“What’s Next?”

If you’re a fan of The West Wing, you know that President Bartlet wrapped up every policy decision or important meeting by asking two crucial words.

“What’s next?”

So, that’s kind of how I feel right now. Now that “The Wizard of Oz” has closed, and my wound is almost healed (after which I will finally be able to get fitted for my prosthetic, which is supposed to happen tomorrow), I am at a natural turning-of-the-page moment. where things are going to change.

I’ve been reading enough about prosthetics to know that it’s going to be a whole new rehab process once that leg comes in. One that will surely see a lot of challenges. I’ve had a tendency to look at this as the end of the rainbow, so to speak, but what I’m now realizing is that it’s just the slaying of a level boss, and a whole new map is opening to me.

Or maybe I’ve been playing too much Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla,

Still, I am very nervous to leave the relative bubble of what my healing process has been up to this point and to take on a whole new set of problems.

I feel as if it’s important to celebrate the victories I’ve had, but to be realistic about what comes next.

Which also is going to test the limits of my positivity and patience, both of which started off pretty strong, but, to be honest, have wavered a little bit as of late.

Not that I’ve lost them, but they’re not quite as second nature as they were when I left the hospital. I suppose that they, just like getting stronger in my body, are a set of skills that require a lot of practice and repetition to stay up to snuff.

I must confess that I don’t know why, but I am a little afraid to be up on two feet again. Now that it’s getting closer, and I don’t have quite as many distractions to focus on, there’s only this.

Just this.

Can I do it? I certainly hope so, but I’m going to need all the help I can get.

If you all aren’t tired of giving me help already.

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As always, if you have it in you, please give a thought to donating time or money to Hospice Austin. They do amazing work for people who are going through the hardest thing a person can face.

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