Leah Potts

OK, here we go on the wonderful roller coater ride of Leah's last few days. I'm a crazy freak, now I truly believe it. I'll start from the end of my day and work to the beginning of why I believe this to be true. Its Friday night around 11:00pm and I can't sleep. I laugh to myself at the reason I'm having this trouble, are you ready for this? While worrying  about lack of sleep, the anticipation of getting up on Saturday around 6AM to make sure I write my blog, get all 3 hours of therapy (PT, biking and yoga) in, answer the knocks on the door from the sisters, Doctors, fellow patients with words of wisdom and encouragement.   Finally Maria and I will head out on the streets of Delhi! I have too many things I want to get done before my time is up. Not to worry, we  have a written schedule of how/what we need to do by the day and hour. Too funny. But as I look it over I decide we are going to get everything done and have a good time doing it. As I lay there I ponder what my horoscope will tell me. At home do I even read my horoscope? I think about what color of Thai fisherman pants I should purchase or if I really need them at all.  I finally fall asleep only to wake up throughout the night with yet again another intense dream cycle.  In one of the dreams I'm packing all my stuff and don't have enough space. Time is passing quickly and I seem to be moving slowly. Going to miss the flight if I don't hurry. I'm given an extra bag, only to find a huge hole in the side where my stuff is falling out. It gets fuzzy here but I opt to leave my things and I head for the door. I wake up and it's 6:30am. Time for me to begin my day.

Guru Rawat Teaching Yoga & Acupressure 

Biking Early Morning 

Why was I having difficulty sleeping? Friday was a busy but great day. I started out a bit home sick and tried, telling myself to endure; I must breathe, relax and simply let go. I was up early, around 6AM. That's normal for me, I enjoy the mornings, getting myself together, drinking some coffee, having breakfast, emailing or whatever needs to be done. Maybe some phone calls. 9AM I'm the first in the physio room. Shavani and I go through our routine of table stretches and exercises. We move to gait training and the wall bar. I'm a little cautious of  weight baring on my right leg these past few days as my knee has been a bit sore. This has happened in the past, not since I've been here at NuTech, but I do know I must protect the ligaments. My biggest fear is over-stretching them because they will never shorten once lengthened.  Protecting my assets, I've worked really hard maintaining my body structure and to be this close to home I'm not willing to jeopardize...a normal gait.

Practicing the Waddle 

The other patients have shown up by this time, lots of new faces. I find myself wishing and thinking (hoping and praying...you know the song) how much better my experience would have been if I wouldn't have had the 2 1/2 weeks with only Mr. David. No other patients to talk to, to learn from, to experience this wild intense ride with. In some ways I truly think this messed with my mind, would I  have been stronger with the support of others, sharing this experience? I think so. The past is over and it cannot be changed so once again I try to let that go and move on. Breathe Leah.

Since I have 3 days left in the PT room I get yet again a new task, putting on my calipers alone. More tears that I try to hide and oh what a baby I am. But, hey its hard and I'm tired. It takes a lot of patience, 2 hands, a chair to prop my straight legs up on.  The therapists are gathering, trying to show me the way to stand, yet they keep bending their own knees- I don't have this option.  I think outside of the box, shift my weight to the right and circle around standing erect, solid.  The frustration subsides. Of course I'm reminded of how I just got rid of my leg brace after how many years and now knee braces!! I don't want braces or calipers for that matter. But what do you do when you can't control the hyperextension in your right knee? You get calipers. So watch out everyone here comes Leah in her cute summer sundresses and the huge knee calipers to match. How long do you think it will take me to loose those suckers? I'll give it till November and my next trip to see Dr. Shroff. 

Stem Cells Anyone? 

By this time 9:00 has turned into 11:00 and I race to get my morning stem cell injection. We have so many new patients and returning patients that the doctors have organized a meeting to answer any questions or concerns that one may have. It's an informative meeting and Dr. Shroff as well as Dr. Ashish remain completely open and will answer whatever is on your mind. It takes a while for the group to get comfortable so we all take our turn to introduce ourselves to the group, giving a little background about why we're here and what our injuries are. Louis, Amy (2nd time patients that have just arrived) and I are asked to tell a bit about what we know or believe about the stem cell procedures and the process. Had I know I would have prepared a speech. (joking) I talked about believing in yourself and what your doing here. I told them that I believe you only get out of it what you put into it. I said I believe its real and I have seen improvements however its hard, very hard and slow. I ended with “I feel it is with Dr. Geeta Shroffs knowledge, Dr. Ashish Vermas precision, the patients will and the support of your family and friends to make the best of what is happening here. With a link missing the healing isn't as powerful.”

Louis, Amy (Louis's Wife/Carer) & Amy 

Dismissed by 1PM it was time for lunch. Hungry, I ate and went back downstairs for round 2 of physical therapy. This time we worked the shoulder wheel, wall bar and once again gait training. Shavini put my calipers on me, even tough I should have been doing it myself. Sorry, not perfect and I am tired. Walk or waddled my laps around the room and before I knew it I was back in my room trying to get some sleep. 1 hour and I was up. Yoga with Rawat started at 4:30PM we have a big class once again so focus isn't all on Leah. That was the one nice thing about being here alone, I got all Guru Rawats attention. However, it is fun to be with the group we laugh, we struggle and we all push ourselves one move at a time or whatever bit of strength or improvement we can get. Its a tuff routine but hey I like it.

Back at the room this is when Maria and I decide we better make a schedule or else we will leave something out and I don't want that to happen. Too much to do and now I'm happy again. I'm too much! With a routine and a schedule on paper it looks like the last 3 days are coming together. It's time for dinner so we eat, I get my shot of cells and we decide its time to get out of the hospital. It is Friday night. With our new neighbor Val, Maria and I grab a tuk tuk and head to the Dilli Haat, a crafty area with lots of cool things to buy. Its not to crowded and the heat is bearable as we look, we buy and we enjoy.

Back at the room I'm ready for bed and wonder how can I not be tired.