Step by step

I had my last tube detached today (sooner than expected) which brought with it a small sense of freedom – and the sight of the next step: getting home.

Getting to my place is all about the journey, not the destination: there are 85 steps up from streetside.

There had been a few murmurs around the ward staff here when they heard about the steps, and so we have put together a specialised training plan.  This morning I donned Alaskan slippers and joined my physio Laura for a climbing session in the stairwell next door.  It all went very well (stable, strong and sensibly slow) so tomorrow we are going to double the load.

Steps have been taken in other areas.  Over the last two weeks, the staff here have been consistently focused on preparing me for ‘the next level’, whatever that would be.  I’ve had speech practice.  I’ve had breathing practice.  I’ve even had eating practice – which turned out to be very useful!

It’s not definite which day I’ll be returning home but we are working towards the end of this week.

I do like a good hill, so the upward approach will be a very satisfying way to return home.