Today we continue on my journey after knee replacement surgery.  I am learning the lesson that I am not “super woman” and I can’t do it all.  Okay, I admit it, I like to be in control. I am very independent and normally hate to ask for help. I am one of those types that it is faster for me to do it than to explain it so get out of my way and leave me be. I am not rude about it, I just find it easier and it is part of that staying control thing I have. So, my first morning home I am sitting in the bathroom and decide I am going to take a shower. I haven’t washed my hair in a week and I am taking care of the situation.  I did call my hubbie on my cell, but his phone was off, and then I tried calling my daughter’s phone, but she wasn’t answering. I then tried opening the bathroom door and yelling for some help, but no answer, as everyone was still asleep.  I am like okay, I can do this, I am going to get in this shower and sit on my shower chair and things will be great. Boy, was I wrong.

I use my walker and get over to the shower and look into the shower and think about how I am going to work this out. I try lifting the bad leg, but no, tried putting full weight on the bad leg, ouch, tried pulling out the shower chair and putting my legs in the shower, yea right. So I finally decided to sit on the chair outside the shower, put towels around it, and just take a sponge bath and put my head under the running water so I could at least wash my hair. I am sitting there worn out, making a mess in the bathroom and crying and in walks hubbie asking what the heck I was doing. After explaining the situation we get my cleaned up, dressed and back to the bedroom where I decide to take a nap.

Okay, what did I learn from this fun?  Well, it is okay to ask for help. I am not invincible and there comes a time in life where it is okay to allow others to help you. It is also okay to use a makeshift bedside commode instead of stumbling all the way to the bathroom and then having an accident, and it is also okay to stop and ask someone to help you no matter what it is you need help with. There comes a point in all our lives that we have to set aside our pride or whatever you want to call it and say I need help and it is alright to ask for it. I must say my hubbie has really stepped up to the challenge and has been helping all he can even though his is physically disabled from his stroke several years ago. At times it is kind of the blind leading the blind, but we are making it work and that is all that matters. I do have to admit I am still dealing with trying to be open to help from others daily, but it is getting a bit easier. Till next time….