Life with Neuropathy: Let's Talk about Speed

My name is John and I have peripheral neuropathy (PN). As we age, sometimes we slow down. Now with my walker, I see turtles on roller skates zipping past me waving and laughing. (Here's an article about how tough it is to deal with pain and another about how it's OK to say "Owww!!!")

Dealing with others pushing in front of you because you're slower or using a walker makes doing tasks even harder. And slower.

Today I had a little example of what it means to have someone take cuts in front of me in a clearly marked line. I was getting a blood draw and just as I was about to reach the sign-in sheet a woman stepped in front of me and grabbed the clipboard. She wasn't overtly unkind about it. She simply ignored me and put herself first.

I mean, sure, she was faster than me but I was a couple steps away and clearly heading for the same location. It was obvious what was going on. Simply put, she could have chosen to be polite, to pause and let me sign up first especially since I had, with difficulty, held the clinic entrance door open for her before the "race" began.

But she didn't have to be nice. And she wasn't. There wasn't much I could say either or I would have risked lookng like a petulant, grumpy old man. Spoiler: sometimes that's exactly what I feel like!

Coming in second, so to speak, probably only cost me an extra 20 minutes of my time, but it made me think about all the little things that I used to take for granted. Like being able to walk at a normal speed (or faster!) and get places I wanted to go. When I wanted to get there. And, yes, it's OK to slow down. To prioritize, to focus. I don't need to be first but I don't like being invisible either.

Now it takes me longer to get dressed, to put on my socks, to button a shirt, pull on my belt. Lots of things. So I need to plan for more time than I used to. No more speeding around the room getting dressed because I slept in late. Rather it's me slowing moving around the room wondering if I'll need to ask for help to pull my shoes on.

Life is different with PN. It just is. And I have to be alright with that. What about you? How do you deal with the reality that things take more time now? Let's talk. If you have time, here's an article about some of the changes I've faced and a brief introduction to my journey with neuropathy.

Thanks for listening.

John

P.S. If you'd like to follow my Life with Neuropathy blog, visit lifewithneuropathy.blogspot.com. Find the three lines next to the search button in the upper right hand corner. Then click follow. You'll be notified of my future blogs.

P.P.S. For a bit of "walker humor" please read this. For a few comments on mobility click here.

Thanks, Omid, for the perfect picture. Photo by https://unsplash.com/@omidarmin

Comments

JUDIENovember 10, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Hi John...I have a walker upstairs that needs new tennis balls. I have a rollator downstairs with 8 inch wheels. Please get a rollator. The difference between it and a cane is huge and an enormous benefit is that the seat allows you to "carry" items. A fringe benefit is that it comes in handy as a chair not only for you but others. A second fringe benefit is that it serves as aa temporary table next to my desk. It almost always has something being transported or papers I am working with on the seat.
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