Grocery Run
Today is July 5th, 2025, it's been 19 days since my L5-S1 has been fused and I thought it would be a good idea to go to the local big box store to buy some basic supplies, i.e., toilet paper, paper towel, eggs and some items for the week. Looking back on my decision, I should have stayed home and waited until tomorrow, after the post holiday shoppers hoard in on the much needed items. I was in no shape to perform combat shopping, because these shoppers are aggressive. They don't care if you are walking down the aisle, they'll run you over with their shopping cart and not think twice about it. It had been some time since I'd gone and the last time I went, although in an injured state, I was in a better state to handle these types of serious shoppers that just need to get in and get out mentality that just run people over if they're not careful. Regardless, I was on high alert and in pain as I slowly and methodically maneuvered through the tight aisles and avoiding the blank stare shopper laser focused on grabbing what was next on their list without a thought about who is in their way. I somehow managed and surprisingly, that wasn't the hardest part. The most trickiest part of shopping, was getting in and out of the SUV. Hoisting myself up with the lever just wasn't cutting it this time. I had to shimmy and lift in a new way that I didn't have to do on Monday when I went to the doctor's office to get my staples out. It was daunting and tiring. I am glad I survived.
This surgery has changed the landscape of my body and the old ways I did things aren't going to work anymore. I need to overcome and adapt to a straight back. To regaining my height, training my muscles to work in a way they never worked before with my sway back. It is all new, including learning how to "log roll" into and out of bed every few hours to stretch my legs, drink some water, walk around the house, or get some snacks. I am re-learning how to shower, use the restroom, put on my clothes and most importantly put on some socks when my feet are cold and need to be covered. It has taught me to rely on my family a lot more, or just to live without as they aren't always here to help me out. It is a whole level of need that I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing before and is taking some getting used to.
Back to the TP run, it was successful. We got our items and returned safely home. One perk is that I didn't have to carry any of the groceries in, or put them away because it involved a lot of bending and lifting, which I simply can not do at this time. I do wonder if I'll ever be able to bend and lift like I used to. Not that I did a whole lot, but at least the little I did, I am hoping I'll get to do again. As for grocery store runs, I think I am good for a while now and will rely on the family to make the purchases and safely transport them back home to me as this has shown me that I am not ready for all that on the daily.
I am hoping that all this will be settled in time and soon I'll be back to hopping in the car and running errands or just even doing a simple load of laundry with ease. Until then, I'll just keep on sharing my stories with you.