Walking stick

Posted on February 12th, 2008 by Cam.
Categories: Let's talk.

In the scheme of things, today is one of my down days. This new cycle of chemo is pretty tame as far as the drugs are concerned. I have finished my 4-day bombardment of toxins that start the cycle, and now I have the rest of the cycle off. No steroids, no cyclophosphamide, no idarubicin. Good to be off these it would seem, but my body has started to get tired very quickly now. My legs ache, my muscles ache and my movement is pretty restricted.

I am looking forward to getting some walking sticks today. We went to the Independent Living centre at the hospital the other week to get measured up for a stick but they were all too small. The ones that were big enough were very serious sticks for very serious walking difficulties. My difficulties are not that bad. I just need a bit of extra support when walking on some days and to help me rest if I need to stand.

So I ventured onto Ebay. Picked up – not one, but three (as you do)- walking sticks for $20 in an assortment of colours. Adjustable, telescopically collapsible, lightweight, interchangeable feet, shock-absorbing, foldable handpiece… don’t even get me started on the incorporated LED flashlight. Oh yeah baby. I am going to be one accessorised limper.

It is important to know that I did hold myself back. I could have gone the option where you get 6 walking sticks for $29. Now that would be just silly. As it is, I know that working out how to use 3 in a day will be a challenge. I also did not go the options of the magnetic compass, MP3 player or snow-feet.

So my face is pressed up against the window, waiting for the postman to bring me my package. It is not the age that I was expecting to get so excited by a new set of walking sticks, but I am going to make the most of it before building up to the pimped up electric walking frame in my twilight years. You know there will be no holding back then.

6 comments.

Cons

Comment on February 12th, 2008.

Oooh Cam, nana torpy had the most sensational range of walking sticks! Some were metallic, some were wood, some were smooth and dainty and some knotted and agressive. The greatest one was this thick, heavy deal wooden one that had a big ivory rams head on the top. So there’s plenty of good sticks out there, and you can never have too many sticks!!

Lynda

Comment on February 12th, 2008.

I’m so glad you showed some restraint in the choice of sticks. Just one question – do these aforementioned walking sticks do the ironing and vacuuming.

What a hoot – you always make me smile.

Hope your package come soon!!

Cuz Adam

Comment on February 12th, 2008.

You know what would be great? A swiss army walking stick. Oh yeah. Stick/ knife/ corkscrew/ mp3 player/ brandingiron/ bedazzler/ lazerlight/ foghorn/ marriage counselling certificate….

And dont forget to shake the stick midway and practice your “and I would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for you darn pesky kids”

Oh. And make sure you take a top heavy one onto the bus/train so you can smack the little punks who sit on the priority seats.

And..and get one with a gnarled end with a polished rock inset and walk around saying “To the bridge of Khazad-dum!” whenever you get a hankering for some curry.

I love sticks

Guy in the dressing gown with the walking frame

Comment on February 12th, 2008.

Walking sticks. Walking aids for the physically impaired they say. Yeah right. That’s a cover up for what they really are. Symbols of power. Charlie Chaplin carried a stick, Winston Churchill had a stick, Ghandi had a stick, Edmund Hillary used a stick on Everest. James Bond killed a man with a sword disguised as a walking stick. Moses threw his walking stick on the ground, called out “snakes on a plane”, and scared the leadership of Egypt. Then there’s my Principal from Morley Prinary School. He loved me so much he gave me the stick.

“One stick to rule them all, one stick to find them, one stick to bring them all into the darkness and bind them.”

One day Cam you are going to walk without a stick. On that proud day, you will throw that stick into the fires on mount Doom. (I think it’s in the Stirling ranges)

Stephanie

Comment on February 12th, 2008.

Oh Cam, you may be on dangerous ground. Know how many women rate House their favourite sex symbol?
Just one thing- did you get one that sounds okay for tap routines on your steroid days? And House apparently had a drug stashing place in the handle of one stick…may be useful.

kassy

Comment on February 12th, 2008.

Cam, I am in the market for a good telescopically collapsible walking stick, I am having difficulty finding one which isn’t really expensive, I was wondering what was the brand of the one you just got?

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