Iowa-gotta go

I found myself on a road trip to Iowa in a snow storm. NOT the most fun place to be. The roads were slick, traffic was slow and the floors in the service stations were scary. However, there was a bright spot in this drive through Iowa: the rest stops.
I wish I had taken my camera they were that great.
The cement on the way in was the old school swimming pool kind. Bad news for the rear of your swimsuit or tender feet but, great news for traction on crutches. There were long, thirsty mats lining the entry AND to the bathroom. The handicapped was the first stall in the row. YEA!! I wasn't in time out by being in the corner stall. The wide, easy to maneuver doors latched securely. The towels were located close to the sink. I prefer to dry my hands before having them slip on the handles to my crutches.
If more restrooms could take a lesson or two from Iowa, the world would be a happier place. Really. The pebble in the pond theory works. Especially if you've encountered me or anyone wiped out on a slippery bathroom floor during a concert or sporting event. It's hard to maintain love and light when your whole backside is covered in wet toilet paper and grime. And, that's if we didn't get hurt in the fall.

4 out of 5

I think it's, "Four out of five dentists recommend Trident sugarless gum to their patients who chew gum.", or, something similar. My problem is that I've always been the weird kid who wondered:
Who was that fifth dentist? Why didn't she recommend Trident? How did they choose the dentists involved in the recommending panel? What was recommended instead of Trident? Was it another gum or no gum? And so on, and on, and on.
The problem with that type of thinking is I never have the answers I feel I need in order to make any statements about gum.
I am no longer going to hold myself hostage to the need to know everything before I post. The blog will retain it's journal/post card style while Gimpyguide.com will be more professional and content laden.
And, just in the nick of time as I am about to embark on some more global adventures.
Coming soon...road trip across a blizzard like Iowa and it's rest stops(they are THAT good).....Chicago Market....LAX (large enough to warrant it's own post)...Australia.

Laser Treatment Part 3

This has been the most difficult post for me to write. There has been a long pause in posts because of it. I know that once it's "out there" I can't take it back.
The hardest part of laser treatments wasn't the lifestyle changes, it was the friendship changes.
Once I stopped all alcohol, cigarettes and going out, I discovered all this time and energy!! Wow, what the heck had I been doing with my life??
I realized that much of my time had been spent "hanging out",discussing hang outs and planning future ones. With people who didn't remember the plans. I really noticed that if there is a group of people drinking, they can discuss and dissect the same event or thought for a ridiculously long time.
I found myself frustrated at the repetition, the smell and the unhealthy aspects. I began to avoid those places and people until I decided what to do. The emails and phone calls started. People were concerned about me. They wanted what was "best" for me and not meeting for drinks was unhealthy and antisocial. I wasn't "fun" anymore. When I explained that I would meet at the gym or go swimming, that was met with dismay.
One friend actually did meet me at the pool while I did some pool therapy. I was there about 2 hours. They had 2 beers, lit up a cigarette as soon as I left and then went out with the "fun" friends immediately after. The next day they were "hung over" at a another friends birthday party.

I have no problem with my friends who drink. I was there with them for a long time. In fact, I have brought very moderated alcohol back into my life. I simply want to make healthier choices. What is fun for me at this point is reading a great book, researching medical breakthroughs for the disabled, getting to church more often, volunteering, spending time with my children, and taking classes.
When I did a whole food cleanse, the facilitator said,"As your food changes, so do your friends." As we grow and move forward, we meet new people on our path. Not all the old friends will come with us. They're not meant to. They have their own paths. I can't drag them with me or feel horrible that I'm "leaving them behind". This is my life. I am the only one who can live it or make choices about it. As much as I love my friends, they are responsible for their own choices and outcomes.

While I enjoy the Erma Bombeck style of my typical blog, I know this entry is extra casual and disjointed. I'm aware that if I edit, this post may never get out. Thank you for ignoring the lack of structure in favor of the content.

MDA Telethon

The Ameristar hosted the Kansas City MDA telethon again this year. In the past, I have worked on the phone bank team. When someone calls in to make their donation locally, one of the volunteers will answer the phone and take their pledge. It was wonderful to answer the phone and hear the voice of someone moved to donate to the cause. A dose of love and hope with each ring of the phone.
This year, I was assigned to the volunteer sign-in table. There were corporate volunteers, individual volunteers, a fun group from the American Legion and Muscular Dystrophy patients and/or their families. In addition to volunteer check-in, the front table is where the checks and check presenters (for the donations to be presented on air) were signed in. Firefighters from all over the area came in to present their "boot-y" donations. There was one from Cass County who arrived and wasn't on our list. I soon found out, it may be because Cass County hadn't been involved before. This young man took it upon himself to get the station involved this year. Kudos to Cass County for supporting this young man and his desire to support MDA in finding a cure, providing flu shots and sending disabled kids to camp!!!!
In addition the the firefighters, private citizens were coming by to bring in their donations to be counted. A pre-teen named McKenzie was there in her wheelchair to present the $1,000 she raised the day before at her garage sale. Youngsters with their piggy bank money, casino patrons, and fellow volunteers were dropping funds in the fish tank located just inside the auditorium. Raffle tickets for an awesome motorcycle were flying out the door at a mere $5 each.
What a great day!!!
Many motivational speakers encourage people to volunteer to give back and support those in need. Volunteerism is a known to provide health benefits and mood enhancement. I agree with the experts. However, I encourage everyone to also notice the determination, joy and gratitude of your fellow volunteers. Wow, what a rush!!!

Laser Treatment Part 2

After closely following the pretreatment protocol for one week prior to beginning the laser treatments, I was ready for my first treatment.
I was taken back to a treatment room where I was weighed and measured. Skin calipers were used to measure the areas behind my arms (Ethel Mermans), around my waist and between my shoulder blades. A tape measure was used around my legs and arms to see if I could increase my muscle mass while working out pain free.
I stripped down to my white underthings as the laser does not penetrate dark clothing. It was important that the laser be able to access my right hip for full pain relief there.
The lights were turned out and a spider-like machine was pulled over me. Red lasers were dancing on the wall. After measuring and arranging the lasers directly over my midsection at a predetermined height, I was left alone for 20 minutes. I would flip over onto my stomach for 20 more minutes directed at my lower back.
I felt a warming sensation but no pain.
After putting my clothes back on, I was directed to a Whole Body Vibration (WBV) machine for 10 minutes. YEA!!! There was one briefly available in physical therapy but, they are hard to find.
WBV was developed by NASA to battle bone loss for astronauts. Since the bones in my legs are now see through, rebuilding bone is a major priority. A small fall can send me to the ER with multiple fractures.
I think the vibration level was set at "stun", my eyes were watering and I couldn't see straight. I just held on tight and stood still for the ten minutes while the machine cycled through different intensity levels. When I got off, I felt very groovy. Who needs 2 glasses of wine when you can work on bone density and feel groovy at the same time???

Laser Treatments Part 1

In an attempt to avoid another cortisone shot, I took to the internet. I spent hours pouring over "knee pain" and "hip pain" results. Zerona popped up in my knee pain search results. What the heck, I decided to give it a try. A Cortisone shot costs almost $700 every 4 months and was costing me plenty in long term bone loss and other side effects.And, while Zerona was developed for knee pain and post op breast surgery pain, a side effect discovered was fat loss. I knew some of my pain was due to the 40 lbs I'd put on over the 4 years since I lost full mobility. Having help getting it off (since traditional workouts were out of the question and weight piles on quickly for the slow moving set) would be a great side effect if it worked.
I made an appointment at a medi-spa near me, plopped down the $1,000 for 6 treatments and received the pre-treatment protocol instructions and supplements. No caffeine, no alcohol, no smoking, tons of water and niacin supplements that made me feel as if I was going through early menopause. (Can we talk about hot flashes and weird rashes all over my face and upper torso?) Patients are also instructed to burn at least 500 calories through vigorous exercise each week. Time to break out the gel seat on the exercise bike and get to peddling to nowhere!
Come back next Monday as I delve into the magic disco lights and brain scrambling bone building aspects of treatment.

Antwerp

Antwerp or, Antwerpen to the Belgians, is a beautiful and busy port city. I loved the market square area located by the waterfront. The gorgeous city hall building was a wonderful mix of architecture and color. The distinguished building was clothed in a riot of color as flags from around the globe were donned like a crown around it's head. (There were many smaller versions waving throughout the square as well. Expats from all over were displaying theirs during the FIFA world cup.)
The square is marked by a large bronze statue depicting local lore; it's of a warrior throwing a large hand. The dismembered hand belonged to a terrible giant who had asked a high price of those who wanted to cross the river. If you couldn't pay, the giant would take the poor travelers hand. The statue shows the brave Roman soldier who fought the giant and won, cutting of his hand in retaliation for the river travelers loss. The hand is now a symbol of Antwerp and may be seen throughout the city.
The cobblestones here are quite rough. The spaces in between are quite large and deep. Move slowly!! There are plenty of restaurants here to find one with a bathroom on the ground floor. Many people here speak English so, just ask about the toilet location. Remember, the English in Europe is English, not American, so ask your questions with that in mind.