It was cooler when I got to Barwis yesterday. Phil came out to get me because he saw me pull up through the roll-down doors. I talked to Lindsay before he came out and my quads were tightening up and NOT allowing me to fully straighten my legs. I asked Phil what I should do about that. As he picked me up he told me to, “just push through it.” Well, that is EASIER said than done! He began stretching me at a bench and we moved to the Keiser machine. He told me to stand after he positioned the half popcorn ball thing. (It was the PURPLE one). I had to fight for it with Phil putting his knees against mine and telling me (in varying tones) to, “push!” I stood for a long while although I did NOT feel a “click.”
instead, I felt my quads burn and shake. Phil fist bumped me after the second or third one. I asked Phil what we were going to do after stands and he replied, “more stands and stretch” as he stretched my legs. I thought about that for a minute. Because of the holiday, I won’t be back to Barwis for a week! In that case, I could use a good stretch. I ended up completing 5 stands yesterday. I felt my quads burn and shake EVERY time. But they were hard fought for and I was proud of them.
Phil walked me out to my car. I tried to transfer out of my chair and get into my car but I was having some difficulty. I told Phil that I’d already stood 5 times and he replied, “make it 6.” I was REALLY trying but it wasn’t happening. I’ve accepted that it will be a long, hard road but I know that I have come EXTREMELY far. But there is further to go. Phil ended up putting me into my car. We fist bumped again after we wished each other a good holiday weekend. He grabbed my fist, yelled, “joystick!,” and told me to “suck on that ’till I get back,” (he and family are going up north) as he shut my door and laughed. Oh, Phil! Well, my butt hurts today and my thighs ache but all this burning and shaking HAS to lead to walking one day!