Bill's question

Kent Skov (kentskov(AT)msn.com)
Sun, 20 Jul 97 21:04:31 UT

I've been out of town, but returned to find an interesting dialogue going on,
thanks to Bill. I guess the reason I read all this mail is really to see
who's recovering and who's not - and I hope like hell that I read more
recovery letters than not. But the interesting thing is everyone's unique
perspective on AS THE TM TURNS. For me, having gone from star-recovery pupil
to a relapse which left me paralysed again with no improvement for three
months, to some recovery again after the chemo treatment, I believe I have a
clue about both ends of the scale. For me, walking with AFOs and a walker is
walking...after three months of my legs being jello (unless it was a "tone"
day and then I had Frankenstein's legs.) I greatfully use every crutch
offered to me. I'm even researching hand controls on my car, although my head
screams "Don't do that, you'll be better soon!" Well, after nine months I've
decided it is better to improve my current quality of life than wait for
"soon".
One more thing. I said to my shrink (the insurance allows 20 sessions, neat,
huh?) something about not having much of a choice - you just make the best of
it. I think Bob said the same thing in a letter. Her reply was "Sure you do.
You can choose to pout, mope, stay in bed, drink too much, be cruel to people
and dogs, fight with your mother, watch junk TV, complain contantly, pig out
on Pringles...you aren't doing any of that." (I didn't tell her about the
empty Pringles cans.)
My point is, wherever you are in your abilities, congratulate yourself for
your excellent, well-honed coping skills. And for that Gilligan's Island
marathon you didn't watch. And...
Love to all,
Julienne