high maintenance

My sister-in-law, Elizabeth, recently commented that I have maintained my appearance just as I tried to do before the stroke.  She works at a stroke clinic in Kansas City and said this is not always the case with stroke survivors.  Appearance has always been important to me and it is still part of my recovery it is my responsibility to know how and when to schedule appointments for nails, face, hair, etc.

It’s the little things like not having jagged edged finger nails and always painted toe nails.  I go to a shop with Vietnamese ladies down the street.  They have a sixth sense and seem to know how to be very gentle.  My left hand is usually curled up so they have to stretch my fingers out while trying to file, clip and paint.  Pedicures are not really enjoyable as they used to be.  My left foot is so sensitive that I can hardly bare being touched.  The ladies figure out how to adapt  and make me want to come back.  Their service removes the burden from my caregiver who really doesn’t want to do this for me.  I schedule monthly facials to maintain clean skin. I made a promise to a former hairdresser 30 years ago that I would never go grey so the cut and color I have every nine weeks is an imperative. 

I recognize that all of the above constitutes high maintenance.  I justify that just because I’m sidelined from the general walk of life does not mean I’m sidelined from appearance.