Embarrassing Event

My birthday was last week. We planned to celebrate at home, and we did. I didn’t feel strong enough to venture out, so we ordered delivery instead.

Two days later, we finally got out in the car. We accomplished a lot that day when Hal suggested we stop at a local steakhouse so he could finally give me my birthday dinner. We went to the steakhouse, and everything was terrific. I recognized that, because my appetite had changed since my surgery, I couldn’t finish my steak, baked potato, and fried onion side dish. Hal also couldn’t finish his ribs, so we got containers and a bag to take the leftovers home.

Now the embarrassing part. I was able to get to the men’s room in my wheelchair and move to the toilet. I did my business but realized that I didn’t have the strength to get off the toilet because it was a lowrider, and I don’t have the strength to move that much.

I called Hal on my cell phone and told him about my predicament. Trapped in a single-user bathroom, and naturally, I locked the door so as not to be disturbed. I told Hal to find the manager and get him to unlock the door from the outside. By then, several people had knocked on the door, and I told them it was occupied. 

In less than 5 minutes, Hal reached the manager and unlocked the door. Hal hugged/lifted me off the toilet seat, then helped me get my pants in order so I could leave with at least some dignity. As I rolled my wheelchair back to our table, I felt like everyone was watching me with curiosity and some with pity. I resolved that the next time we were out, and I had to use the facility, we would go together to avoid the embarrassment I suffered at our belated birthday dinner. 

I wanted to crawl under a rock and hide, but I quickly realized that this was the new normal for me. I need assistance with things like a trip to the men’s room. I will try to get better, but I have to accept that I have limitations with my body now, and I have to accommodate those limitations. 

I won't stop venturing out with Hal, but I will make better preparations for future trips. As for the embarrassment, I will deal with that when it happens because I recognize that most people are very helpful with things like holding doors open for me when they see me rolling up in my wheelchair. 

Well, that is my story about a major embarrassment that happened 2 days after my birthday. I initially didn’t want to write about this, but I know it might help someone experiencing similar things.