I've been in the hospital for the past 3 months

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

Two things were going on: I was in the Marion Indiana VA hospital for some inpatient therapy for my legs. As some here may know, I've been in a wheelchair for almost 2 years due to arthritis. So I've been learning how to walk again, taking 3 physical therapy sessions daily, taking a few steps at a time while hanging on to a walker, taking just a few more steps each day. When I had my final session on Wed. I walked 250 steps without stopping.

The other issue was my eyes- I never knew arthritis could get into your eyes and blind you until it happened to me. So I had eye surgery, and they implanted a plastic lens in my left eye. Now I can see again, although not perfectly. Once I get a contact lens fitted for my good eye I should see well enough to be able to drive again.

Fuck this "cripple" nonsense. I've merely been inconvenienced for the past couple years. That crap ends now.

I'm back.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Good going, you!

Never give up, I'm inspired by your perseverance and success in walking and getting your eyesight back.

K/R

[HarveyDarkey]

2. Welcome back

glad you're getting better

[bluesbassman]

3. Great to have you back Prisoner_Number_Six!

And very good to hear your success. Keep it up Brother!

[Boomerproud]

4. You have every reason to be proud of yourself

for what you have overcome. Best of luck to you-a very special person.

[840high]

5. Welcome back.

[irisblue]

6. Welcome Home!

[nolabear]

7. Welcome back! And I'm so happy for you!

All your hard work is paying off. I'm proud to know you!

[Demo_Chris]

8. Welcome back!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I was wondering where on earth you'd gone to, my dear Prisoner_Number_Six!

I'm thrilled to hear about your progress!

Walking, and now sight, and then driving...

Hey, it doesn't get much better than that!

Welcome back, sweetie!

[Cha]

10. I love your atttitude, Prisoner Number Six..

Welcome back!

Tough times don't last.. Tough People Do.

[cliffordu]

11. WELCOME BACK!!!!

Never give up, never give an inch.

Take it ALL.

[goclark]

12. Yea for you!

[ConcernedCanuk]

13. I visited a VA hospital in San Diego in '79

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It was one of the most disgusting places I ever visited.

Seeing all those disabled people as a result of USA's war on the world shocked me.

I lived with room-mates who were in Vietnam.

They never spoke of it except once. And told me never to ask them again.

What those guys told me was how they planted mines in the rice fields that were timed to go off before the women an children came to harvest the rice.

One of my room-mates decided to wander back and see -

what he saw was women and children being blown to pieces as they stepped on the mines.

I remember the look on his face as me told me - he was ashamed and distressed.

USA nomba one?

ya right.

[Hekate]

16. CC, I'm sorry for your experience, but it has zero to do with the OP

He needs a get well card, not a sermon on the evils of the world.

Just sayin'

[ConcernedCanuk]

20. Don't be sorry for my experience

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and if you read the OP totally

"I'm back"

the OP don't need a get well card

maybe

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

maybe YOU need a get well card?

not the first time you poked at me Hk

give it a rest . . .

[Hekate]

31. Clearly I failed to notice this front-page post was in the Special Room

Thought it was in the Discussion board. Musta been that way for the ?? other time I disagreed with you too.

[KT2000]

14. That's great!

I remember some discussions about your sight.
Sounds like there has been some hard work the last three months so

[Hekate]

15. Welcome back!

You've walked a longer way than 250 steps, I can tell. Keep going and never look back.

Hekate

[DollarBillHines]

17. 'Rock On'

[William769]

18. ...

[xxqqqzme]

19. From one physical

therapy appreciating 'cripple' to another - WOOHOO - welcome back! Nothing like climbing that long road back to arrive at 'I can do this now'! Pure satisfaction!

[In_The_Wind]

21. Sheese! You have been thru hell! Welcome back.

[LeftofObama]

22. That's great!

I wish more people had your attitude! You rock!

I didn't know about the arthritis being able to get to your eyes. I learn something new every day.

[tblue]

23. Hugs and healing wishes

from me to you, PNS!

[Phentex]

24. Welcome back!

Glad to hear you are making progress. Wish you much more!

[Helen Reddy]

25. You well thrive

due to your abundant moxie! (not the beverage)

Be Well!

[samplegirl]

26. Great News!

Wishing you well!!! Hope you are finally able to live again!

[Honeycombe8]

27. "The Bitch is Back"?

You go, dude! Or gal!

[GoCubsGo]

28. Glad you're back!

I have a feeling you'll be up to a mile with the walking before you know it.

[MrScorpio]

29. Welcome back! nt

[LiberalEsto]

30. Welcome back

I'm so happy to hear that your health is improving.

[csziggy]

32. Fantastic to see you back! Congratulations on walking and seeing!

[lunatica]

33. You have a lot to feel good about, especially you're 'attitude'

Yeah, fuck it! You may have been down but you're never out till you say so!

[Skittles]

34. PN6, kicking arthritis ass!

may I ask you what kind you have - osteoarthritis, RA, etc.

My hands and feet are affected

Good to have you back!!!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

45. Psoriatic arthritis

It's an especially nasty form. I also have neuropathy (nerve damage) in my feet- they either feel like blocks of ice or blocks of concrete. No pattern to it at all. It makes it especially hard to walk when one can't feel one's feet on the floor...

[Skittles]

52. ooh

I've read up on that, because the problems in my fingers and feet definitely fit the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis more than the other kind - except for one thing - I've never had psoriasis

[redwitch]

35. Now you're talkin'!

[Fla Dem]

36. Good for you young fella, keep kickin and best of luck. n/t

[Squinch]

37. YAY! That therapy is not easy. Congratulations. Welcome home!

[warrior1]

38. You sound like a fighter

I'm glad you're getting better.

[babylonsister]

39. Great to see you, and

so glad you're getting the help you need to end the crap!

[DinahMoeHum]

40. I've been in your shoes, but with a different malady.

(PM me if you wish to discuss further)

Welcome back and keep kicking ass!

[MynameisBlarney]

41. Welcome back!

Best wishes on your continued successes!

[LittleGirl]

42. Hello Fellow Hoosier

Good Job. Very happy to hear you're on the mend! Cheers.

[rhett o rick]

43. Good to have you back. nm

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

44. Sorry I haven't responded individually to your wonderful comments

Been busy picking up the threads of my life. A lot can happen in 3 months. I assure you I have read your posts and I am humbled before your show of confidence in me. Thank you one and all for your words of kindness and encouragement.

The most important thing to have happened was Pretty Kitteh Lucy Lu forgiving me for disappearing for so long- she slept on top of me all night long, and her purrs were better than any pain pill ever made.

Life is good.

[shenmue]

46. Wow

Giant hugs to you!!

[ConcernedCanuk]

47. I dunno you, but welcome back - and a link

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to a thread that might interest you

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022582452

[LoisB]

48. AMEN! Glad you're back.

[peace13]

49. So sweet!

Keep up the good work.

[democrank]

50. Welcome back, #6

I`m sending a hug from Vermont.

[Historic NY]

51. Long time no read...welcome back!

[Tigerram]

53. tigerram

From another Tiger and Veteran..Welcome back. Your my Hero...Remember never look back cause there may be something gaining on you (Satchel Page)..

[hue]

54. Fuck this "cripple" nonsense.=perfect attitude!! Never give up!!!

[murielm99]

55. Yay!!!

Welcome back.

[Mira]

56. I laud your spirit and your recovery.

You are a prisoner no more.

Congratulations on your having fought to get better, and above all on your attitude.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

57. Congrats on your recovery!

Sounds like you've kicked its ass!

[southernyankeebelle]

58. It's terrible getting older. My aunt was in a wheel chair for 12 yrs for the same problem.

She was finally able to get out of it after several surgeries. Good luck to you.

[Mnemosyne]

59. Alright, some good news for a change! Go et 'em, PNS! nt

[alfredo]

60. Welcome back

[AverageJoe90]

61. Welcome back.....n/t

[rurallib]

62. HE'S BACK!

[ellie]

63. I am glad you are back!

[Trascoli]

64. Dang, I hope you are doing better. At least you didn't go to Marion General

I had to go the the ER there once, what a circus that place is. Hope all goes well for you. Spring is here, hopefully you can enjoy the Indiana outdoors!

[MiddleFingerMom]

65. I too spent 3 months in the hospital and cardiac rehab....

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... and there were times when I rejoiced about and could be extremely proud of "just" a
few more steps.
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You can be very proud of yourself -- "That crap ends now" is a FANFUCKINGTASTIC
attitude. It will do a lot to get you through your struggles and help you feel triumphant.
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Triumphant. How many people can say they feel that emotion about their daily progress?
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You can.
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Physical therapists are some of the COOLEST human beings on the planet... they're
always ultra-positive and YOUR progress feeds THEIR energy. They are caregivers,
for sure.
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In fact, they are just plain givers
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One of the things I've internalized all my life when facing "hardships" is this: This can
only beat me if I allow it to.
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BTW, Gabapentin helps greatly (HUGELY) with my neuropathy (though I have the bad
tingling, numbness kind).
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Keep up the fight, my brother.
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There are lots and lots of "warrior -be's" around nowadays.
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YOU... are a warrior!!!
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[Babel_17]

66. Than you for posting

and best of luck with your rehab. That's some amazing technology with those plastic lenses. I wasn't aware that was possible.

[AAO]

67. Great news! Keep on keepin' on!

[kiva]

68. Welcome home!

[hibbing]

69. Welcome Back

Hi,
I hope you keep getting better.

Peace

[Kali]

70. holy shit

impressive work you have done and excellent attitude! congratulations on the progress/recovery and keep it up!