As you can see from my previous posts, I’ve been going to my yearly checkups; physical, blood work, dentist, eye doctor. My latest was my yearly mammogram. In all, my visits to these various appointments I have been using my walker. With accessible parking and the entrances close enough, this hasn’t presented a problem until this week. For my mammogram, the parking was fine, short walk to entrance and elevator. Landing on ground floor for the office, I had to walk a ways to the office, (if I knew I would be writing this, I would have kept track on exactly how far it was). For the mammogram I had to stand up the entire time. I got dizzy for a bit while standing, which passed quickly. When I left I considered sitting down and resting before continuing to the elevator and out to my car. I didn’t rest, I decided to go for it. By the time I got to my vehicle, I was winded, yet proud of myself for pushing on and making it. I was surprised on how tired I was and the fact that my legs were getting weaker and weaker. A notable difference for me.
Last night I had my first “Mixed Media” class at the Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen. I asked my husband to take me and pick me up, (7 to 9 pm) since I can’t see at night. He dropped me off right in the front and right away I noticed the distance to the entrance. I slowly tread on, through the doors down the hallway, turned left to the elevator, upstairs and down the hall to the classroom. It was pretty far and I was pretty slow. I had last taken a class here 3 years ago and drove myself and used the walker and had no problem. This time was a huge difference!
Upon leaving, I was very slow and my right foot started dragging a bit. I wanted to scope out the possibility of driving myself in the future because it is fairly close and all back roads, very little traffic. I thought I could possibly do it for future classes. Then I eyed the handicapped parking. It was over 100 feet to walk to even get to where I was dropped off. This would not work, I would have to use the wheelchair. I’m discouraged because this is the first time there is a noticeable difference and having to face the reality that I have gotten worse. I will continue to get dropped off, I don’t want to use the wheelchair.