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My basketball-playing daughter had her first tournament this weekend.  It took place in a facility which has approximately 15 courts all being used at once.  A quick calculation makes that 10 kids and two coaches on each court, plus two referees with whistles, and at least one parent cheering for each kid.  That adds up to a minimum of 360 people in one gigantic open space.  Did I mention the 15 constantly bouncing balls, too?

My husband took her to the first game in the morning.  After he scoped the joint out, he called to warn me about the noise level, and the hugeness of the facility.  The dear man also remembered to note that the bathroom facilities were about a football field's length from the court on which our daughter was playing. 

I drove the 45 minutes to the ginormous gym with my other daughter to meet them for the two afternoon games. I would not have even considered taking this trip alone pre-Liberation.  It would have been way too much driving, round trip, not to mention the stimulating events while I was there.  Granted I was not the one actually playing, but there was a time when just being surrounded by all of the noise and activity would have made me feel like I had run a marathon!  Exhausted!

Not on this day, though.  I sat, cheered, and even easily trekked to the bathroom once during our 3 1/2 hour, two game afternoon.  I felt great, and her team won one of the games I got to watch.  Go Flames!  We finally left at 6:30.  I had to stop for gas, drive 45 minutes back to our neck of the woods, and even had dinner at a restaurant before we made it home sometime after 8:00.

I was amazed at what I was able to accomplish.  I drove to Baltimore and back a few weeks ago with no problems.   Considering I haven't bothered attempting to drive any real distance in years, yesterday's trip is still noteworthy. 

This was the first opportunity that I've had to be in a wildly stimulating setting and see that my body did not shut down in its midst.  Wow!  What a wonderful experience to be able to support my girl without sacrificing my own health.  On top of that we left the house at 8:30 this morning (hubby drove us all) to go back for one last game, which they won handily.  My energy level was great, and my walking was good, too.  Pre-Lib Nicole would have needed at least a day to recover from yesterday's activities.  Not the still-improving Nicole, though.  What a gift!

I now have one more unexpected benefit from treating my stenosed veins to add to my list.  My totally unscientific belief is that my sympathetic nervous system is better able to handle sensory stimulation.  What a wonderful surprise!  I did not even realize how debilitating over-stimulation used to be on my body.  Looking back I realize how often just going to a party with music and conversation would wipe me out.

I went to one of those parties a couple of weeks ago, and didn't even appreciate that I wasn't fazed by my surroundings.  I was too busy being proud of myself for walking up and down steep steps, and playing a lousy game of ping-pong which requires balance and some semblance of coordination!

It is officially Spring.  Warm weather will be here soon, and hot sticky temperatures won't be too far behind.  My strength and coordination are much better these days when I first get out of a hot shower.  I am anxious and curious to see if my heat tolerance will be better this summer. With all of the healing my body has been able to accomplish in the past 3+ months, I have some real hope that I may not actually have to hibernate all summer in my air conditioned house. 

I accept that some things will not get better without some far off stem cell treatment.  I am grateful for what I am able to do today, and will appreciate any more improvements that may develop in the future.  If I just maintain my current status, and stop the progression of disability, this treatment is still a grand slam home run in my book.