Our Christmas Eve on New Years Eve

I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast with my family. At 9:30 I then went back to my bedroom to do my stretching and weight exercises. at 10:30 I then road for thirty minutes. At 11:00 I took a shower before lying down to rest. I had slept until 1:45 before getting up to have a bowl of soup for lunch and a piece of muffleletter sandwhich. I then had some Christmas cookies for dessert. At 2:00 I rested in the recliner I have in my room. I then got up at 5:00 to have odderves with the family, while engaging in conversation. At 7:00 we then had some meat pie my mother had made. At 7:15 I called Stacie to see what time she would be arriving tomorrow. We then sat down to open the gifts in our stockings. We were all soon in bed.

Getting ready for Christmas

I began my Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. I then made my way downstaires to ride for thirty minutes, but first I began a load of laundry. Once I had finished riding I then put the laundry in the dryer. At 11:00 I then put the laundry away before doing my stretching. At 11:45 I then did my weight exercises. Once I had finished exercising I then folded and put laundry away. At 1:00 I lied down to rest and I slept until3:30. Once I was up I had a snack and some egg nog. At 4:3o after my shower I then cleaned my bathroom. At 5:45 my sister had arrived. My mother then broke out the odderves, before siiting down to eat home made fish chowder for dinner. We then sat in the living room to chat before going to bed.

New Years Eve Party at West Side

I began my Thursday moring at 7:30 a.m. by eating my breakfast. At 8:15 I brushed my pearly whites before beginning my stretching and weight routing. At 9:10 I then began to ride for thirty minutes I then put laundry away. Once I had taken my shower I packed my things to go to WestSide. At 10:30 I began a load of laundry. At 10:45 I then ate my lunch. At 11:00 I hung the laundry to dry. I then soon left for WestSide on United. At 2:00 I meet with Brian to talk about things. At 3:00 during my p.t. session with Dan, he had me first doing leg raises with weights. I then got ready for the new years eve party. We first started the party with some odderves. We then broke up into twe teams to play Jeopardy 2011. At 5:30 Ed passed around pizza for us to eat. At 6:15 we then did some dancing. Well we had music and those who could dance, did. Then at 6:50 we had the count down til New Years. We even had a champain toast. At 7:00 United then took me home.

DICK FROM UNITED TOOK TO AND FROM WESTSIDE TODAY, MY D,YOUVILLE BUDDY WHO LOVES HIS COFFEE

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. I then went back to my bedroom at 7:40 to begin doing my stretching and weight exercises. Once I had put my laundry away I then took a shower, thus getting ready for my day ahead. At 9:00 I hung some laundry to dry before leaving to go to WestSide. Dick from United had picked me up. He was at d'youville while I was there. It seems like he had been picking me up and taking me home quite a bit. Upon my arrivel for a 9:30 p.t. appointment with Amanda, She first had me walking on the tredmill with my brace on. She had me do two 10 minute intervals resting in between each one. Amanda then had me go to the parallel bars to do knee and leg raises. She also had me doing squats. After I had eaten my lunch, I then joined support group. Bill, Pete, Denese, Tod, Dee Dee and I shared our weekly happenings with Deb, Jen, and one another. At 2:00 Dick from United Wheelchair took me home. I arrived home at 3:15. Once inside, I immediatly went to my bedroom to do my stretching and weight routine. I took the night off from riding. At 4:15 I then went on facebook briefly to leave a note to a friend. I then continued by making my daily blog, before eating dinner.

Blood work at F.M.H.

I began my Tuesday morning bright and early by taking a ride over to Franklin Memorial Hospital with my dad so that I could have some blood work done. It took them three times before they could find a vein willing to release some of that precious blood. I arrived back home at 8:15. Once inside I immediatly ate my breakfast. Once I had taken my shower and got my self ready for my day ahead, I then lied down to rest at 9:15. I had slept until 11:00 before getting up to eat some lunch before going to the ywca for aquasize group with WestSide. United soon picked me up to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel I rode over to the ywca with Ed. Once at the ywca, we changed into our swim suits then went into the pool. Ed first had Shelly and I do some stretching in the water. The three of us then tossed a ball around. I had caught myself gasping for breath once. Ed was concerned and curiouse to as what was going on. So I preceded to let him know. Once we were back at WestSide Dick from United took me home. Funny thing, Dick was a patient at d'youville while I was there. Once I had arrived home I had done my stretching routine and weight exercises. At 5:00 I then took my shower before sitting down to eat soup for dinner with my parents. At 7:00 I then went to my bedroom to blog before calling it a night.

What to say?

I began my Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. At 9:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. At 10:00 I then back to my bedroom to stretch and do my weight exercises. At 10:50 I continued to organize papers in my bedroom. At 11:00 I then sat down to write the poem I had posted yesturday in the notebook I have been keeping my poems in. At 11:30 I sat down to eat a bowl of soup for lunch. I lied down to rest at 12:15. I slept until 3:00 before getting up at 3:00 to ride the swin air dine. I then proceded by doing my weight exercises and stretching. Once I had taken my shower I then sat down to eat dinner at 5:30. I then called it a day.

Merry Christmas

I began my Christmas day morning at 7:00 a.m. by stretching and doing my weight exercises. At 8:00 I then made my way downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. At 8:30 I then went upstairs to drink my cocoa and eat an egg sandwhich. Once I had finished eating I then took my shower getting ready for my Christmas day. At 10:00 I left to go to church with my mother. Once church was over, my mother and I went to pick up my grandmother. We arrived home at 12:00. After I had posted my Christmas poem on my blog, I went to the kitchen to open my grandmothers gifts to me and she had opened the ones I had given to her. We are not celebrating Christmas until next week, but I am opening gifts with my grandmother so that she can avoid the confussion next week. At 1:00 I then had a bowl of soup for lunch. At 2:00 I then put clean sheets on my bed so that I could lay down to rest. I had slept from 2:10 until 4:20 before getting up to stretch and do my weight exercises. At 5:15 I took my shower before talking to my sister on the telephone. I then sat down to eat dinner with my parents. I soon called it a night. I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Merry Christmas Aunt Joan.

A CHRISTMAS DAY POEM

Christmas day is upon us

With family and friends we share,

Opening gifts, and stockings we hang

And calling on those we care.

A light fluffy snow falls from the sky

As jingle bells sound through the town,

Everyones nestled, snug in their homes

Not a soul around, to be found.

As people make their way, to and from church

To celebrate the Lords day,

As the mass is being said

They concentrate, and do pray.

That the loved ones, they hold in prayer

Are safe, where ever they may be,

So they to will be together

With family.

But for those of us who can't be together, and have to prolong the holiday

We sit and relish the moment, when we too can play,

With family and friends, laughing and singing

On their CHRISTMAS DAY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TO ALL

Christmas Eve

I began my Christmas Eve morning at 10:00 a.m. by putting my laundry away. At 10:30 I began to do my stretching routine. At 10:40 I took a brake and went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made ham and eggs along with some toast this morning. Once I had brushed my teeth I then continued to stretch. At 11:30 I made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 12:00 I continued my stretching and weight exercises. At 12:40 I then took my shower before I lied down to rest. I slept from 1:00 until 3:00 before getting up to eat my lunch. At 3:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine from 3:30 until 4:00 before going back to my bedroom to stretch and do my weight exercises. At 4:00 I then took a shower to get ready to go to my cousins with my parents for Christmas Eve. While there I had beans chicken and other goodies. I then talked with my cousins and relatives. It was a nice quiet enjoyable Christmas Eve. My parents and I were soon home by 8:00 p.m.

wrapping gifts for Christmas

I began my Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. by eating my breakfast. At 9:00 I then returned to my bedroom to begin doing my morning workout. I first began by stretching to loosen up those muscles. I then did my weight exercises. At 10:00 I then began to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 10:30 I hung a load of laundry to dry. A load my mother had started before leaving to go to work. At 10:50 I went to my bedroom to take my shower. I then continued by cleaning my bathroom. At 11:30 I began another load of laundry before cleaning the bathroom downstairs. At 12:00 I made myself a chicken sandwhich with a yogurt. At 12:15 I then hung the laundry to dry. At 12:25 I had put my laundry away my mother had brought up to my bedroom,before I lied down to rest at 12:30. I slept until 3:00 before getting up to wrap gifts with my mother for two hours. I then r0de the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then stretched and did my weight exercises,before taking my shower. I then sat down to eat some clam chowder for dinner. At 7:00 I went to my bedroom to blog, thus soon calling it a day.

Playing cribbage during p.t. and baking cookies during o.t.

I began my Thursday morning at 5:30 a.m. by doing my stretching exercises. At 6:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 6:30 I then went back to my bedroom to take my shower and to get ready for my day ahead. At 7:00 I then began a load of laundry. I then continued to get ready. At 8:00 I hung the wash to dry. I then made my bed. At 8:05 I gathered my things to put by the door. At 8:10 I began another load of laundry. At 8:45 I hung it to dry. My ride arrived shortly after. Once I had arrived at WestSide I spoke to Brian about things. I then had p.t. at 11:00. Today Amanda first had me riding the bike for fifteen minutes. We then played two games of cribbages while I stood on a pad within the parallel bars with a chair behind me so as to sit in in case I get tired. tHE Purpose of this exercise is to work on my ballance. Oh by the way I skunked her the first game and beat her the second. It must have been my lucky day. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 1:00 I had o.t. with Nancy. Today nancy had me making cookies in the kitchen, so as to use my hand and arm. And I have to say, they turned out a.o.k. I then left for home. Once I had arrived home I rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes, before taking my shower. I was a little tired to go through the entire workout. At 4:30 I sat down to blog so as to take it easy the rest of the night.

using my peak flow meter

I began my Wednesday morning at 5:30 a.m. this morning by stretching those muscles. At 6:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Dad made me an omlet this moring. Once I had finished eating I then went back to my bedroom to take a shower and get ready for my day ahead. Once I had started the dishwaher, at 7:15 I then began a load of laundry. Once I had hung the laundry to dry, United Wheelchair arrived to bring me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for my 9:30 speech appointment, Diana had helped me with my peak flow meter. I blew into it three times, and it reached 350 each time. At 10:00 during my p.t. session with Amanda she had me walking on the tredmill for five minutes before I began to gasp for breath. I then took a break. I was able to make 1.22 miles before I took a second break eventually calling it quits. I then went to the room across from the gym to rest for forty minutes before going to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:00 I then had my o.t. session with Nancy. Today Nancy had me using the wee to work on my balance. At 1:00 I joined support group for an hour before going home. Upon my arrivel home I emptied the dishwasher before going to my bedroom to do my stretching. I then went down stairs to ride the swin air dine. At 5:00 I then ate dinner with Dad before getting comfortable for the night. After my shower I sat down to blog.

Off to the doctors today

I began my Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by stretching all my bones. At 8:30 I then began to do my weight exercises while drinking my hot cocoa. At 9:00 I took a brake in the action to eat my breakfast, and to put laundry away. At 9:30 I then jumped on the swin air dine to rde for thirty minutes. At 10:00 I said good-bye to my mother who was going down to my sisters to stay with her while she recovers from her surgery. After my shower I then started a load of laundry at 10:40. At 11:20 I then hung on the rack to dry. At 12:00 I sat down to eat lunch while watching the news. At 12:30 I lied down to rest for an hour before going to my doctors appointment with Doctor Auger. At 1:30My dad arrived home to take me to the doctors. I had told Doctor Auger about my breathing problems as a result of my stroke. He had given me an Inhaler to breath into before any strenuous activity. I arrived back home at 4:00 p.m. once inside I went straight to my bedroom to do my stretching, and weight exercises. At 4:45 I then rode the swin air dine. Once I had finished riding I took a shower at 5:15 I then before eating my dinner. I then sat down to blog. Soon calling it a night.

opperation day for my sister Barbara.

I began Monday morning at 4:30 a.m. by doing my stretching. At 5:00 I then began to do my weight exercises and drink my cocoa while doing so. At 5:30 I then went down stairs to ride the swin air dine. At 6:00 I then made my way back upstairs to eat my breakfast. After my shower I then continued to get ready for my day ahead. At 7:30 United arrived to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel at 9:00 a.m. I had p.t. with Amanda. During my p.t. session Amanda first had me walking on the tredmill. I walked .225 miles in ten mimutes. She then had me doing some exercises to end the sesion. On Wednesday she wants me to just do my stretching in the morning to save my energy for our session at WestSide. Today I had a breathing attack during our session. It is hard to explain what had happened. It is like I start breathing rapidly and unable to stop. During my session with Deb we talked about things my cookies I had brought in and other things. We also talked about my breathing with Deb. I then had a fifteen minute case management session with Piper at 12:00. United then took me home. Upon my arrivel I had lunch before lying down at 12:15. I was so tired I slept until 4:15 before getting up to talk with my mother. At 6:00 I then took my shower and got comfortable for the night. At 6:30 I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my mother. My father was in portland with my sister. She was being opperated on today to have her golbladder out. In and out in one day at Maine Medical Center. I then called my friend Tim to talk for a while before sitting down to blog. I then watched a Christmas movie before calling it a night. The Santa Claus.

Packing up those Christmas cookies

I began my Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. by non other then doing my stretching routine, along with my weight exercises while drinking my cocoa. At 9:45 I then made my way to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I made my way back downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then took my shower getting ready for my day ahead. At 11:30 I began to help my mother organise and get ready box's to pack cookies in so as to give out to friends and and family. At 12:15 I then lied down to rest. I slept until 2:00 before getting up to make myself a peanutbutter and honey sandwhich toasted. At 2:15 I then started the dishwasher and a load of laundry. At 3:00 I hung the laundry on the clothing rack to dry. At 3:30 I then jumped on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 4:00 I then fixed box's of cookies with my mother to hand out to people. At 5:00 I stretched and did my weight exercises. At 5:35 I continued to help my mother with the cookies. At 6:15 I talked to a friend on the telephone, before writing out Christmas cards. At 7:00 I then took my shower before eating dinner with my mother. I then sat down to blog soon calling it aday.

when is there a break in the action

I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by doing my stretching and weight routine. At 8:50 I then put my laundry away while drinking my hot cocoa. At 9:05 I began peddling for thirty minutes. At 9:35 I made my way back upstairs to eat breakfast. After my shower I was then feeling a little tired, so I went to bed at 10:40 and I slept until 1:40.Once I was awake, I got up to get myself ready to go to church for 4:00 p.m. with my mother in Jay. After church we arrived home at 5:30. Once inside the house I went to my bedroom to stretch and do my weight exercises. I was feeling a bit tired so I only road the swin air dine for fifteen minutes tonight before calling quits for the day. I then went to my bedroom to take a shower and get comfortable for the night. At 7:30 I went to the kitchen to eat my dinner. At 8:00 I sat down to blog. It was then off to bed.

cleaning, laundry, and exercise, and a nap I so deservingly earned

I began my Friday morning at 7:50 a.m. by drinking my cocoa while stretching in my bedroom. At 8:30 I then began to do my weight exercises. I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 9:05 I started a load of laundry, before getting on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:40 I then washed dish's that were in the sink. At 10:00 I hung a load of laundry to dry. After taking my shower I then cleaned my bathroom. At 11:00 I bagan another load of laundry, before I continued to organize my bedroom. At 11:30 I then put clean sheets on my bed. At 12:00 I folded laundry that was dry to make room for the next load to put on the clothing rack. At 12:30 I was feeling a little famished so I made myself a grilled ham and cheese sandwhich. Once I had finished eating, I then lied down to rest at 1:00 and I slept until 3:30. Once I was up I then began to do my stretching and weight exercises. At 4:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 5:00 I fixed myself a plate of left overs before taking a shower. At 5:20 I went out to the kitchen to eat dinner with my parents. I then sat down in my recliner in my bedroom for a while to watch television. At 7:00 I went to my computer to blog. I then called it a day.

skiing with the wii

I began my Thursday morning at 5:30 a.m. buy stretching and doing my weight exercises. At 6:30 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast before going downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. At 7:30 I made my way back up to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for my day ahead. United arrived in my dooryard at 9:00 to take me to WestSide. upon my arrivel I had a counceling session with Brian. Once I had relieved myself of my frustrations, Brian then gave me an assignment. He would like me to write down the spacific exercises I would do in a typical training year in preparation for skiing with the Maine Handicapped race team. At 11:00 during my p.t. session with Amanda, I first road the bike for twenty minutes. She then had me on the exercise mat doing spacific stretching exercises. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen area to eat my lunch with other clients. At 1:00 during my o.t. sessiong with Nancy, she had me skiing with the wee. You talk about needing good balance, of which I have none, plus have week legs. Especially my right one. Oh, I also had the gatebelt strapped around my waist. Next week Nancy wants me to come up with a cookie recipe that I can make. At 2:00 Dick from United took me home. He had spent some time at D'youville while I was there. I arrived home at 3:15, thus riding the swin air dine for thirty minutes before stretching and doing my weight exercises. I then took my shower before sitting down to blog.

pers breathing

I began my Wednesday morning at 5;00 a.m. by stretching, doing my weight exercises, and riding the swin air dine for thirty minutes. Once my exercise routine was finished, I then ate my breakfast before showering and getting ready for my day ahead. United arrived at 8:30 to transport me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel, I began my theropy with a p.t. session with Amanda in the gym. Amanda first had me on the bike for fifteen minutes. She then had me doing some upper extremedy activity. I was using five pound weights stretching my arms in every direction imaginable. Amanda then gave me a pick to put on the bottum of my cane so as to dig into the ice so I don't slip. At 11:00 Tobie covered for Nancy during my O.T. session. We first did wii ski racing. While doing so I experienced some breathing problems. Tobie was a bit shocked. She has not worked with me since before my stroke. I then did some perse breathing to help get the situation under control.Pers breathing is where you breath in though your nose and out slowly through your mouth. Then to end the session she had me doing some wii golf. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with other clients. At 1:00 I went to the confrerence room for support group with Deb. This week I was able to share a little more on my weekly struggles and frustrations while dealing with my stroke. After support group, I left for home. Upon my arrivel home at 3:00 I immediatly got on the swin for thirty minutes. At 3:45 I then began to do my stretching exercises, then my weight exercises. At 4:42 I then took a shower before sitting down to eat dinner. I then sat down to blog before calling it a day.

Running in the pool

I began my Tuesday morning at 7:00 a.m. by stretching and lifting those weights. At 8:30 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 9:00 I brushed my teeth before riding the swin air dine. At 9:40 I then showered and got ready for my day ahead. At 10:00 I then made myself a half a sandwhich before leaving to go to WestSide 11:00. Upon my arrivel at 12:30 John and Michelle took a group of us to the ywca for aquasize. While in the water today John had me stretching and get this running, Much easier going against the water. I then continued to walk back and forth in the pool. We were back to WestSide by 3:00. United then took me home. Even though the pool was a little warmer today I still had to take a nice hot shower to get rid of that chill. I then sat down to blog before eating dinner with my parents. I then called it a day.

Talking to Piper about my schedule

I began my Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by stretctching my muscles. What else is new. But, if I didn't do that everyday I would be walking around stiff as a board. I then proceded by doing my weight exercises. At 6:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 6:30 I then went downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. After my shower I waited for United to arrive to take my to WestSide. Upon my arrivel to WestSide for a 9:00 a.m. P.T. appointment with Amanda. Amanda first had me peddling for fifteen minutes. She then had me standing on a pad near the parallel bars while we played rummie. This allowed me to work on ballance and shifting my weight. At times I would need a brake. So I would back up and sit in the chair. After my p.t. session I went to the room across from the gym to rest. I actually fell a sleep this time. I had just enough time to eat my lunch before my next appointment. At 11:00 I then meet with Diana. During my speech session Diana and I talked about my breathing and exercises to do, to help it. I then meet with Carol who was filling in for Deb during my support session. I read to her some of the poems I had written and told her what I have been doing in my theropy. Pryor to my stroke I use to work with Carol weekly at WestSide while I was receiving rehad on my first time around. At 12:00 I had my case management session with Piper. She had asked me how my theropy was going and if there was anything that she could do for me at this time concerning my theropy. At 12:15 United then took me home. I arrived home at 1:30 thus finishing my lunch before laying down to rest. I slept from 1:40 Until 4:00 before getting up to stretch and do my weight exercises. I didn't have enough in me to ride tonight. After my shower I then ate dinner at 5:00 before sitting down to blog at 6:00. I then soon called it a day.

Shopping here and there and everyehere

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching routine. Once I had eaten my breakfast At 9:15 I then took my shower continuing to get ready to go to church for 10:00. Once the mass was done, we then went to wal-mart to buy some things I had on my list. First my mother and I stopped to see my grandmother, at the Pierce House. Once we had left Wal-Mart we took a ride to Hannaford at 12:45. We then took a walk over to Rite aid to look for some cards ect. We arrived home at 1:30. Upon my arrivel I spoke to my sister on the telephone. At 2:00 I then filled out a Christmas card before sitting down to eat my lunch. At 2:15 I lied down to rest and I slept from 2:15 until 4:15. Once I was up I went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. I then went to my bedroom to stretch and do my weight exercises. At 5:40 I then ate dinner before taking my shower at 6:00 soon then calling it a night.

Catching up on all of the rest I miss out on during the week

I began my Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. I got up, changed my bed thus putting on clean sheets. I then drank my cocoa while putting my laundry away. At 9:50 I then went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. My mother had made some blueberry pancakes. MM MM. Once I had brushed my teeth I then went downstairs at 10:15 to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then hung laundry to dry before going back up to my bedroom to stretch and do my weight exercises. At 12:00 I took my shower before writing out some Christmas cards. At 12:45 I then went to the kitchen to have a bowl of soup for lunch. I then lied down to rest. I slept from 1:45 until 4:00 before getting up to do my stretching and weight exercises one more time before the days end. At 5:00 I then sat down to blog before riding the swin and eating dinner. I need Saturdays every so often. It seems like a busy schedule but to me it's a walk in the park. It is probably because I don't leave home that day.

The dreaded phone that made it all final

I began my morning at 8:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. At 8:40 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:10 I then made my way back up to my bedroom to begin doing my stretching. At 9:30 I took a little break to start the dishwasher. I was then back to my bedroom to continue with my stretching. At 10:00 I began with my weight workout. Both leg and arms. At 10:15 I then took a break from my workout to start a load of laundry. After my shower I then put Laundry away to make room to hang more laundry to dry. At 11:15 I then washed some dish's before making that dreaded telephone call to Maine Handicapped Skiing to make it all official. Liz had answered the telephone. I then proceded to let her know I will not be able to ski this year. It is not that I can not ski physically, but for safety reasons my doctor at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center wants me to take the season off from skiing to give my head a chance to heal. Since I had a concussion and a stroke in the same year, that sounds reasonable. But I will be back. At 11:45 I then emptied the dishwasher before liing down to rest at 12:15. I had slept until 2:50 before getting up to make out some Christmas cards to send out. At 3:15 I then rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then continued by doing my weight exercises and stretching before taking a shower. At 5:15 I then ate dinner with my mother before sitting down to blog.

Special event at WestSide Bates College Students to sing Occopella

I began my Thursday morning at 5:00 a.m. by non other then stretching and doing my weight exercises. At 6:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 6:45 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then continued to get ready for my day ahead. Dr. K.'s office called. My neourologyst up in Bangor to tell me to increase my medication intake daily. At 9:00 a.m. United WheelChair arrived to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel I meet with Brian for a one on one counceling session. He had given me an assignment. To make a list of events on how I prepare myself for the ski season starting with where I am at right now. At 11:00 during my P.T. sessiong with Amanda, she first had me riding the bike for twenty minutes, then she had me doing leg lifts on the mat with weights. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:10 I went in the room across from the gym to rest until 1:00. I then had my o.t. session with Nancy. She had me working on my balance by using the wee. The wee ski to be exact. At 2:00 I had another break before the special event. I used this time to clean up and get out of my gym clothing and put on some pants and a shirt. I then used the remaining time to rest. We then first gathered in the kitchen to eat. We had spaghetti with an alfrado sauce. First we decorated cookies. we then Jingo. Then Bates College Students showed up to sing accapella. It was symply ausom. At 6:30 we then left for home. I arrived home at 8:15 I arrived home, blogged, and off to bed.

Bowling on the wee with Jill and other bance acitivities using the wee. Oh and the infamous gate belt

I began my Wednesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by stretching and doing those weight exercises. At 6:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. My mother had made me an egg sandwhich. Once I had brushed my teeth, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 7:00 I continued to get ready for my day ahead. At 7:40 I gathered my things, grabbed my lunch and I was off to WestSide, once United Wheelchair had arrived. Upon my arrivel for 10:00 a.m. I had p.t. with Amanda. She first had me riding the bike for twenty minutes. Amanda then had me in the parallel bars doing leg raises. At 11:00 I then went into the room across from the gym to rest. At 11:45 I went into the kitchen to eat lunch with Dee Dee. At 12:00 I then had O.T. with Jill. She had me using the wee to exercise my arm by swinging it while playing golf and bowling. At 1:00 I had support group with Deb and Diana. Dee Dee, Tod, Bill, Denise, and I shared the latast information we've been bottling up in the past week. At 2:00 I then left for home. Upon my arrivel at 3:10 I had a snack before riding the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 4:00 I did my stretching and weight exercises. After my shower I then ate dinner with my parents. Once I had finished eating, I then sat down at 4:40 to do my blog.

a bone chilling experiene

I began my Tuesday morning at 7:00 a.m. by stretching and doing my weight exercises. At 7:20 I then sat down to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then started the dishwasher. At 8:50 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:20 I then took my shower, thus getting ready to go to WestSide Neourorehab. At 10:50 I had called my grandmother before leaving for Lewiston on United Wheelchair. Upon my arrivel to WestSide, a group of clients plus John and Michelle travelled to the YWCA to swim. Upon our arrrivel we all got changed and into the pool we went. Was it ever cold. What I did hear do to low funding the Y is unable to heat the pool any warmer then it was. When it came time to get out I needed John to help me to the lockerroom because my right side was stiff. I arrived home at 4:40 took a nice hot shower before eating a nice hot bowl of soup along with a grilled cheeze. I then did my stretching exercises, before sitting down to blog.

Catching up on the weekend

I began my morning On Saturday December 3rd at 6:00 a.m. by showering and getting ready to go to my sisters for the weekend, after a brief stretching routine. I then loaded my things into the car. I was soon on my way to scarborough with my parents at 8:00 a.m. We arrived at my sisters at 10:00 a.m. My parents were then on their way for there weekend of Christmas shopping. At 10:30 Barbara and I went shopping at the Maine Mall. At 12:00 we returned home. After eating lunch I lied down to rest and slept from 12:30 until 3:00. I then did my stretching for thirty minutes. I then sat down to play skip-be with my sister Barbara while waiting for my Aunt Marion to arrive. At 7:00 the three of us went to Baily's to eat dinner. We returned home at 8:00 and went right to bed.

Sunday December 4th

I began my Sunday morning At 8:00 a.m. after my shower by eating my breakfast with my sister Barbara and Aunt Marion. Once we had finished eating at 10:00 the three of us went to Stone Wall Kitchen, in York, Maine to do some shopping. At 12:30 we returned home. Once inside I had lunch before lying down at 1:00 to rest. I slept for two hours before getting up to stretch. Once I had finished stretching I then called my greandmother. I then played skip-bo with my sister until 5:30. After a quick game of words with friends I took my shower and organized my things to go home tomorrow. I then ate dinner with my sister. She had made an Irish Stew and an apple crisp for dessert. At 8:00 I then went to bed.

Monday December 5th

I began my Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. by stretching. At 6:00 I then took my shower before eating breakfast. At 6:45 I then brushed my teeth, thus organizing my things before going to WestSide. United Wheelchair would be picking me up from my sister in scarborough taking me to Lewiston for theropy. Upon my arrivel to WestSide I had p.t. with John Martins. He first had me ride the bike for twenty minutes I then walked around the downstairs at WestSide. Once I was back in the gym John and I played cribbage while standing to see how long I could go before I had to sit down. At 10:00 I then went to the kitchen during my break to eat lunch. At 1:00 I then had speech with Diana. We talked about my breathing and Neck exercises. She also would like me to keep a journel of every time I have a problem breathing and what I was doing at the time. I then had a rehab sessiong with Deb. Tegether she and talked about things. Mainly my recovery and frustrations during the recovery. At 1:00 I had arrived home. My mother had called from work before I had lied down to rest. I rested from 1:10 to 3:30 before getting up to ride the swin stretch and do my weight exercises. I then took a shower ate dinner, blogged and soon called it a day.

Packing to go to my sisters for the weekend

I began my Friday morning at 8:20 a.m. by changing my bed. After starting a load of laundry I stayed downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then went up to my bedroom to stretch. At 9:15 I took a break from my workout to hang the laundry to dry. I continued by stretching and doing my weight exercises until 11:00. After my shower I called my mother to ask her to pick up some medication on her way home from work. At 11:20 I called my grandmother to talk briefly. I then began to pack to go to my sisters in Scarborough tomorrow. At 11:50 I had some lunch before lying down to rest at 12:00. I was so tired I slept until 3:00. I then got up to ride the swin for thirty minutes. I then went to my bedroom at 3:35 to do my stretching exercises and weights until 4:30. After my shower I had a bowl of soup with my parents before sitting down to blog.

Another wee workout

I began my Thursday morning at 5:30 a.m. with my stretching and weight exercises. At 6:30 I then went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. At 7:00 I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine. At 7:30 I then went back to my bedroom to take a shower and get ready for my day ahead. At 8:30 I began a load of laundry. I then sat down at my computer to write out my most recent poem into the notebook I am keeping them in. At 9:00 I hung the laundry to dry. At 9:30 United arrived to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel I had my 11:00 a.m. P.T. appointment with Amanda. She first had me ride fifteen minutes on the bike. Amanda then had me reaching for cones from her hand as I stood in the parallel bars. Each time I would reach for a cone she would move the cones to a different position, so as to stretch and reach, thus working on my balance. After I had eaten lunch in the dining area with other clients I then met with Laura from Bayside who was filling in for Nancy for my O.T. session. We used the wee so as to work on my balance playing soccer trying to head the ball and avoid other objects. I also worked on balance trying to get a ball in the hole on the wee by moving back and forth on the wee board. I then finished by playing golf so as to exercise my arm. It was then time to go home at 2:00. Upon my arrivel home I immediatly got on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then went to my bedroom to stretch. I was a little tired so I skipped the weight workout. After my shower I went to the kitchen to eat soup for dinner. I then sat down to blog at 5:00. soon calling it a day.

Golf on the wee

I began my Wednesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by streatching my arms, legs, along with every muscle in my body. I then did my weight exercises. At 6:15 I made my way to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. This morning I had another bowl of oatmeal before going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 7:10 I went back to my bedroom to take my shower and to get ready for my day ahead. At 8:30 United arrived to transport me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel I had a 10:00 a.m. P.T. appointment with Amanda. She first had me riding the bike for fifteen minutes. I was able to go 1.41 miles in that time. She then had me in the parallel bars doing leg raises and squats. At 12:00 Amanda unlocked the room across from the gym for me to go into so that I could rest. I did so for fourty minutes before going into the kitchen to eat my lunch. While in the lunch room I talked with Dee Dee as she ate her lunch too. At 12:00 we had loss the power. This was during my O.T. session with Nancy. She had originally scheduled us to use the wee, but instead we went outside to take a walk. Once we arrived back to WestSide the power was back on, so we went to use the wee. We played golf so as to practice swinging my arm. At 1:00 I then had my first support group, With Deb and Nancy. Three other clients and myself sat and vented about weekly events and problems that occure in the result of our injury. At 2:00 I then left for home. Upon my arrivel home I jumped right on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then went to my bedroom to do my weight exercises, then I stretched. After my shower I then had my salad before eating my dinner. Once I had finished eating I then went to my bedroom to blog.

Sending out my first Christmas card

I began my Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. While eating my mother called to tell me be ready by 1:00 p.m. She is bringing my grandmother and I to wal-mart. At 9:10 Dr. Timothy Lukovitts office called from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He is the doctor who specializes in stroke. At 9:15 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then went to my bedroom to stretch and do my weight exercises. At 10:45 I took my shower getting ready to go to wal-mart. At 11:15 I then sat down to write a Christmas letter to send out in a card. Once I had finished my letter I then did my facial exercises. At 12:30 I talked to a friend on the telephone. At 1:30 I then left to go to wal-mart. While there I picked up some folders to put some papers in. At 2:30 my grandmother, mother, and I went to the D-N-D over at the Mt. Blue Shopping Center to get a hot chocolate. At 3:00 we left to go home. Along the way we dropped my grandmother off at the Pierce House. At 3:15 we arrived home. I immediatly changed into my shorts and a t-shirt, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. At 3:50 I then went to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. I then stretched to end my workout. At 4:45 I then took my shower getting comfortable for the night. At 5:00 I sat down to eat dinner. At 5:30 I filled out two Christmas cards to mail out. At 6:30 I then sat down to blog, soon calling it a day.

Hmmm, TIRED! Why is that.

I began my Monday morning at 4:30 a.m. by non other then stretching. At 5:00 I then turned to my weight exercises. At 5:30 I then made my way downatairs to ride the swin air dine. At 6:00 I was back upstairs eating oatmeal and bagel for breakfast. After my shower I continued to get ready to go to WestSide. United arrived at 7:45 to bring me there. Upon my arrivel for a 9:00 a.m. p.t. appointment with Amanda. She first had me on the bike for twenty minutes before switching over to doing leg raises in the parallel bars. While doing any form of therapy I tend to get short of breath so Amanda brought over a chair for me to sit in. At 10:00 during my break I first went to an empty theropy room to rest. I then had a snack before going to speech with Corina at 11:00. During my speech session with Corina we talk about breathing exercises I could be doing. She then had me practice them. She then gave me some hand outs. It is ironic how I never had breathing problems until I started my theropy at WestSide. It is probably because I am more active now. At 11:30 during my support session with Deb we talked about things. Mainly how discouraging it is to see where I am at, versus where I was before the stroke, but I am making progress. At noon I had my case management session before going home. I mainly talked about how I am joining the support group tomorrow which will be every Wednesday from 1:00-2:00, and other things. I arrived home at 1:30. I was so tired I went right to bed and slept from 1:30 to 3:30. I then got up to stretch. At 3:40 I then jumped on the swin air dine for a half an hour. I then went up stairs to continue stretching. But first I had some sauteed' mushrooms to hold me over until I ate dinner. Once I had finished my stretching I then turned to my weight exercises. At 4:40 I then ate a salad before taking my shower. After my shower I then ate my dinner before working on my letter I am sending to some people in a Christmas card. At 6:00 I finally sat down to blog.

MM MM POT ROAST TONIGHT!

I began my Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. by stretching. At 8:00 I then continued by doing my weight exercises before riding the swin air dine. At 9:00 I then had toast dunked in cocoa for breakfast. After my shower I coninued getting ready to go to church. At 10:00 I then left to go to church with my mother. Once church was done, we took a ride to hannaford so that I could pick up some medication and a few other things on my list. On our way home we stopped by to visit my grandmother. We soon arrived home at 12:15. I then had two english muffin pizza's for lunch before laying down to rest. I slept three hours before getting up at 3:45. Once I was up I then changed my bed before riding the swin air dine for a half an hour. I then went back to my bedroom at 4:20 to do my weight exercises. Once my stretching routine was done At 5:30, I then took my shower thus getting comfortable for the night. I then ate dinner. MM MM POT ROAST! Once I had finished eating I then went to my bedroom to blog, Once again.

A Christmas Letter to Send

I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by stretching. I then of course did my weight exercises. At 9:15 I then made my way to the kitchen so as to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After my shower I then sat down at my desk at 11:00 to write a letter to send to some people in a Christmas card. Did I say Christmas? Unbelievable it is here already. At 12:20 I lied down to rest. I slept until 2:30 before getting up to put my laundry away. At 2:40 I then made my way to the kitchen to eat lunch. At 3:00 I then went back to my bedroom to begin doing my stretching and weight exercises. At 4:00 I then made my way back downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After my shower I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my parents. Once I had finished eating I then went to my bedroom to blog before calling it a day.

Laundry Day

I began my Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. by doing the obvious, stretching. Once I had finished stretching my sister took me to the hospital to have my blood drawn. Along the way we stop to see my grandmother. Upon our arrivel back home, I then said good-bye to my sister she then left to go home. I then sat down to eat my breakfast, I was famished. Once I had finished eating at 9:50 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. At 10:20 I then started a load of laundry and the dishwaser. At 10:30 I then took a shower before folding laundry and putting it away. I then hung a load to dry on the rack. I then hung sheets out on the clothing line to dry. At 11:20 I started another load of laundry. At 11:40 I spoke to my father briefly on the telephone before putting laundry away while watching the news. At 12:30 I began another load of laundry this time a dark load. does it ever end. At 1:00 I then emptied the dishwasher. At 1:30 I lied down to rest. I slept until 4:20. I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner. Once I had finished eating I then went to my bedroom to stretch and do my weight exercises. At 5:45 I rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 6:40 I then took my shower before having a dessert. I then went to my bedroom to blog. I soon called it a day.

Happy Thanksgiving

I first would like to start by wishing all my blog followers a HAPPY THANKSGIVING. My Thanksgiving moring started by doing the usual, Stretching and weight lifting. At 8:30 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast before making my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:50 I then took my shower getting ready for my day ahead. At 10:30 I then sat down in my bedroom to watch the parade until 12:40. With in that time I just happened to fall a sleep. At 12:40 I got up and went into the kitchen to eat the turkey innereds. At 1:00 I then played a game of skip-bo with my grandmother. At 2:10 we sat down to eat our thanksgiving dinner. At 3:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 4:00 I then went to my bedroom to lift weights. I then stretched before taking my shower. At 4:45 I sat down to have some pumpkin pie before calling it a day.

A day at WestSide called off due to snow

I began my Wednesday morning by calling United transportation to see if they were transporting today. Being a snow day it was highly unlikly, but I wanted to make sure. I was right, so that ment my day at WestSide was canceled. Once off the telephone with the dispatcher from United I began to stretch and do my weight exercises for an hour. At 9:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 9:15 I then went downstares to ride the swin air dine. After a thirty minute workout I then went back to my bedroom to do my mouth exercises. At 10:00 I went on face book for a while before taking my shower. Once I had cleaned up for the day I was so tired from exercising I layed down to rest. I slept from 11:15 until 1:00. I then got up thus talking to my mother and sister before eating lunch. After a brief conversation I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then went to my bedroom to do my weight exercises then stretch. I then took a shower before going into the kitchen to eat dinner at 5:00. At 5:30 I then talked to friends on the telephone. Soon calling it a night.

Thanksgiving dinder at WestSide

visit to my neourologist in Bangor Dr. kulandaivel

I began my Monday morning at 8:40 a.m. by taking my shower and getting ready to go to my doctors appointment in Bangor with my father. At 9:00 I made my way to the kitchen to have toast dunked in cocoa. My father and I were soon on the road to Bangor at 10:00 a.m. At 12:00 noon we arrived at Governor's Restaraunt for lunch. Once we had finished eating we then made our way over to Neourology Associates of Eastern Maine P.A. for my appointment with Doctor Kulandaivel. While there I talked with the doctor, letting him know I had experienced

siezure like symptoms once about a month ago during the whole recovery time from the stroke, so for precautionary measures he uped my medication dose from 600 mg daily to 900 mg daily. Before leaving he had ordered me to have blood work done at Franklin Memorial Hospital tomorrow. At 2:45 my father and I left for home. We arrived home at 4:30. I then began to work out before dinner. Thus stretching and lifting weights. I was feeling a little tired so I thought it be best to skip the swin to night. After my shower I then ate dinner before sitting down to blog.

Back to church

I began my Sunday morning at 5:30 a.m. by doing the usual, stretching. At 7:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast, egg sandwich and home fries. Once I had finished eating, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After my shower I then got ready to go to church. some where I have not been since my stroke. At the end of mass the priest was all concerned seeing me walk with a cane and was curiouse as to what had happened. I proceded to inform him I had a stroke on May second. He then mentioned visiting me and even going to lunch. I arrived home at noon, immediatly going to my bedroom to rest. I slept from 12:00 to 3:00 before getting up to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 3:30 I then called my grandmother to talk briefly before stretching and doing my weight exercises. At 4:45 I then took my shower cleaning up before dinner. Once I had finished eating with my parents, I then sat down to blog.

Another Christmas cookie day

I began my Saturday morning at 7:15 a.m. by stretching and doing the weight exercises ect. At 8:15 I then got on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 8:50 I then took my shower before eating my breakfast. Once I had finshed eating my pancakes, I then went into my bedroom to make my bed and to dust. I then talked to a friend on the telephone briefly. At 11:00 I began to make chocolate almond cookies. Once I had the batter all mixed and the kitchen picked up, I then stuck the cookie dough in the refrigerator. I then lied down to rest at 12:00. I slept until 3:00 before getting up to stretch for a half an hour. At 3:30 I then rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 4:00 I then continued to do my stretching and weight exercises. After taking my shower I then sat down to eat dinner at 5:00. Once I had finished eating, I went to my bedroom to blog.

computer problems, FIXED!

I began my Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. I then went back to my bedroom to begin doing my stretching and weight lifting exercises. At 10:45 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then went upstairs to pick up the kitchen. Once the kitchen was clean I called up fairpoint communication to have then help me fix my computer. Ever since the power went out, I have not been able to log on to the internet. Once I had that problem solved I then filled out the survey from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. At 12:45 I lied down to rest. I had slept for two hours before getting up to eat lunch. I then sat down to blog for yesturday. At 4:00 I went downstairs to ride the swin air dine again for thirty minutes. At 4:30 I went back to my bedroom to stretch and do my weight exercises. I then took my shower before eating dinner at 5:30. At 6:00 my sister had called we spoke briefly I then played words with friends on my Iphone. At 8:00 I sat down to blog before going to bed.

Thursday November 17 "CRASH"

I began my Thursday morning at 6:00 a.m. by doing the usual stretching and doing my weight exercises. At 6:45 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 7:00 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. After I had showered and and was totally ready for my day ahead, I then waited patiently for United to arrive. Upon my arrived at WestSide for an 11:00 a.m. p.t. appointment with Amanda. During the session she first had me peddling the bike for thirty minutes. She then had me lifting weights while standing. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 1:00 I then had my O.T. session with Nancy. During our sesion together she helped me create steps to follow so as to use Pandora radio on my Iphone. I then practiced doing them. At 2:00 I sat down with Dr perna to talk about things. At 3:00 I then left for home with Frank from United. Little did I know the trip wasn't going to be a smooth sailing as usual. Around 3:30 as we were coming off the crash road in Jay we arrived at the light, thus turning to go onto route 4. The light had turned green. Frank started to go and an oncoming car thought he could beat the yellow light and side swiped right into the United van we were in. I was actually sleeping at the time of the accident. My knees were jammed together and of course I had awoke. Everyone was O.K. Frank called in the accident to his dispatcher who in turn sent another van to Jay to continue my trip home. I have been hit by a car when I was 12, but I have never been in a car accident. I was shaken up more then anything. At 5:15 I arrived home. Thus taking my shower before eating a bowl of soup for dinner. I then went right to bed. What an exciting day! Or was it?

speed walking during during p.t.

I began my Wednesday morning at 4:00 a.m. by doing, YOU GUESSED IT, stretching. At 5:00 I then did my weight exercises. At 5:30 I made my way to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 6:00 I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine. At 6:30 I then went back to my bedroom to shower and get ready for my day ahead. Once I was entirely ready I then did my mouth exercises. At 7:30 United arrived to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for a 9:30 speech appointment, I first stopped at the front desk to ask Melissa if it woud be possible to have United pick me up Monday December 5th at my sistes in Scarbourough. No problem. Diana then gave me some tips during my speech session on how to wake up the nerves around and inside my mouth. she first suggested buying an electric toothbrush to vibrate on the outside of my mouth using the flat side to wake up the nerves. She then suggested to stroke the side of my tongue with an ice cube to do the same thing, wake up the nerves. At 10:00 during my p.t. session with Amanda she first had me peddling the bike. I did 1.66 miles in twenty minutes. She then had me walking around Westside on the bottum floor where the gym and kitchen are. Towards the end of the session Amanda had me walking at a fast pace with a gate belt on so if I were to lose my balance she coud catch me. It wasn't so much my balance, but my foot started to get tired and started to drag a little. At 11:00 I then left for home. Thank goodness it was a short day. After that P.T. session, I was wiped. I arrived home at 12:00 thus making myself a sandwhich for lunch. At 12:30 I then lied down to rest. I was so tired I didn't wake up until 4:00 p.m. I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 4:30 I went back to my bedroom to do my weight exercises and to stretch. After my shower I then went to the kitchen to eat my dinner. At 6:45 I sat down to blog before soon calling it a day.

Lights out again

I began my Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. by of course stretching and lifting "weights". At 8:45 I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then started the dishwasher. At 9:00 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. At 10:00 I then put some laundry away before I took a shower. At 10:30 I then went to rite aid to buy two birthday card and an anniversary card for my parents. I arrived home at 12:30 thus emptying the dishwasher. At 1:00 I then lied down to rest. I slept until 3:00 before getting up to do my stretching. At 4:00 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After my shower, we lost power at 5:00. It didn't come back on until 7:00. Few just in time to blog and go to bed.

who's covering for who?

I began my Monday morning at 4:00 a.m. by non other then stretching and lifting weights. I then hopped onto the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 6:00 I then went upstairs to eat my breakfast. This morning I had a french toasted peanutbutter and bananna sandwhich. Once I had finished eating, I then took my shower, thus getting ready to go to WestSide. At 7:30 United Wheel Chair had arrived. Upon my arrivel to WestSide for a 9:00 a.m. P.T. appointment with Amanda, she first had me riding the bike for twenty minutes. She then had me in the parallel bars doing leg and knee extentions. Amanda and I then played a game of rummie on a boared extending from one side of the parallel bars to the other, so that I could stand for an extended period of time, with a gate belt strapped around my waist. before the time ended my legs became a little shaky. At 10:00 Amanda opened the room across from the gym for me so that I could go in to rest during my break. At 11:00 I had my support session with Diana who was covering for Sally, who was covering for Deb. I showed Diana the medication I was prescribed by my doctor down at Dartmouth. Diana then mentioned to me about keeping a record for a week, every time I have an episode of where I have a hard time catching my breath and what I was doing at that time. Diana then mentioned to me if I had signed up for the Thanksgiving Dinner WestSide is putting on. I am glad she had mentioned it to me. I never saw the sign up sheet in the lobby. I then read Diana my poem Deb wanted me to write. During my case management session with Piper at noon she had me sign some release forms. She had also mentioned to me about joining Wednesdays brain injury support group done during the day at WestSide. I thought it was a good idea. At 12:30 I then left for home. I arrived home at 1:30, thus having a bowl of soup before lying down to rest. I had slept for a couple of hours, before getting up at 4:00 to stretch and do those weight exercises. At 5:00 I then took my shower before going into the kitchen to eat my dinner. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to blog. At 6:30 I then called it a day.

Forms to fill out

I began my Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. by stretching for thirty minutes before going into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I then filled out some forms concerning one of my many hospital visits in the past year. At 10:30 I then went to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 11:00 I then went to my bedroom to do my facial exercises. Snearing and making those funny ooo ooo ooo and eee eee eee sounds in order to shape my mouth as such. At 11:20 I then cleaned my bathroom before putting my laundry away. After taking my shower I then lied down to rest. I slept from 12:20 until 3:00. exercising really does wear me out. Once I was up I went to the kitchen to eat a salad, to hold me over until dinner. At 3:15 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes before calling my grandmother. We talked briefly, I then began to do my stretching routine. At 5:00 I went into the kitchen to eat dinner. My mother made a meatloaf. Once I had finished eating, I took my shower, thus getting comfortable for the night before sitting down to blog.

Rolling Out, "Things"

I began my Saturday moring at 8:00 a.m. by stretching and lifting weights as usual, but I think it's working, or is it, it must be. At 9:15 I then did my facial exercises. I know I rarely mention doing these types of exercises, but I do, do them. At 9:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 10:00 I ate my breakfast before showering. I then called my grandmother. we talked for ten minutes, before rolling out the coconut dream cookies with my mother. once they had been rolled in coconut we then bake them off. At 12:50 I then did the dish's. Once the kitchen was picked up, I was then starting to feel a little tired, so I decided to lie down to rest at 1:00. At 3:30 I then got up to eat some lunch. Once I had finished eating I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. At 4:30 I then did my weight exercises. I then went into the kitchen to roll out those things. They are a non bake cookie made out of butter, confectionary sugar, and coconut. Once the dough is made you then roll into one inch balls then roll in choped nuts. At 5:05 I then did my stretching exercises before taking my shower. I then had a bowl of chowder, before sitting down to blog. What a day!

Working on a word search puzzle

I began my Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. by going into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa while looking for a few words in a word search puzzle. After I had finished my cocoa,I then went to my bedroom to begin my stretching/weight exercises. At 6:40 I went to the kitchen so as to eat my breakfast. At 7:00 I then went back to my bedroom to complete my exercises. Once I had done my weight exercises I then went to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. After my shower I then went to the kitchen to work on a word search puzzle for ten minutes before receiving a call from aunt marion to wish a happy Veterans Day. At 9:10 I then continued to work on the word search puzzle. I then played words with friends on my iphone until 11:30. I then began feeling a little tired. I lied down to rest at 12:00 and I slept until 3:00. I'm still amazed at how tired I become so easily since my stroke. Once I was up from my rest, I then went downstaires to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 3:30 I then made my way back to my bedroom to do my weight exercises, then my stretching. At 4:30 I then did my facial exercises. I know I don't mention doing these that often, but I do, do them. I also have to Ice the side of my mouth thus making a snear. This is suppose to help with that facial droop. At 4:45 I then took my shower before eating my dinner. At 5:40 I went to my bedroom to blog.Thus soon calling it a day.

Off to Tim Hortons with Nancy during my O.T. session today with my Lap Top to use the wi fi

I began my Thursday morning at 6:40 a.m. by stretching and doing my weight exercises. Once I had eaten my breakfast, I then took my shower. Imagine that. I skipped riding the swin air dine this moring. Reason being, we had to have a pump and a pipe put in so our water had to be turned off. Before the guys came to work on it I had cut my work out short so as to get a shower in. After my shower I then lied down to rest at 9:00. I had slept until 11:00 before getting up to eat my lunch. At 11:30 United Wheel Chair had shown up to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for 1:00 P.M. O.T. session with Nancy, She and I immediatly hopped into her car and went to Tim Horton's. Once we were there we got my lap top out and logged onto their systom. Nancy then showed me Hulu. She then helped form steps to follow so that I can watch a t.v. show or a movie. Nancy then put the apt onto my Iphone. At 2:00 we then went back to WestSide, so that I could catch my ride home. I arrived home at 3:10. At 3:15 I then began my exercise routine. First riding the swin air dine, weights, then stretching. At 4:30 I then ate dinner. At 5:00 I then took my shower before blogging. I then called it a night.

Lunch with Dan

I began my Wednesday moring at 5:00 a.m. by stretching those bones. At 6:00 I then went on the swin air dine for a half an hour. I then went upstairs to eat breakfast. This morning I had a peanutbutter and bananna sandwhich toasted. After my shower I then picked up my bedroom before leaving on United to go to WestSide for a 9:30 a.m. speech appointment, with Carina. She and I spoke about breathing exercises to help with my breathing. At 10:00 during my p.t. session with Amanda, She first had me on the mat doing leg raises. She then had me on the bike for fifteen minutes. At 11:00 I then went to lunch with Dan Doyon the Chaplan at D'youville. We went to mom and pop diner next to WestSide. After an enjoyable lunch and great conversation At 12:00 Dan took me back to WestSide So that I could meet with Nancy for an o.t. session. Today Nancy first had me do the arm bike for fifteen minutes. We then used the wee. While using the wee I worked on my balance while ski jumping and slalom. She also had me try the golf. But first you'll never guess what had to be done. You guessed it, the gate belt was first put on. Safety first. At 1:00 United arrived to take me home. Upon my arrivel at 2:30 I jumped onto the swin air dine. I road it for thirty minutes, I then began my weight exercises. At 3:30 I then began to stretch until 4:05. Once I had finished stretching, I went to the kitchen to eat dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog, before soon calling it a day.

D'YOUVILLE EVER AFTER

I would like to extend a big warm thank you

To my therapists, at D'youville,

Who helped me to climb, ever so quickly

Up a very steep hill.

My recovery thus far, hasn't been easy

But with allot of effort and work,

I too helped the process along

Without thus giving a jerk.

Jared you've helped me, get back on my feet

To be able to take my first step,

To build those muscles in my legs

The hard work up, I've kept.

Erica you too, had played a big roll

Using safety, while in the kitchen,

So I too, once I returned home

Could do, my share to pitch in.

Lyn, without your help, I 'd be going crazy

While recovering here at home,

If you too hadn't showed me

How to download music onto my phone.

The blog has been a big part of my life

So as to share info and updates,

So that who helped me at D'youville

What 's going on? You won't have to wait.

Taking the time to write a poem about my therapy sessions at D'youville

I began my Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. I then went downstaires to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then went to my bedroom to do my arm and leg exercises. At 9:30 I then sat down to write a poem, which I will post after todays blog. At 10:00 I finished my exercising by doing my stretching exercises. At 10:30 I then change my bed. I then unloaded the dish washer. At 11:30 I sat down to eat spaghetti for lunch left over from last night. At 12:00 I lied down to rest. I slept until 2:30 before getting up to copy a poem I had written in my notebook. At 3:00 I began to do my stretching. I then rode the swin air dine for a half an hour. At 5:30 I then a shower before sitting down to eat my dinner with my parents. Once I had finished eating, I then sat down to blog, before typing my poem, thus calling it a night.

Appointment day with Dr. Lukovits at Dartmouth Hitchcock medical Center

I began my Monday morning at the hotel we were staying at in Dartmouth at 6:00 a.m. By getting up to take my shower and get ready for the big appointment with Dr. Timothy G. Lukovits. At 7:00 My parents and I went to eat breakfast, in the dining area in the hotel we were staying, Mariot courtyard. We then made our way over to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for an 8:00 appointment so that I could have a C.T. scan of my brain. During the C.T. scan I had to have a salene die injected in through my arm. What a warm salty sensation. We then went out into the huge lobby area to wait to meet with Dr. Lukovits at 10:00. While in his office he was showing my parents and I the pictures taken from the C.T. scan. Dr Lukovits was showing us where my injury was from age six. from the cerebral hemerage, and the stroke that I just had. He was telling us some people have heart attacks and my body is pron to having strokes. After my appointment we then left for home at 11:00 a.m. At 12:00 we stopped to get a bite to eat in Gorham N.H. We then ventured onward arriving home at 3:00. Once inside I immediatly changed into my gym shorts and a t-shirt and went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 3:30 I then lifted weights both arm and leg. At 4:00 I began to do my stretching, until 4:30. Once I had taken my shower I then went to the kitchen to eat a bowl of soup for dinner. At 5:30 I sat down to blog, thus soon calling it a day.

Off tho Dartmouth

Well I have already done my morning stretching routine, but not enough time to to ride the bike. I have already showered and ready to go. For breakfast I had an egg sandwhich. I will soon be on the road for a four hour trip to Dartmoth Hitchcock Medical Center with my parents. I am hoping for some good news from the doctor tomorrow. Keep your fingures crossed. I know I am.

Packing to go to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center to visit the stroke specialist

I began my Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. by stretching and lifting weights for an hour. At 9:00 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:30 I then wwent to my bedroom to put my laundry away. I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I dunked my toast in hot cocoa. Once I had finished eating I then went to my bedroom to change my bed. Nice to have those clean sheets. I then packed my napsack. I am leaving tomorrow for Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with my parents. I have an appointment first thing Monday morning with my doctor to hear the results of all of the testing I had done while I was a patient at Eastern Maine Medical Center. At least from his point of view, being a stroke specialist. At 12:00 I then typed Dr. Perna's poem and posted it on my blog. At 12:30 I baked off the spritz cookie batter with my mother I had made yesturday. At 2:00 I then ate some lunch before lying down to rest. I had slept for a couple of hours before getting up to stretch until 5:00. After my shower I then had some corn chowder for dinner. At 6:00 I had spoke with my sister and my grandmother on the telephone before sitting down to blog. I then soon called it a night. Anearly one at that.

A fare well poem to Dr. Perna

Dear, Doctor Perna

It has been a joy talking with you

Throughout the past years,

The thought of you leaving your post

Often does bring me tears.

In the past weeks

You've encouraged me well,

Now I can say

I will not dwell.

What is done is done

I have a lot of work to do,

Thanks to your outlook

I will pull through.

While walking down the halls, at WestSide

You'd encourage me to explore my goals,

So I too will reach my peak

While experiencing my high's and my low's.

So I wish the best, on your journey

And successes you may endure,

And that some day our paths will cross

Through goals we may explore.

Best of Luck Doctor Perna!

Thanks again, Tory.

Poety in motion

I began my Friday at 7:30 a.m. by eating my breakfast. At 8:30 I then Stretched before lifting weights both arm and leg. At 9:30 I then road the swin air dine for a half an hour. Once I had finished exercising, I then took a shower getting ready for my day ahead. At 11:15 I then sat down at my desk to write out a poem. Once I had done so I then gave my grandmother a call. I then Lied down to rest. I exercised so much this morning I slept from 11:30 until 2:10. Once I had got up, I went to the kitchen to eat some lunch. At 2:30 I then sat down to write a poem in my notebook. I am doing so that I can access them mote easily. At 3:00 I then road the swin air dine for a half an hour. at 3:40 I then lifted weights before doing my stretching. I will sleep good tonight. At 4:40 I then took my shower before working on a word search puzzle. At 5:15 I then sat down to eat corn chowder for dinner. I then went to my room to blog, I soon then called it a day.

P.T. with Diana?

I began my Thursday morning at 4:30 a.m. by doing my stretching routine. Once I had lifted my weights I then went to the kitchen to to eat my breakfast. At 6:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. After a half hour swin air dine work out I then took my shower getting ready for my day ahead. At 7:45 I then sat down to type out my most recent poem onto my blog. At 8:45 I began to write my poem in my notebook. At 9:30 United picked me up to go to WestSide. Upon my arrivel I had P.T. with Diana who was filling in for Amanda who was covering for Dan. During my p.t. time I first road the leg bike for twenty minutes. Diana then had me lying down on the mat to practice my deep breathing exercises. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with other clients. Kay, her ade Theresa, Mark , and Greg. At 1:00 I had my O.T. Session with Nancy. During our time together she helped me write out some Ideas I could talk over with Doctor Perna during our session. She then printed off a copy of my latest poem. At 2:00 I then met with Dr. Perna. We talkee about my goals, frustrations, I even read to him my latest poem. Frank from United then took me home. I arrived home at 4:00. I first took a shower and got comfortable, before eating my dinner. At 5:00 I then blogged, before calling it a day.

RECOVERY

My recovery thus far, has been a long stretch

Since the date of my stroke,

The longer it takes me to get back on my feet

I realize this is no joke.

While at Eastern, I began to heel

Things were done for me from shower to dress,

Just as well, I had not a care

Which gave me more time to rest.

As hard as it was, to adjust to the fact

That I actually did have a stroke,

I was hoping this was, but a dream

And suddenly, I had awoke.

But as time past, I was discharged

From Eastern, to d'youville rehab,

There I would learn to do the things for myself

To be proud and to be glad.

The first month had passed, while in rehab

I was still being monitored to bathe and dress,

But I was getting stronger, and there wouldnt't be much longer

I then would be given the test.

I soon was allowed to walk in my room

And to do things at my own will,

But the hall way was off limits to me

For the safty of others, still.

My last two weeks, while at d'youville

I was given permission to walk down the hall,

But just to the nurses station and back

Just so I would not fall.

It was soon D DAY, I was to go home

But my theropy was far from yet being done,

I'd soon be walking without that brace

Maybe someday I'd run.

While at WestSide for the past three months

A lot of the work, I have done at home.

From lifting weights, to riding that bike

And stretching to loosen my bones

The tunnel I climb through, is yet so deep

But gets brighter every inch of the way,

And I too someday will walk and run

And be glad I did not go a stray

Persuing voc rehab on hold

I began my morning by stretching as usual. I then ate my breakfast at 7:00. I then lifted weights before riding the swin. At 8:00 put the laundry in the dryer. At 8:30 I then rode the swin. At 9:00 I then took a shower getting ready for my day ahead. At 9:30 Piper called wanting to know how I was doing. At 10:00 I then hung the laundry to dry on the clothing rack. At 10:40 U nited picked me up to go to WestSide. Upon my arrivel I had an o.t. session with Nancy. together we talked about voc rehab and Division of the blind not going to persue at this time. We then talk abot apts on my Iphone. At 1:00 Sam brought me home. At 2:00 I arrived home had a snack then I lied down to rest. I was so tired I slept from 2;00 until 4:30. I then got up to stretch and ride the swin air dine. At 5:30 I then lifted weights. I then took my shower, ate dinner and soon called it a night.

A trip to St. Mary's Hospital, during aqusize group?

I began my Tuesday morning on this first day November at 7:30 a.m. by eating my breakfast. At 8:10 I then began to do my stretching, until 9:00. Once I had put my laundry away at 9:10 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine, for a half an hour. After my shower at 10:15 I began a load of laundry. Once I had washed the dish's that were in the sink, I then sat down to eat my lunch at 10:30. I had left over english muffin pizza and a yogurt. After I had brushed my teeth I then put the dish's away that I had washed. At 11:00 I then hung out the load of laundry to dry. At 11:45 United wheelchair had picked me up to take me to the ywca. There I had met john, April and a group of clients from westSide to do aquasize. Little did I know I would end up at St Mary's hospital before the end of the group. But I have been experiencing breathing problems since I arrived home from d'youville. Sure enough while in the pool today john had me try swimming dog paddle while kicking my feet. Sure enough I started to pant like a dog. It was more like shortness of breath. John immediatly helped me out of the pool and called 911. He then took me into the locker room to change. Before leaving on the ambulance my breathing had simmered down a bit. Along the way to the hospital the paramedics stuck a fibrillator in my mouth to help me breath. Upon my arrivel to St. Mary's I had some x-rays done. the doctor on duty seemed to think it was do to the chlorine in the pool, But I am going to get it checked out by my doctor. At 5:00 United picked me up at St. Mary's and took me home to Farmington. I arrived home at 6:30. I immidiatly took a shower, ate my dinner, did my blog, I then was in bed by 8:15. What a day.

Focusing on my breathing during speech today

I began my morning this Monday at 6:00 a.m. by non other then stretching, weights, swin air dine, ect. At 7:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. This morning I had oatmeal and english muffin. Reminds me of a morning getting ready to go skiing, because that is what I would eat to warm my body before hitting the slopes. Oh well, next winter. Once I had finished eating at 7:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. After my shower I then continued to get ready to go to WestSide. United wheelchair soon arrived at 9:30 to pick me up. Upon my arrivel to WestSide this morning I began my day with a speech session with Diana at 9:30. We spent our time in John's office. Diana first had me lie down. She then had me recite row row row your boat with my arms raised once I had taken a deep breath. She also would like me to practice at home lifting my arms and lowering them slowly while breathing in and slowly exhaling with my lips pursed so the air slowly goes out my mouth. During my support session with Deb we talked about things. Yes I am getting a little discouraged at this point, but that hasn't stopped me from constantly exercising and making progress. It is just not happening soon enough. I know it is a long road toward recovery. Deb would like me to write a poem on how far I have come since the day I was admitted to Eastern Maine Medical Center on May 2nd, to a patient at d'youville, to my first day at WestSide, until now, so that I can look back at the progress I have made. I told her I would give it my best shot. Once I am finished with the poem I will be sure to post it on the blog. I then had my case management session with Piper. We first discussed medical things, we then spoke briefly on how I was dealing with life in general. At 12:30 Lou from United drove me home. Upon my arrivel home at 1:30 I had eaten my lunch before I had lied down to rest. I was so tired I slept from 1:45 until 4:00. I then got up to stretch. I was still a little tired so I cut my work out in half, by shortening each set of stretching exercises I do. I then road the swin for fifteen minutes instead of thirty. At 4:45 I then took a shower before eating my dinner with my mother. At 5:40 I sat down to blog before calling it a night.

Another cookie day

I began my Sunday morning at 8:20 a.m. by stretching as usual. After an hours worth of stretching I then road the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 10:00 I then went to the kitchen to drink my hot coca. After my shower I then put my laundry away before going out into the kitchen to eat pancakes for breakfast. At 11:30 I went back to my bedroom to lie down to rest. I slept for three hours. All of that exercising sure does wair me out. At 2:30 I then got up to eat some lunch with my mother. Once I had finished eating, I then baked off my cocoanut kiss cookies. Once I had baked those off I then mixed up the batter to the butter spritz cookie recipe. I just love this time of year. At 4:15 I then went to my bedroom to stretch once again, but this time I did a shorter version cutting my routine in half. I then road the swin for fifteen minutes instead of thirty. After I had taken a shower I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my mother. At 6:00 I then watched part of a movie before blogging at 7:00, I then called it a night.

Organizing my poems and a visit from grandma

I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by loosening up my muscles. At 9:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Mom had made some bannana muffins this morning. At 9:30 I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After my shower I then sat down to copy some of my poems into a notebook that were on my desktop. Just incase my mother baord ever decides to go again I will have them. At 11:30 I played a game of skip-bo with my grandmother. At 12:30 I then had some lunch. My mother had made some english muffin pizza's. At 12:45 I then lied down to rest. I slept until 3:00 before getting up to stretch and do my weight exercises. I then went downstairs at 4:30 to ride the swin air dine. After my shower I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my mother. At 6:00 I watched television with my mom before calling it a night. At 8:00 I then went to my bedroom to blog.

Just another day of ...............

I began my Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. Once I was up, I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 9:20 I then started a load of laundry before beginning to do my stretching regimen. Once I had completed my stretching routine and off the telephone with my mother who had called from work to let me know of my upcoming appoitments to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. I then began to do my weight exercises. At 10:15 I then started another load of laundry. This time sheets. I then hung them out to dry. At 11:30 I then jumped on the swin air dine to ride for thirty minutes. At noon I then had a bowl of soup for lunch while watching the news. I then took a shower before making my bed. I then lied down to rest at 1:10 thus sleeping until 3:30. I then stretched for thirty minutes before getting on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 4:40 I then lifted weights before before cleaning up before eating dinner with my parents at 5:30. I then went to my bedroom to blog.

THE MIND IS A MYSTERY

My feelings towards this stroke I've had

Stretch out so far and wide,

Reminds me of a mirrored image

You really can't see inside.

Although I'd like to know what's going

On inside my head,

The only time when I'm relaxed

Is when I'm Lying in bed.

I'm sure if you looked at my brain

So very deep inside,

The answere to what's going on

Is like a rollor coaster ride.

The doctors tell me, that I could have

Another stroke at anytime,

But to live for what today does hold

Is the only thing on my mind.

I feel like a walking time bomb

And with every step I take,

Just like the earth does tremor

When we experience an earthquake.

But for now, I will absorb

Every day with ease,

As to keep my mind so calm

As the wind does blow a breeze.

Trying to get beeds out of theropuddy. Not as easy as you think.

I began my Thursday morning at 5:30 a.m. by stretching. At 6:00 I then lifted arm and leg weights. At 6:30 I then made my way to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. Once I was ready to go to WestSide I then sat down to write my poems in my notebook while waiting for my ride. At 9:30 United arrived to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel I had my p.t. appointment at 11:00 With Amanda. She first had in the parallel bars doing leg raises. Amanda then had me riding the leg bike for thirty minutes. After a break I then meet with Doctor Perna to discuss how things are going. He will be setting me up to speak with an intern. I then had a break from 1:00-2:00. During this hour I went to an empty room to rest. At 2:00 I then had my O.T. session with Jill. She first had me using the peg baord. Jill then stuck beeds in some theropuddy and I had to get them out, using only my right hand. She then had me trying to take bolts off screws. I then read to her some poems I have written. Once I had arrived home I rode the swin air dine for fifteen minutes. I then went to my bedroom to do my stretching. Once I had lifted my weights I then took a shower and got ready to eat dinner. I then sat down to blog soon calling it a day.

Wee fun or not so fun

I began my Wednesday morning at 4:00 a.m. by performing my stretching routine. At 5:00 I then began to lift my weights in various different exercises. Leg and arm. At 5:30 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating at 6:00, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. After my work out, I then showered getting ready for my day ahead. At 7:00 I then cleaned my bathroom before sitting down to wait for United to arrive, to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for 9:30 I meet with Diana for speech. During our session we first went to John's office to practice breathing exercises. Dianna then had me practice my snear before the end of the session. Diana is also having me recite row row your boat, so as to be able to practice breathing when doing so. At 10:00 Amanda came to the lobby to get me so as to take me to the gym downstairs for our session. Once in the gym Amanda had me riding the leg bike for ten minutes. She then had me using the wee, so as to test my balance. While doing the balance test I was to get a little red ball in the center of a circle the best I could and keep it there. The end results were that I have the balance of a sixty year old man. While I was rocking around on the wee fit board, Amanda had a hold of me for dear life, by using the gate belt. She then had me doing the wee ski, so that I was shifting my weight from side to side while sking the slalom cource, so as to make it around the gates. At 11:00 during my break Amanda opened the room across from the gym so that I could go in to rest. The last fifteen minutes I went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:00 noon I had my o.t. session with Nancy. We first called Vicky my voc councelor. We then did the peg test timed, so as to see how long it would take me to put them in and out of the holes. My right hand was only 10%. Nancy then had me doing a tapping test to see how many times I could tap in a minute. 1st time 31, 2nd time 38, 3rd time 37, 4th time 36, 5th time 38. Averaged out comes to 38. I then went to the kitchen with Nancy to help her make Tuna and Turkey sandwhich's for tonights Halloween party/dance. Which I did not attend. My body is not up for that type of activity yet both fysically or mentally. At 1:00 United took me home. I arrived home at 2:30. Once I was settled I began my stretching routine at 3:00. I did so until 4:10. Once I had finished my workout I then took a shower and got myself comfortable for the night. At 5:00 I then ate dinner, sat down to blog at 6:00, I soon called it a night.

Better late then never

I began my Tuesday morning at 7:00 a.m. by stretching. I then was feeling a little hungry for breakfast but decided to do my weight exercises before going to the kitchen to eat. Once I had finished eating I then put my laundry away. At 9:45 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine before taking my shower and getting ready to go to the YWCA for aquasize, with a group of clients from westside. Today John had me doing leg raises in the water befor using the noodle to add some resistence to the work out, by wrapping it around my foot and pushing downward. I arrived late to the ywca today, because Butch the United driver was held up in Turner do to an accident on route four. Once I had finished with the workout, I went into the locker room to change. John then walked me to the area where I was to meet United to be picked up for 2:45. I finally arrived home at 4:30. I was a little late getting home because we had to bring Donald home first. As soon as I walked through the door I took my shower to warm up. I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my parents at 5:00. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to blog at 5:20. I was soon in bed shortly after that. Swimming can really take allot out of a person.

My first session with Piper, my new case manager

I began my Monday morning this day at 4:00 a.m. by doing my stretching exercises. Once I had done my weight exercises, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. I then went upstairs to eat my breakfast. I then continued to get ready to go to Westside. At 7:45 aUnited Wheelchair van had arrived to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel at 9:00 a.m. I had my P.T. Sessoin with Amanda. Once I had ridden the bike for thirty minutes we then spent the remaining time walking around the halls at WestSide, and with a gate belt strapped around me. At 10:00 I then went to the room across from the gym to rest for thirty minutes. I then spent the remaining time in the kitchen eating my lunch. At 11:00 during my speech session with Diana, we went into John's Office to work on breathing techniques. At 11:30 I then met with Deb during a support session to talk about things. Reality has finally set in. I had a stroke. Although things are getting better and I am not as bad off as some, It is reality. But I have high hopes for my recovery. At 12:00 I had my first case management session wiht Piper. We went over some papers I had to have sent in for medical reasons, So as to verify my new address at my parents house. She then mailed it for me. At 12:30 Sam from United took me home. I arrived home at 1:30. After a snack Ithen lied down to rest. I slept until 3:50 before getting up to ride the swin air dine. At 4:05 I then went to my bedroom to stretch. At 4:30 I began my leg exercises with leg weights. At 4:50 I then took twenty minutes to do my weight exercises. I then got comfortanle before eating dinner. At 6:30 I called my friend Tim who also lives with a visual inpairment. We spoke for fifteen minutes. I then soon called it a night.

Cookie season begins

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by stretching and lifting my weights, for an hour. I then made my way to the kitchen to eat breakfast. My mother had made me an omlet with an english muffin toasted. At 9:50 I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine until 10:20. After taking a shower I then turned on my computer. I was on it for a half an hour, I then began to get tired. I then lied down at 11:30. I slept until 3:00 before getting up to eat lunch. Once I had finished eating I then began to make my cocoanut kiss cookie recipe. Once I had the recipe all mixed I then stuck it in the refrigerator to harden. At 4:00 I then called my grandmother. We spoke briefly, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for another thirty minutes. At 5:50 I then went to my bedroom to do my stretching and weight lifting. After I had taken my shower I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my parents. After I had eaten my dinner, I then went to my bedroom to blog, soon calling it a day.

Skip-Bo at Grand Ma's

I began my Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. by doing non other then my stretching routine. At 10:00 I took a break in the action to go to the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and to eat my breakfast. At 10:30 I then resumed my exercising routine, thus lifting the weights. At 11:00 I then went downstairs to begin riding the swin air dine. for thirty minutes. After taking a shower I then went to bed at 12:15 thus sleeping until 1:30. My mother woke me up so that I could eat some lunch before going to visit my grandmother. My mother then brought me to visit my grandmother at 2:00. While there I played skip-bo with my grandmother and a couple other woman who live there. At 3:45 my mother picked me up and brought me home. Upon my arrivel at 4:00 p.m. I went straight to my bedroom to begin stretching. After I had been stretching for an hour, I then did my weight exercises, thus going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 5:35 I then went to my bedroom to take my shower before going to the kitchen to eat dinner. At 6:30 I sat down to do my blog. While doing so my sister Barbara called. We spoke for fifteen minutes, I then returned to my blog. I then soon called it a day.

Keeping myself busy

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then emptied the dishwasher, thus putting the dish's away. At 9:45 I then hung a load of laundry out to dry on the clothing line. At 9:20 I then began to do another load of laundry. At 9:25 I jumped on the swin air dine to ride for a half an hour before hanging out another load of laundry. I then washed some dish's before going to my bedroom to do my stretching routine, weight exercises,ect. At 11:20 I then took my shower before starting another load of laundry. At 12:30 I then made myself a grilled cheeze for lunch. I then hung out another load of laundry. At 1:00 I lied down to rest and I slept until 3:30 before getting up to take in what laundry that had dried already. At 3:45 I then began to do my stretching exercises. At 4:45 I then rode the swin air dine until 5:15. After my shower I then ate dinner and soon called it a night.

Catching up with my blog

Hello my blog followers, I have been having some difficulty the past few days signing on to my blog sight, but with a little help from Nancy my O.T. at WestSide I was able to write down some steps in order to coninue bringing you up dates on my recovery. I feel at this time it is only right to pick up where I had left off. Tuesday 10/18/11..... I began my Tuesday Morning at 7:00 a.m. by stretching of course. It has only been a few days nothing has change exept my progress. At 8:15 I then got on the swin air dine and rode that for an hour. At 9:15 I then ate my breakfast before taking my shower getting ready for my day ahead. At 10 I then created a poem which has already been posted on my blog. At 10:45 I then had lunch. After brushing my teeth I then sat down to wait for United to pick my up, but first I had emptied the dishwasher. My ride then took me to the ywca in Lewiston for aquacise. with John and Michelle. while in the pool Adam Arny and a cuple of other clients started off with some stretching exercises we then did some swimming. At 2:30 U nited took me home. I arrived home at 4:15. I then began to do my stretching. Once I was cleaned up and ready to eat dinneR, I then went to the kitchen to eat spaghetti. I soon then called it a day.

Wednesday 10/19/11.... I began my Wednesday morning at 4:30 a.m. by non other then stretching and lifting weights. At 5:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. At 6:00 I then went upstairs to eat my breakfast. this morning I had pancakes and waffles. After my shower and getting ready for the day off to westside I went. Upon my arrivel for 9:00 a.m. I had speech with Diana. She first had me Looking in the mirrow and working on my snear once I had iced the area. Diana then had me do breathing exercises in John's office which is set up for relaxation sessions with clients. At 10:00 during my p.t. session with Amanda, She first had me riding the bike for thirty minutes. She then strapped a gate belt around my waist, and had me walking around the halls at WestSide. At 11:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. Amanda then opened up the room across from the gym for me to go into so that I could rest until noon. I then had my o.t. session with Nancy. Nancy first had me calling Vicky Thibeault my voc councelor from the division of the blind. Nancy and I then checked out the all tech website. We then visited the UMF center for assisted technology site. We then looked at blog. At 1:00 I left for home arriving at 2:15. Feeling tired I then lied down at 2:30 sleeping until 4:10. Once I was up I began to do my stretching. At 5:10 I then took my shower and got ready to eat dinner. I then soon called it a day.

Thursday 10/20/11.... I began my Thursday moring at 5:30 a.m. by stretching. I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine. I then went upstairs to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me a bananna and peanutbutter sandwhich toasted. At 7:15 I then took my shower before trying to blog, no luck. At 9:30 United had arrived to bring me to WestSide for an 11:00 a.m. p.t. appointment. During my p.t. session with Amanda she first had me in the paralelle bars doing legs stretching/ raising exercises. She even did them along side me. We then walked around the building with the gate belt on. I can walk with out it but not properly Amanda had me performing tasks that require a little extra balance. Amanda then had me riding the bike from 11:30 until noon. At 12:00 I then went to the dinning area to eat my lunch. At 1:00 I had nt o.t. session with Nancy. She had helped me start up my blog once again. Thank you Nancy. Sam from United then took me home. At 3:45 I then arrived home. Once I made my way to my bedroom I then began to do my stretching. At 4:30 I then took my shower before eating dinner. I then went to my bedroom, to begin blogging. Thanks again Nancy for giving me the steps to reconect with my blog.