They started out more like nightmares. Pieces of furniture blocking me from getting to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

I would struggle, grabbing the ends of each item in my way, until I would finally startle awake in a cold sweat. Realizing my wheelchair was there within reach, I would laugh to myself in relief.

Every night they reoccur, stranger and crazier than the night before.

Earlier tonight, there were ladders, and a group of women with my mother as their leader...all standing between me and the proverbial bathroom.

I am patiently waiting for the day when I will be able to walk straight to the bathroom.

I exercise each day and practice walking with a walker, as often as I can.

Recently, my best achievement in walking was to start at my doorway and stride all the way down to the end of the hallway.

150 steps, as counted by my caregiver, Denise, who followed behind me, with my wheelchair, in case I suddenly needed to sit down.

I am proud as can be and want more of the same. But in the interim, I think I need to call my brother, Tim, and ask politely for my favorite walker back.

He has been using it since his open heart surgery after his heart attack several months ago.

We talked a few days ago, and he said he was driving back from Winco, a supermarket, and he proudly told me he went without the walker for the first time since the operation.

Perfect timing to get my walker back and start using it around the apartment.

That way, I can ease into using it more and more, until the day, I no longer need my wheelchair at all.

From now on, I am going to put an end to my nightmares and replace them with new dreams coming true.

Walking will encourage me to live a fulfilling life, with endless possibilities for the future.

I am ready to walk now. Please wish me well.