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.

The will to move forward

Feeling free

Is how I feel,

A little messed up

Not a big deal.

As I walk

My gate is unsteady,

But I will fly

When I am good and ready.

My friends are incouraging

When I am down,

It lifts me up

Off the ground.

Although, most days

I get discouraged, no doubt,

Exercise always

Makes me stout.

Most days my mission

Is to fly, once again,

To run 5k's

A race I can win.

My six month dental check up

I began my Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. Once I had made my way to the kitchen my mother had made me some pancakes to eat for breakfast, along with my hot cocoa. At 9:30 I then went to my bedroom to begin my stretching routine. At 10:15 I began to get ready to go to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned. Once my mother and I arrived at Dr. Kays we both had our teeth cleaned. I figured I would hold off on the x-rays do to all of the radiation I have already been in contact with over the past year from the x-rays and cat scans I have had while in the hospital recovering from my stroke. At 1:00 my mother and I left for home. At 1:15 we stopped off at my grandmothers to say hi. We then took a ride out to camp to pick up a few things. Water shoes for one so that I can use them in the pool during aquasize on Tuesdays, with Westside. We arrived home at 2:00. I then went to my bedroom to lift weights and to do my feet exercises. At 2:20 I then had a bowl of soup for lunch. At 2:40 I lied down to rest and I slept until 5:00 before getting up to put my laundry away. At 5:20 I then ate dinner before starting my stretching routine. At 6:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After my shower I sat in front of my computer to blogged.I soon thenfound myself in bed.

Get Well Soon Dee Dee

I began my Sunday morning at 8:50 a.m. by stretching and also doing my weight exercises. At 9:50 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Mom had made me bacon, eggs, and english muffin to eat. At 10:45 I welt downstairs to ride the swin air dine, for a half an hour. After I had taken a shower and got ready for my day ahead, I then went upstairs to clean my bedroom. Vaccuum, dust, and organize. I then started in on my bathroom. A lot of what I had to do was organization. At 11:40 I signed Dee Dee's get well card getting it ready to send out in the mail. Dee Dee had told me she will be returning to WestSide, only for counceling for the time being. At 12:00 I was feeling a little tired, so I lied down to rest. I had slept until 3:15 before getting up to eat some soup for lunch. I then began to stretch at 3:30 for an hour. I then got on the swin air dine for a half an hour. after my showe I then ate dinner with my parents before turning to my blog. Once I had finished blogging I sent out a couple of emails before going to bed.

Purchasing ankle weights to build up those leg muscles

I began my Saturday morning at 7:45 a.m. by stretching and lifting those weights. I then went to the kitchen to eat breakfast with my sister and mother. At 9:20 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine until 9:50. While riding I focussed on my legs only while riding the swin. After my shower I then worked on my mouth exercises I was given to do during speech at WestSide. At 10:20 I then sat down to begin to write my poetry in a notebook. At 11:30 mom made me a grilled pepperoni and cheese sandwhich for luch. At 12:00 my father took over to wal-mart so that I could buy some ankle weights to use while exercising. I then also picked up a get well card to send to a friend. My dad and I then took a ride over to visit my cousing Jim, before heading home. We arrived home at 1:45. I was so tired I went to bed to rest and I ended up sleeping two hours. Once I was up at 3:50 I began to do my stretching exercises. At 4:40 I then rode the swin air dine for a half an hour. After my shower I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner. I then went to my bedroom to watch television, soon calling it a night.

Grandma's for lunch

I began my Friday morning At 7:45 by eating my breakfast. I then went back to my bedroom to begin my stretching exercises. At 9:00 I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine. After a thirty minute workout on the swin, I then took my shower to get ready for my day ahead. At 10:30 my mother came home from work to take me to my grandmothers, so that I have lunch with her and spend the afternoon. on the menue was haddock, Peas, rice, and a salad. I wasn't much company for once I had finished eating I then lied down to rest at 12:50. At 2:30 my mother stopped by after she got out of work to pick me up. At 2:40 I arrived home and went right to my bedroom to begin my stretching routine. I then went downstaires to ride the swin air dine for another thirty minutes. I then started in doing my mouth exercises to fix the drop mouth from my stroke. At 5:00 I then went to my computer to type some of my poems to save in a folder I created on my desk top. Once my sister showed me how to save into my folder, I was good to go. At 5:30 I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my parents and my sister. She is on her way home from a conference in Bangor. At 6:00 I typed another poem to save in my folder. I then had a snack before blogging, I then went to bed.

Exercising in front of the mirror today during P.T. with Amanda

I began my Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. by doing my stretching exercises. I then lifted the weights. Once I had showered and got myself ready for the day, I then went upstairs to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I then brushed my teeth before sitting down to wait for United Wheelchair to pick me up. I arrived at WestSide at 11:00 just in time for an 11:15 appointment with my case manager Ashanti. During our session we reviewed how the voc meeting went yesturday. At 11:30 I then went down stairs with Amanda to the gym for P.T. Amanda first had me ride the bike for a half an hour. She then had me standing with one leg in front of the other standing in front of a mirror. First she strapped the gate belt on. She then had me shifting my weight forward and back. At 12:30 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. While eating I sat with Kay and Theresa. At 1:00 I then had my O.T. session with Nancy. We first talked about the voc meeting yesturday which she also sat in on. We then went into the gym so that I could ride the arm bike. Once I had done so I then made my way up to the Lobby to go home. I arrived home at 3:15, thus going straight to the swin air dine to ride for a half an hour. I then went to my bedroom to stretch and do my weight exercises. After my shower I then went upstairs to eat dinner with my parents. We had clam chowder. What better then something hot on cold, damp, rainy night. I then went to my bedroom to blog at 5:30, before calling it a night.

Voc Meeting this morning with my voc councelor, case manager and Nancy my O.T.

I began my morning as usual this on this Wednesday at 4:30 by doing my stretching and weight exercises for an hour. I then made my way to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eatin, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. I then continued to get myself ready to go to WestSide. United Wheelchair soon arrived to take me there for a 9:00 a.m. voc meeting. Upon my arrivel I meet Vicky Thibeau my voc councelor in the lobby. Who had no idea that I had even had a stroke going into this meeting. She new I had a ski accident and a concussion. Once in the meeting vicky my voc counsilor, Nancy my o.t. from WestSide and Ashanti my casemanager went to the conference room for our meeting. Once we had sat down I immediatly had told Vicky I had a stroke. Just as she was getting ready to pull out the plan for me to sign to start job planning again. I then proceded to let her know I am in no shape or form ready to begin emplyment. My theropy now is my main focus. So we started to talk about different avenus. Like indipendent living. This would entail switching over from Vicky to whoever is in charge of the indipendent living for the division of the blind. I said I would talk it over with Nancy first. Once my voc meeting had ended at 10:00 I had meet Amanda in the lobby. She and I then went to the gym for my P.T. session. Amanda first had me riding the bike for 30 minutes. She then had me standing in the parallel bars with my arms crossed looking left, right, up, down, forward. I had lost my balance more then once but I am getting better. At 10:55 after my p.t. session I went into the room across from the gym to rest. I had that hour off for a rest and lunch. At 12:00 I then had my speech seeion with Diana. today we went into Johns's office so that Diana could monitor my breathing. John is a cota who works mainly on relaxation technniques with clients, so you can immagine how his office is set up. Recliner, bed, desk, computer the works. Today was actually the first day I saw it, since I had started Westside August 18th. At 1:00 Sam from United took me home. Upon my arrivel home at 2:10 I jumped on the swin air dine for fifteen minutes. At 2:30 I then stretched. At 3:30 I then I then lied down to rest. I slept for 90 minutes before getting up to get comfortable for the night. At 5:30 I sat down to eat dinner. My mother had made a stuffed pumpkin. At 6:00 my sister had arrived to spend the night. She has a meeting in Bangor. Comming from Scarborough will make it a shorter trip tomorrow morning. And it gave me some time to spend with her. I soon then went to bed.

First day of aquasize

I began my Tuesday morning as usual by doing my stretching and weight exercises at 4:30 a.m. After working out for an hour I then went upstairs to eat my breakfast. At 6:45 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. Once I was all ready for my day ahead, I then began a load of laundry, so as to hang it out to dry before leaving to go to westside. I then played words with friends on my iphone before making myself a grilled peanutbutter and jelly sandwhich. At 11:00 I then called my grandmother to talk briefly while waiting for united to arrive to bring me to the ymca, where I would meet staff from westside for aquasize. While there I did exercises similar to the ones I do during p.t. except in the water. Paul and I worked with Michelle while the other clients worked with John briefly before he came over to help Michelle out with Paul an I. Being my first day I wasn't all that prepared. Some suggestions were to bring in water shoes, and a t-shirt to swim with. I then left for home at 2:30 arriving home at 4:00. I then stretched before talking with my friend Sarah. At 5:00 I spoke with my sister before sitting down to eat my dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog, soon calling it a day.

exercising with Amanda during p.t.

I began my Monday morning at 4:30 a.m. by none other then stretching and lifting those weights. At 5:20 I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. Once I had taken my shower and was ready for my day ahead, I then went to the kitchen to eat my brealfast. Mom had made toast to dunk in my hot cocoa. United Wheel Chair soon arrived at 7:15 to take me to WestSide for a 9:00 a.m. p.t. appointment with Amanda. Once I had arrived at westSide Amanda had meet me in the lobby. Together we then went to the Gym. Amanda first had me ride the bike for twenty minutes. She and I then went in the parallel bars leg raises. Amanda stood on one side and I stood on the other. We were perfectly in sinc with one another. Once we had done leg raises forward, backward, and to the side we then did some squats. She did these with me. At 10:00 I then went into the treatment room across from the gym to rest for 45 minutes. I then spent the last fifteen minutes eating my lunch. At 11:00 I then had speech with Diana. We first worked on snearing on the side of my mouth with facial droop. Diana then had me sound out some tongue twisters, really exagerating the sounds. She had then mentioned to me cutting my time to a half an hour unless there was something I could think of that we could focus on that we already haven't yet worked on. I had mentioned to her I have been having a hard time breathing. Not so much when I am exercising, but when I am just standing around. She said there is something we can do. She then gave me passages to read at home so as to exagerate sounds with my mouth as I pronounce the words. I then left for home. I arrived home at 1:00. Once inside I had popcorn and some ice water for a snack before lying down to rest at 1:30. I slept for two hours before getting up to stretch and then ride the swin air dine for fifteen minutes. At 5:00 I then ate dinner with my parents. At 6:40 I then called my grandmother. At 6:50 I went to my bedroom so that I could do my daily blog before going to bed.

Organizing my poems

I began my Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. by doing my stretching routine. At 7:00 I then lied back down on my bed to rest. At 9:15 I then got up and went into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had home fries, sweet rolls, and a nice fruite platter of cut up pears, grapes, and watermelon. Once I had finished eating at 10:30 I went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. After my shower I then stayed in my bedroom to work on my poetry. At 1:00 I then lied down to rest. I then got up at 2:30 to begin once agan my stretching routine. After fourty-five minutes I then went into the kitchen to eat some lunch. I then continued to write out my poems until 4:00. I then talked to a friend on the telephone, before going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for fifteen minutes. I then took a shower and got ready to eat dinner with my parents. At 5:30 I blogged before calling it a day.

mmmm, Crepe's for breakfast

I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by doing my stretching exercises. At 8:30 I then continued my stretching routine, with the weight exercises. At 9:00 I continued with my facial exercises I was shown how to do, to help prevent a facial droop. I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a half an hour. After I had taken my shower, I then went upstairs to drink my hot chocolate, while my mother had made me crepe's for breakfast. mm mm. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bathroom to brush my teeth and make my bed, I had stripped the sheets off before breakfast so as to have a clean bed for tonight. At 11:00 I had lied down to rest. After all of that exercising I was some tired. I slept until 2:00 before getting up to eat some lunch. Once I had finished eating I then went to my bedroom to do my stretching routine. At 3:00 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for fifteen minutes. After my shower I then went upstairs out on the deck to take in the laundry. I have to say the stronger I become, maneuvering around gets a little easier. Once I had folded the laundyr, I then took a walk out on the deck before playing a game of cribbage with my mother. At 5:30 we sat down to eat dinner. My mother had made home made pizza. Once we had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to blog, before calling it a day. I have to say, all this exercise sure does make me tired.

Recovery at its best

The days past by

And as I wait,

Thinking of

That perfect date.

Although the time

Goes by so slow,

My recovery outcome

I will never know.

I slowly improve

Day by day,

When is this

Going to go away.

I find it frustrating

When I think of things,

Skiing on snow

And what winter brings.

I should be afraid

And not take a dare,

But somehow skiing

Doesn't give me a scare.

Even though the doctor

Has told me twice,

You shouldn't be skiing

It is slippery like ice.

I just want to grab

Those skis and go,

Plowing through

That drifting snow.

No matter what

The doctors have said ,

It beats lying around

Resting in bed.

Another day of rest and exercise. I even wrote another poem

I began my Friday morning this day at 8:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. I then went back to my bedroom to do my stretching exercises from 8:30 to 9:15. I then grabbed a hold my weights to begin my weight exercises. At 9:30 I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine from 9:30 until 10:00. After my shower I then cleaned my bathroom before sitting down at 11:30 to write a poem. It helps me express my feelings about certain situations I might be in. In this case the recovery of my stroke. At 12:00 I sat down to eat my lunch while watching the news. I then lied down to rest at 12:30 and I slept until 3:00. I then got up to stretch and lift weights. At 4:45 I then hopped on the bike for fifteen minutes, before eating dinner. At 6:00 I made a phone call to a friend but they were not home. I then called my grandmother. After talking briefly with her, I then sat down to blog.

Discussion with my o.t. Nancy about my voc meeting next week

I began my Thurdsday moring earlier then usual. 4:00 a.m. by stretching. At 5:15 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a 30 minutes. Once I had finished exercising I then got ready for my day ahead. The dispatcher from United wheelchair had called my mother yesterday to see if it would be o.k. to pick up a little early so that he would not have to send two vans to Farmington, instead I went in with another client who had a 9:00 a.m. appointment. While I was waiting for my 11:00 a.m, P.T. appointment, Pat Halloway an employee at WestSide took me to an available treatment room for me to go to sleep in, and that I did. At 11:00 I then made my way to the gym for my p.t. session with Amanda. She first had me ride the bike for twenty minutes. In that time I went 1.39 miles. She then had me in the paralell bars doing knee raises. She then had me reaching over to pick up cones placing them on the oposite side to work shifting my weight from side to side thus trying to keep my balance. Amanda had put the gate belt on me so as to have something to grab onto just in case I were to lose my balance. Believe me she had to use it, more then once might I add. At noon I went downstairs to eat my lunch with other clients in the dining area. I then went to an open room across from the gym to rest. It is not like d'youville where I could go back to my own room and sleep but it works. At 1:00 during my o.t. session with Nancy, she first had me write out my concerns to bring up during my voc meeting next week. I then dictated to her concerns I has about voc rehab and my experiencs I have had with them, to be brought up at a hearing in a couple of weeks. We then wrote out an agenda for next weeks voc meetin. At 2:00 I then left westside I arrived home at 3:00. Upon my arrivel home I received a phone call from Vickey at WestSide to read to me my next weeks schedule. I then went downstairs at 3:30 to ride the swin air dine for fifteen minutes. I then went up to my bedroom to stretch for an hour. At 5:00 I then cleaned up to get comfortable for the night. Mom, dad and I then ate dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog then go to bed at 8:00.

Lunch with Dan

I began my Wednesday morning at 4:00 a.m. by non other then doing my stretching exercises for an hour. I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. Once I had finished exercising I then continued to get ready for my day ahead. Once I had eaten my breakfast I then grabbed my lunch and went to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for a 9:00 a.m. speech appointment with Diana, we first worked on facial exercises to help with my right side facial droop. In the precess she had me working on the snare, by non other then lifting that upper right side of my lip. At 9:15 she then had me doing some tongue twisters. For examplexxxxx; cheesey chips are cheap, choice ships sailed, and eep eep bleeped the tiny sheep. Diana my speech theropist made those up randomly this morning. She then wanted me to exaggerate lip movement, starting each word with my mouth in a neutral position. This is so I can get the maximum amount of muscle movement. Another exercise she had given me to do is to mouth the words without saying them out loud and see if someone can figure out the word I am mouthing. After doing a few tongue twisters during our session we then talked about running, something I am uncapable of doing just yet. At 10:00 during my p.t. session with Amanda in the gym she first had me riding the bike for fifteen minutes. She then had me down on the matt on my hands and knees lifting opposite leg and opposite arm at the same time. This allows me to lift the effected leg with the good arm and the effected arm with the good leg. It is harder then you think. Amanda then strapped the gate belt around my waist so that I could practice stepping forward and back shifting my weight, without losing my balance. It is a good thing I had the gate belt on. At 11:00 I had meet Dan Doyon the Chaplan at D'youville in the westside lobby. Together he and I went out to lunch At the pop shop diner, just down the street from WestSide. After an hours lunch Dan then brought me back to WestSide. Upon my return to WestSide I then had my o.t . session with Nancy. Together we first called up Vicky Thibeault from the division of the blind to set up a time to meet. My voc meeeting is set up for next Wednesday 10/12/11 at 9:00 a.m. with Ashanti, Nancy, and the woman from the division of the blind. The meetin is not necessarily about work, but what things can they help me with like computer use ect. We then discussed writing story's for testimony. I then rode the arm bike for fifteen minutes. I then left for home. I arrived home at 2:10 just in time for me to jump on the swin air dine for fifteen minutes. At 2:30 I then stretched for an hour. I then checked my email for the instruction from Nancy my o.t. on what I had to do for wring those story's. It was soon time to call it a day. Few!!!!

Twelve hour fasting to have blood work this mourning over at Franklin Memorial Hospital

I began my morning this morning at 6:00 a.m. by doing my stretching exercises. At 7:00 I then road the swin air dine for a half an hour. After my shower I then continued to get ready to go have my blood drawn. At 9:00 my father took me over to have my fasting blood work done. Once I had returned home at 10:10 my father had made me a ham and cheese omlet with toast for breakfast. At 10:45 I brushed my teeth before lying down. I was so tired, I had slept until 3:00, before getting up to do my stretching. I then rode the swin air dine for twenty minutes. After my shower I then iced my lip before doing a snare. This is an exercise my speech theropyst is having me do from WestSide to help prevent a facial droop along with some other exercises I have been already doing. At 5:00 I then sat down to do my blog before eating dinner.

working on ways to strengthen my lip during speech to help prevent a facial droop

I began my Monday morning at 4:00 a.m. by doing my stretching exercises. At 5:30 I then went down stairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 6:00 I then went upstairs to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then continued to get ready for my day ahead. Once I had taken my shower and I was tatally ready, I then grabbed my lunch thus waiting for United Wheelchair to pick me up to go to WestSide. Upon my arrivel at 8:30 I had a half an hour to kill before my p.t. session with Amanda at 9:00, so I sat in the lobby to wait. I was the first client to arrive this morning. Amanda to soon came to get me to start our session in the gym. She first had me riding the bike for fifteen minutes. Once I had finished riding the bike, Amanda then had me standing in the parallel bars doing leg extensions. She was on one side and I was on the other. She then had me doing leg raises within the parallel bars. Once I was finished with p.t. I then had a break at 10:00 for an hour. I then went into a treatment room that wasn't being used to rest. At 11:00 I then had my speech session with Diana. She first had done some icing to help with my faciol droop. We then went over some esercises I could do to help it. Some of which I had been doing on my own already. I then read to Diana my pooem I had written, "Riding to the top." Diana then had me ice my lip once again, she then had me practice snearing. At 1:30 I had arrived home thus going straight to bed, to rest. I had slept for two hours before getting up to stretch. At I went to the kitchen to have a snack while I spoke to a friend on the telephone. At 4:30 I then biked for fifteen minutes before taking my shower. I then ate dinner with my parents. After a piece of my mothers homemade bluerry apple pie I then went to my bedroom to blog.

Pot Roast for dinner tonight, YUM!

I began my Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. by non other then doing my stretching for an hour. I then made my way into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had eaten an egg sandwhich along with a hotdog, I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 10:45 I then took a shower before sitting down at my computer. At 12:00 I then lied down to rest and I slept until 2:20. I then got up and began to do my stretching exercises, until 3:00. I then went to the kitchen to eat a small lunch. At 3:10 I sat down to play cribbage with my mother. At 3:45 I spoke briefly with my grandmother before riding the swin air dine for fifteen minutes. After my shower I then went up stairs to eat what I have been waiting all day for. POT ROAST! Once I had finished eating, I then sat down to call Dee Dee. She will be going in the hospital at Maine Medical Center to have surgery to remove a tumor. The tumor is in the area where it could effect her speech. After spending two days in the hospital, she tells me she will be moving in with her parents for two weeks to recover. I then had a piece of blueberry, apple pie for desert before blogging, I then went to bed.

A day of rest and exercise

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by stretching in my bedroom. Once I had finished with my weight exercises, I then made my way to the kitchen at 8:50 a.m. Mom had made me some french toast for breakfast. Once I had finished eating, at 9:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine. Today I was able to burn 214 calories in thirty minutes. Once I had taken a shower I then went on face book to correspond to some friends messages. At 11:10 I then went on my iphone to take my turn on the game words with friends. At 11:30 I first spoke with my grandmother on the telephone before I lied down to rest. At 2:00 I got up and went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 2:15 I then changed my bed, putting on clean sheets. I then watched television. after I had spoke to a friend on the telephone briefly, I then began to do my stretching exercises at 4:00. At 5:00 I then sat down to eat dinner. Once I had finished eating, I then got comfortable for the night before sitting down at my computer to do my blog. I then soon called it a night.