Another First

For those of you who are still following my blog after all this time, all I can say is:  Goodness me.  You haven't been getting much reinforcement for your efforts, since I haven't been writing everyday like before.  Things change slowly, but each day is better, marginally, but better.  And there are often "firsts".

A First

Today's first was that we actually went to a movie (theater) this evening.  We've been indulging here with Netflix.  But Redjeb wanted a real movie theater (forget the $9 a piece senior tickets--I pay less than that for a whole month of unlimited Netflix).  But it was an outing, and we walked the 4 blocks to 86th Street, back and forth.  By the way, we saw Slumdog Millionaire.  Liked it. Different. Some violence, but just don't look.

Getting around

Though one thinks of New York as being flat, it is not all that way.  We happen to live in the Carnegie Hill district, and it is indeed on a hill.  Walking down Third Ave is mostly flat. But going toward Second Ave is really a steep downhill.  So Redjeb's walking is usually on Third Ave.  But the other day he ventured with me down to a shop on Second.  It was fine coming back up, as there are benches along the pedestrian mall on 91st Street, so we made a few stops to rest.

We live in an accessible building, not steps.  I always thought that was great for us getting older and all that.  But what I didn't take into account is that since we are on a hill, actually the side of a hill near the top, that when you go outside, you either have to walk up a hill--a short distance but nevertheless up--or down a hill (and then how to get back home).  So when Redjeb goes for his walks around the blocks, which he now can do, he usually has to rest a bit when he gets to the top of our street.  But he says after he has walked a while it feels easier.  But we don't push it.

The First First

Today we had another first, now that I think of it:  Redjeb (& I) walked to the Beth Israel clinic early this morning where Juanita works, so she could draw his blood there rather than come to our place.  It is about 3 blocks away on Third & 87th.  We've been practicing walking to the clinic all week, as felt guilty asking her to come to the apartment since Redjeb is getting stronger and especially since she has a prosthesis and uses a walker.  It's good to have a goal and a little motivation.  Making conversation I asked her how her Christmas went.  She said OK.  It was not her usual upbeat tone, so I think her teenage children--or whatever exists in her life when we aren't there--must have been a drag.

Tomorrow we go back to the cardiologist.  Haven't seen him in two weeks.  Actually tomorrow will be the fourth week since surgery.  Amazing.