Breathing isn't as easy as you think.

I began my last day of August at 5;00 A.M. as usual, STRETCHING, O. K. I SAID IT STRETCHING, STRETCHING, STRETCHING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD. STRETCHINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. But it works. At 6:00 a.m. I then went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then got ready to go to WestSide Neourorehabilitation services, for my daily rehab program. United Wheelchair soon arrived to pick me up at 7:30. I said good-bye to my parents, I soon was then on the road to Lewiston. When I first arrived at 8:30 I had to wait patiently in the lobby where clients normally wait for the theropy to begin, for my speech session with Carina. During todays session she had me work on breath support, saying words with the th sound, and reading sentences using allot of words with the th sound in them. At 10:00 I then talked with Karen while sitting in the lobby. At 11:00 during my O.T. session with Nancy, she showed me the I pad. I then went to the dining area with other clients to eat my lunch. at 1:00 during ny P.T. session with Amanda I started by doing some leg strengthening exercizes. Amanda then had me using the theroband to do some leg strengthening exercizes. Then to rap up the session Amanda had me doing some balance exercizes by putting one foot in front of the other and hoding the position. At 2:00 I then left for home on United wheelchair. Upon my arrivel home I hopped right on the shwin air dine and road that for 30 minutes. At 3:50 I then stretched until 4:30. I then got comfortable for the night before sitting down to call my friend Stacie. We spoke for a while, I then sat down to eat dinner with my parents at 6:00. At 6:30 I blogged, before calling it a night.

Feeling right at home

I began my morning as usual, STRETCHING THOSE MUSCLES! At 8:00 I then continude to fix my room with dad putting in a little more furniture to my room. I love it, It is like an efficiency appartment. At 9:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. My mother then called me from work to see If I wanted to go visited my grandmother. At 10:45 my dad took to visit my grandmother. While there I stayed for lunch. We had Italian bake chicken, sweet potato, spinach, along with a peanutbutter cup dessert. While at my grandmothers I lied down to rest at 12:45 sleeping until 2:00. About the time my mother arrived to pick me up. Once leaving my grandmothers we stopped off at the post offic and the grocery store before going home. We arrived home at 2:45. I then immediatly went to my room to do my stretch's. Once I had finished stretching I then went on face book to write to some people I had meet during my rehab at d'youville. At 5:00I then called my my visually impaired friend Tim to talk. We talk until 7:00. I then ate dinner with my parents. I then blogged and was in bed by 8:00. My first theropy tomorrow at westside is at 9:00 a.m.

My first day at westside neourorehabilitation outpatient services

I began my morning as usual by stretching at 5:30. Once I had finished stretching I then jumped on the swin air dine at 6:15. At 6:45 I then went upstairs to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then got ready for my day ahead; ie shower, shave, ect. At 7:45 I lied down to sleep before having to leave for Lewiston with my father at 9:00 a.m. We arrved at WestSide Neourorehabilitation services at 10:00 a.m. Upon my arrivel for 10:45 a.m. I had first meet with Ashanti my case manager to sign some paper work. At 11:00 I had speech theropy with Adam one of the speech pathologist. Adam had me pronouncing different words. Allot of words with th in them. plus other sounds. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. I sat with a client named Doug. After lunch at 1:00 I then had p.t. The physycal therapyst Amanda had me walking around westside without my brace using the estem electroids placed on my calf. The estem is a device with electroids which were attatched to my calf so as to send messages to the drop foot to help my heel hit the ground before my toe does. At 2:30 dad had arrived to pick me up to go home. We arruved home at 3:30. I then got comfortable for the night before eating dinner. My body isn't use to all of that theropy with out having a place to go to to sleep. Oh WestSide has rooms I can go to, so that I can rest, but it is not like the rehab I was receiving at d'youville where I had my own room to go back to, so that I could fall a sleep on my own bed. I guess that is what you call progress. At 5:00 I then sat down to eat my dinner with my parents. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my room to blog before calling it a night.

Spending time with my sister Barbara

I began my morning on this Sunday at 7:00 a.m. by doing my stretches, until 8:00. I then went into the kitchen to eat some breakfast.My mother had made my sister and me bacon, eggs, and toasted bagels for breakfast. After I had finished eating, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. At 9:30 after I had finished exercising, I then got ready for my day ahead. Once I was ready I then filled my pill containers for the week. I am still having a hard time remembering how to organize my new medications, but I always leave one container filled to use as a sample before filling the others. At 10:30 my sister then helped me download some apts onto to my I-touch. At 12:00 we both had a bowl of soup for lunch. At 12:40 I then went to my bedroom to do my stretch's. At 1:15 I lied down to rest and I slept until 3:30. I still can not get over how easily I get tired since my stroke. I then finished my stretching. I then got comfortable for the night. My mother then had stuffed clam shells for my siser, father and I to eat, along with some corn on the cob. At 5:00 My sister Barbara and I played scrabble on our I phones against each other. After a little dessert, I then decided to blog for the night. I then soon called it a night. It is my first day back to Westside tomrrow since my stroke on May 2. I am looking forward to it. It sure has been a long journey to get back to this point.

A visit from my stister Barbara

I began my day this Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by doing my stretches as usual. I then went into the kitchen. My mother had made me french toast for breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then went downstairs to ride the swin airdine. I then got ready for the day. At 11:20 I then talked to a friend on the phone. at 12:00 noon I stretched my bones for the second time today. At 12:30 I then lied down to rest. After sleeping for two hours my sister arrived. We first had lunch together. At 3:00 we went to visit my grandmother. She lives in the Pierce House downtown, on main street. Barbara and I stayed until 4:30. We then went home. I then stretched until 5:15 I then rode the bike until 5:30. After exercizing I had gotten comfortable for the night I then ate dinner with my parents and my sister. At 7:30 I sat down to blog, soon then calling it a night.

Two days to go 'til my first day at WestSide

I began my Friday morning after I had eaten my breakfast by doing my stretch's. I then road the bike. I then started a load of laundry before going on face book at 10:40. At 11:15 I called a friend talking briefly. I then went back on face book to message a friend. At 12:00 I then watched the news before resting at 12:20. At 2:00 I then stretched til 2:30. I then went to the kitchen to talked to my mother. I then seporated paper plates. At 3:30 A friend had called that I had meet at westside neourorehab my first time around. While on face book I wrote a message to a friend Judy. At 5:00 I did my stretches. Once I was cleaned up I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my parents. I thenspoke briefly with a friend before blogging. I then called it a night.

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. today I decided to put something into my stomache before stretching. Once I had finished stretching I thenroad the bike until 9:45. Once I had finished exercizing, I then began a load of laundry. It is amazing now my bad leg is strong enough now so that I don;t have to follow the rules to climbing stairs. Up wigh the good leg and down with the bad. Thank you Jared.Once the laundry was going, I then wect on face book to write back to some people.

Eagerly waiting for that next step in my theropy

I began my Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast and while watching the news. Once I had finished eating, I then decided to exercize. I spent an hour and a half stretching. I then jumped on the swin air dine, riding that for a good twenty minutes. Once I had cleanded up I then went on facebook at 10:15. responding to friends. After I had checked my email, I then put the laundry away that had been in the dryer. At 11:05 I then went back on line until noon. Once I had eaten my lunch, I then stretched before lying down to rest. I was so tired today for some odd reason, I had slept from 12:30 until3:30. After a quick snack, I then got comfortable for the evening. At 5:00 I then sat down to eat my dinner. At 6:00 I then stretched one more time begore calling it a night. I have to say I sure am anxiouse to begin my out patient theropy at WestSide Neourorehabilitation Services next week. It has been a nice break, but I am now ready for a little more guidence in my theropy. All I have to admit I haven't been easy on myself, but I am now ready for the next phase.

A chat with Dan

I began my morning this morming around 9:00 a.m. 0nce I had finished eating my breakfast I then continued to get ready for my day ahead. At 10:00 I began to do my stretch. At 10:45 I then jumped on the bike. At 11:40 Ispent time on line before I had sat down to eat my lunch. At 12:40 I then stretched before lying down to rest. I rested from 1:00 until 3:45. I then went to the kitchen to speak breafly with my mother before going back to my bedroom to do my exercizes from 4:00 to 4:30. I then jumped on the bike for fifteen minutes. After my shower I then sat down to eat dinner. At 6:50 I spoke with my friend Stacie. I then got on my blog to blog for the day. I then received a phone call from Dan Doyon the Chaplin at St. Mary's d'youville where I was going for therapy directly after I had left the hospital. I then went to bed.

Moving out day

I began my Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by doing my stretch's. Once I had eaten my breakfast I then washed up before taking off for Auburn with my dad. Upon our arrivel to my appartment at 11:00 my dad and I started right in pacsking things throughing things out. Once we had everything pretty much packed away in box's my dad started to bring the box's to the truck. As we were getting ready to leave I said good-bye to allot of people at Barker Arms where I was a resident for the past several years. After allot of hugs good-bye dad and I then left for home. Before leaving my neighbor Cecil said to be sure to write to give her my address. We finally left Barker Arms at 2:30, stopping for an ice cream along the way. We arrived home at 3:50. Immedaiatly began to stretch and ride the bike, 4:50. I then got comfortable for the night. After I had eaten dinner with my parents, I began to stretch one more time before sitting down to blog. I then called it a night at 8:00 p.m.

Never a spare moment

I began my Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. by exersizing. Once I had stretched and road the swin air dine,After I had eaten some breakfast I then got myself ready to get out to go shopping with my mother. We first went to Wal-Mart. there I was able to do some seriouse walking. After an hour in Wal-Mart we then stopped off at Hannaford on our way home. There I was also able to do some walking. Once we arrived home, you'll never guess what I did. That is right I stretched. Once I got myself cleaned up I then ate dinner, soon then calling It a night. I have never been so tired.

Spending time with Grandma

I began my Sunday morning at 9:00 A.M. Once I was up I went into the kitchen using my walker so as to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me bacon, eggs, and toast. Once I had finished eating I then immediatly brushed my teeth. I then began to do my stretching exercizes from 9:30 until 10:30. Once I had finished stretching I then jumped on the swin air dine, from 11:20 until 11:50. After cleaning up I then sat down with my grandmother to play a game of rummie. I then started to get tired, so I lied down to rest, thus sleeping from 1:20 until 2:30. Once I was up I then began to stretch for a half an hour. At 3:00 I then had corn, some type of potato casarole with cheeze my mother had made with tomatos. Once I had finished eating I was talking to a friend on the telephone. The phone suddenly went dead, do to a thunder and lightning storm we were having. Once the storm had passed, I then got on my computer to blog. I then stretched once again before calling it a day.

Time talking on the telephone

I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. as usual by taking the time to stretch for an hour. I then made my way to the kitchen to eat some breakfast. At 9:45 I went back into my bedroom to wash my face and to get ready for my day ahead. At 10:00 I then sat down I sat down in my recliner in my room to watch t.v. At 11:30 I then began to stretch once agan. I can tell day by day the tightening of the muscles from the stroke gets less and less, but ever so slowly. At 12:30 I was axhausted, so I lie down to rest. I ended up sleeping two and one-half hours. At 3:00 I got up to eat lunch. I then called my grandmother at 3:15 to chat. At 3:15 I talked with my friend Greg briefly before getting on the swin air dine to ride for 15 minutes. After taking a shower to get comfortable for the night, I then sat down to call my friend Tim. He is a blind individual who lives with his grandmother in West Gardenar, Maine. He was telling me how he has been talking to a sergon about the hole they had found in his heart. They were letting him know the risks and benifits. If he falls he could bleed while living with it. If he goes ahead with the opperation there is a possibility of him having a stroke afterwards. Tim was telling me during his time with his home health session this week his aid took him to his uncles so that he could swim in his pool. After speaking to dad briefly on the phone, mom and I then sat down to eat dinner. After I had eaten dinner I then called my friend Dee Dee. We talked for a half an hour, I then blogged before going to bed.

keeping in touch

I began my morning this morning at 8:00 a.m. At 8:30 I then jumped on the swin air dine for 20 minutes. I then began to do my stretches until 9:30. After cleaning up I then sat down to call my grandmother. At 10:30 I went on face book to write to some people. At 11:00 I went to the kitchen to grab a peach to snack on. I then continued to leave messages to some friends and relatives on face book. At 12:00 I watched the news while doing my stretches. I keep saying to myself that I am going to beat this stroke. At 12:45 I ate some lunch before lying down to rest at 1:00. I slept til 3:40. I don't know if I was tired or just bored. A little bit of both I guess. Once I was up I began to stretch until 4:30 I then had an orange julious my mother had made for me. Good way to cool off. Once I was cleaned up I then sat down to eat dinner with my parents. I then had my snack before blogging, I was then in bed by 8:00.

I began my day as usual bright and early. 5:30 a.m. It was the second day of evals at westside neourorehab. Once I had eaten, showered, and got myself ready for the day my mother then took me to westside. Upon our arrivel for 9:00 a.m. the nurse we were supposed to meet with for my nursing eval had a funeral to go to and the one covering was sick so the eval was post poned until I actually start westside. So instead I had my O.T. eval with Jill Welch. My mother, Jill, and I discussed my goals and what I need help on. We also talked about the strengthening of my arms and legs. We were then on our way home by 10:00. On our way home we had made a few stops along the way. Offive max so my mom could pick up things for work, while my mom was inside I talked to my sister on the phone. We then stopped at Shaw's to pick up things for dinner. At 11:10 we left for home. Along the way I had eaten my lunch. We arrived home at 12:15 and from there I went right to bed and I slept from 12:20 to 3:20. Once I was up I began to stretch then I road the bike for 15 minutes. After my shower I sat down to talk to my sister Barbara on the telephone. At 5:15 I went on line to message Kathy Durrel. I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner at 5:30. After I had spoke to a friend on the phone, I then got on face book to message people and of course do my blogg.

A thank you card to cousin Ann

I began my Wednesday morning as usual by stretching for an hour. I then went downstairs to ride the bike for fifteen minutes. At 9:15 I then cleaned before eating my breakfast. I never thought taking a shower and getting ready in the morning could be so much work, but I am use to it by now. Although it does get easy each and every day, but ever so slowly. Once I was ready I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating at 10:00 I then picked up the kitchen thus starting the dishwasher. I then went to my bedroom to organize it. At 11:15 I then had to call my mother at work to ask her a question about some thank you cards I have to write. It is funny, since my stroke I have noticed a few changes in my memory. It was a thank you card I had to write to my cousin Ann for sending me the game Farkle and the card game uno. She also sent me my first get well card. At 12:15 I then began to stretching. At 12:45 I then emptied the dishwasher. Then feeling a little fatigued I lied down to rest and I slept from 1:00 until 300. I then got up and went to the kitchen. My mother had made my father, she, and I each a salad for dinner. since I neglected to eat any lunch, I decided to eat it right then. At 3:25 I stretched for my third and final time of the day. Art 3:50 I then got myself comfortable for the evening before sitting down to eat dinner. At 6:00 I sat down to blog before calling it a day.

Evaluation day at Westside N eourorehabilitation services

I began my Tuesday morning at 4:00 a.m. By stretching my muscles. At 5:30 I finally went out into the kitchen to eat pancakes for breakfast. Once I had finished eating I jumped into the shower and beganto get ready for my day ahead. At 7:30 Isaid good-bye ti my mother then took off for Westside with my dad. We arrived at 8:30. My dad and I then sat in the Lobby to wait for my 9:00 a.m. speech evaluation. During the evaluation Diana Von Hallett. She tested me on memory by giving three things to remember at the begining of the evaluation. She also read two short story's to me then asked questions. By doing the evaluation she also picked up on the damage the stroke had done to my speech. It sounds like I have a thick tongue. Then from 10:00 to 11:00 I had an hours long break. So dad and I went out into car to rest. At 11;00 I then had my physical theropy evaluation. The physical Theropyst first asked me what my goals were and what exercizes I was doing at home. Amanda Carroll then strapped a gate belt around my waist we then went walking ing the hall ways of westside. She then told me that I would be on her schedule weekly. At 12:00 I then went to the lunch room to eat lunch with some old faces and some new since my departure. At 1:00 I meet with my case manager Ashanti Inanna. Tigether she dad and I talked about the program and went over the hand book. At 2:00 we neet with Dr. Giunti until 3;00 thus talking about health issues. We then went home. We arrived home at 4:15. I then went inside to get comfortable for the night. When I was I then sat down to call my grandmother. Once off the phone I began to stretch my muscles. I then sat down to eat dinner at 5:40. I then sat down to blog before calling it a day.

Dr.'s appointment in Bangor to see my Neourologyst

I began my Monday morning by eating my breakfast, I then got ready to go to the my neourologyst in Bangor with my mom. At 8:00 we took off for Bangor. At 9:45 we arrrived to see Dr. k for a 10:00 a.m. appointment. After my appointment mom and I went to the Olive Garden restaraunt for lunch. At 12:00 we left for home. Along the way we stopped at Waterville hanaford to pick up some water to drink. Once we arrived in Farmington we continued on to the hospital so that I could get my blood drawn. At 2:45 we left for home. We arrived home at 3:00. Once inside I went downstairs to ride the bike and stretch until 4:00. After my shower I got onfacebook to write to some friends. After eating my dinner I then had my mother help to start to fill my weekly medication containers. I then soon called it a night.

A visit with cousin Carol

I began my Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. by stretching my muscles for an hour. I then sat down to my breakfast. My mother had made me some eggs, toast, and sausage. At 10:45 I then took a ride to camp with my dad. We arrived there at 11:30. While there I called my friend Josh then I sat and talked with my dad for a while. I then played a game of cribbage against my iphone before heading back home. Begore arriving home we stopped by to visit Carol who had sent me a card every week while I was at d'youville with scratch tickets in it. At 1:20 we arrived home. After I had eaten a bowl of soup for lunch, I then talked to my grandmother on the telephone before liing down to rest. After sleeping for an hour and a half, I then got up to stretch. After a shower I then continued to write out thank you cards. At 5:30 I then sat down to eat dinner with my parents. Once I had finished eating I soon then called it a night.

a visit from grandma

I began my Saturday morning on my fourth full day home from rehab by eating my breakfast at 8:00 a.m. At 9:00 I began to do my stretching routine then continued to get ready for my day ahead. At 10:00 I took the sheets off my bed, but it is yet still a little difficult to do some things so my mother had made my bed for me. At 10:10 I then sat down to write out some thank you cards. At 11:00 my grabdmother arrived, to spend a couple of hours visiting. At 11:15 my grandmother, mother and I played a game called tock. At 12:00 we played skip-bo. At 1:00 we had pizza for lunch. Once we had finished eating I lied down to rest at 1:35 and I slept until 4:15. I then sat down to show my mother the book I had everyone sign while I was a patient at d'youville. At 5:00 I then went on face book to write to some people I had met while in rehab. I then got myself ready and in comfortable night wear for the night. At 6:00 I then checked my email I then facebooked a friend. At 7:30 I then ate dinner with my parents before calling it a night.

catching with the blogg

I began my Friday morning at 7:00 a.m. by eating peanutbutter and honey on an eng;ish muffin. At 7:40 I then took some time to stretch. At 8:40 my neourologysts office called reminding me that I have an appointment on Monday. At 9;00 Barbara had called to give me a tip about my computer. At 10:00 I then sat down to write out some thank you cards to people from my stay at d'youville. At 11:30 dad called, I then took a break from writing out thank you cards and instead I washed dish's. At 4:30 I then decided to get comfortable for the night. At 5:10 I cought up on my blogging. before sitting down to eat dinner with mom and dad. After supper I continued to blog until 8:00, I then called it a night.

Thursday August 11 Quick and quiet

My Thursday was Pretty Quiet. Now that my computer is fixed. Let us hope so. After eating my breakfast I thaen did my stretching. I then went into the kitchen to wash some dish's. I then went into my room to organize some things. I then stretched again before eating lunch. I then lied down to rest. Once I got up mom was soon home from work so the two of us went in town to visit my grandmother. while at my grandmothers we played some cribbage. After a couple of hours we then left for home. once inside we soon ate dinner. I then called it a day.

Wednesday August 10 Unpacking day from d'youville

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. by eating my breakfast. I then cleaned my perly whites, I then began to stretch. At 9: I began to unpack and put away my clothing from d'youville. At 10:15 Daniel from West Side Neourorehabilitation services called asking me about my schedule. I had explained to I will be needing p.t, o.t., and speech for definate. Then the rest of the hours could be filled with Theropy's that would seem the most appropriate. I will begin my outpatient theropy there sometime next week. I then continued to unpack. At 12:00 I continued to unpack before stretching. I then lied down to rest for an hour. My mother then took me down to see my grandmother. She and I played cribbage until 3:00 while my mother did some erins. I returned home at 2:45 stopping to get an ice cream at Giffords. Once I arrive home I had to turn right around to go back into town to pick up my computer. I arrived home at 4:10. I then stretched and road the bike until 5:35. Once I had taken a shower I then called my friend Tim who a blind individual who lives with his 91 year old grandmother. He was telling me something is wrong with his heart and he is schedule to see a heart doctor. Tim was telling his family gave his 91 year old grandmother a birthday party. We talked until 6:45 I myself then ate dinner. I then called my friend Greg. He was telling he had gone to a Sea Dogs baseball game today. I then called it a day.

Well I'm finally home. As of 4:00 p.m. this afternoon. During my meeting at West Side Neouro rehabilitation services I first meet with DR. Perna to discuss my programing at WestSide. He had asked me what services I would like to receive while at WestSide. I told him I would like to still receive O.T., P.T., and Speech. For definate. That is one positive thing since I just recently had a brain injury I can receive O.T., P.T., and Speech. Where as before I could not because my aneurysm happened at the age of six. Dr. Perna also suggested I have my theropy spread out to give me time to rest and recoup between each session. I then meet with Vicky Lamothe the intake coordinator. With her we signed paper work and then we talked and laughed about back when she worked with me as a rehab tech. She had help me when I first moved out into my first appartment. My only appartment for that matter. Mom, Dad and I then went to eat lunch at applebees. We left for home at 1:50. After stopping off at Hanaford to pick up medication I have to take to prevent siezures and further strokes, we soon arrived home at 4:00. Home at last. After 100days I am finally home. Now I sit and wait for stage 2 of my recovery to begin. Outpatient rehab at WestSide.

"DISCHARGE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After spending time at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Then being transported to d'youville rehab center, today marks my 100th day from the day I had my stroke on May 2nd. It also happens to be the day I get discharged from d'youville and go home. Home? What is that? As usual I have a busy day ahead of me. Already this morning I have spent an hour stretching those muscles. Later I will be haveing one of the cna's Holly help me pack to get ready to meet my parents here at d'youville for a discharge meeting at 9:00 a.m. After that meeting is done, we are then going to WestSide Neourorehab to meet with Vicky Lamoth the intake coordinator. We will then meet with Dr. Perna who is the neouro psychologyst at WestSide. It so weird, I never thougtafter spending ten years doing out patient rehab at WestSide to help get living indipendently learning an entire new community ing Auburn. That at this point in my life I would be starting from square 1. This time it is more fisical then cognative.

Never a dull moment

Once I had my brace this morning it was then business as usual for one last time. Once I had finished exercizing in the gym with Loranne and Audry, I then went back to my room to eat my breakfast. At 9:20 Lynn came to my room to pick up my poem discs. She had brought the reader to so as to retreave them from the old floppy type discs. They are now on my desk top. After I had cought Amy and Caron in the hall to sign my book I then had O.T. with Erica. She first had me lifting weights. I then did the hand bike. At 12:00 I then went back to my room to eat my luch. At 12:30 Ithen stretched. At 1:15 I then had my speech session with Lyn. During this time Lyn had put my poems on my desk top. At 2:00 Dan took me outside to play cribbage. After a couple of games We went back inside. At 4:00 Ralph Poland stopped by to visit. My mother and father then called to let me know that we have a meeting at west side tomorrow at 11:00. My parents told me that they would be arriving at d'youville tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. We talked until 4:48. I then went to the dining room to eat my last meal. I had chop suey. At 5:30 Holly helped me to gather my things to take a shower and get ready to go to bed. I then meet briefly with Charlotte. At 6:17 my grandmother called. I then stretched before sitting down to blog. At 7:30 I started a load of laundry so as to have everything clean for tomorrow when H0lly helps me pack to go home.

I've got my brace

During my p.t. session this Morning Audry and I first met with the representative from New Enland Brace company in my room. He was there to give me my brace. After making a couple of adjustments I have to say it fits quite well. At least now my leg doesn't buckle anymore. I am also using just my cane for balance. It doesn't get any better than this. I am sure it will, but for right now. Ausom!!!!!!!!! You'll never guess what tomrrow is? Discharge Day! I finally get to go home. It has been since May 2 the day of my stroke where I went to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor to spend a month before I was transported to St. Mary's d'youville pavilion Rehab Center. where I have been staying to recieve rehab since June 1. It is not over yet. In two weeks I will begin out patient rehab at WestSide Neourorehab Services on Main Street in Lewiston, Maine. Prior to my Stroke I was attending WestSide for cognitive rehab now it will be a combination of cognitive and physical. Looking forword to the day that I can actually say, my journey towards recovery is complete. Who knows when that will be, but ever how long it takes, I'll be riding that train.

A day of rest and relaxation

I began my Sunday morning at 5:30 a.m. by stretching my myscles for an hour while watching the news. At 7:30 I got ready for my day ahead before Emily had brought my breakfast to my room. At 9:00 once I had finished eating my breakfast I then visited with another patient in my room whom I had meet in the dining area. At 11:15 I listened to some tunes while resting until noon. I then ate my lunch in my room. Once I had finished eating, I then began to stretch. At 1:00 I then lied down to read the Sunday paper. At 1:45 feeling a little tired I closed my eyes for an hour to rest. Once I was awake I then filled out my menu. I then played some cribbage on my Iphone for an hour. At 4:00 Emily had come to get me to go to the dining room to eat dinner. Firest Christina the nurse on duty gave me two tylonol for my headache. Once I had finished eating and I was back in my room I then did my exercizes. Once I had talked with my grandmother I then got ready to go to bed for the night.

Watching the Beach 2 Becon 10k road race

I began my Saturday morning at 5:00 A.M. by once again stretching my arms, hands, and finger with all the various different exercizes given to me by the theropysts at d'youville. At 6:00 I then went back to bed. Holly the cna on duty at the time then came into my room to wake me up to start getting ready for my day ahead. Once I had showered I then sat down to eat my breakfast in my room, While watching the Beach 2 Becon 10k road race in Cape Elizabeth. It is hard to believe, just two years ago I was running the Beach 2 Becon and I will again some day. At 10:00 I then went on face book. Then feeling tired I lied down to rest for 40 minutes. At 11:30 I then got up to stretch. At 12:00 I then went to the dining room to eat my lunch with other patients. I ended up sitting with Paul the person in the room next to mine. At 12:40 I then went back to my room to finish my stretching until 1:00. Then feeling tired I lied downto rest for two hours. At 3;00 Gillesa, one of the two R.N.'s on duty during the day shift stopped by to play a couple of games of cribbage with me. Before she left she had given me a hug because I am being discharged from d'youville before she returns back to work. I had then talk to a friend for a half an hour before going to dinner in the dining room for 5:oo. Once I had returned to my room at 5:40 I then began to stretch. At 5:50 my parents had called. we talked for ten minutes I then continued to stretch. At 6:10 Holly had helped me to gather my night clothing so that I could get ready for bed. At 6:30 my grandmother had called. we spoke briefly, I then finished my stretching. At 7:12 I then sat down to blog, I then soon called it a day.

Breakfast group with Dick the United driver

I began my Friday morning as usual by stretching at 5:30 a.m. I then continued to get ready for my day ahead. This morning I had breakfast group with Erica at 7:30. During group I made scrambled eggs, while Dick made the coffee. two other patients had mad toast and cook the bacon. we also had fruit. Once I had finished eating, I then had Physical Theropy with Audrey. She first strapped weight to my legs before walking around the gym. She then had me walk into the paralelle bars. She then had me doing some leg kicks forward and backward, While keeping my leg in control. I then did some side kicks. She then had me doing some knee raises with weight strapped to my legs to also help with my balance. Once I was back in my room after my P.T, session with Audrey, Gilesa came into my room to take my daily vital signs. At 10:00 I caught Liz in the hall to see what time my O.T. appointment with Erica was. Because it was not wrutten on my board. At 10:30 I then went on face book to respond to some messages. Greg then called to chat for a bit. I then had a quick half an hour lunch before my O.T. session with Erica. During my O.T. session Erica tested my grip strength. We then called it a session. At 1:00 I lied down and slept until 2:45. I then stretched until 3:30 I then filled out my daily menue, AT 3:30 the discharge nurse came into my room to talk to me about walker to use at home. At 3:55 Audrey had popped in to give me exercizes to do and to remind me of our meeting with Gary Yackley the guy from NewEngland brace our meeting is on monday to get my AFO. My parents then called to talk before my dinner arrived. I then stretched until 6:18. I then went on line went on line, blogged then called it a night.

Another busy in rehab

I began my morning as usual at 4:30 a.m. by stretching for 45 minutes I lied down to rest to watch the news. I might even fallen asleep. During my P.T. session this morning with Lorayne and Audry I first practiced climbing stairs, while using my cane. We then made our way to the gym to do lunges in the paralelle bars. While walking today during my physical theropy session I once again practiced using the rolator. Audru also had me doing some squats while leaning my back up against a wall. She even had me hold the position for a minute or more. At 9:00 once I had finished p.t. I then went back to my room to finish eating my breakfast. Then I had kids from the boys and girls club knocking on my door to see if I wanted to go to the LAL room to play shurades, with otherpatients. At 11:00 during my o.t. session with Erica we walked over to dunk-n-doughnuts for lunch. In doing so I practiced using the r0lator to help get me over there. Once we were there we meet Lyn my speech therapyst. While there Lyn me using My I phone thus using the wi fi at D-N-D. To see what it was like to do so. I then walked back with Erica. I then rested a bit before my speecch session with Lyn at 12:15. During the speech session Lyn and Audry went over my computer and I touch with me. Testing me on things Lyn has been teaching me the past few months while at d'you ville. Caroline the nurse on duty then took my vital signs for the day. At 2:15 I once again stretched my muscles. Hands, arms, legs, feet ect. I then lied down to rest. Shirly then showed up to play cribbage with me until 4:30. At 5:00 Sally stopped by to visit for 15 minutes. At 5:20 Andre brought me my dinner. Mom and dad then called. we talked briefly before I begain to eat. At 6:15 I once again stretched before getting ready for bed.

My final days or rehab

Once I was up this morning streetching at 3:00 a.m. I did so for an hour. I then rested til 7:00 nodding off now and then. I then got up to start my day. At 8:15 during my P.T. sesiong with Jerad and Audry they first had me walking outside with a rolator. We then went back inside to practisc climbing stairs. Just for precautions Audry strapped her gate belt to my waist. But giving me distance as I walked. Once the session was over I thanked Jerad for all his help. I still have one more week but he is leaving on vacation. He then gave me permission to walk with my cane indipendently using my cane in my room. Then during my O.T. sesssion with Erica, she first had me do the arm bike, then she had me doing arm exercizes with weights in my arms. We then walked around the rehab unit. At 12:00 I went back to my room to eat spaghetti for lunch. At 12:30 I rested before my speech session with Lynn, I downloaded more music onto my Itouch and Laptop. Erica then ame into my room during my session with Lynn. We then made plans to walk to D-N-D tomorrow the three of us. At 2:15 I stretched until 2:53. At 4:00 Sally stopped by but I was sleeping. At 4:30 I called her on her cell phone but she was already home. I then talked to stacie before eating dinner. I then spoke to mom and dad. Deb then stopped by at 5:30. Greg then stopped by a short time later. My friend Dee Dee called to see how I was doing. I then soon called it a night.

Business as usual

I began my Morning at 5:00 am stretching once again my muscles that were effected by the stroke. After stretching I then fell back to sleep for an hour. I then got up. Holly the Cna on duty had popped into my room to help me gather my clothing and to make my bed while I was getting ready. She then went to get my laundry from the Laundry room. Once I was ready I proceded to put my laundry away. At 8:15 during my P.T. session with Jerad and the p.t. student Audry first had me exercizing on the mat. Once I was kneeling on all fours I then proceded to raise good arm whith bad leg and bad armwith good leg so as to put pressure on the bad arm and leg. Then Jerad and Audry had me testing a rolator. It was a little difficult. Do to my lack of vision I had to be extra careful of things around me. At 9:20 Cathy the nurse took my vital signs and gave me two tylonol for my headache. At 9:30 I then finished of my breakfast. During my o.t. session with Erica, she first had me lifting a ten pound tharopy bar while standing on a foam beam, so as to offset my balance. At 12:00 I then made my way back to my room to eat my luch. At 12:40 I rested until 1:15 before my speech session with Lynn. She had helped me to download more music onto my laptop and Itouch. At 2:20 I rested. At 4:00 Holly the cna then weighed me. At 4:10 Karen popped into chat. At 5:00 I then went to dinner in the dining room after visiting with a friend who had stop by. Once I had finished talking with another patiant at dinner, Hope then took me back to my room. I then got ready to go to bed.

cows for 500

DOES BACON REALLY COME FROM A COW ?

ERICA OR AMY, WHO WOULD LIKE TO ANSWERE?

Faster and in control, improvement was made

I began first day August stretching from 6:00 to 7:15 at 7:15 John the med tech stopped by to give me my medication. Once I had eaten my breakfast I then went to my P.T. appointment for 8;15. Audry then gave me my six minute walk assessment. To see how many steps I could take in six minutes. I improved from 1500 to 1600 feet, and that is using a cane for stability and not a walker. At 9:50 Parker came into my room to weigh me. I avtually gained a pound going from 163 to 164 pounds. I then rested for a half an hour before Cathy the R.N. on duty came into my room to take my vital signs. She also gave me to advil for my headache. The cause is still unkown but at leat the advil is a temporary cure. I then went on my computer while listening to music on my Iphone. During my O.T. session with Erica she had me lifting weights while standing on a foam mat with a gate belt strapped around me so if I were to lose me balance she could catch me. Sure enough I had lost my balance and more then once too. To end the session she had me practice getting in and out of the shower so as to see if I could clear getting into the tub with my right leg. If not to see what we could do help me be as indipendent as possible in doing so. For example using grab bars. I then met Dad back in my room who had stopped by to visit. Once I had eaten my lunch, dad took me outside in my wheelchair. While outside we sat and talked for a half an hour before going back inside. At 2:15 during my speech session with Lyn, we first talked about medication management. Sincd the stroke I have been put on different medications that have been tended to by the medical staff here at d'youville. We then down loaded the sound trach from the movie Forest Gump. I then rested from 2:10-5:00. Cathy the Nurse on duty then brought me in my dinner, waking me so that I could eat. At 5:30 I then stretched. Holly the Cna on duty helped me start my laundry before leaving her shift. Once it was done I put it in the dryer. Thus putting it away. I then called it a day.