In any other blog, this might be a joke - Updated Sept 24th
You know the one, "look at you old man, turning 41, want some Grecian Formula and a cane?" You know, the bottles of Geritol and subscriptions to CARP? It's Keith's 41st birthday today, September 23, 2012.
It's not so funny when it was recommended to Keith last week at his Assessment week at Toronto General Hospital, that he will benefit from a walker. He is currently unable to walk more than 75 metres in 6 minutes, and after doing THAT, he is completely out of breath. With a walker, he managed 150.
A big part of pre-transplant preparation is physio. It is crucially important that Keith is in the best physical condition that he can possibly be in so that come that amazing day, his body is strong and ready to have the surgery that will save his life. So, a walker it is. That and Timbits, but I digress.
I've combed Kijii and Craigslist. Crazy thing, I email people on those sites but they don't email back. I can certainly run out and buy one, but there is actually an assessment process to buy one, and call me crazy, but didn't we do that last week every day, for about 6 hours a day??
Somebody out there in the Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga area has a decent walker, with 4 wheels and a seat (not the skimpy aluminum ones that just fold, and don't do much else) that they are not using any more. And of course when I looked for an image of a 41 year old man with oxygen needing a walker, all I found was old man. I refuse to post that.
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| Pretty sexy isnt it? |
I went out this morning to get Keith some Timbits (his latest weight gaining trick, 90 calories each, and sour cream his favourite) and had a man walk up to me in the parking lot, as I was coming out.
"Do you know how fattening those are for you?" he said. "Yes, I do sir, my husband is waiting to be listed for a double lung transplant, and these are helping him to gain the weight that he needs to be strong enough for the operation" I hated to be so blunt, but lately, I find there is no time for formalities.
if you don't find one soon, you can rent walkers and other items from the red cross in your community ... no doctor's note or assessment needed. legion's also might have a rental option ... we borrowed a lift/lazboy chair from them for a few months. this was a huge help for me when my dad's mobility became an issue. i ultimately bought his walker at lawton's, a drug store with a home health care section ... it may be because i'm in nova scotia, but no assessment was needed. thinking good thoughts for you and your family! :)
ReplyDeleteI have not been blessed to meet your husband, or you but have been very touched by your journey. Praying your husband soon is on the other side of this roadblock and soon back to his old self. Keeping you in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSarah, if you are unable to get a used walker and want to purchase one (as long as you know your measurements). I would be more than happy to order one for you and get it for you at cost. There is no reason that you should be paying retail for this.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if I can help,
Karen Neill (@ellephysio)
Shoppers drug art has a place on speeds between dorsal and forth line that may have stuff and there used to be a used medical device place I think on bronte just south of speers. My dad might still have his old walker that he used after his liver transplant but it's the crummy old silver kind
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