your condition is improving. Would it be OK to forward this information to both Georgia filkers and rec.music.filk ?

[firedrake-mor.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the progress. A year ago today, I was under the knife, having a titanium cage built around my lower spine so I could continue to be able to stand up (that function had been becoming intermittent, and I had to walk with a cane). Today, I was in the gym doing hyperextensions, bench presses, ab crunches and all manner of fun things.

See what you have to look forward to?

[kightp.livejournal.com]

Excellent progress!

[wildcard9.livejournal.com]

Yay on Old Ironfilk not being 100% wheelchair bound :) Okay, so you are still a little way from walking but standing unsupported is definately progress. Being able to do your own transfers will greatly increase your freedom, so I am glad to hear you will be starting to work on that tomorrow.

[lukeski.livejournal.com]

Wooooo!!! Go Tom! :D

[aylinn.livejournal.com]

Woot! Yay!

It feels good, doesn't it? You get to be your NORMAL height!

as for real freedom? Just wait till you can shift yourself off the bed, into the chair & to the bathroom BY YOURSELF. When you WANT to.

That's Freedom.

Ecstasy is your first SHOWER on your own two feet.
*sighs happily, reveling in good memories*

*Grin*

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

Good for you! :)

[ororo.livejournal.com]

Excellente! Please continue to keep us posted.

[ericthemage.livejournal.com]

It took me months to get really mobile after my pinched nerve, almost a full year...Take your time. :)

[snobahr.livejournal.com]

I'm thrilled that you're improving so well!

We got a kitty, yesterday :) He's a cutie and my son is treating him very well and they're getting along like gangbusters :)

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

Great stuff!
carry on with the good work!

[peachtales.livejournal.com]

YAY!!! *hugs*

[batyatoon]

Stand in the place where you are!

*cheers*

[bayushisan.livejournal.com]

Congratulations Tom :) I'm so glad you're doing well now. :)

Having been in the hospital myself I don't envy you the number of blood tests they probably did.

[incredible-burp.livejournal.com]

Hey Tom glad to hear your getting around better. keep up the good work, as for the back...lets just say I feel your pain!

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

As well, but different. For the price of a bus ticket and about four bucks in fax fees, I netted breakfast, lunch, dinner, a couple bottles of Ms. Dash, a bottle of vitamin water, and a ride home, and got to help some friends move, and cemented a new friendship, and should net nearly $400 from the output of the faxes. So a pretty darn fine day.

Glad to hear yours is going as well as it is. You've got the right attitude, and it only gets better from here... or at least I hope it does.

WAY TO GO ! TOM

[janmagic.livejournal.com]

You are on your way home! I am so happy for you. ask your therapist for exercise for your back, hopefully to strenghen your back so you will be stronger. keep up the good work.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

Well done!

I'm glad you're progressing!

[bfeist.livejournal.com]

It sounds as though you're recovering at a remarkable clip -- that's wonderful! And, I admire your state of mind; at least in your posts, you're consistently upbeat and cheerful.

"Where, where, the hell is Tom?...
Maybe he's off standing with parallel bars!"

[mbumby.livejournal.com]

Yay for you!!!