My wheelchair is here!! It is on indefinite loan via the NHS – they’re taking care of all maintenance and servicing and I get to keep it for as long as I need it. I was too nervous to go out by myself so I waited until Weasel came home. She very kindly went around the block with me. I was determined to push myself the entire way. I needed to figure out how to work it on a day I didn’t need it. I figured out what to do in case of an unexpected downhill [hit the brakes!] and how to move on an uneven pavement. I also reaffirmed my dislike of asshats who park on the pavement. Clearly not there for pedestrians, the great swaths of side paths on most roads is obviously parking spaces. Tomorrow morning is our bin collection day too so there were some obstacles. I am lucky because I am mostly able bodied, but most wheelchair users do not have the option to get up and move around. Grumble.

Anyway, I have a blister on my thumb and I’m certain my hands/back/neck will be very angry with me tomorrow, but at the moment, I am elated to have done the entire block myself. My original plan for using the chair stands too. I will be walking as much as I can, but the chair will be wonderful when I need to rest. I’m excited about the future for the first time in ages.

I did have an amusing thought, in terms of affirmative action I am a pretty attractive package for employers. I am a woman, a lesbian, disabled and foreign. If I were a person of colour, I’d totally have the slam dunk and I could be the minority poster child.

I think it goes without saying, but I am feeling much better. The increase dosage of my antidepressant has definitely helped. I feel more like myself and I am interested in doing things again. I also felt really pleased with everything I did today, I didn’t feel useless.

I’m all recovered from the bronchoscopy now and my appointment with my vasculitis doctor on Friday went well. I’m going to start tapering the steroids again, six weeks on 4mg starting tomorrow. ENT has said he is happy too, so I don’t have to see him again unless something goes wrong.

I’ve been reading my happy books from the library. I finished Addition by Toni Jordan and I loved it. Incredibly sweet and very well written. The description of the protagonist’s mental state was spot on from my experiences and very believable. I’m reading Queen Camilla by Sue Townsend now. She always cracks me up, so I’m happy.

BlanketGirl arrives in less than a month [technically speaking anyway] and I am beside myself with anticipation. I keep going over the things we will do together and I’m so excited. I adore her and having being with her in person is just incredible. I am so incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful sister.