Lunch at Grandma's

I began my Friday morning at 8:45 a.m. by taking the sheets off of my bed and bringing them to the laundry room. While in the laundry room I started a load of laundry. AT 9:00 I then went back to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I had spoken to my mother on the telephone, she will be picking me up at 11:15 to go to the Pierce House so that I could have lunch with my grandmother. Once I had picked the kitchen up from breakfast, I then went downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. I then went to the laundry room to get the laundry from the washing machine so that I could hang it out to dry. At 10:15 I then took my shower before putting clean sheets on my bed. Once I had done so, my mother had arrived shortly after to take me to the Pierce House, so as to eat lunch with my grandmother. Once I was there I made my way up to my granmothers room, so as to let her know I had arrived. We then went to the dining area to eat lunch. My grandmother normally has us eating out on the porch and not with the other residents. Today we were served first a salad then Scallops, corn on the cob, potato, and for dessert: a piece of cake and icecream. Once we had finished eating my mother had picked me up to go home at 1:00. We had arrived home at 1:15. I then went to my bedroom and slept until 3:00. Once I was up I began to do my weight and stretching exercises until 4:00. I then went on facebook before taking my shower. I then sat down to blog before eating dinner with my parents.

Confirmimg appointment with Dr. Lukavitz at Dartmouth Hitchcok Medical Center

I began my Thursday morning at 6:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me an egg sandwhich. I also had some fruit to go along with it, and my hot cocoa. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my bedroom at 6:30 to brush my teeth before starting my stretching and weight exercises. At 7:00 I then made my way downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. I then went back up to my bedroom to take my shower before taking an air flo reading: 440, 480, 470. At 9:00 I then emptied the dishwasher, before leaving on United to go to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for my 10:30 counseling session with Dr. Brian Ablitz, we talked about how things are going at home for me and how my mood has been. At 11:00 During my P.T. session with Dan, First started by taking my blood pressure. 102 over 74. Dan then had me walking on the tredmill. I did so for twenty minutes. I had gone .859 miles and burned 87.9 calories. Dan then took my blood pressure once again. This time it was 106 over 74. Dan then had me in the parallel bars standing on a eight inch platform. I had averaged twelve steps in one minute. I then worked on my balance. I had put one foot on the platform. Dan then had me cross my arms and had me look up, look staight, look to the right, look to the left, and so on. I was doing all of this and trying to hold my balance at the same time. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. I had sat with Greg, Theresa, and Kay. Once I had finished eating I satayed down stairs to wait for United to pick me up. The canopy in front of WestSide was being replace, so transportation was picking clients up in back of WestSide. My showed up at 1:00 to take me home. I arrived home at 2:15. One inside I had finished putting the dish's away. At 2:45 I then went to my bedroom to do my Yoga exercises. At 3:10 I then did my weight exercises both upper and lower. At 4:10 Dr. LUKAFITS OFFICE CALLED TO TELL OF MY APPOINTMENT, C.T. scan and M.R.I I then took my shower before sitting down to blog. I then ate dinner.

Going to Tim Horton's for support group

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat breakfast. I then went to my bedroom to brush my teeth before going downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. After doing so, I went into the wash room to start a load of laundry, before going back up to my bedroom. Once I was back in my bedroom at 8:20 I then did my weight exercises; both arm and leg. At 8:45 I then did my stretching. Once I had finished stretching, I then hung the laundry to dry. At 9:30 I took my shower thus getting ready to go to theropy. At 10:00 I then started another load of laundry, before going to my bedroom to put my laundry away in my bedroom. At 10:45 I then called my grandmother to talk briefly before leaving. Upon my arrivel to WestSide for 1:00 p.m. I gathered in the lobby with Tina, Dee Dee, Denise, and Deb. For once we had all arrived we had gone to Tim Horton's to hold our support group. While there we all got something to drink. I got a fruit smoothy. We then went outside to sit. After sharing, we then went back to WestSide. Dan was there waiting in the lobby for me, to go down to the gym for P.T. Once down in the gym Dan first took my blood pressure reading 104 over 72. He then had me walking on the tredmill. I did so for twenty minutes. I managed to go .858 miles at 2.6 miles per hour. Dan then took my blood pressure 108 over 76. Dan wants me to walk and talk the entire walk next week to see how my endurence holds up. Dan then made a cross on the floor with felt. He then numbered each boz. He then said the number and I was to step in that box. 1, 4, 3 ect, Dan had a gate belt on me becausse he did speed it up. It also worked on my memory, as Dan would say the numbers faster, I had to think quicker. At 3:00 Larry from United took me home. I arrived home at 4:15, thus going straight to my bedroom to do my leg weight exercises. I then did my stretching. At 4:40 I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat my dinner with my parents. Once I had finished eating I went to my bedroom to blog at 5:30.

Making an appointment with Sally the Nurse at WestSide to see Dr. Lukavits at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

I began my Tuesday morning at 6:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 6:30 I then went back to my bedroom to do my arm and leg weight exercises. Once I had finished, I then took my shower getting ready to go to WestSide. At 7:30 I then gathered my things to go with United Wheel Chair to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for 9:00 a.m. I went to the conference room for Yoga group. Don, Mat, David and I first did breath of fire. A breathing exercise with Carol. We then did yoga and strengthening exercises using the wii. Some of the exercises we did were trisept extension, We then sat down and stood up with arm raised. We then ended with the corps pose. At 10:00 during Finding Meaning Group with Jennifer; Doug first shared about his sleeping problem. Then Jennifer told us she would like to change thetopic of the group to a more psychological structure. Interpersonal style, being mindful. She then gave us an assignment to write something down during the week were I had judge thought. At 11:00 during my break I sat in the kitchen talking with other clients, while meal prep group was going on. At 11:30 I then went to Sally's office for my nursing session. Today she and I first called Dr. K's office in Bangor my Deurologist about my follow up appointment. She then called Dr. Lukavits Office at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center to set up an appointment. He is a stroke specialist that I see once a year. Sally set up an appointmentfor me while on the phone for NOVEMBER 19TH. While ther I will be having a CT scan at 1:00 and then meeting with the Doctor at 2:00. At12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch before going home. At 12:30 I made my way up to the lobby where I meet John from United who brought my home. I arrived home at 1:45. Upon doing so, I first went to my bedroom to put my laundry away. I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 2:20 I then went to my bedroom to do my arm and leg weight exercises. After stretching I then talked to my sister Barbara on the telephone briefly before taking a shower. At 5:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my parents before sitting down to blog.

Attending the Community Integration Group at West Side

I began my Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. by getting up and going into camp from my bunk house. My mother had me french toast for breakfast. Once I had finished eating, we then left to go home. Upon my arrivel at 9:20 I immediatly got on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then went to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 9:40 I then did yesturday's blog. At 10:10 I then did my stretching. After taking a shower I then layed down to rest. I had slept from 11:00 until 12:30 before going out to the kitchen to eat some left over beans, hot dog, and biscuits for lunch. At 1:00 I then took my shower, thus getting ready to go to WestSide. At 1:30 John from United picked me up. I arrived at 2:45 going right to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. During my P.T. session with Dan he first to my blood pressure, 104 over 72. I then went on the tredmill for twenty minutes. I went 2.6 miles and burned 87.7 calories. Dan then took my blood pressure, 108 over 76.Dan then had me doing leg exercises with ankle weights. Dan then had me walk around. At 4:00 I then joined community integration group. Tonigh we had Kabasi with rice, salad and desert. Greg, courtney, Josh, And Arney prepared the meal while I was the Kitchen Monitor. Once we had cleaned up I then showed the group the pictures I had on dis of my trip to Tennessee. The point of me attending tonights group. I then left to go home at 7:00. I arrived home at 8:00. I then sat down to blog before going to bed.

back and fourth to camp

Sunday August 26 I began my Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. by leaving camp with my mother to go home. Upon my arrivel home at 7:50 I immediatly jumped on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After doing so I then went to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. The days are becoming so discouraging, The more time I put into this recovery prcess from this stroke I had, and not being able to do the things I use to do, yet really is a downer. THOUGH I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!! At 8:30 I then took my shower, before drinking my cocoa and eating crepes for breakfast. At 9:20 I then brushed my teeth before leaving to go to church with my mother. After church at 11:30 I then went to Hannaford with my mother to pick up some things befor going home. Upon my arrivel home I ate some lunch befors sitting down to do yesterdays blog at 12:30. At 1:00 I then left to go back to camp. Upon my arrivel to camp I changed into my bathing suit and went for a swim. I stayed in the water for fourty minutes, before going to my bunk house to rest. I had slept for two hours, before getting up and going into the camp. My nother and I then played cribbage. After a couple of games, I then took a shower, before eating dinner with my mother. Once we had finished eating at 6:30, we then played a couple more games of cribbage before I went to my bunk house to call it a day.

To Camp We Go

Saturday August 25th I began my Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast and drink my hot cocoa. My mother had made me dropped eggs on toast. Once I had finished eating at 10:00 I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine for a thirty minute workout. I then went to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 11:00 I then took my shower and got ready for my day ahead. Once I was ready, I then left for camp. At 12:15 I had arrived. Upon doing so, I went right to my bunk houses to rest. I had slept from 12:20 until 3:00. I then got up, thus going into the camp. My parents and I then sat down to play a game of tock. This is a game for up to four people were you try to get your marbles around the board into your home area first. At 5:00 we sat down to eat beans, hot dogs, and corn on the cob for dinner. Once we had finished eating, my mother and I played cribbage for an hour. At 7:15 I then had a snack before going to my bunk house. Once in there I had talked with some friends before going to sleep.

A visit from Bruce and Jim

I began my Friday morning at 9;00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I then went to my bathroom to brush my teeth. I then took the sheets off my bed, thus bringing them to the laundry room to start a wash. Once I had the laundry going, I then went back to my bedroom so that I could clean my bathroom. At 9:35 I then road the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then went back to my bedroom to make my bed with clean sheets. I then talked to my grandmother briefly on the telephone. I then went to the laundry room to get the laundry to hang on the line, to dry. At 11:00 I then dusted the furniture in the family room. At 12:00 I then vaccuumed, the family room. At 12:30 I then started a dark load of laundry. At 12:40 I then went to my bedrooom to do my weight exercises both leg and arm. At 12:55 I then took in my sheets off from the clothing line. After taking a shower I then hung another load of laundry to dry. My parents arrivee home at 2:00 and some friends of my father Jim and Bruce. We visited for an hour. I then put my laundry away, before doing my weight exerices. At 5:00 I then tried doing some of my yoga stretching. At 5:15 I then took a shower before eating a tomato and lettuce sandwich. I then sat down to do my blog.

Biking along the Back Bay with M.A.S.

I began my Thursday morning at 4:30 a.m. by getting up to do my arm and leg weight exercises. At 5:30 I continued by doing my stretching and some of my yoga exercises. At 5:45 I then took an air flo reading. 440, 480, 460. I then made my way out into the kitchen to eat oatmeal and toasted english muffin for breakfast. I also had a cut up peach, bananna, and grapes on the side. Once I had brushed my teeth Larry from United Wheelchair arrived at 7:00 to transport me to WestSide. We then went to pick up Donald. We arrived at WestSide at 8:30 Where we had meet up with Tobie and Carol two staff at WestSide taking us to the Back Bay in Portland to do some biking with Maine Adaptive Sports program. Tobie had taken Donald, Arnold, Dennis and I, while Caorol transported Marian. Upon our arrivel to the Back Bay at 10:15 we had meet up with the volenteers, Program coordinators, and other participants in the program. Once we were out of the vehicle we then were put on our three wheeled bikes. I was then given a guide to ride with to help guide me along the trail, do to my islands of vision. Before taking off, we decided to ride as a group Tobie, Carol, Donald, Marian, Arnold, Dennise, and I. We arrived back at the meeting place after one trip around the Bay at 11:30. We all then sat down to eat lunch. Once we had finished eating, we were back on the road to WestSide at 12:15. We arrived at WestSide at 1:30 Donald and I then hopped on United to go home. I arrived home at 3:00 p.m. Upon doing so I went straight to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 3:30 I then did my stretchnig exercises, before sitting down at my computer for a bit. At 4:30 I then went into the kitchen to eat dinner. At 5:30 I then took my shower before sitting down to blog.

Planning an outing to Tim Horton's for next weeks support group

I began my Wednsday morning at 8;00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. once I had done so I then started the dish washer. At 8:20 I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth before beginning to do my weight exercises. I figured I was already in my bedroom, why not. At 9:00 I then went downstairs to start a load of laundry before jumping on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:30 I then took my shower before hanging the laundry on the clothing line to dry. I then continued to get ready, before sitting down to fill my pill containers for the week. At 10:30 I then emptied the dish washer, thus putting the dish's away. I then took an air flo reading. 480, 480, 480. At 11:00 I then grabbed my Ipad to play words whith friends while waiting for United to arrive. At 11:30 I then left for WestSide. Upon my arrivel for 1:00 a.m. I went to the conference room for support group with Deb. During Support Group Denise, Dee Dee, Tina and I first talked about our outing for next weeks group. We will be going to Tim Horton's next week to hold our group. To switch it up a little. We then worked on a new affirmation for the group. At 2:00 I then went down to the gym for P.T. with Dan. Dan first took my blood pressure. 102 over 72. He then had me walking on the tredmill. I managed to make it 18:16. three minutes longer then my last P.T. session with Dan. It was walking it at 2.6 m.p.h. and my distance was .783. After my walk, Dan took my blood pressure once again, this time it was 102 over 72. It stayed exactly the same. Dan then had me doing balance exercises, on a step up. At 3:00 John from United brought me home. I arrived home at 4:15. Upon doing so I had put my laundry away my mother had put in my bedroom. I then preceded to do my weight exercises. Once I had done so, I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner. My mother had made a corn chowder. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to take an air flo reading: 480, 530, 510. I then sat down to blog for the day.

Finding out what type of asthma I have while talking to Jennifer

I began Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. by doing my stretching routine to loosen up those muscles. I then did my weight exercises before going to the kitchen to eat granola and toast for breakfast. Once I had done so, I then went back to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for my day ahead. United soon picked me up at 7:30 to go to WestSide. We then picked Donald up along the way. Upon my arrivel for 9:00 a.m. I made my way into the conference room for yoga group. Today Donald, David, Mat, and I worked on yoga moves like the Spinal Twist, Plank, Rowing Squats, and push ups. We then ended the group with breathing exercises. At 10:00 I spoke with Jennifer in Finding Meaning Group. She thinking of moving the group to a different time to make it available to more clients. I then let her know that I have Asthma. She then looked up the proper name for it. Idiocincratic Asthma- when the nervous system does not coordinate with the brain Sending mixed messages. At 10:30 I then went to the kitchen for my break. At 11:30 I then had my Nursing session with Sally. She first took my blood pressure: 126 over 74. We then talked about medical appointments that I have comming up. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. At 12:40 Jon then took me home. Upon my arrivel home I rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 2:15 I then went to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. Leg and arm. At 2:45 I then began to do my stretching exercises. At 3:15 I took an air flo reading: 430, 510, 500. I then took in some laundry before taking a shower. At 5:00 I then ate dinner before sitting down to blog.

Working on balance during P.T.

I began my Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. by stretching my muscles and doing my weight exercises whie drinking my hot cocoa. At 6:30 I then made my way to the kitchen to eat breakfast. My mother had made pancakes and sausage for breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bathroom to shower and get ready for my day ahead. Once I had done so, I then took a reading with my peak flo meter: 420, 420, 440. I then waited for United Wheelchair to arrive. Once I had arrived at WestSide for my 10:00 a.m. P.T. appointment with Dan. I had asked the receptionist to let me in so that I could make my way down to the gym. Once in the gym. I went over to one of the matts to sit and wait patiantly. Dan began the session by taking my blood pressure. 110 over 76. Dan then had me walking on the tredmill. I had made it 2.6 miles before I had to stop. I walked in 16 minutes and 25 seconds. Dan then took my blood pressure reading again,108 over 72. Dan then had me doing some side stepping, as though I was stepping over something so as to lift my foot a little higher then normal. Dan had a gate belt on me the entire time. It had to be used too at certain times. Dan then had me in the parallel bars doing a balance exercise where I stood with my feet together my arms crossed with a gate belt on. Dan then had me look to the right, look to the left, look up, look down, look straight. Not necessarally in the order. At 11:00 I had a fifteen minute break before meeting with my case manager, Piper for fifteen minutes. I then had a support session with Deb for thirty minutes. Today I spoke to Deb about attending the Community Intergration Group Next Monday night. This is a group I use to be part before I had my stroke last year. At the time I was living indipendently in my own place in Auburn, Maine. The group meets from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. every Monday night. The group first with get together to meal plan, volenteer for cooking, set up, and clean up tasks, prepare the meal, then sit down and eat. Then the group will either stay at the facility and do something of go out in the community and take part in an activity. for example go to the library. attend an art class at creative works or attend a monthly support group held the first Monday of each month. I will be sharing with the group the pictures I have on a disc of my trip to Tennessee. Thanks to my friend Scott who I stayed with he and his wife DEB while I was there. I arrived home at 1:00. Upon doing so, I had some Salmon peawiggle for lunch. I then brushed my teeath before laying down to rest at 1:25. I had slept until 4:15 before getting up to stretch and shower before eating dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog.

The weekends are made for R.E.S.T. AHHHHHHH

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat granola cereal and toasted english muffin for breadfast. Once I has finished eating at 8:30, I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth and continue by doing my stretching and weigh exercises. Once I had finished my workout, I then continued to get ready to go to church, by first  taking my shower ect. At 10:00 my mother and I left for the Pierce house to pick up my grandmother. We finally arrived at church at 10:15. Today we had another Priest filling in our Parish Priest. His sermon was quite interesting too. After mass we dropped my grandmother off at the Pierce House, before going home. Once my mother and I had arrived home, I had something to eat, before laying down to rest. I had slept from 12:15 until 3:15 before getting up. I know I have built up some endurance since my stroke, but there is something to be said about the weekends, just makes you want to sleep, no matter what the weather is like outside. Once I was up, I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine from 3:30 until 4:00. Once I had finished my ride, I then went back to my bedroom to do my Yoga workout. I am so glad that WestSide put me in the Yoga Group. It has proven to be very beneficial. At 4:30 I then took a shower to clean up before eating dinner with my mom. Once I had finished eating Pizza and zucchini I went to my bedroom to blog at 5:30.

15 2, 15 4 cribbag, I love the game

I began my Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I had eggs, sausage, bagel, avacado, tomato, grapes, strawberries, orange juice, and my hot cocoa. You could say it was a brunch. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to brush my teeth. At 9:50 I then began to do my stretching. At 10:15 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. Once I had regained all stability in my legs. I then went out to get the newspaper. Once I was back inside, I went back to my bedroom at 10:50 to do my weight exercises. Once I had finished with my weights, I then went outside to sweep the leaves off the deck. I then went inside to take my shower. Once I was clean, I felt a bit tired, tired enough to lay down and rest. So I did. I had slept from 12:00 until 3:00 before touching my feet to the floor. I then change the sheets on my bed. I had skipped lunch, so I had felt a little famished. I then went to the kitchen to eat my salad my mother had made to go with dinner along with a bisquet. At 3:40 I then went on line to play words with friends. At 4:30 I went out to the kitchen to play cribbage with my mother before dinner. At 5:15 I then sat down to eat spaghetti for dinner with my mother. My father was in Portland visiting my sister. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to blog.

Out on the town with my mother and grandmother

I beagan my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat granola and a toasted english muffin for breakfast. At 8:10 I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth and shave before going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then brought the laundry in the washer up stairs before giving my mother a call at work. She wanted to let me know that she would be picking me up at 1:00 so that she, gram, and I would be going out this afternoon. Once off the telephone with my mother I then hung the laundry to dry. It still is a bit of a challange for me climbing those stairs, especially with a basket of laundry in my hands. I just take it one step and stop before taking another. At 9:10 I then went back inside to wash some dish's in the sink and put them away. At 9:15 I then went to my bedroom to put my laundry away. While in there I preceded to do my weight exercises both upper and lower. At 9:35 I then started a load of laundry. I then went back to my bedroom to stretch. At 10:15 I then began to do my Yoga exercises. I'm glad I was put in the Yoga group at WestSide so that I am able to carry over the work out at home. At 10:25 I then hung the laundry to dry before putting clean sheets on my bed. At 11:40 I then took an air flo reading: 470, 480, 450. At 12:00 I then watched the news while eating my lunch. After taking a shower, my mother had picked me up at 1:00 to go out with she and my grandmother. While out and about we first stopped off at Pike's to pick up some corn on the cob and fresh strawberry's. We then went to Mt Blue drug and Wal-Mart before going to the Harvest House Restaraunt to get a dessert, while we sat and talked. At 2:45 we then left to go home. After dropping my grandmother off at the Pierce house, We then arrived home at 3:00. Once inside I then layed down and I had slept until 4:50 before getting up to eat my dinner. Tonight we had Salmon Pea Wiggle, with corn on the cob, and swiss chard from my fathers garden. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom at 5:30 to do my blog.  

Do I hav P.V.F.M. or asthma?

I began my Thursday morning at 6:00 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had done so, I then went back to my bedroom to begin my workout. I first started by doing my stretching, so as to loosen up those muscles. I then did my upper and lower weight routine. Once I had finished my weight exercises, I then proceeded by doing my yoga exercises. At 7:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 7:50 I then went back up to my bedroom to take my shower and to get ready for my day ahead. I then waited for United to pick me up to bring me to theropy. Upon my arrivel to WestSide for my 10:30 counceling appointment with Dr. Brian Ablitz. While talking to Dr. Ablitz. We talked about my goals in theropy and how things are going. Like when I will be able to run, All the exercising I do, and how it can be discouraging at times. At 11:00 I then had a Speech evaluation with Carina. Some of the things she had tested: my pitch, good. She then had me doing some breathing exercises to see if I had (P.V.F.M.) Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement and not Asthma. P.V.F.M. Is a voice disorder. The vocal folds (cords) behave in a normal fashion almost all of the time, but,when an episode occures, the vocal cords close when they should open, such as when breathing. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. Once I had finished eating Berge from United then took me home. I arrived home at 2:00. Once inside I then washed my dish's from my lunch. At 2:10 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 2:45 I then made my way into my bedroom to do my weight exercises until 2:10. My mother arrived home at 2:30, upon doing so I had helped her in with the groceries. At 3:00 I then went on face book. I then took my shower before going back out into the kitchen to eat dinner. At 5:30 I then went back to my computer to blog.  

I broke my record, during P.T.

I began my Wednesday morning at 6:30 a.m. by getting, going out to the kitchen to eat cereal with bananna along with peanut butter and honey on a toasted english muffin. At 6:50 I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth before going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 7:30 I then went back up to my bedroom to do my weights exercises. At 7:55 I then began to do my yoga exercises. At 8:10 I began to do my stretching exercises. Once I had finished my morning workout, I then took my shower getting ready for my day ahead. At 9:00 I then cleaned my bathroom before sitting down to watch the newes. At 11:00 I then made myself a tuna sandwhich for lunch. At 11:30 United arrived to bring me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel to WestSide, I had gone downstairs to sit with the other clients during lunch. I had arrived at 12:30 and my first theropy did not begin until 1:00. I then made my way to the conference room for support group. Tina, Dee Dee, Deb, and I started the group by putting our fists in the middle, then saying the words, "STAY POSSITIVE!" We then tried to remember the nick names we had given ourselves. Tina, The Cheer leader and I am the Roll Model. We then continued to work on our new group affirmation. At 2:00 I then made my way downstairs to the gym. Today I had P.T. with Kristin. She first had me walking around the bottum level at WestSide. In thirteen minutes I had walked twenty laps around. This is with out my A F O on. Towards the end of the walk, myfoot started to get tired and drag, but I did it. I had broken the record of sixteen laps by four laps. I was eighty feet short of walking a mile. Kristin then had me in the parallel bars doing leg exercises with ankle weights. At 2:50 I then left to go home. I had arrived at 4:00. Once in my bedroom, I first put my laundry away. I then sat down to blog.

Going out to camp for a swim, to end the day

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a..m. by doing my stretching and doing my weight exercises until 6:00. I then took my shower, thus getting ready to go to Westside for my daily theropy. At 6:30 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 7:00 I then went to the my bathroom to brush my teeth. Once I had done so, I then cleaned my bathroom. I then took an peak flo reading with my peak flo meter: 470, 480, 450. At 7:10 I then brought the laundry up from the washroom out onto the deck to be hung, climbing the stairs slowly one step at a time. I then waited for my ride. Upon my arrivel to WestSide, my first theropy was Yoga Group. During Yoga Group Mat, David, Donald and I with Carol and Kristin first did the OM Shanti a typ of breathing. We then worked on belly breathing while laying on mats on the floor. While doing the bridge pose I sat in a chair do to my A F O. We then ended the group with doing the corps pose. This is sort of a meditation. At 10:00 I then had finding meaning group. No other clients showed up, so I talked with Jennifer for an hour. We talked about the group and other things going on in my life, and why things happen for a reason. At 11:00 during my break, I went to the dining area to eat half of my lunch. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. we talked about how my spacer and my inhailer help with my asthma. Sally then took my blood pressure 116 over 68. At 12:30 John from United Wheelchair took me home. I arrived home at 1:45. Upon my arrivel home, My father and I immediatly left to go to camp. While out there we went for a swim. I first strapped on a life vest then my father helped me down into the water. We floated around and swam for an hour before getting change and going home. Upon my arrivel home at 3:30 I took my shower, ate dinner, I then sat down to blog.

A brief visit with my Aunt Marion

I began my Monday morning at 5;30 a.m. by stretching and doing my upper weight exercises. At 6;00 I then made my way into the kitchen to eat breakfast. My father had made me a cheese omlet along with some garden stringbeans, with a toasted english muffin. I then went to my bedroom to brush my teeth and shave before doing my leg exercises. At 6:45 I then took my shower before taking an air flo reading: 430, 450, 500. I then continued to get ready to go to WestSide. I then went by the door to wait for United to arrive. I finally arrived at WestSide at 10:00. I then signed in before making my way down to the gym for my P.T. session with Kristin. Kristin first had me running/ jogging in the parallel bars, the best I can at this time. Once I had finished my jogging, Kristin then had me on the mat doing leg exercises. At 11:00 I then had a fifteen minute break. During my break, I sat in the lobby. At 11:15 I had met with Piper for my case management session. I had gone over my goals with Piper during the session. At 11:30 I had met with Deb. During my support session with deb we discussed some of the things I went over with Piper. Focussing on my phisical goals in P.T. for now. At 12:00 John from United then took me home. I arrived home at 1:00. Upon doing so, I had some lunch. At 1:30 my sister Barbara and my aunt Marion stopped by. After a brief visit, I then lied down to rest. I had slept from 2:00-5:00 before getting up. I then took in the laundry off the clothing line. Once I had put it away, I then sat down to eat dinner. At 6:00 I then took my shower to get comfortable for the night. I then sat down to blog at 7:00.

The day spent in Auburn

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching and weight exercises. At 8:50 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After doing so I then went back to my bedroom to get ready for my day ahead. Once I had taken my shower and was all ready, I then went to church. Upon my arrivel, I things look a little quiet. So I had gone inside. Come to find out there was a church picnic today at canton lake where today,s mass was being held. Once I had returned home, I had waited around for an hour before leaving for Auburn with my father. He and I were going there to take my friend Greg to lunch. He lives at Odd Fellow. Once we had picked up Greg we went to Apple Bee's. Once we had finished eating, we then made our way over to the Auburn Mall at 1:30 to walk around. At 2:20 we left the mall and made our way over to Khole's. We then dropped Greg off at Odd Fellow's. Along the way home, we had stopped off at the Dairy Joy on Spring Street in Auburn to get an Ice Cream. I use to walk there during the summer when I live in Auburn. At 4:30 we arrived home. I then sat down to blog.

Keeping things clean

I began my Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. by riding the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I then went out to get the mail and the newspaper. Once I was back inside, I then sat down to eat a bowl of cereal with a toasted blueberry muffin. Once I had finished eating and skimming over the newspaper, I then went to my bedroom at 10:50 to do my weight exercises and my stretching. At 11:30 I began to dust my bedroom. I did so until 1:00 before going out into the kitchen to eat a left over piece of pizza for lunch. Once I had finished eating, I then took a ride to camp with my father. While out there, we checked out how things looked after the renters had left.  We returned home at 2:30. I then lied down to rest. I had slept until 4:30 before getting up to take a shower. Once I had done so, I had sat down at my computer to type out my daily blog entry, before eating dinner.

A fasting blood test first thing this morning

I began my Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. by going over to Franklin Memorial Hospital with my father to have  a fasting blood test done. I arrived back home at 7:30. Once inside I then ate some cereal and bananna for breakfast along with my hot cocoa and a toasted blueberry muffin. At 8:00 I then went downstairs to ride the swin airdine for thirty minutes. Once I had finished riding I then put the laundry in the dryer. At 8:35 I then made my way to my bedroom to do my weight exercises: both leg and arm. At 9:00 I then started to do my stretching exercises. I then went to the kitchen to wash some dish's before I had emptied the dishwasher. At 10:10 I went to the washroom to start a load of laundry. At 10:15 I then took my shower before giving my grandmother a call. At 11:00 I then went to the laundry room to fold some laundry in the dryer before putting another load in to be dried. Once I had put the folded laundry away,  I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. Once I had finished eating, I  went to my bedroom to brush my teeth before laying down to rest. I was so tired, I had slept from 11:45 until 3:15. I then got up to put my personal laundry away before turning to my p.m. exercise agenda. At 5:00 I then visited with my sister before eating dinner with my family.

Running in place on the trampoline during my p.t. session with Tracie

I began my Thursday morning at 7;00 a.m. I kind of over slept, but found enough time to get ready without including my thirty minute bike ride. I first went out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal and a toasted blueberry muffin. At 7;30 I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth, shave, and to make my bed before beginning to do my weight exercises, both leg and arm. At 7:50 I then continued my workout with my stretching exercises. At 8:00 I then took my shower continuing to get ready for my day ahead. At 8:10 I then took an air flo reading. 470, 500, 510. I soon then left to go to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for my 10:15 case management session with Piper: she and I talked about the doctors appoitntment I had Tuesday. Letting her know that the doctor had told me that my breathing problems are do to asthma. I also had told her about the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine I had received to help prevent pneumococcal diseases. At 11:00 during P.T. with Tracie she had me running in the parallel bars. Now when I say running it is not a right out jog. It is performing at the best of my capability. Now remember my right foot is still week and the leg, but it is much stronger then it was. After running for one minute break, one minute and thirty seconds break,  two minutes break, two minutes and thirty seconds break. I have to admit I did have breathing problems and became tired but I pushed forward. Tracie then put the trampoline in the parallel bars for me to run on so that I could hold on to the bars for balance. I have to say it was much easier do to the give. It would bounce my foot up. Wow!!! I am one step closer to being able to take off. At 11:00 Tracie Then had me laying down on the mat doing some deep breathing and relaxation techneques. In through nose out through mouth. At 1:15 I then had left to go home. I had arrived home at 2:15. I had gome staight to my bedroom to begin doing my leg exercises. At 2:30 I then did my arm exercises. With weights. At 2:40 I then stretched before sitting down to blog. 

signing a card for Bill during support group

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by eating my breakfast. I had a  bowl of cereal and a blueberry muffin. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to brush my teeth before going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then went back to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. I then called my grandmother to wish her a happy birthday before stretching. After my shower, I then took an air flo reading: 450, 470, 450. I then had a little lunch before going to WestSide. Upon my arrivel at 12:30 I went to the kitchen to talk with others as they ate their lunch. I then went up to the conference room for support group. Dee Dee, Tina, Denise, and I first put our fist in the middle and said STAY POSSITIVE with Deb. Deb then showed us some pictures of a concert she had gone to with Travis Trip. We then signed a card to send to Bill. The then made up a new card for us to read at the beginning of each group, with our own words. After support group I then went to the gym for P.T. with Dan at 2:00. Dan first took my blood pressure 110 over 78. He then had me on the Nu Step exercising. I had gone 16 minutes and 16 seconds before stopping. I had gone .90 miles and burned 67 calories. ,My blood pressure then read 108 over 78. Dan then had me working on balance. I stood in the parallel bars on a airex cuisain. I was able to do one minute and twenty-two seconds right foot in front of left and two minutes left foot in front of right. Once I had finished my P.T. session I then went to the lobby to meet Larry the United Driver who was taking my home. I arrived home at 4:10, got a glass of ice water and went straight to my cmputer to work on my daily blog entree.

Finding out I have asthma while at my doctors appointment

I began my Tuesday morning at 7:50 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen to eat peanutbutter and honey on toast for breakfast. I then went back into my bedroom to brush my teeth and to make my bed. At 8:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then went back up to my bedroom to do my leg and arm weight exercises. At 9:15 I then did my stretching for thirty minutes. At 9:45 I then took my shower, thus getting ready for my day ahead. Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I then went back into the kitchen to start the dishwasher. At 10:00 I then cleaned  my fathers bathroom downstairs before starting a load of laundry. At 10:30 I took an air flo reading: 470, 470, 460. AT 10:55 I then hung the laundry to dry. At 12:30 my father took me over to my doctors  appointment at Farmington Family Practice next to Franklin Memorial  Hospital. While talking to to Dr. Auger, he had told me after looking at the results from a rescent breathing test I had done, that I have asthma. It is a mild case, but now I know why I having the breathing complication. The inhailer has been helping a little with the medication. While there Doctor Auger gave me a pneumococcal vaccine, so that my lungs don't get infected. I arrived home at 3:00. I lied down to rest and I slept until 5:15. I then got up to put my laundry away before eating dinner. At 6:00 I watch the news before sitting down to blog. I then called it a day.  

The Weekend

Sunday August 5th

I began my Sunday morning At 8:00 a.m. by getting up and making my way out into the kitchen to have a bowl of cereal, with cut up bananna and half of a toasted english muffin. Once I had finished eating at 9:00, I then made my way back into my bedroom to get ready to go to church. Before leaving I had taken an air flo reading: 460, 450, 430. We then left to go to church, my sister and I. Along the way we had picked up our grandmother at the Pierce House. As we were sitting in the front pew, the priest came over to say hello. After mass my sister and I dropped my grandmother off at the Pierce House before going home ourselves. We then had some leftover pizza for lunch before leaving for Scarborough. We arrived at my sisters place at 2:30. Upon doing so I had gone right to bed. I had slept for two hours before getting up to talk with my parents and sister. At 6:00 My dad had gone to get lobster and clams for dinner. Once we had finished eating, I then took a shower at 7:15 before going to bed.

Monday August 6th

I began my Monday morning at 6:00 a.m. by getting up to drink my hot cocoa whith my sister and mother while my father went to get us ham and egg sandwhich's from a bakery down the street. Once I had finished eating I then took my shower at 7:00 thus getting ready to go to WestSide. United had picked me up at my sisters in Scarbourough to bring me to Lewiston. I had arrived at WestSide at for my 9:00 a.m. P.T. appointmet on time. Upon doing so I had meet Dan in the gym. Dan first took my blood pressure 104 over 72. I then walked on the tredmill for five minutes. I had too stop because I was having a hard time to breath. After a brief break, Dan had me walking in the hall. While doing so he had me performing different tasks for example: stopping on command, Then hold without losing my balance, start and stop exercises. Once we had done so he then had me back in the gym putting colored cones on one another as I shifted my weight to as I grabbed for them. At 11:00 I then went into the kitcnen to eat my lunch. Once I had finished eating I had left to go home. I had arrived home at 1:10, Upon doing so I went staight to bed. I had slept until 4:15 before getting up. I had gone out to the kitchen to eat sauted mushrooms my mother had prepared. I then went back into my bedroom to unpack my napsack from the weekend. At 4:30 I then did my weight exercises, both leg and arm. At 5:00 I then stretched. After I had taken a shower, I then went out to the kitchen to eat lobsters rolls with my parents. with left over lobster meat from the other day. I then took a shower before sitting down to blog. First I had taken an air flo reading: 660, 400, 450.

Time spent with my sister Barbara

I began my Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat some fruit while drinking my cocoa. I then went to my bedroom to put my laundry away. While  in my room I took an air flo reading: 480, 480, 490. I then went back out into the kitchen to eat french toasted blueberry muffins. Once I had brushed my teeth, I made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:15 I then went out to get the newspaper. Once I was back inside I did my weight exercises both arm and leg. At 10:40 I took a break while my parents had left for Portland to say good-bye. I then went to my bedroom to stretch. At 11:25 I then took my shower getting for the rest of my day. At 12:00 I then started a load of laundry. Once it was going I took in the laundry off the line that was dry. At 12:30 I then put the laundry away. I then hung out the load in that had been washed. At 1:00 I then started a load of whites. While waiting for it to get done I went to my bedroom in the A.C. While in there I took an air flo reading: 470, 470, 500. At 1:30 I then hung the laundry to dry. At 1:50 I lied down to rest. I had slept until 3:00. My sister had arrived to spend the night with me while my parents were in Portland. She and I will be leaving tomorrow. We then ordered a pizza for dinner from the store right up the street, in a little town called Industry. My sister then went to get the pizza. We then went out on the deck to eat and talk. Once we had finished eating we went into my bedroom to enjoy the cool. At 5:00 I then took one last air flo reading 540, 480, 450. I then sat down to blog.

Laundry Day

I began my Friday morning at 8:20 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen to have a blueberry muffin and a bowl of cherios for breakfast, along with some fruit. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to brush my teeth. At 9:00 I then made my way downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes, but first I started the dishwasher. Once I had finished riding, I then started a load of laundry.At 9:35 I then went to my bedroom to do my leg and arm exercises with weights. Once I had finished exercising, I then took the sheets off my bed to bring them to the laundry room to wash. At 10:20 I then hung the laundry once again to dry. At 10:40 I then went back to my bedroom to do my stretching. At 11:00 I then took my shower getting ready for the rest of my day. Once I was out of my shower, I then began another load of laundry. At 11:40 I then emptied the dish washer, thus putting the dish's away. At 12:00 I then went to my bedroom to enjoy the air conditioned room while watching the news. At 12:40 I then hung the laundry to dry. At 12:30 I went back into my bedroom so that I could lay down to rest. I had slept until 3:00 before getting up. I then went into the kitchen to talk with my mother who had just returned home from work. At 3:15 I then went into my cool room to drink my a Mc Cafe my mother brings home for me periotically. Cool drink in a cool room, great combination on a hot day. At 3:15 I then played words with friends until 4:30. I then did my arm and leg weight exercises. At 5:00 I then took my shower. At 5:30 I then called my grandmother to talk. I then sat down to eat dinner with my parents. We had fish with zuccini and stringbeans for dinner. I thern took an air flo reading 650, 460, 500. I then sat down to blog.

Going for my first run during P.T. with Amanda but I have to give Tracie credit, because it was her idea

I began my Thursday morning at 5:00 a.m. by stretching and doing my weight exercises. At 6:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat blueberry muffins my mother just made for breakfast.Once I had finished eating my breakfast, I then went to my bedroom to brush my teeth and put my lundry away. After doing so, I then continued to get ready for my day ahead. At 6:45 I then took an air flo reading; 450, 490, 460. United soon arrived an took me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for my 10:30 counseling session with Dr. Brian Ablitz. Today discussion mainly was about stress dealing with my stroke. At 11:00 I then went to the gym for P.T. with Amanda. During P.T. Amanda strapped a gatebelt around my waist and had me standing in the parallel bars. You'll never guess what she had me doing next. You guessed it she had me RUNNING. I first started by holding on to both sides. I then ran for ten minutes. My breathing wasn't all that bad either. I then took a break before starting the next step of this well earned workout. Amanda then had me holding on with my left arm. which is my arm on the side not effected by the stoke. After running for ten minutes, you what the next step was, that is right running without holding on at all. I did that for fifteen minutes before losing my breath along with my right foot becoming weak. That was the first time in a while I had walked out of that gym with a grin on my face stretched out a mile long. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. Before doing so I had to tell someone the good news. I saw Jill in one of the kitchens. She is an o.t. at WestSide. I then sat down to eat my lunch with other clients who were there today. At 1:00 Larry from United took me home. I had arrived home at 2:10. Once I was inside I jumped on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. My mother then arrived home. I was then fealing tired so I layed down to rest and I slept from for two hours. At 5:00 I then got up to go out to the kitchen to eat dinner. My mother had fried up some zuccini along with some rice and lettuce.Once I had finished eating, I then went to ,y room to blog before taking my shower.

working on balance during P.T. with Dan

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I then went back into my bedroom to brush my teeth. At 8:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then went back up to my bedroom to do my weight exercises, both leg and arm. Then to end my workout I stretched. At 9:45 I then continued to get ready for my day ahead, by taking my shower and cleaning my bathroom. At 10:00 I began a load of laundry. I then played words with friends while waiting for it to finish. Once it was done, I then hung it out to dry. I then waited for my ride. At 11:30 United Wheelchair arrived, and took me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel at 12:40, I signed in. Upon doing so I went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 1:00 I then went to the conference room for support group with Deb. Today Dee Dee, Tina, Denise, and I started our group off by putting a fist in the middle of the table and said "STAY POSSITIVE!" Like we do at the start of every support group. We then read the card. We then focussed on week 24 "Putting it together" the last week of this segment. This chapter had us reviewing activities from past chapters. Examples: What makes you feel good about yourself? I responded, When I go swiming in the lake out at camp. I have a life vest on. But I am swimming just the same. Behaviors you can do today? What do you do when you need help? How will exepting yourself today help your recovery? At 2:00 I then had P.T. with Dan. Dan first took my resting heart rate. 112 over 72. Dan then had me on the tredmill. I walked for twelve minutes, went .527 miles, and burned 52.7 calories. At 2:25 Dan had me standing with a gate belt on, bouncing a ball off a trampoline, catching it as it bounced back. To make things more difficult he had me put my feet close together, one in front of the other, ect. Dan then had me in the parallel bars doing leg exercises with ankle weights on. At 3:00 Larry from United took my home. I arrived home at 4:15 going straight to my bedroom to blog before dinner.