Sunday, November 14, 2010

Staying Clean with MS OR Pimp My Shower


Taking a morning bath was just routine for me. Usually was thinking about the day ahead. No big deal...until MS. There were the relapses where I could not feel my body--at all, so getting in and out of the tub I had was not a consideration. But it was about 2000 when I noticed that lifting my head was difficult, then one day I couldn't stand up in the tub after my bath. It was as if I had forgotten HOW to stand.
First I had my partner tell me how to move my limbs to stand. My mind's eye could not "see" it. Then zip, I would stand up like nobody's business! This went on for some months until one day I could NOT get out.
My partner filled the back of the tub with big pillows, then more ahead and next to me, trying to make steps I could use my knees to push up and out with. (This was after we drained the tub. Brrr) Finally I got out, but I almost tripped and the time had come.
We bought a plastic trash bin and tried that--too unstable.
The next day I went to a medical supply store and bought a grab bar that sat on the tub rim and easily attached by turning a plastic knob. Also a bench, but three choices--which to get? I chose a plastic chair with holes in the bottom. Our bathroom was small and where could we store it so it helped me without hindering my partner's evening bath?
First try and it didn't fit the tub, too wide. It spent the next 4 years holding our laundry detergent in a closet, located in our second loo sans bath. (washer and dryer were there)
Back to medical supply store, bought most expensive bench they had. I still use it, but the next one will have holes in the seat. This one makes it harder to clean where the sun don't shine. (At least not in Seattle!)
In my new shower, shown above, many grab bars are there. Not sure why so many...anyway I am able to swing in and out. (Though I have come close to falling.) Yes, I have gripper strips all around. It gets the job done, but were I to begin anew, I would set it up differently. That accessible dream house, with a yard for our big dog.

Posted by Diane J Standiford at 12:04 AM

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7 comments:

Webster said...


Taking a morning bath was just routine for me. Usually was thinking about the day ahead. No big deal...until MS. There were the relapses where I could not feel my body--at all, so getting in and out of the tub I had was not a consideration. But it was about 2000 when I noticed that lifting my head was difficult, then one day I couldn't stand up in the tub after my bath. It was as if I had forgotten HOW to stand.
First I had my partner tell me how to move my limbs to stand. My mind's eye could not "see" it. Then zip, I would stand up like nobody's business! This went on for some months until one day I could NOT get out.
My partner filled the back of the tub with big pillows, then more ahead and next to me, trying to make steps I could use my knees to push up and out with. (This was after we drained the tub. Brrr) Finally I got out, but I almost tripped and the time had come.
We bought a plastic trash bin and tried that--too unstable.
The next day I went to a medical supply store and bought a grab bar that sat on the tub rim and easily attached by turning a plastic knob. Also a bench, but three choices--which to get? I chose a plastic chair with holes in the bottom. Our bathroom was small and where could we store it so it helped me without hindering my partner's evening bath?
First try and it didn't fit the tub, too wide. It spent the next 4 years holding our laundry detergent in a closet, located in our second loo sans bath. (washer and dryer were there)
Back to medical supply store, bought most expensive bench they had. I still use it, but the next one will have holes in the seat. This one makes it harder to clean where the sun don't shine. (At least not in Seattle!)
In my new shower, shown above, many grab bars are there. Not sure why so many...anyway I am able to swing in and out. (Though I have come close to falling.) Yes, I have gripper strips all around. It gets the job done, but were I to begin anew, I would set it up differently. That accessible dream house, with a yard for our big dog.

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November 13, 2010 7:08 PM
Diane J Standiford said...


Taking a morning bath was just routine for me. Usually was thinking about the day ahead. No big deal...until MS. There were the relapses where I could not feel my body--at all, so getting in and out of the tub I had was not a consideration. But it was about 2000 when I noticed that lifting my head was difficult, then one day I couldn't stand up in the tub after my bath. It was as if I had forgotten HOW to stand.
First I had my partner tell me how to move my limbs to stand. My mind's eye could not "see" it. Then zip, I would stand up like nobody's business! This went on for some months until one day I could NOT get out.
My partner filled the back of the tub with big pillows, then more ahead and next to me, trying to make steps I could use my knees to push up and out with. (This was after we drained the tub. Brrr) Finally I got out, but I almost tripped and the time had come.
We bought a plastic trash bin and tried that--too unstable.
The next day I went to a medical supply store and bought a grab bar that sat on the tub rim and easily attached by turning a plastic knob. Also a bench, but three choices--which to get? I chose a plastic chair with holes in the bottom. Our bathroom was small and where could we store it so it helped me without hindering my partner's evening bath?
First try and it didn't fit the tub, too wide. It spent the next 4 years holding our laundry detergent in a closet, located in our second loo sans bath. (washer and dryer were there)
Back to medical supply store, bought most expensive bench they had. I still use it, but the next one will have holes in the seat. This one makes it harder to clean where the sun don't shine. (At least not in Seattle!)
In my new shower, shown above, many grab bars are there. Not sure why so many...anyway I am able to swing in and out. (Though I have come close to falling.) Yes, I have gripper strips all around. It gets the job done, but were I to begin anew, I would set it up differently. That accessible dream house, with a yard for our big dog.

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November 13, 2010 8:49 PM
awb said...


Taking a morning bath was just routine for me. Usually was thinking about the day ahead. No big deal...until MS. There were the relapses where I could not feel my body--at all, so getting in and out of the tub I had was not a consideration. But it was about 2000 when I noticed that lifting my head was difficult, then one day I couldn't stand up in the tub after my bath. It was as if I had forgotten HOW to stand.
First I had my partner tell me how to move my limbs to stand. My mind's eye could not "see" it. Then zip, I would stand up like nobody's business! This went on for some months until one day I could NOT get out.
My partner filled the back of the tub with big pillows, then more ahead and next to me, trying to make steps I could use my knees to push up and out with. (This was after we drained the tub. Brrr) Finally I got out, but I almost tripped and the time had come.
We bought a plastic trash bin and tried that--too unstable.
The next day I went to a medical supply store and bought a grab bar that sat on the tub rim and easily attached by turning a plastic knob. Also a bench, but three choices--which to get? I chose a plastic chair with holes in the bottom. Our bathroom was small and where could we store it so it helped me without hindering my partner's evening bath?
First try and it didn't fit the tub, too wide. It spent the next 4 years holding our laundry detergent in a closet, located in our second loo sans bath. (washer and dryer were there)
Back to medical supply store, bought most expensive bench they had. I still use it, but the next one will have holes in the seat. This one makes it harder to clean where the sun don't shine. (At least not in Seattle!)
In my new shower, shown above, many grab bars are there. Not sure why so many...anyway I am able to swing in and out. (Though I have come close to falling.) Yes, I have gripper strips all around. It gets the job done, but were I to begin anew, I would set it up differently. That accessible dream house, with a yard for our big dog.

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November 13, 2010 9:15 PM
OldOldLady Of The Hills said...


Taking a morning bath was just routine for me. Usually was thinking about the day ahead. No big deal...until MS. There were the relapses where I could not feel my body--at all, so getting in and out of the tub I had was not a consideration. But it was about 2000 when I noticed that lifting my head was difficult, then one day I couldn't stand up in the tub after my bath. It was as if I had forgotten HOW to stand.
First I had my partner tell me how to move my limbs to stand. My mind's eye could not "see" it. Then zip, I would stand up like nobody's business! This went on for some months until one day I could NOT get out.
My partner filled the back of the tub with big pillows, then more ahead and next to me, trying to make steps I could use my knees to push up and out with. (This was after we drained the tub. Brrr) Finally I got out, but I almost tripped and the time had come.
We bought a plastic trash bin and tried that--too unstable.
The next day I went to a medical supply store and bought a grab bar that sat on the tub rim and easily attached by turning a plastic knob. Also a bench, but three choices--which to get? I chose a plastic chair with holes in the bottom. Our bathroom was small and where could we store it so it helped me without hindering my partner's evening bath?
First try and it didn't fit the tub, too wide. It spent the next 4 years holding our laundry detergent in a closet, located in our second loo sans bath. (washer and dryer were there)
Back to medical supply store, bought most expensive bench they had. I still use it, but the next one will have holes in the seat. This one makes it harder to clean where the sun don't shine. (At least not in Seattle!)
In my new shower, shown above, many grab bars are there. Not sure why so many...anyway I am able to swing in and out. (Though I have come close to falling.) Yes, I have gripper strips all around. It gets the job done, but were I to begin anew, I would set it up differently. That accessible dream house, with a yard for our big dog.

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November 14, 2010 12:21 AM
Cathy said...


Taking a morning bath was just routine for me. Usually was thinking about the day ahead. No big deal...until MS. There were the relapses where I could not feel my body--at all, so getting in and out of the tub I had was not a consideration. But it was about 2000 when I noticed that lifting my head was difficult, then one day I couldn't stand up in the tub after my bath. It was as if I had forgotten HOW to stand.
First I had my partner tell me how to move my limbs to stand. My mind's eye could not "see" it. Then zip, I would stand up like nobody's business! This went on for some months until one day I could NOT get out.
My partner filled the back of the tub with big pillows, then more ahead and next to me, trying to make steps I could use my knees to push up and out with. (This was after we drained the tub. Brrr) Finally I got out, but I almost tripped and the time had come.
We bought a plastic trash bin and tried that--too unstable.
The next day I went to a medical supply store and bought a grab bar that sat on the tub rim and easily attached by turning a plastic knob. Also a bench, but three choices--which to get? I chose a plastic chair with holes in the bottom. Our bathroom was small and where could we store it so it helped me without hindering my partner's evening bath?
First try and it didn't fit the tub, too wide. It spent the next 4 years holding our laundry detergent in a closet, located in our second loo sans bath. (washer and dryer were there)
Back to medical supply store, bought most expensive bench they had. I still use it, but the next one will have holes in the seat. This one makes it harder to clean where the sun don't shine. (At least not in Seattle!)
In my new shower, shown above, many grab bars are there. Not sure why so many...anyway I am able to swing in and out. (Though I have come close to falling.) Yes, I have gripper strips all around. It gets the job done, but were I to begin anew, I would set it up differently. That accessible dream house, with a yard for our big dog.

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November 14, 2010 3:00 AM
Doug B said...


Taking a morning bath was just routine for me. Usually was thinking about the day ahead. No big deal...until MS. There were the relapses where I could not feel my body--at all, so getting in and out of the tub I had was not a consideration. But it was about 2000 when I noticed that lifting my head was difficult, then one day I couldn't stand up in the tub after my bath. It was as if I had forgotten HOW to stand.
First I had my partner tell me how to move my limbs to stand. My mind's eye could not "see" it. Then zip, I would stand up like nobody's business! This went on for some months until one day I could NOT get out.
My partner filled the back of the tub with big pillows, then more ahead and next to me, trying to make steps I could use my knees to push up and out with. (This was after we drained the tub. Brrr) Finally I got out, but I almost tripped and the time had come.
We bought a plastic trash bin and tried that--too unstable.
The next day I went to a medical supply store and bought a grab bar that sat on the tub rim and easily attached by turning a plastic knob. Also a bench, but three choices--which to get? I chose a plastic chair with holes in the bottom. Our bathroom was small and where could we store it so it helped me without hindering my partner's evening bath?
First try and it didn't fit the tub, too wide. It spent the next 4 years holding our laundry detergent in a closet, located in our second loo sans bath. (washer and dryer were there)
Back to medical supply store, bought most expensive bench they had. I still use it, but the next one will have holes in the seat. This one makes it harder to clean where the sun don't shine. (At least not in Seattle!)
In my new shower, shown above, many grab bars are there. Not sure why so many...anyway I am able to swing in and out. (Though I have come close to falling.) Yes, I have gripper strips all around. It gets the job done, but were I to begin anew, I would set it up differently. That accessible dream house, with a yard for our big dog.

Stumble Upon Toolbar
November 14, 2010 6:07 AM
Diane J Standiford said...


Taking a morning bath was just routine for me. Usually was thinking about the day ahead. No big deal...until MS. There were the relapses where I could not feel my body--at all, so getting in and out of the tub I had was not a consideration. But it was about 2000 when I noticed that lifting my head was difficult, then one day I couldn't stand up in the tub after my bath. It was as if I had forgotten HOW to stand.
First I had my partner tell me how to move my limbs to stand. My mind's eye could not "see" it. Then zip, I would stand up like nobody's business! This went on for some months until one day I could NOT get out.
My partner filled the back of the tub with big pillows, then more ahead and next to me, trying to make steps I could use my knees to push up and out with. (This was after we drained the tub. Brrr) Finally I got out, but I almost tripped and the time had come.
We bought a plastic trash bin and tried that--too unstable.
The next day I went to a medical supply store and bought a grab bar that sat on the tub rim and easily attached by turning a plastic knob. Also a bench, but three choices--which to get? I chose a plastic chair with holes in the bottom. Our bathroom was small and where could we store it so it helped me without hindering my partner's evening bath?
First try and it didn't fit the tub, too wide. It spent the next 4 years holding our laundry detergent in a closet, located in our second loo sans bath. (washer and dryer were there)
Back to medical supply store, bought most expensive bench they had. I still use it, but the next one will have holes in the seat. This one makes it harder to clean where the sun don't shine. (At least not in Seattle!)
In my new shower, shown above, many grab bars are there. Not sure why so many...anyway I am able to swing in and out. (Though I have come close to falling.) Yes, I have gripper strips all around. It gets the job done, but were I to begin anew, I would set it up differently. That accessible dream house, with a yard for our big dog.

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November 14, 2010 8:14 AM

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