One Step Back, Two Steps Forward

Kristine often feels like she just gets to where she can tolerate her collective set of ailments and a new one pops up. In the last few weeks her back has been the issue. The regular coughing fits and inability to sleep in any other position but on her back have caused muscle spasms and a good deal of pain. As you can imagine the accumulation of pain and discomfort take their toll both physically and mentally without the counterbalance of some noticeable signs of disease recession.

Kristine has stepped up her efforts at home to get her body back in shape and in working order. She has started walking without her cane in the house. She has also begun doing various exercises to strengthen her leg and arm muscles. Much of this renewed focus and hope is driven by the progress she continues to see in her aquatic physical therapy class. Her therapist regularly comments on the amazing advancements she demonstrates in just single sessions. She herself can see the progress with even the smallest movements, like being able to lift and hold her leg upright in the water. And in a huge step forward, just last week she started walking into the pool without assistance.

These little milestones are the things that keep her fighting. I get personal joy from hearing about the new things she's accomplished in her classes. She absolutely lights up every time she tells me about them. The energy and spirit she expresses make every ounce of this struggle worthwhile.

We are not scheduled see the herbalist until the end of the month. Kristine has several out of town visitors scheduled to come into Philly in the mean time to keep her entertained. This past weekend her very good friend JJ was in town from Chicago and this upcoming weekend another of her good friends, Alison, is visiting from San Francisco. Each visit gives us both a welcome break from the monotony.