“Hi Christa, do you know what day it is?” my eyes peeled open for the first time in a few days.

what day is it??

thats a loaded question.

“can you tell us your name?”

easy.

“christa moritz, you know like you want more Ritz crackers!”

“do you know where you are?”

I look around… where the hell am i? “UM. i don’t know… a cafe’ with questionable artwork?”

“do you know why you are here?”

“i crashed my spaceship.”

“who is this?”

“that is my hunky husband, Sam!!!!”

i was lucky; my room had a window with a view yet there was and still is on going construction at the hospital – there was a large brick wall blocking my window.

“who decided to put a brick wall there?” i exclaimed, “thats a poor architectural decision.” the stroke affected the part of my brain that was in charge of expressive language, so i spoke in a very blank, monotone voice, making my sarcasic remarks all the more humerous.

two women with turquoise scrubs knocked on the door, peeking in my room; physical therapy and occupational therapy.

it wasnt until my visit with these two therapists that i learned of my hemi-paresis. It took the strength of these two women and a couple of nurses to sit me up straight. it was the first time i had ever not been laying down for nearly two weeks. once i was sitting, the therapists decided to try and get me to stand.

i felt like a noodle; it was almost as if my body wasn’t attached. I felt so light and confused. my legs almost gave out on me- they couldnt hold me up. in my mind, they didnt exist.

hi, i’m christa- i have a long torso and no legs.

all of the sudden there was a large walker infront of me.

“grab this handle with your right arm and lets see if Marc can hang on too.”

i did my best to hold onto the two handles and rested my elbows on the walker arm rests.time to take my first step…. and my eyes closed.

“uh oh, is she asleep?”

my eyes sprung open. “i love naps so much, i might just take one mid sentence!” Still monotone, but trying to get a tone of excitement in there.

it took me about 10 minutes or more to take my first step. i held on to that walker for dear life. my legs still werent attatched- i’m a torso floating in mid air!! 1 small step…. i felt my body get hot and my face went flush. time to sit down.

once my butt hit the hospital bed i went down for good. time to sleep! this whole walking thing is tough work!