Well, I'll be picking Tootle up on Monday .. I will certainly post pics. I am now really ready for a car to get out. Not having strong pain meds, my movement is even more limited than before and I can't walk far at all. It will be SO nice to be able to just get in the car and drive somewhere else other than here !!

Yay and Wooo and all that !

Still waiting to hear about the trial ..

Maybe you can get a cane that matches your new car, then when you stop somewhere interesting you can ambulate a bit more. I use my canes for balance since I am numb below the knees.

So does Tootle have a surname, like..... maybe..... Ooooo?

Hoping all the best for you and your new wheels and less pain as you decrease the opiates.
Prayers for you,
Mark56Z

Hi mark (hug) .. You are such a lovely, positive person .. i always love your replies. Thank you for the prayers .. they really help.

At the moment I have two crutches, which help take the weight off my back as they have elbow support .. perhaps after the Stim I will migrate to canes OR no canes .. who knows I will wait and see.

I'm on NO opiates now I am proud to say. Though it's been hard - the fact that I can rest and not worry about the days when I can't do anything, is a blessing. Before I was taking morphine just to get to work and do my job.

It's a beautiful spring day here in the UK .. and we have some lovely woods behind us, and I've been managing to get into them for little walks .. and just to sit and listen to the birdsong. Beautiful!

I am thrilled for you regarding your ready access to the woods, and YES, isn't birdsong wondrous when, sitting quietly, the forest comes to life around you? It is certainly one thing I miss about not being able to hike our mountains as I used to- you know, take backpack, fill to the brim with the essentials, and off for an adventure deep in the forest. It would truly be amazing once I stopped walking and rested that the forest would SPRING to life. More so than birdsong. I have had the distinct pleasure of the squirrel chatter, the clacking of quakie trees, and then the rabbits, fox, and deer walk within arms length as still I sit. Yes indeed Saffy, you describe an enviable walk. AHHhhh

What a thrill that you are off of the opiates. Congratulations!! Hard work accomplished for your betterment. Now I use the Stim and my seating pad for pain intervention and that is it. I will admit that yesterday sitting in the Settlement Conference of my Workmens Compensation matter it was surprising to hear words spoken of me from doc's assessment that I had been opiate dependent. How blessed to know they are gone from my life now!

A vision is forming in my mind's eye of you walking carefree and CANE or CRUTCH free in your forest soon. Should we start a pool for the date and see who comes closest to guessing the correct calendar event? Imagine, if only we could set such a challenge and sell squares then donate all proceeds to a charity to assist those who have difficulty on the forum paying for their meds. Now that is a thought...... nah, the authorities would probably shut it down as illegal gambling; but the thought is inspiring.

Yep,
Enjoy Tootle and the walks, all sounds great!
Prayers too,
Mark56 Big ZZ

Hope this pic works .. anyhoo .. here are Tootle and I !

My goodness, I am counting my blessings. No longer am I stuck in the house unless my husband is off, but I can get in a car and GO ! After 23 years of driving a manual gearbox, this automatic is SO simple. It really is a case of, start and go! I no longer have to reach for the gear stick, causing pain, or push in the clutch causing even more pain. Blessed .. I am blessed !

Now, I'm not too worried about when my Stim Trial appointment is, as that will mean an end to driving for a while !

Love you all .. x x x

OOh and another ..

Enjoy your freedom. So cool. Tootle is just the ticket for you!
Z
Mark56