SIMCHA SUSIE MUSINGS

                                           SIMCHA  SUSIE  MUSINGS


                         These are strange times for all of us, having to remain in our homes for
                          the foreseeable future and dealing with things that for a lot of women
                          are normal procedure. For me, having to do my own hair is not normal!
                          When I started to work in an office and dealing with the public at the same time,
                          I went to the beauty shop every Friday early am before the office!  For those of
                          you that know me, you know that is really a difficult thing to do!
                          Because of the Fibromyalgia, I did not have to be in the office before ten am.
                          A small break.

                          I  have had my hair done each Friday morning for at least thirty-five years.
                          today,  at myself.I washed my own hair and I don't want to look  at myself.

                          It is a real hassle to get into the shower.  First I have to put the shamata that
                          my wheelchair rolls over down on the floor, which is there to soak up the water that
                          escapes the shower curtain. Then I have to get into the shower space, getting
                          as close to the seat as possible and transfer to the seat without turning myself
                          into a pretzel while holding onto the bars.  After sitting down, I have to bend
                          over and release the brakes on the wheelchair and shove it out, turn it straight
                          and push it past the opening of the shower, but close enough to bring it back when I
                          need it again., I am no
                          I am lucky to have a hand held gizmo that I can put in it's sleeve for the water to hit
                          my body without me holding it!  It is difficult enough to hold a wet slippery piece of
                          soap,  clean myself and not drop the soap.  According to me amputee doctor, I am
                          not allowed to use liquid soap. He said that the liquid rolls down the body and
                          brings down any and all germs with it and is more difficult to wash off. I guess
                          that admonishment was because of the  MRSA!
                          I use hand soap. There are many times that I have dropped the soap! That is why I
                          keep two bars in the niche.
                   
                          When done, I pull the wheelchair back back and peel the towels off - one for my
                          head, one for my body, and a dry one for the seat of my wheelchair.  Then I reverse
                          the process and sit down, release the brakes again, and push myself out of the
                          shower space, dry myself off, and go back into the bedroom!
                          Time to take a nap!