Tuesday, February 22
I’ve noticed a tendency to go blank at about 11:00 am, and to stay that way for about two hours. Because Roman has my days scheduled, I move regardless of my inclination not to. The result is two hours of euphoria when everything is breathtakingly beautiful. Okay, the view from the cliff this morning at San Giovenale was especially spectacular for its vibrant colors washed in air so clear it sparkled, but so was the plywood and corroded wire protecting a cellar door under repair down a rusticated alley. All that is a variation on a recovery symptom, which makes those two hours doubly special.
From the list of little things; I’m walking with my whole foot, rolling from heel to toe, something I may have never noticed until I stopped being able.
We went to Blue Bar after an evolving walk on the sagrato, visited with Erika, and petted her dog Teah. The small repetitive movements it takes to pet a dog properly have been beyond my skill set for many months until today; big bonus. Very nice end to the active part of the day. I was very tired after supper, listlessly watched some video, went to bed earlier than usual and slept eight hours.
Wednesday, February 23
We walked nearby Piazza Gonzaga, but not long enough to get the kinks out. Alexander lesson was arduous but very effective (and coincided with my blank period). I’m supposed to lay on the floor of the study for twenty minutes a day but getting down and up again is rather demanding. We shall see.
I napped after lunch and so sweetly it surprised me. Naps in the recliner of late have not been so rewarding.
The list of little things: typing is especially good, the right arm continues to be loose, pins and needles in my hands are very intense (and spread when I cough).
The toddler metaphor holds; a few days of euphoria, solid energy, and occasional physical spontaneity, followed by being really tired and cranky. Nuff said. Good night.
Thursday, February 24
I slept very well, woke to a dream of beautiful music being sung by three fabulous sopranos. Shared coffee with my very special friend, Lisa (during my zombie hours). Lamented the pointless tragedy of Ukraine with Roman and others of his community. We walked alleys near Piazza Scalza, hilly and twisted; not easy but psychologically healthy. I napped for ninety minutes like I needed it. Walked the sagrato with increasing confidence. Talked with Emiliano who was re-opening his Osteria del Duomo. We stopped for gelato on the way home, saw Sara for the first time in well over a year. Once home, I obsessed with the news.
Friday, February 25
We walked Piazza Gonzaga to San Giovenale during the 11:00 to 13:00 blank period, and while it was pleasant enough, walking itself was a hundred percent deliberate. Then, while still blanking, I was given a shower and ate lunch. As Roman left, I took up residence in the recliner and slept deliciously for two and a half hours!
If you had asked me at five this afternoon how I would be walking this evening, I would have predicted awkward, noisy, and deliberate. So it was a great surprise when it was spontaneous, smooth, and silent – and accompanied by birdsong. There were also waves to all the people who live or work in the piazza and have become friendly. It called for gelato on the way home.
Saturday, February 26
Slept like a stone again, although my right shoulder was particularly painful for some of the night. Was hazy all morning through prep and walk and after. But walking was smooth, silent, and generally spontaneous. Napped a total of two hours in separate shifts, and woke feeling alert and focused. I spent a little moderately useful time on the novel. The evening walk was better than usual, and agility is for the most part spontaneous and quick.
Sunday, February 27
Another great sleep, more comfortable than I’ve been in a long time. I woke feeling like icebergs of symptoms had fallen away. After actually rising I understood that was a tad optimistic, but some of my early walking included a bounce, equilibrium is much improved, my sense of smell is occasionally active, and agility is (for the most part) astonishingly quick. Also, I can go hours without peeing (and it is seldom urgent anymore), ankles rarely hurt, left knee is also hugely better, the stabbing pains in my feet are rare, and restless leg syndrome has calmed way down. I can still sleep any time and anywhere, but that’s probably because my nervous system is working hard to heal and needs the rest. No complaints, here.
Well, maybe one or two. At around seven this evening, I became suddenly droopy tired, apparently a replacement for the morning droop of the past few days. That lasted until about nine, then followed a wilting pain in the right shoulder and forearm.
Monday, February 28
I slept two hours, then two awake, then five more in blissful sleep. So, okay, that’s an odd step backwards but not bad. Pins and needles, always in hands but sometimes elsewhere, have been constant. They are a recovery symptom, but that doesn’t make them comfortable. Otherwise dexterity, speed, and ease of movement is good – not yet with walking and definitely not changing direction on my feet, but both are better than usual. Typing leans towards awesome (viewed in context), or at least it was until evening when it took a dive.