In an effort to get back to some sense of normalcy, I have started taking baby steps back towards the real world.The first step was getting through all the doctor appointments and follow up blood tests and diagnostic exams. Since I was discharged from the hospital last September I have had TWENTY different appointments back in San Francisco. It is incredibly satisfying to me every time a doctor signs off of my care. I am just so close to being on a routine schedule of doctor appointments. So far I have said good-bye to my endocrinologist, infectious disease doctor and neurologist (provided that my MRI comes back clean). On Friday I will have a final (hopefully) CT scan and MRI to determine if my health issues are resolved.Yesterday, my physical therapist gave me her blessing to stop going to therapy as long as I continue to go to yoga classes. Yay! Another graduation!
My next step was to start volunteering somewhere. This was important for me because I had started to develop a bit of cabin fever from being at home alone all the time. I realize that I am not ready to go back to work on a regular basis because I still tire so easily. I felt that volunteering would give me the opportunity to bump up my activity while increasing my strength and stamina. Luckily for me, the people where I last worked before my hospitalization were willing to take me back as a volunteer. My primary care physician approved of this idea and was happy to write a letter authorizing me to work as a volunteer for a few hours one day a week. It's wonderful to be back out in the world among people again.
So what's next for me? The truth is that I am enjoying my life the way it is now. I don't think that working full time is in my immediate future. It would be ideal if I could find a part-time job close to home. I will continue to work on improving my strength and stamina and then we'll just see what the universe has in store for me...baby steps...
