Fondue-me, baby!

Adventures of Scooter Girl - Phoenix - Day 2

Spa'd for most of the morning. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Afterwards, Missy S. and I went shopping while Missy R. relaxed in our rooms. I didn't realize how rich some people are in Scottsdale. I figured it out when we entered the mall and most of the stores were designer names: Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo (oh yes, Jimmy Choo), Neiman Marcus...it became a little overwhelming after a few hours. I actually was shopped out. Too much to process.

Anyway, that night we had dinner with two of Missy S.'s "Phoenix friends" - she differentiates. Kinda cute, isn't it? Missy R. and I are her "finest city friends". It was lovely to meet Missy J. and Missy A. We ate at the Melting Pot. Fondue. Nothing like bonding over dripping, cheesey foods. And chocolate. Lots and lots of melting chocolate. Sometimes I feel sorry for men because they miss out on the bonding experience that women have over food and laughter. Most guys try to bond over beers and sports or beers and strippers or beers and some free food at happy hour. Women are serious when we bond. It can take hours. And it did. And it was totally worth it. Made new friends.

There were two weddings at the hotel where we stayed. We didn't actually get to watch them because our view was of the lovely pool pump. But, if we squinted our eyes (like Renee Zellwegger) and looked around the corner of the pool pump, we could see chairs. Sometimes people sitting in those chairs. At night, the hotel lit up their many fire pits scattered about the property. I never took part in the fire pit experience. I should have, though. I admit, I was pretty tired each night. My stamina is good but not as good as it was before. I tire easily if I'm active two days consecutively. The first night, Missy S. and I went to bed early while Missy R. relaxed in front of the tv. The next night, Missy R. and I went to bed while Missy S. played near the fire pits. Around 1am, Missy S. came flouncing in the bedroom and plopped next to Missy R. She said, "Look at my MUDD shoes. They are so..." I don't remember the exact words she used because I was almost asleep. When Missy S. pranced out of the room, Missy R. said (face down into her pillow), "If she comes back in the room, I'm gonna smack her with my pillow!" (okay, I'm paraphrasing but the spirit of intent is correct.)

Day Two was fun. Leg and pain unchanged. I guess this is the level of pain I'm going to be stuck at for now. Bummer.

Adventures of Scooter Girl - Phoenix trip

Whew...so much to say, so much to say...don't know where to start. Okay, I took my first plane ride (woo hoo!!) since my accident in 2005. Wow, air travel is completely different when you're in a wheelchair. Much to my dismay I had to buy a first class ticket (I know, I know, you feel my pain) because I didn't know how it would all work for me. Missy R. was shocked at the price from our finest city to Phoenix. Yes, I know it was a complete ripoff but it had to be done.

Packing for the trip was a wrestling match for control. Mom insisted on ironing any clothing that would wrinkle or had the slightest chance of wrinkling while in my suitcase. That meant ironing mostly everything. Dad fretted that the airline would damage my wheelchair. As I've said before, I love my folks. Couldn't be where I'm at if it wasn't for their loving care and concern. (Oh, Mom won, of course. She repacked most of my suitcase after I had already packed it.)

Missy R. and I were flying out to visit Missy S. Missy P. was at some hoity toity spa along the coast with her mother-in-law (no good deed goes unpunished)and couldn't join us for our very special spa weekend in Phoenix.

I had my own personal pat down with airport security. Right there in front of everyone. They asked me if I wanted a private room and I said no. Next time I plan on answering, "HELL YES!!" Nothing like having plastic gloved hands gliding over your backside and bosom. However polite these ladies are, there ain't no way it's happening again with me as a public spectacle. I'm the only thing to watch while the other people were putting on their shoes and gathering their crap! On the positive side, that's the most action I've had in two years!! Come on, hospital staff doesn't count!

Boarding the plane proved uneventful. Missy R. and I were able to board before most of the passengers which was a good thing because I didn't remember the plane aisles being so narrow. If I were seated in any other row but the first one I don't think I could have made it down the aisle. My walker barely fit in the space between the seat and the aisle. God help me if I have to go the restroom on a plane. I think I'm going to have to consider either dehydration or a catheter before a trip. Ohhhh...adult diapers. I read on one of my disabled traveling sites that many disabled use the diapers during airline travel because of the small restrooms. Ewwww, I can barely stand it when I have to sit in my own farts, I don't think sitting in my own stink would be acceptable. It's bringing me flashes of the nasty bedpan days!! I'll have to think about this because I'm planning to travel internationally and even I (self-proclaimed human camel) can't hold it that long.

While it's great being the first to board the plane, you are always the last to exit. I starting joining in with the attendants as they said, "Bye, thanks for flying with us." "Bye, have a great weekend!" "Bye, don't trip on your way out!" (that one was me after a guy tripped over the suitcase in front of him.)

The Phoenix airport is huge. HUGE, I tell you. Missy R. and I finally dragged me, our two suitcases and purses out the door to find a taxi. Instead, we found Thomas. Ahh, Thomas. Whattaguy. Taxi in the shape of a limo. Limo ride in the form of a lecture about conspiracy theories, how and when to buy a home, the terrible state our government is in...like Alice in Wonderland's Mr. Toad's Wild Ride...

Had a great time that first day. My leg didn't do anything stupid (I know!!) and the pain was as it always is. My constant companion.

Stinky Cheese

Stinky cheese. That's what I felt like today. It was so blasted hot - record temperatures in some parts of the county. My body reacts to extreme changes in temperature, as I've said before, and today was a whammy!! My leg looked similar to my leg of a few months ago. Swollen, red, shiny (from the edema), skin all dried and stretchy looking. Then to start the pain parade I was greeted by my non-favorite hot jabs of the ol' iron poker whirling about my calf. My leg jerked so hard at one point my Mom heard my knee click and saw my leg stick straight out - all on its own. It's something to see - and nothing you'll ever want to see again. Add to that I yelped pretty loudly as I was caught off guard. If you're bored some hot afternoon this summer, come over and watch my leg. It's bound to provide some kind of morbid entertainment.

Stinky cheeses are those cheeses you find wrapped up really tight. You don't know what's inside and the wrapper doesn't hint at what you'll find until you open it up. Then the smell drives right up your nostrils and it's a scent you're not likely to forget anytime soon. Whenever you catch a whiff of that familiar scent, you flinch, ever so slightly. That's my leg - stinky cheese.

Crystal balling

I haven't had that much to write about for the past 10 days. Sometimes the thoughts muddle together and I have a difficult time articulating.

I've been overwhelmed because one of the main issues regarding my injuries is finally coming to an end. Closure. A chance to let go of the old hurt and make a whole new set of choices and mistakes. The thought is mind-boggling. I don't know what to do - for the last 18 months I've spent so much energy in getting this to end and now I've reached my goal.

The one thing I've been able to do is plan some trips - remember I mentioned them in another post. Bought some tickets, made the hotel reservations - and poof - it's as if my life is normal again. The only difference is I have to call and speak with a reservation agent to explain my disability. Oh, when I called this particular airline, I was told that I would be "carried aboard the plane" - WHAT WHAT WHAT???!!!! I don't think so. Of course, my first mental picture was of my being lifted onto the plane in a Cleopatra-like fashion, six strapping, glisteny oiled, half-dressed (or is that mostly undressed?) men carrying me about...sigh. It's a whole new way of traveling!

So, I'm one foot into my new future. It's scary but even without the crystal ball, it's about damn time I'm able to get some control of my life.