I was born finicky and meticulous. Unfortunately, one afternoon, my intention to clean the bottom of the wall, and the desire to remove the dirt there for months already, while stooping for some time, developed into a stage 1 bed sore on my left ischial bone.
It healed and recurred for three times. The epidermis looked like a hole or a crater measuring a teeny weeny 1.5 cm. After seven months, I had high fever. I also experienced an excruciating pain on the left thigh. I was cajoled by a friend who also had spinal cord injury (SCI) to show a photo of my wound. "That's deep," was his straightforward remark. I had no inkling that a tunneling wound developed!
Fast forward to today, I am very much alive, and very hopeful. I have shed so much tears too from the idea that healing equates to staying in bed longer. It also means completely avoiding some activities I enjoy like the occasional trips to the grocery or mall, visits to my Lola, and short day trips. Attendance to all church services, spontaneous food trips, and lingering in the lanai to hear the chimes dancing, birds chirping, or to witness the rain falling will be lessened, too. However, I remind myself that this is temporary.
Though my current state is not permanent, I promise to take care of myself more. I need to prioritize the important things over those that can be done by others, and those that can wait. I have relearned to be creative, to keep myself busy, productive and content. The resilient and adaptable creature that I am enabled me to still earn a living with the aid of a wireless keyboard and a mouse.
The sore I acquired was also a blessing -in-disguise. I had proper medical intervention. To date, my wound specialist/surgeon's goal is to lessen the wound exudate or discharge coming from the tissues that were destroyed. A solution (500 ml distilled water and 5 cc/ml of Zonrox) is flushed three times daily into the tunnel. I also learned so many new information about care and prevention. The Christopher & Dana Reeves Foundation is a reliable source for such topics and those related to SCI. Similarly, my faith in my Lord never wavered. It only grew more as I studied some Bible characters (Job, Daniel, Paul) who withstood their situations and continued to be faithful.
Discipline is key to consistency. Cultivating gratitude and counting my blessings, despite my current situation enables me to still be happy. And most importantly, I have an all powerful Father who is so much bigger than the trivialities I am facing!
Family gathering | May 18, 2024
