How I Learned to Shower

You’ll remember that showering was the first thing I did that felt normal once I went to the rehab facility back in March.

But, when I got home, it was the thing about which I was the most nervous. I have a very small walk-in shower, which my wife had equipped with two bars and a shower chair while I was in the hospital.

Once I got in the shower, I was all set.

But getting in. That was the hard part. There’s a considerable lip where the door closes, so just hopping in wasn’t ever in the cards. For a while, my wife had to roll me in backwards, and then I’d put my foot over the lip and stand up with the help of the bar. Then, she’d have to wait while I showered, and help me get out.

This went on for a while.

And, as a result, sometimes I’d skip days. My wife works at home, and she’s always available, but she also had been doing literally everything around here, and I didn’t want to feel like I was bothering her to ask for something silly like wheeling me into the shower.

But I’m a shower once a day guy. At least. Always have been. I didn’t feel normal.

So, one day, I started thinking to myself about whether or not I could do it on my own, and what that would require logistically, and whether I felt brave enough to try.

After calculating the risks, one day I just…did it. On my own. I was a little scared. No, I was a lot scared, but I didn’t tell anyone, and just did it.

Side note: Not telling your wife that you’re going to do something potentially dangerous is not a good idea. 1/10. Would not recommend.

You know what, though? It was a success. I was able to navigate the whole experience myself. And that was a couple of months ago.

Since then, showering has been a mundane experience, and one that I, thankfully, can and have accomplished daily, and on my own. I don’t need supervision, and I don’t need to skip.

I can just shower.

It’s not that I don’t have to pay attention and be careful about the process, but I also don’t have to be scared of it anymore. And I’ve gotten pretty deft at it. Nowadays, I can shower and get ready in about 30 minutes, which is really not bad.

Add to that the time to put on my foot and walk out the door, and I can get ready in about 40.

I’m looking to improve my time.

But, you know what? Just as I no longer really sweat the idea of showering on my own, one of these days, and it won’t be long, I’m probably going to be right back here, telling you that it doesn’t take any longer than it used to when it comes to getting ready.

And that will be another thing that once used to be a problem that is not one any longer.

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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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