Putting together a winter resource board during winter sports group

I began my Thursday morning at 5:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me an egg sandwhich. Along with some tomato, bananna, o.j., and my hot cocoa had made the morning complete. At 5:30 I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth and get ready for the rest of my day. I then brought my nap sack and lunch to the door. While in sitting in the foyer waiting for United wheelchair to arrive I did my breathing and speech exercises. Larry from United had arrived at 7:00, Thus driving me to WestSide. I had arrived there at 8:30. Once I had brought my lunch to the refrigerator and put my napsack in my locker, I went back to the lobby to wait. At 9:00 Tobie came to the Lobby to get Dennis and I and brought us to the conference room. Winter sports group and we are inside, go figure. I guess you can not predict what Mother Nature wants in the weather. Tobie, Dennis, and I had spent the spent the first hour putting together a winter resource boulletin board. It will be set out in the kitchen for clients to look at and get information on things going on this winter. Some of the things we had done to be put on the boulletin board are: Movie listings in the Lewiston/Auburn area, Creative works events, and Maine Addaptive Sprorts. At 10:50 we then went to the gym, Tobie, Dennis, and I to work out. While there we exercised on the oliptical. this mackine resembles cross country skiing. At 12:00 we were back to WestSide to go down to the kitchen to eat lunch with the other clients. I then went to the lobby to wait for United. I had arrived home at 2:15. I had first washed my dish's from lunch before laying down to rest. I had slept from 2:30-5:00. Once I was up I had taken a shower before going out into the kitchen to eat my dinner. I then went to my bedroom at 6:00 to blog.

Learning new things on the Ipad during O.T.

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:40 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to make myself a bananna sandwhich. While doing so I sipped on my hot cocoa. I had finished eating at 8:00. Upon doing so I Picked up the kitchen, I then started the dishwasher before going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 8:45 I then returned to my bedroom to do my weigh exercises. At 9:00 I then put my laundry away before stretching. My mother then called to let me know what was in the refrigerator for lunch. That help save me some syeps when it came time looking for something to eat. Whith what vision I have and memory loss, that was a huge help. At 9:20 I then Jumped in the shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. Once I had cleaned my bathroom I then started a load of laundry. At 10:00 I sat down to eat my lunch. Once I had finished eating I sat down to copy the notes I had been taking on my Ipad use into a little notebook. Thus keeping then organized. At 10:15 I then emptied the dishwasher thus putting the dish's away. I then hung laundry to dry just before United had arrived for 11:30. Upon my arrivel to WestSide for 1:00 I went directly to the conference room to join support group with Deb and Jen. Linda, Denise, Camie, Pete, and I shared our weekly events. First Denise went around trying to remember everyones name. We then stook up to put one fist in the center and say "STAY POSSITIVE!" Camie first shared, how she had her stroke last May. She also mentioned how she is having a hard time with the loss's in her life, reflecting back on what Dee Dee had shared last week. Denise had spoke about the two Doctor's appointments she had lat week. Denise also shared she was in a car accident and how she enjoy's theroputic horse back riding every week. I then shared how I miss skiing and running, and how I had run the beach to beacon the summer before my stroke. Pete then shared stories about his stroke. Pete also shared how he had made a corn chowder and invited his sister over. Linda had a stoke and was found on the floor three days later. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for my p.t. session with Dan. Today I first walked on the tredmill for 19:00. going 1.053 miles at 3.2 m.p.h. Dan then had me in the parallel bars stepping up on a four inck platform. ulternating legs. This was hard to do after walking on the tredmill. He then had me doing some weight shifting exercises. Be sure to put on that gatebelt. After what I had just done for exercise, I needed it on. At 3:00 during my O.T. session with Nancy we deleted some apts on my Ipad. She also showed me how to make my icons shiver and how to scroll four finger up the screen and what it does. "AMAZING!" At 3:30 Larry from United Wheelchair took me home. I had arrived home at 3:30 thus taking my shower, eating my dinner, sitting down to blog, I then went to bed. Few am I tired

How is your posture?

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight routine. I first started by lifting my weights both upper and lower extremeties. At 5;30 I then began to do my stretching. This does get tedious at times but it sure does help. Once I had finished with my morning workout, I then began to get ready for the rest of my day. I thought I would switch it up a little and take my shower and shave before eating my breakfast. OnceI had done so I then went into the kitchen to have a bowl of hot cereal, a toast, my hot cocoa, and a glass of O.J. At 6:30 I then brushed my teeth before doing my speech and breathing exerices. United had arrived at 7:30 to take me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel for 9:00 a.m. I had gone to the conference room for Yoga group with Michelle and Carol. Donald, Dennis,David, Mat, and I first started by looking at our posture in a mirror. Once we had done so, we then did some breathing exercises. Carol then spoke about posture, dealing with the spine. We then did some shoulder circles. At 10:00 I had stayed right in the conference room for stretching and strengthening group. David, Donald, Richard, Rem, David, and I each took turns naming off a type of stretch to do. Towards the third time around it gets kind of hard to think of a stretch let along remember one. At 11:00 during my break I had sat down in the kitchen doing my speech and breathing exercises. At 11:30 I had gone to the nurses station to meet with Sally. We spent the session discussing my headaches. She could tell at the time I was having one because the vains in my head were protruding. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then went back upstairs to sit in the lobby to wait for Deb. During my session with Deb we had spent the time deleting my emails on my Ipad. At 1:00 Larry took me home. I had arrived home at 2:15. Once inside I had washed some dish's that were in the sink plus my dish's from my lunch bag. At 2:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin airdine for thirty minutes. At 3:00 my mother had arrived home so I had helped her in with some things before sitting down to blog.

A trip to Waterville to see Dr. Kenny

I began my monday moring at 4:30 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching exercises. Once I had done so, I then preceded to do my weight exercises. Once I had finished exercising I then took my shower thus getting ready for my day ahead. At 6:00 I then went out into the kitchen to eat french toast for breakfast. At 6:30 I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth. Once I had done so, I then preceded to do my speech and breathing exercises. At 7:15 my father took me to Waterville to my Doctors appointment. I cheched in and Dr. Kenny saw me in a matter of minutes. Once Doctor Kenny had given me my body check, looking for any areas where I might have any molonoma. Once he had done so I was given a clean bill of health. At 8:50 I then had left for home. We had arrived home at 9:30. Upon doing so, I had gone to my bedroom to finish my hand exercises. I then put my gym shorts on and a t-shirt, before going down stairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 10:30 I then sat down to recopy some notes I had taken while in my o.t. and rehab sessions at WestSide. theywere notes on how to use my I pad. For example how to email from the ipad. At 11:25 I then had a bowl of soup for lunch with mama's crachers. At 11:50 I then brushed my teeth before laying down to rest. I had slept for two hours before getting up at 3:00. My mother had brought me in some toasted squash seeds to eat while I spoke to a friend on the telephone. At 3:30 I then went back out into the kitchen to talk with my parents before dinner. I started to get a headache so my mother had suggested I take one of my nortriptyline to decrease the pain now and take the remaining two at bedtime. Why not. I then took my shower before eating dinner. Once I had eaten, I had returned to my bedroom to blog.

Off to Auburn to take my friend Greg out to lunch.

I began my Sunday morning at 6:30 a.m. by doing my stretching for fourty minutes. I then turned to my weight exercises. Once I had completed my morning workout, I then called the Pharmacy over at Hanaford to order my prescription. At 7:45 I then did my breathing and speech exercises. Once I had done so, I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me an egg sandwhich. At 8:20 I had returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for my day ahead. Once I was dressed and ready, my mother and I had left the house at 10:00 to go pick my grandmother up at the Pierce House. We then went to church. During Mass today instead of the homily we had two adults being baptised into the church. After Mass my mother and I brought my grandmother home. Once I had arrived home, my father and I had left shortly afterwards at 12:00 to go to Auburn to take my friend out to lunch. At 1:30 we had picked Greg up at Odd Fellows. We then went to Gippers to eat. I had a fish sandwhich with fries and a side order of beans. Once we had finished eating we had brought Greg home. On our way throught Farmington we stopped off at Hanaford so that I could pick up the medication to help me with my headaches. They won't let you refill the meds until three days before you are out. Oh and believe me I don't want to be with out just yet. We then arrived home at 4:30. I immediatly went inside to take my shower before sitting down to blog. I then crashed. Was I tired.

It is cold outside!!!

I began my Saturday morning by going out into the kitchen to eat some fruit with fruit dip while drinking my hot cocoa, while my mother was making home made cinnamon buns for breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before starting in with my exercise regimen. First I had gone downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 10:15 I then started in with my weight exercises arms and legs. At 10:40 I then began to do my stretching. At 11:00 I went on face book to play words with friends from 11:00-11:30. I then put my laundry away before doing my speech and breathing exercises. At 1:00 I then went into the kitchen to eat a bowl of soup, which by the way felt pretty nice and warm on such a cold day. Once I had finished eating, I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth before laying down to rest. I had slept from 1:15-4:00. I then got up to take a shower before sitting down to blog. I then went out into the kitchen to eat dinner before calling it a day.

A telephone call from Piper

I began my Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. by taking the sheets off of my bed. I then put clean ones on before bringing the dirty ones to the laundry room to wash. Once I had started a load of laundry, I then jumped on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:10 I had returned to the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. My father had given me a call while on the way to a funeral. At 9:40 I then hung the laundry to dry. Once I had done so, I then started another load. At 10:00 I went back to my bathroom to brush my teeth before returning to the kitchen to start the dishwasher. At 10:05 I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 10:30 I began to do my stretching routine. I then went downstairs to hang the second laod to dry. At 10:50 I took my shower, thus getting ready for the rest of my day. I then cleaned my bathroom. At 11:30 I returned to the laundry room to start yet another load of laundry. I then returned to my bedroom to do my speech and breathing exercises. At 12:00 I had some fruit and fruit dip to snack on while watching the news. At 12:10 I then empied the dishwasher, thus putting the dish's away. At 12:30 I had hung yet another load of laundry to dry. Once I had done so, I then went to bed to rest. While laying on my bed I had received a telephone call from WestSide. It was Piper my case manager. She wanted to first go over my goals then she had read me some statements concerning my treatment at Goodwill. I then rated how I had felt about the statement 1-4. At 2:30 I then called Hanaford to order my medincation. I then had lied down to rest at 2:40. I had slept until 5:20 before getting up to eat dinner. I then went back to my bedroom at 6:00 to blog.

The wind was a killerl

I began my Thursday morning at 4:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to have a bowl of oatmeal and a toasted english muffin. Along with my hot cocoa and some fruit helped to make my meal complete. At 5:15 I had returned to my bedroom to brush my fangs and then I began to stretch. I had cut my workout short this morning do to the fact that I would be going to the gym today due to the wind chill we would not be going to Pine Land to cross country ski. Once I had showered, I then grabbed my gym bag and left for WestSide on United, which had arrived to pick me up at 7:30. Upon my arrivel to WestSide for 9:00 a.m. I had joined Dennis, Dianna, and Wayne in the lobby to wait for Tobbie. Tobie had first taken us all into the the conference room to talk about our experiences we have had with skiing. Tobie then touched upon topics like how to balance on the skis, what we should wear, Tobie then had us try standing in a pair of cross country skis. We then watched a videa on intro to classic and skate skiing. We then talked about improving balance. Tobie then had Diana while in the skis practice the star turn. At 10:00 we then grabbed our things and went to planet fitness to work out. While there we all did the eliptical. which a skiing type motion to it. I went two miles in twenty minutes. On our way back to WestSide tobie had asked me if I would be interested in joining a basketball group. She is planning to start one. Of course I had replied, "yes." Once we had returned to WestSide I had gone down to the kitchen to eat my lunch with Dennis. Who had informed on how he reiceived his brain injury through a concussion. Here is an individual in his early 40's who was living on his own, working for UPS and because of a concussion finds himself back home in Maine living with his mother, trying to start a new life. The struggles and challenges brain injury causes every day. You can eithe sit there and say why me? or go to rehab and make a new life for yourself. Once I had finished eating Uited then took me home. I had arrived home at 2:45 and went straight to bed. I had slept until 5:00. Once I was up I had taken my shower and then I went to eat a nice hot bowl of soup.

ANOTHER RECORD BREAKING DAY IN P.T.

I Began my Wednesday morning at by going out into the kitchen to eat drink my hot cocoa and o.j. while eating oatmeal with a toasted english muffin. As soon as I had finished eating, I went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 8:35 I had returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. I have proof that the work outs are paying off, are they ever. At 8:50 I then did my stretching. At 9:05 I then began to take my shower and getting for the day ahead. Once I was ready at 9:45 I then began to do a load of laundry. At 9:50 I then called my Doctor Augers office to have my prescription for nortriptyline refilled. ever since he had put me up to three pills, it has been used quicker. At 10:00 I then had some fruit with fruit dip. I then finished my hand exercises. At 10:20 I then hung the laundry to dry. At 10:20 Tobie from WestSide had called to let me know to bring in some gym clothing. Do to the frigid temperatures we will not be going cross country skiing tomorrow, but instead to the gym. United then arrived to bring me to WestSide. I had arrived at 1:00, just in time to make my way to the conference room for support group. During support group Dee Dee, Tina, Camie, Pete, Denise, and I checked in on how our week had gone with Deb. Dee Dee mentioned how she having a hard time handling all the people in her life that are passing away. Tina is cool, Pete had mentioned that it is a new day, new attitude, Camie starts her internship next week, Denise mentioned how she loves going to Riding To The Top Theroputic horse back riding to ride the horses there. A new group has started for clients Yesturday, Pet Theropy. At 2:00 I then made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Amanda. I had walked 1.0 miles at 3.6 miles per hour. That is practically at a jogging pase. During that time Amanda kept asking me do you want to rest? I kept replying, "NO." I was determined today to shatter all records. I then did a three minute cool down at 2.5 mph. At the end I had gone 1.136 miles. Amanda then had me in the parallel bars doing leg exercises. At 3:00 I then left for home. There was a special event at WestSide tonight, "BINGO." I sure am glad I didn't sign up to go to that event. I had arrived home at 4:00, thus taking my shower to revie myself before eating dinner.

finding a way to fill in the gaps

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises, upper and lower. At 5:30 I then began to do my stretching routine. I then had made my way to the kitchen so as to eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. At 6:00 I then returned to my bedroom so as to get ready for my day ahead. Once I had done so, I then sat down to do my speech and breathing exercises. At 7:00 I then filled my medication organizer for the week. I then grabbed my lunch and my duffle bag and went by the door to wait for united. Upon my arrvel to WestSide at 9:00 a.m. I had made my way to the conference room for Yoga Group with Angela a new o.t. at WestSide. Mat, David, Donald, and I listened to a relaxation DVD during the hour. At 10:00 I then went to the kitchen to spend my first break of the day. While in the kitchen I started to fill out my form to participate in the MASR program doing cross country skiing. At 10:15 I had gone to the front desk to ask Mellissa the receptionist why I was not in stretching and strengthening at this time. I was told the scheduling person had made a mistake. At 10:30 I then met with Tobie to fill out my MAS application. At 11:00 I then joined tobies seated yoga group during what was to be another scheduled break. Tobie first had us stretching then relaxing. At 11:30 I had left the group to go see Sally for my nursing session. Sally first called Dr. Augers office to see how many nortriptyline I was to be taking each night. We then typed an email to Dr. Ablitz and Corina the speech theropist. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then had a rehab session with Deb. Deb was telling me the laughter theropy group she has started and will reflect on my schedule next week. At 1:00 Larry from United took me home. Upon my arrivel home at 2:30 I had gone to bed. I had slept until 5:00 before getting up and going out into the kitchen to eat my salad. I then had spaghetti for dinner. After a dessert I then went to my bedroom to blog.

A day home from Theropy, what do I do?

I began my Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa while eating fruit and fruit dip. My mother was making baked oatmeal for breakfast. At 9:30 the Baked oatmeal was ready, being served in an 8 by 8 inch baking pan. Once I had my serving of baked oatmeal and one serving only because it was very filling, I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth and begin my workout with my arm weight exercises. Once I had completed the weight routine I then stretched. Once I had done so I then turned to my leg exercises. the entire workout took me and hour. Once I was finished, I then whipped out my speech and breathing exercises at 11:00. After spending 45 minutes on my speech and breathing exercises, I was then pretty much exhausted, so at 11:45 I had lied down to rest. I had slept until 2:15 before getting up and going out into the kitchen to have a snack. At 3:30 I then went on facebook to play words with friends for an hour. I then went back out into the kitchen to have spaghetti for dinner. Once I had finished eating at 5:00, I returned to my bedroom to take my shower before sitting down to blog.

playing cribbage is getting much easier

I began my Sunday morning at 7;30 a.m. by by getting up to stretch for thirty minutes. Once I had done so, I then continued with my workout by doing exercises with the therapy ball. At 8:00 I then did my weight exercises both leg and arm. I then went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Two dropped eggs on a piece of toast along with some fruit, o.j., and hot cocoa. a meal to last throught the afternoon. I then got ready to go to church. After taking my shower I had put my laundry away. At 9:30 I then did my tension identification and control exercises. I then did my breathing exercises. At 10:00 I had left for the Pierce House with my mother to pick up my grandmother to go to church. After mass we had brought my grandmothr home. We arrived home at 11:40. I then changed into some comfortable clothing before starting a load of laundry. At 12:00 I then lied down to rest. I had slept unitl 3:00 before getting up to drink a cold fruit drink while playing cribbage with my mom. We played two games of which I had won both. I'm getting much better at my game following my stroke. It was a little difficult when I first returned home. At 4:50 I then took a shower before eating dinner. It is about this time of day my headache starts to return. Although the three capsules of nortriptyline I take each night help tremenously, they certainly make me drousy during the day.

Attending a book signing at the barn flea market

I began my Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to have blueberry pancakes for breakfast. At 8:10 I returned to my bedroom to shower and get ready for my day ahead. my father and I had left for Lewiston to attend a book signing at the Barn Flea Market. Once Terry smith had sighned a book for me, I stayed to speak to my former case manager at WestSide for a bit. At 11:00 my father took me to see a friend. I had stayed to visit with Greg for thirty minutes, up until it was time for him to eat lunch. I also said hi to some of the Cna's who work there that I had met prior to my stroke. At 12:30 we then went to meet my sister to take her dog for some time. We arrived home back in Farmington at 1:10. I had made myself a sandwhich before laying down to rest. I had slept from 1:30 until 4:00. Once I was up, I then did my stretching exercises and weight exercises. At 5:00 I then took a shower before eating my dinner with my parents. At 6:00 I then returned to my bedroom to do my tension identification exercises and my breathing exercises. Once I had done so, I then sat down to blog.

A visit to see Dr. Michael Joseph. An ears, Nose, and Throat Doctor

My Friday morning began by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa while eating fruit with fruit dip. I then made myself a peanutbutter and bananna sandwhich. Once I had finished eating my breakfast, I then went back to my bedroom at 9;30 to take the sheets off my bed, I then put clean ones on. I then called my mother at work to see what time she would be picking me up to take me to the ears, nose, and throat Doctor. At 9;45 I then went back to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. And to my surpriae there was a load in there waiting to be hung to dry. So I did just that. I then began another load to wash my sheets. At 10:00 I then road the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After doing so I returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 10:45 I then began to do my stretching exercises. Once I had finished with my stretching I then started another laod of laundry before taking my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. I then went downstairs to fold some laundry and to hang the load I had washed to dry. At 12:00 I then made myself a half of a grilled cheese sandwhich with a cup of soup for lunch. At 12:45 I then brushed my teeth before doing my speach and breathing exercise. I then continued to get ready to go to the doctors. My mother had arrived home at 1:00 to take me to the ears, nose, and throat doctor. While at my appointment I had to filled out your usual forms then the nurse took me into the examining room to take my blood pressure and temperature before I had seen Dr. Joseph. While meeting with the Doctor he had stuck a scope up my nose which funneled right back down into my throat. It was the weirdest feeling. It did not hurt but it felt like a ticklish scraping feeling. After my examination, I then went to Wal-Mart with my mother and grandmother. Once my grandmother had the things she needed, we then took her back to the Pierce House. My mother and I then went to Hannaford to pick up a few things. Once we had gone to the post office we then went home. We had arrived home at 5:00. after taking my shower, I sat down to blog before eating dinner.

Put one foot in front of the other

I began my Thursday morning at 5:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat bowl of cream of wheat with a piece of toast. First I had drank hot cocoa and ate some fruit with some fruit dip. At 5:35 I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth and make my bed. Once I had done so, I then began to do my weight exercises. At 6:10 I then stretched which also has helped a great deal during my recovery. I soon took my shower and continued to get ready for the day ahead. Once I had put my laundry away, I then went into the kitchen to start the dishwasher. I then went back into my bedroom to organize my pill containers for the week. Which surprisingly has come easy for me to do after my stroke. At 8:20 I then went back to the laundry room so as to hang laundry to dry. I then gathered my things to go to WestSide. United soon arrived and I was on my way. Upon my arrivel Dr. Ablitz was busy so I had met with Nancy. She is an O.T. She was showing me her Ipad and things that can be done on the Ipad far beyond what I have been using my for. I am learning. She was showing how you can record notes instead of typing. She was also showing me how it has a map feature in 3D. She was also letting me know that I should power down my Ipad at least once a week. At 11:00 I then made my way down to the gym for P.T. with Dan. Once he had taken my blood pressure 104 over 78 He then had me walking on the tredmill. Today I had walked for 23 minutes at 2.8 mph. I had walked 1.07 miles and burned 106 calories. At 11:20 Dan had me in the parallel bars with the gatebelt on standing with left foot in front of right. I had managed to keep my balance for 1:40. He then had me put my right foot in front of my left. I had only lasted .35 this time. Dan then had me walking on my heels. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with others. At 1:00 United took me home. I had arrived home at 2:15 and I had gone straight to bed. I had slept until 4:30 before getting up to do my speech and breathing exercises. I then took my shower getting ready for the night. I then went out into the kitchen to eat soup for dinner. What a day indeed.

let it snow

Well another snow down in the books. for 2013. first thing this morning I had received a telephone cal from kevin the dispatch from United Wheelchair to let me know that he is not sending any of his drivers out of the Lewiston/Auburn area today. With that said, I began my day once I had eaten my breakfast by doing my weight exercises and stretching. I had taken a few days off from doing my weight exercises do to the headache I had. It has simmered down, but has not gone away completely. It worry's me a little. Before my stroke I had experienced severe headaches. At 8:45 I then did my leg exercises. At 9:15 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:45 I then wrote out a poem from my desk top. I then sat down to snack on some fruit and fruit dip. At 10:15 I started a load of laundry before giving my grandmother a call. We spoke briefly. I then sat down to empty my Christmas box and put things away. Allot of stocking stuffers. At 11:00 I then hung the laundry to dry. After doing so I then sat down to play words with friends on my Ipae. While I was doing so my mother had called to see what I wante for dinner. soup of stuffed zuccini. I said soup. At 11:30 I then dusted my bedroom. At 12:00 I then lied down to rest. I had slept until 1:40 before getting to eat lunch. At 2:00 I had lied back down. I was still tired so why not. I had slept until 4:00 before getting up. I then went on line briefly before playing a game of cribbage with my mother. I then a bowl of soup for dinner, before going to my room to blog.

Movie Night At WestSide

I began my Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by doing my stretching routine. I am still laying off the weight exercises do to my headaches. At 9:45 I then was on the swin air dine riding for thirty minutes. At 10:15 I then went into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 10:40 I then went to my bedroom to brush my teeth and then work on writing out my poems that had beeen saved onto my desk top on my computer. At 11:15 i then layed down to rest. I had slept until 1:30 before getting up to take my shower. I then continued to get ready to go to Wes Side for game and movie night. I then had some chop suey for lunch. At 2:20 Al from United had picked me up. I had arrived at WestSide at 3:30. We all then went down sairs to the kitchen to play games. I played Uno with my case manager Piper and the nurse Sally and Dan. Sally won both games we had played. At 4:15 we then had meatball subs with fries and mixed vegetables for dinner. Once we had finished they had brownies or a cookie for dessert. We then went into the conference room to watch the movie, Sole Surfer. It was about a girl who loved to surf competitivly but was attacked by a shark and lost her arm. Once she had recovered she tried to compete once again but was unable to at the standards she had set for herself. She then taught surfing to children how to surf in over seas. At 7:00 Al from United took Donald and I home. I had arrived home at 8:00 thus sitting down to blog before going to bed.

Sun Breaths

I began my Monday morning at 6:00 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching and only my stretching. My pcp had called yesturday to let me know not to do any more strenuouse exercises do to my head ache. That I somehow seem to can't rid of. He also highered my dose of nortriptyline from two pills to three pills per day. As of now it is working 90%. Once I had taken my shower and was ready for my day ahead, I then went to the kitchen to wash the dish's and pick up. Once I had done so, I then started the dish washer. I then went to the laundry room to fold laundry that was in the dryer. At 8:30 I then went to the foyer to wait for United to arrive. I had arrived at WestSide at 10:00 a.m. Just enough time to bring my lunch to the kitchen. I then went back to the lobby. Piper then came to get me at 10:15. She was letting me knoe that WestSide will be closed next Monday do to Martin Luther King Jr. day. She then had asked me if I had any questions of concerns of my theropy. At 10:30 I then met with Deb for a support session. Deb first ask me if I had brought my Ipad in with me. I replied, "no." Deb then told me to try not to forget it so that we can work with every Monday. We then brough up my Email to check. At 11:00 I then went downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. Dan first took my blood pressure. 110 over 76. I then walke on the tredmill for twenty minutes at 3.1 mph. After walking 1.032 miles and burning 99.2 calories my blood pressure was 112 over 76. Dan then had me lay on the mat to do some ankel exercises. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch with Tina, Dan, Rem, and Paul. Once I had finished eating I then went back to the loby to wait for Corina to come get me for my 12:30 speech session. During my speech session Carina had me do some sun breaths. This is where you raise your arms as you look up and breath. Carina then had me go to the gym to walk on the tredmill while practicing my breathing in through my nose and exhaling through mouth making a ssssssssssound through teeth. At 1:00 United took me home. first we had to stop at Central Maine Medical Center to pick up a patient to bring him to Edge Wood, a rehab facility on the out skirts of Farmington in t little town called Fairbanks. I finally arrived home at 3:30. As soon as I did I had called Mellisa the receptionist at WestSide to see what the event was at WestSide tomorrow. It is movie night. I then took my shower before eating dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog at 4:15. I was then in bed by 5:30.

Sunday Sunday

I began my Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. by doing my weight exercises. At 7:25 I then began to do my stretching while sipping on my cocoa in between stretch's. At 7:45 I then made my way into the kitchen to have scrambled eggs and home fries for breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 8:45 I then returned to my bedroom to get ready to go to church. Once I had taken my shower and was ready to go, my mother and I had left for the Pierce House to pick up my grandmother. We then went to church. After mass we then brought my grandmother back home. Once I had arrived home with my mother I had put my comfortable clothing on, had a bowl of soup, I then lied down to rest at 12:05. After sleeping three hours, I had got up and went on line for an hour before eating dinner with my parents. Turkey, stuffing cassarole, and baked potato. MM MM! Once i had finished eating I then did my speech exercises before sitting down to watch the football game.

It is all about the porgress made

I began my Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After a breakfast of beans, home fries, and toast I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 10:10 I then stayed downstairs to fold the laundry I had washed yesturday. Once I had put it away, I then went to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. Still feeling frustrated at the progress that I make these days in my recovery, That the thoughts of just throughing in the towel are not that far from my mind. There again that is not my nature to just give up. I never have and I am not about to start now. Once I had finished stretching, I then took my shower at 11:00. At 11:15 I then sat down at my computer and pulled up my poems to write yet another one in the notebook. At 12:00 I then went to bed. I had slept until 2:45 before getting up. At 3:00 I continued to write out some poems. At 4:35 I then did my speech and breathing exercises. I then sat down to blog.

Lunch with Grandma

I began my Friday morning at 7:40 a.m. by putting away the clean laundry I had in my bedroom. Once I had done so, I then went out into the kitchen to have a bowl of cereal with sliced bananna. I also had toasted an english muffin. Once I had finished eating I had started the dish washer. It was maybe three-fourths full, but I thought it would be a good idea so as to have it empty for the start of the weekend. Once I had brushed my purly whites, I then began my thirty minute workout on the swin air dine. At 8:45 I went into the laundry room to get the laundry to hang so to dry. I then went back to my bedroom to make my bed with clean linen. At 9:15 I then preceded to do my weight exercises. I then continued with my stretching. At 9:50 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 10:25 I then started a load of laundry before returning to the kitchen to empty the dishwasher, thus putting the dish's away. At 10:45 I then hung another load of laundry to dry. At 11:15 My mother had come home briefly from work to take me to my grandmothers for lunch. Once I had arrived I had gone to my grandmothers room before going to the dining area for lunch. On the menue was scallops, potato's, salad, and apple crisp. At 1:00 I then went back to my granmothers room with my grandmother to rest while she watched television. My mother had stopped by at 2:30 to pick me up to take me home. We had arrived home at 2:40. Before laying down I first had folded my sheets that I had washed this morning and brought them to my bedroom to put away. At 3:00 I then did my tension Identification exercises and breathing exercises. I then lied down to rest at 4:00 and slept until 5:30 I then got up to take a shower before going into the kitchen to eat a bowl of clam chowder for dinner. I then went into my bedroom to blog.

Riding home with Roland

I began my Thursday morning at 6:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen a bowl of cereal, toasted muffin, o.j., and my hot cocoa. Once I had finished with my breakfast I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. Each morning I wish that I were Hurculies. I am almost there, but not quite. At 7:00 I then made my way downstairs to the swin air dine to ride for thirty minutes. I then returned to my bedroom to stretch. Which often times is a pain, but still very importent. Once I had taken a shower and was totally ready, I then started a load of laundry. Something I probably should not have done, given the time I had left before United pulled into the driveway. I then gathered my things to bring to the door. Larry from United Wheelchair had soon arrived.Oh the laundry did not get hung. Upon my arrivel to WestSide for my 10:30 counceling appointment with Dr. Ablitz. We discussed prospects of me moving back out on my own again sometime this summer. He said it is not set in stone and I could change my mind when at anytime. We then talked about the progress I am making with my P.T. sessions and speech. At 11:00 I then went down to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. Dan once again started with taking my blood pressure reading 108 iver 74. I then walked on the tredmill for twenty minutes. After burning 998 caloriesa at 3.1 mph and walking 1.032 miles, my blood pressure reading was still 108 over 74. At 11:30 Dan then had me in the parallel bars doing leg exercises. Dan then had me put the gate belt on and had me walking outside the parallel bars side stepping. the unique part was he had be cross my foot behind my opposite leg while doing so. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch before going home. Roland from United had taking me home today. I use to run with roland when I lived in Auburn in the Tripple Crown 5k road races held every summer during the months on June, July, and August. I was so tired I had slept all the way home. At 2:10 I had arrived home and went to my bedroom and slept two more hours. At 4:10 I then got up, took my shower before eating dinner. Once I had eaten my dinner I then did my speech and breathing exercises before sitting down to blog.

Time to share

I began my Wednesday morning at 8;00 a.m. by getting to go out into the kitchen to eat a peanutbutter and bananna sandwhich for breakfast. First I had to drink my hot cocoa and snack on some fruit while I had read some of the moring paper. Once I had finished eating my breakfast, I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth and put on my exercises shorts. I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 8:40 I then returned to the kitchen to wash some dish's before returning to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. Once I had finished stretching, I then showered and got ready for the rest of my day. At 9:55 I then started a load of laundry. I then folded some laundry that was dry, thus putting it away. I then hung the load in the washing machine to dry. doing simple tasks such as hanging laundry to dry, dews throw me of balance. Once I had put the dish's away that I had washed, I then had a bite to eat before leaving. United had arrived at 11:30. I was then on my way to WestSide. Upon my arrivel I had gone directly to the conference room for support group. During support Cami, Tina, Dee Dee, Denise and I started off with Deb and Jen by putting our fist in the middle and saying "STAY POSSITIVE." Denise then went around trying to remember peoples names.Which is a goal she has for herself. We then preceded to share. Tina who is a patien who had had a stroke can walk now. Using an assited devise on her leg she is to do so without the use of a cane. Tina's goal is to be able to put her wheelchair away for good by summer. Denise is getting out with the help from the people who help assist her 24 hours a day, seven days per week to live indipenendly in her own appartment. She had gone to out for lunch just the other day. Camie thought she had an appointment and her car would not start do to leaving her lights on the night before. She then went in to call her doctors office and come to find out she had no appointment. Camie also shared the medication that she is on to help her artharitis also causes tumors. Dee Dee is trying recipes using apples. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. Dan first took my blood pressure reading 100 over 72. he then had me walk twenty minutes on the tredmill, at 3.1 mph. I had walked 1.033 miles and burned 99.8 calories. Dan then took my blood pressure 108 over 76. At 2:30 Dan then put three pound weights on each leg. I then went into the parallel bars, to do leg exercises. At 2:35 I had taken a break. Dan had got me a glass of water and a coconut cookie from the kitchen that a clients had made in a session with a rehab technician. At 3:00 Rod from United took me home. Along the way we had to drop a patient off at the Sandy River nursing home in Farmington. I had arrivded home at 4:15. took my shower then ate dinner before sitting down to blog.

Doctors, Doctors, Doctors

I began my Tuesday morning at by doing my weight and stretchning exercises. Once I had loosened up for the day, I then went out into the kitchen to eat breakfast. This morning I had scrambled eggs and a toasted muffin. At 6:00 I then returned to my bedroom to get ready for my day ahead. Once I had cleaned my bathroom I then did my tension identification and control exercises. I then grabbed my nap sack and my lunch and brought them to the door. United arrived shortly afterwards. Once we had picked Donald up we were on our way. Upon our arrivel fo 9:00 I had made my way into the conference room for yoga group. Michelle and Corol first had David, Donald, Mat and I start the group off with Breath of Fire a breathing exercise to warm up with. We preceded with Spinal Twist, Bent knee sitting forward, Cat&Dog, Kneel lunge, reclining, then to end the group we did shavasana. This is a cool down. At 10:00 I then stayed in the conference room for stretching and strengthening group with with Michelle and florina. David, Donald, Dave, Richard, Paul, and I Each took turns on naming off different stretching exercises to do. I then went to the kitchen for my break. During this time I had worked on what Deb had showed me to do with my Ipad yesturday. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. I first spoke to Sally about my headaches and how the dose of medication Dr. Auger percribed is not working any more. Sally then called Dr. Dornboss about seeing an ear nose and throught specialist. Sally then typed an email to Dr. Ablitz the Neouropsychologist at WestSide, talking about my next appointment with DR. Lukavitz my stroke doctor at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. At 12:30 I then had my lunch. Lee from United then took me home. I had arrived home at 1:45, thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 4:00 before getting up to take my shower. I then went into the kitchen to eat dinner with my parents. At 5:00 I then went to my bedroom to blog before calling it a day.

Learning how to breath properly during speech

I began my Monday morning at 6:00 a.m. by staying in my bedroom to do my weight exercises. Once I had done so I then focussed on my stretching.Once I had finished my morning workout, I then made my way out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of cream of wheat with some bananna and orange for breakfast. Along with a toasted muffin and my hot cocoa, I was set to go. At 7:30 I had returned to my bedroom to get ready for the day ahead. Once I was ready I had grabbed my lunch and my nap sack and was on my way out the door. United was there to trandport me right on time. I had arrived at WestSide at 10:00 a.m. This gave me enough time to bring my lunch to the kitchen and my coat in my locker. I then went back to the lobby to meet with my casemanager Piper for 10:15. Today Piper had gone over advanced directives with me and my rights as a client. Once I had signed the form and was given the manual, I was set to go. At 10:30 I then had my support session with Deb. Today Deb had helped on how to retreave my email off of my I pad. In doing so she had given me steps to practice with during the week. At 11:00 I then had made my way downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. Dan first took my blood pressure reading 100 over 74. Dan then had me walking on the tredmill at 3.1 mph for eight minutes before stopping to check my blood pressure once again. 100 over 74. I then went another eight minutes and it was 108 over 80. Then at the end of my work out it was 110 over 80. I had walked for twenty minutes, burned 99.7 calories, had walked 1.031 miles at 3.1 mph. At 11:30 Dan then had me in the parallel bars standing on and erix cuission. While standing I had to reach for a clothing pin and stick it on a pole on the other side. Dan would move his hand other over the place as I had reached for the clip so as to work on my scanning. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. Once I had done so, I then grabbed my things from my locker and went up to the lobby to wait for my speech session with Carina at 12:30. During this time Carina had me back down in the gym walking on the tredmill practicing my breathing. Inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my teeth so as to make a sssssssssssssss sound. The purpose is to train my brain and to get use to breathing the right way again. which has been pretty difficult to do since I had become more active since starting my theropy at WestSide. At 1:00 Lou from United took me home. I had arrived home at 2:10 thus going straight to bed. I was exhausted. I had slept until 4:30. before my mother had woken me up. I probably would have slept righ through the night. I then went into the kitchen to eat my dinner before taking my shower and getting comfortable for the night. I then had a snack before calling some friends. I then watched some television before sitting down to blog.

Resting on a cool sunday afternoon

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to have two french toast for breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I then washed my dish's. I then went back to my bedroom at 8:30 to do my weight exercises. At 9:00 I hade rode the swin for thirty minutes. I then took my shower thus getting ready to go to church. AT 10:00 my mother and I went to church. My grandmother had called earlier to let us know that she would not be going today, do to the frigid weather. After Mass my mother and I went to the Pierce house to give my granmother communion and to chat. At 12:00 my mother and I went to Tranton's the local grocer to pick up a few things. We had arrived home at 12:30. Once I had a lunch I then lied down to rest. After sleeping for three hours, I then got up at 3:50 to do my speech and breathing exercises. Once I had done so I then play words with friends on face book, before pulling up my blog at 4:45.

To tired to blog Friday night, catch up

Friday 1/4/13 I began my Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to a bowl of cream of wheat, fruit, english muffin, hot cocoa, and some o.j. for breakfast. Once I had done so, I began my morning workout. Once I had ridden the swin air dine for thirty minutes, I then went back to my bedroom to do my weight exerices. At 10:50 I then began to stretch. At 11:10 I then sat down at my computer to play words with friends. At 11:30 I then put my clean laundry away. Once I had done so I then did my tension Identification and conrol exercises, to help me with my breathing. At 11:45 I then began to get ready for the rest of my day. After taking my shower my father then took the shop to give me a haircut. At 12:50 my mother arrived so as to get a haircut too. My mother and I then went to hanaford to grocery shop. I had picked some lunch up along the way. At 2:50 we had left Hanaford to go home. We arrived home at 3:00. I had helped my mother in with the groceries the best that I could. I then went to my bedroom to fill my pill containers for the week. Once I had done so I then called my grandmother to chat. At 4:45 I was so tired I had to lay down to rest. I had slept for fourty-five minutes before getting up to eat dinner. Saturday 1/5/13 I began my Saturday morning 9:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat fruit. Once I had done so I then had eggs, toast, tamatos, and avacado. Once I had finished eating I then went back to my bedroom to put clean sheets on my bed. At 11:00 I then vaccuumed my bedroom. Once I had taken my shower, I then went back to bed. I had slept from 11:50 until 3:00. I then went on face book to play words with friends with my Ipad. At 5:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner. Once I had finished with my dinner I then blogged. The in a hole was pretty quiet.

Thoughts of snow under my feet.

I began my Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. Once I had gone out to the kitchen to eat some breakfast, I then went straight to work. I first rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes getting my cardio in. I am so anxious to go skiing I have been working extremly hard to get my legs as strong as possible. At 9:00 I then started the dishwasher. Once I had done so, I had returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 9:20 I then began to do my stretching. At 10:00 I had then gone outside to shovel the deck off my bedroom and to clear the main deck some more. At 10:45 I then went iside to take a shower and get ready for the rest of my day. I then had answered a phone call for my grandmother. It was mountain view eye care in Rumford Maine where my grandmother once lived. They were calling to remined her that she is over due for a check up. She is settled here in Farmington now utilizing doctors in the Farmington area. At 11:25 I then started a load of laundry. Once doing so, I had gone back to the kitchen to empty the dishwasher. At 11:45 I then folded laundry that was dry thus putting it away before hanging the other load to dry. At 12:25 I then had a bowl of soup for lunch. Once I had finished eating I had lied down to rest. I had slept for two and a half hours before getting up. Once I was up, I had called my grandmother to talk with her briefly. At 4:00 I then played words with friends on my Ipad before eating dinner. At 5:45 I then went to my bedroom to blog. On top of all the work I had done today my thoughts have been of the snow. I am so anxious to get out there and ski this year that time can not go by fast enough. It should be scheduled into my theropy in two weeks. Oh, I just can not wait. Last time I was on skis I recieved a concussion. It was at the end of my last race of the season, A race that I had won. It was at the end of the race that I crashed, then a month later I had a stroke. Go figure. So you can see why I am so anxious to get back out there on the slopes again. It won't be racing, but at least I will have snow under my feat.

Will I ski again?

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to toast an english muffin for breakfast. Waiting for it to toast, I began to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit. Once I had finished eating, I then returned to my bedroom to begin my daily workout of stretching and weight routine. At 9:10 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. Once I had finished my workout I then went to take my shower and get ready for the rest of my day. At 10:10 I then started a load of laundry. After doing so I then put some laundry away that was dry. I then went to the kitchen to wash some dish's before before hanging the laundry to dry. At 11:10 I then practice my speech and breathing exercises. United soon had arrived to bring me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel I had gone to the conference room for support group. Today during support group Camie, Denise, Dee Dee, Tina, and I first checked in with Deb and Piper on how our week had gone. Tina shared how her Christmas went. Tina had made the statement that Christmas is not like it use to be. Today she said it is more about gifts and not the family. Camie shared that she seams to cry more frequently after her stroke. Dee Dee snow shoed over this past weekend and spent time organizing her gifts from Christmas. Camie also mentioned how she likes to make lists of things she has to do, although she is finding after having her stroke she does not have half the energy like she use to complete the list before having to lay down a take a nap. It sounds a lot like how the stroke has effected my life. At 2:00 I then made my way downstairs to the gym for P.T. Once in the gym, Dan first took my blood pressure as usual, 102 over 70. I then walked twenty minutes on the tredmill at 3.1 mpr. At the end I had burned 100 calories and walked 1.032 miles. Dan then had me in the parallel bars shifting my weight from one leg to the other. Dan then had me stepping up on three planks stacked high. while not holding on to the parallel bars Dan had me stepping up alternating legs ten times. Dan then had me loking around the gym to find red and yellow items. At 3:10 United took me home. Before leaving while waiting in the lobby, Tobby the rec theropist came up to me and said that WestSide is working on the schuling, and in a couple of weeks I should see on it time with her to start me back skiing again. I can't wait. For those of you who do not I was an avid skiier before my stoke both down hill and cross country. I had arrived home at 4:15. Immediatly taking my shower before eating dinner. That workout during P.T. has me beat.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I began my New Years Day at 8:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat scrambled eggs sausage and a cinnamon bun. Once I had finished eating I went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth before doing my stretching. At 9:20 I then began to get ready to go to church. Once I had showered and was ready, I then cleaned my bathroom. After doing so I sat down to call the Pharmacy to order my medication. At 10:00 my mother and I had left for church. We did not have to pick my grandmother up. She had let us know she did not want to go out in the cold weather. After mass, my mother and I went to the pierce House to pay my grandmother a Happy New Years Day visit. Once doing so we finally arrived home at 11:50. Five minutes later I was on the swin air dine. I had rode it for thirty minutes while watching the New Years Day Parade. At 12:25 I then went upstairs to the kitchen to eat crackers and cheese, pinwheels, Vegetables and vegetable dip. Once I had finished eating I then returned to my bedroom to continue my daily workout. I started first with my arm exercises, using weights of course. I then did my leg exercises. At 2:00 I lied down to rest. I had slept until 3:45. I then got to take a shower before then organizing my Christmas gifts putting things away. At 4:45 I then sat down to blog before eating dinner.