I’m energized in a way I haven’t been for a long time. And hopeful.

And once again I find myself greater for a strong, smart medical team that genuinely listens and cares.

It’s been a while since I had a medical update, and part of the reason for that is because of my high deductible medical plan that makes it more expensive to receive care. I am a big proponent of high deductible plans– because with an HSA they can save a lot of money, but I do not have an HSA. My current plan has out-of-pocket costs that are twice that of my previous plan. I’ll be paying $120 a month for the next two years to pay off my MRI from earlier this year.

And you haven’t seen any fitness entries because I haven’t worked out in a very long time. My coach at Apex Training took a hiatus for a family emergency and has not returned, and I no longer have the money. I have a feeling the guys at my gym would offer me some sort of deal– they have always been reasonable people, but life is so uncertain I just didn’t have it in me.

And food has also been an issue. As my food budget is also highly restricted.

These realities, especially for someone proud and stubborn like myself, are a constant reminder that it is not easy to be poor and take care of yourself, even without factoring in a disability. I believe having a mobility disability, which in my case is diplegia spastic cerebral palsy, makes me more away of how important diet and exercise are.

We all hear it all the time– that all of the body’s systems work together and that food, rest, and exercise provide the foundation and potential to fix a lot of problems. And in my case it’s easy to see the impact. It’s been about six months since I stopped working out, and my spasticity has reached a new level of inconvenience. I have spent much of my life in jobs that did not involve sitting behind a desk, and that, coupled with the lack of gym routine, has taught my muscles that we sit. And when my muscles learned something, they remember.

I need to start healthier routines. Eva is remodeling our garage and will move all of our weights, resistance bands and other equipment out there. And I am walking more. I get what I consider reasonable step counts about three times a week. I might even start walking the dog.

But about two weeks ago, I had my second episode of crippling muscle spasms after a day of walking. And I walked with a cane for a day. That also drove the reality home. I have never used a cane before.

In the midst of all of this, once I realized how out-of-shape and out-of-breath I was, I scheduled an appointment with my neurologist/physiatrist. This was a couple months ago and she couldn’t see me until Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. But they put me on a cancellation list and moved me to November 6.

My doctor arrived and immediately called me stylish, not knowing I picked my clothes to keep my weight the lightest possible and when she noticed my red boots, I had to let her know that they were on the floor next to my desk and I didn’t have it in me to look for other shoes. (But later in the visit, she acknowledged how my choice of boots also makes walking easier and the ankle height of the boot gives me more support. All part of why I love boots!)

She also commented about how long my hair has gotten, at which point I had to remind her that we hadn’t seen each other in more than a year. “Really?!?” she said. I nodded. (We set up another appointment for April so that doesn’t happen again.)

She gave me an exam and noted all my muscle tightness and had me walk around the office for her. And we talked about my hopes to improve my habits– because I know my role in my situation accounts for most of my everyday problems.

(And my cardiologist never got back to me about going off my beta blocker, but I did stop taking it. I have seen more incidents of high heart rate, but nothing significant or repeated, and most of it can be explained by diet or exercise. Eat a Little Caesars pizza? End up with a racing heartbeat. Do short stints of rapid walking? Also high heart rate.)

She suggested I resume taking my baclofen regularly and to up the dose to 10 mg if needed, up to 3 times per day. I took it regularly while working in the warehouse and have been taking it now when I feel I “need” to.

As she made a written note of all my lower body muscle issues, she asked if I might be interested in an ambulatory referral to a medical fitness exercise specialist at St. Luke’s Anderson Fitness & Sports Performance Center. “Sure,” I said.

They called me while I was driving home.

And when I learned it was $99 for the three-month fitness program and that insurance might even pay it, I really was glad I decided to go see my doctor. I made an appointment for intake evaluation on Monday and maybe soon I’ll be using my Clever Fox Fitness journal.

This is what the website says:

Medically-based exercise programs for those with a chronic disease and / or disability. Designed to increase exercise tolerance and enhance functional capacity. For all ages.
Join us and get ready to THRIVE!
$99 three-month fitness memberships are available to all patients and clients referred from St. Luke’s Weight Management, Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s, St. Luke’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, St. Luke’s Physicians and St. Luke’s Oncology.

https://www.slhn.org/fitness/fitness