Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Slow Path of Progress



I’m making progress.  Last week, I touched my right thumb to my nose – which was a huge moment for me.  So slowly, achingly, I am recovering the use of my right hand and moving my arm more naturally.  Most of the time, I don’t try to focus on my progress because it is so small, and I can get discouraged that it doesn’t happen faster. I just make time to wear the splints and do the stretching and strengthening exercises, even if I don’t feel like it. And believe me, most of the time, I don’t feel like doing the splints, so it’s an exercise in discipline, that’s for sure.

Siete is also getting better, but her back right and her front left are still not totally healed. It’s kind of driving me crazy, and I wonder if there might be Lyme disease in the picture. This okay-one-day-and-sore-the-next routine could be a clue. Johnny comes out the end of the week to trim Silk, and I’ll have him check Siete to see if there’s any sign of abscess in either of those hooves.

We’re having a very rainy, dank autumn. I notice that the trees are more yellow and less red and flamboyant than usual. I feel less enthusiastic about Fall, my favorite season, this year. I think it’s because I’m so wrapped up in my routine of splints, exercises, splints, exercises, splints, ice packs and more ice packs. My future depends on it.

So when I saw this quote from the Dalai Lama this morning, it really spoke to me:

“You see, the past is past, and the future is yet to come. That means the future is in your hands—the future entirely depends on the present. That realization gives you a great responsibility.”
The Dalai Lama

12 comments:

billie said...

I'm so glad to hear that you are making good progress with your arm, and keeping up with your treatment routine. I hope Siete gets better too - sometimes I think I have become obsessed with watching my equines move and trying to analyze every tiny change, so I know how frustrating it is when things seem to come and go and you aren't quite sure what's going on. We finally have sunshine today and all the hoof trims got done, so I'm in for a lunch break and then back out to do some mucking and raking!

Victoria Cummings said...

Billie - I too obsess about each little thing, staring at the horses as they trot across the pasture to see if they look "off". But all this rain that we've had makes for lots of mud, which starts the abscess vigil all over again. I can pick the hooves on the left side of the horses, but my daughter still has to do the right side. That will be another marker of progress when I can once again pick every hoof on the horse.

Lori Skoog said...

So glad that you are making progress...it has been a long haul! Our fall has been very beautiful, but today it is cold, dark and rainy. Hope you and your pony are back to normal soon.

Victoria Cummings said...

Thanks Lori - Hope you and Gary are feeling better too!

Máire said...

What a beautiful photograph. I do hope Siete gets better soon, and also that your trimmer can give you some insight. That is a good quote - one for me to chew on.

Victoria Cummings said...

Thanks Maire - it almost looks more like a painting than a photograph. I was surprised by how it turned out

Deejbrown said...

Your experience with "not giving up" is working on your own healing. Glad your daughter is still hanging in there with picking hooves, etc. Health is a family project no matter what stage we are in, or what animals may be at our side.

Victoria Cummings said...

D - You're right, health is a family project around here. And my daughter and I have bonded in a new interesting way doing the horse chores each night. I think she's learning a lot of things that will serve her well later in life. I certainly appreciate her willingness to do the heavy lifting for me.

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

Glad to hear you are making progress toward recovery - hard though it is. I hope your trimmer gives you some answers regarding Siete.

Love the Dalai Lama quote. He spoke to a sold out (in minutes) crowd not too far from here today.

Grey Horse Matters said...

It sounds like you're making good progress even if it is slower than you'd like it to be. Hope Siete isn't having a Lyme problem, then again I hope it isn't an abscess either. An abscess is the lesser of two evils I guess.

Liked the quote very much too. Feel better.

Strawberry Lane said...

Victoria, so glad you are making progress. That is just great news. It's certainly been an inch at a time. All the best to Siete! The photo was just beautiful!

Bones said...

Living in the moment! Horses are so very good at helping us remember that. I'm glad you've got your beautiful girls to help you.

And, so stoked you touched your nose! Yeah! That is fantastic news, and must feel so good. We get little hurts all the time, but the injuries, those take time. And patience. And horses!