If you've been treated at a specialist Spinal Centre, you're a patient for life. It's amazing, this continuity of care. Today I was back at the Unit for a posture assessment, to measure the pressure I exert on my cushion. It's a bit like being back at school: "when did you last check your skin? Why don't you check it every day?"; "your transfers aren't very good, are they?" It's done from a place of concern and also expertise: they know what they're talking about. Yet sometimes it just doesn't seem to fit easily with the reality of working and being a parent. Ideally, if I have a red mark on my skin, I should stay in bed. Marks are the first signs of pressure sores. They can deteriorate quickly. And they kill. But I have to get up, feed and ferry children, write. How do red marks sit with this life? I suppose the Spinal Unit would say this life won't last very long if I don't pay attention to my skin...
They also tell me I need a wider chair. Very supportively, they say I'm not fat, that my tummy is a tetra tummy, that I should not try to lose weight. I was too thin when I left hospital and now that I'm my proper size and shape, I'm too big for my chair. Not that I can replace it unless my generous friend is willing to buy me another. There's a short-term fix, but I will have to approach my friend soon. It's not going to be the easiest of conversations.
