Another snow day?

I began my Thursday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching and weight exercises. After doing so, I then jump into the shower to get ready for my day. After doing so, I then made my way into the kitchen for a bowl of oatmeal and toast. Once I had finished eating my breakfast, I then called kevin the dispatch at United to see if they were picking me up today do to the never ending snow fall we have been receiving for two days. Sure enough my transportation had been cancelled. After doing so, I was a little disapointed due to the fact that today is the day I go cross country skiing at Pineland. Oh well, next week. I then sat down to watch the news. At 7:45 I then started in with my speech and breathing exercises. Oh should include my swallowing strategies I am now using to help prevent food from getting lodged in my throught when I swallow. It just keeps gettinG better??? At 8:00 I then went out on the deck off of my bedroom to shovel. After doing I had gone to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. While I was downstairs I then rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. It was now 8:45 and my mother had called me from work to remind me to put the ckicken in the refrigerator after it has thawed a bit. At 8:50 I then hung the laundry to dry. At 9:10 I lied down to rest. At 10:50 I then got up to eat some lunch. before I had lied back down at 12:00. I had rested/slept until 3:45. I then got up to chat with a friend on the telephone. I then took a shower before sitting down to blog at 5:00. I then went out to the kitchen to eat dinner, before sitting down to blog.

United called and cancelled do to the snow

I began my Wednesday morning with a phone call from kevin the dispatcher from United Wheel chair letting me know that he would not be sending a van to pick me up today do to the snow we would be getting later in the day. I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had done so, I then brushed my perly whites before beginning my workout. At 8:10 I then made my way down to the swin air dine to ride for thirty minutes. At 8:40 I then went back into my bedroom to do my weight routine, arms then legs. I then went on line for a bit to look up something. I then had made a phone call. At 10:30 I then packed my ski bag for tomorrow to go cross county skiing with a group from WestSide. At 10:40. I had slept until 12:00 before receiving a phone from my mother. I then ate my lunch. Still feeling tired, I had lied back down at 12:20 I had slept and rested until 3:30 before getting up to eat my salad my mother had made and then some dinner. I was then back in my bedroom to blog at 4:30

P.T. Assessment with Amanda

I began my Tuesday morning at 4:30 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises for my arms and legs. Once I had finished I then began to stretch. At 5:30 I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal and a toasted english muffin with jam on it for breakfast. I then went back to my bedroom to brush my and do my speech and breathing exercises. I then grabbed my duffle bag and my lunch and sat by the door to wait for my ride. Larry from United Wheelchair had arrived at 7:30. We then went to pick Donald up before leaving Farmington. We had arrived to WestSide at 9:00 a.m. I then made my way into the conference room with the other clients for yoga group with Michelle. Mat Dondald and I worked with Carol doing Yoga strenthening before ending with the with the corps pose. I then made my way down to the gym for my P.T. evaluation with Amanda. Amanda first had me running/Jogging on the tredmill. I did the best that I could but I have to say it is still hard to fire up my ankle so as to get my foot to go heel toe. Despite the flaws I did quite well. I had run a total of 1.032 miles. After my run/jog, Amanda then had me in the parallell bars using three pound weights doing leg raises ect. She then had me doing leg raises on the mat. I was some tired after this P.T. session and it showed. At 11:00 I then had my case management session with Piper. Together we spoke about certain things concerning my treatment at WestSide. At 1:00 I then went to the lobby to rest. At 11:30 I then had met with sally for my nursing sessiong. Sally had taken my blood pressure 118 over 72 we then spoke about upcoming medical appointments. I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then had my support session with Deb. Deb continued to help me with my Ipad. Showing me how to Use It as a daytimer, by putting in my weekly schedule from WestSide. At 1:00 United took me home. I had arrived home at 2:15 thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 4:45 before getting up to take my shower before dinner. Once I had finished with my dinner, I had gone to my bedroom to blog.

Discussing swollowing strategies with Corina during speech

I began my Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting busy doing my leg and arm weight exercises. It sure is taking a while to regain muscle back in my arm, but it is getting there. At 6:00 I then started in with my stretching. This has been very beneficial in the morning, especially with my fingers. At 6:20 I then started in with my speech and breathing exercises. I then took my shower thus getting ready for my day ahead. I then had made my way to the kitchen to eat an egg sandwhich for breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth and clean my bathroom. I then grabbed my things thus waiting for United to arrive. Upon my arrivel to WestSide, I had signed in, thus making my way down to the kitchen to put my lunch in one of the refrigerators. I then put my things in my locher before making my way over to the gym for P.T. with Dan. Upon meeting with Dan he had imformed me that I am due for a P.T. assessment by Amanda the P.T. before he and I can work together again. Dan and I spent the hour doing some cognitive activities. Deductive reasoning and analogies. At 11:00 I then had Laughter Theropy Group. We first started the group by remembering last weeks qoute, which was, "There is no laughter in the medicine, but there is a lot of medicine in the laughter." We then went over todays quote which was, "When you laugh you change, When you change the whole world changes." Deb then read to us a joke. We then listened to the laughter song. Matt, Paul, Michelle, Florina, Deb, and I then did some laughing. At 12:00 I then went down to the kitchen to eat my lunch. Once I had finished eating, I had made my way back upstairs for my speech session with Corina. Corina first had me in the gym on the tredmill walking and breathing, practicing in through the nose and exhailing through my front teeth making a ssssssssssssssssss sound. We then went back to her office to discuss swallowing strategies, so as not to choke. At 1:00 Frank from United took me home. I had arrived home at 2:20 thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 4:00 before getting up to take my shower. I then called a friend to talk to before eating dinner. I then went to my laptop to blog at 5:00 thus calling it a day.

Another snowy day

I began my Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight and stretching exercises. At 7:45 I then made my way out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating my peanutbutter and honey on toast while drinking my hot cocoa and o.j. I then took my shower thus getting ready to go to church. At 8:45 I then sat down to fill my medications containers for the week. At 9:00 I continued my day by doing my breathing and speech exercises, so as to strengthen my throught lung area so that hopefully some day I will not have a problem with my swollowing. I then left to go to church. After Mass I had arrived home at 11:40. We had stopped by my grandmothers, but my mother went in alone. We then continued homeward. Once I was inside I had a bowl of soup before laying down to rest. I had slept from 12:10 Until 3:10. I then got up and went out into the kichen. My mother had made me a milk shake to drink while playing words with friends. I had done so until 4:30 befor pulling up my blog on my computer. I then had eaten my dinner before calling it a day.

short but sweet

I began my Saturday morning at 9:12 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat fruit with fruit dip. I then had some pancakes for breakfast. At 9:45 I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth and to slip into a t-shirt and gym shorts to start in by riding the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 10:20 I then folded laundry that I had hung to dry yesturday. I then brought to my bedroom to put away. At 11:45 I continued my workout by stretcheing. At 12:10 I then took my shower. Once I had cleaned up, I then layed down to rest. I had slept from 12:30 to 3:30. I then went out into the kitchen to eat and early dinner. Once I had done so I had returned to my bedroom to play some words with friend on face book. At 4:45 I then began to blog.

amitriptyline or noritrityline which one is it

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. A bowl of cereal and toasted english muffin sounded good. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to brush my teeth and splash some water on my face so as to wake up a little bit more than I was. I then jumped into my sneakers before going to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:10 I was back in my bedroom doing my weight exercises then stretching. At 10:00 I then took my shower before starting a load of laundry. At 10:45 I had spoke to my mother briefly, she let me know that she would be picking me up once she was out of work. First she would be picking my grandmother up from the Pierce House. Once off the phone I then emptied the dishwasher, thus putting the dish's away. I then spoke to a friend on the telephone before hanging the laundry to dry. I then layed down to rest. My mother had arrived shortly after I had layed.down. We first went to right aid. so my grandmother could pick up a few things. I am strong enough now so as to have my grandmother to hold on to me while walking from the car to the store. At 2:00 we then went to Hanaford so as to pick some medication for my headaches. We had arrived home at 3:00. I immediatly went inside to get comfortable. At 3:45 I then played words with friends on my Ipad. I then called my doctor to straghten out my pain medication. Three different doctors trying to decide what pain med I should be on. Amitriptyline or noritriptyline, and the winner is amitriptyline!!!!! YEHHHHHHH! At 4:30 I then had dinner. At 5:10 I then filled my pill case did my breathing exercsies before sitting down to blog.

Trying to Snow shoe during Winter Sports Gro

I began my Thursday morning at 4:30 a.m. bright and early by stretching. Once I had done so, I then jumped in the shower, to start getting ready for my dayahead. I did go any further with my work out this morning so as to save some energy to go snow shoing today. I then went out into the kitchen to have a bowl of hot cereal and a piece of toast. Once I had finished eating, I then brushed my teeth before grabbing my lunch and napsack with my ski clothing in it. Dan from United soon arrived.Along the way I had an interesting conversation with Dan. He was telling how he use drive for Maine Line Tours and Cyr Bus Line taking bus loads of people to different places like Wahington D.C., Alantic City, and Wiliamsburge to name a few. He then went to work for United Wheel Chair. Once I had arrived to WestSide at 8:30 a.m. At 9:00 During Winter Sports Group, Wayne, Dennis, Diana, and I first went snow shoing at WestSide with Dan and Carol. I had made one-half loop around the field then Dan (who is my p.T.) then grabbed the gate belt from the gym and strapped around my waist. I had fallen a number of times unable to extend my foot up so as to walk with the snowshoe. Every time I went to take a step the front of my foot would drop. I would then fall. I then took a couple of more steps with the gate belt on, Then Dan had suggested I go into another group inside. I had spent the rest of the hour in a relaxation group, Listening to calm and relaxing music with my head resting on a pillow. coinsidentally I think my body needed it after all of that frustration. Ha Ha. Once the group was done I had walked out the room feeling calm once again. At 11:00 I was then back with Winter Sports Group in the kitchen working on the activity baord With Dan. Dan had Diana and I in the computer room looking up imformation from the community little theatre, Lewiston/Auburn adut education, Bates College, ect. Wayne and Dennis looked for articals in magazines reguarding winter fun. At 12:30 we then had lunch. At 1:00 Dan from United brought me home. I had arrived home at 2:30 thus going straight. I had slept until 5:00. I then took a shower before going out into the kitchen to eat some soup for dinner. I then went to my computer to blog

Walking with out my cain at West Side Things are looking up!!!

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. by going out into the kichen to eat a bowl of cereal, bananna, toasted english muffin, hot cocooa, and a glass of orange juice. I had returned to my bedroom at 7:30 to brush my teeth. I then began my morning work out by doing my weight exercises. At 8:00 I then went on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. All this hard work is paying off. I am walking around WestSide with out my afo and my cane in my hand, but I rarely ever use it. Just on occassion when I might lose my balance. At 8:30 I then went to the laundry room to begin a load of laundry. I then returned to my bedroom to do my stretching before taking my shower. I then cleaned my bathroom. At 9:30 I was back in the laundry room so as to get the laundry to hang to dry. At 9:35 I then began another load. At 9:40 I was then back in my bedroom putting away laundry my mother had folded and left in my bedroom. I then did my speech and breathing exercises. I then took and air flo reading: 500, 500, 470. At 10:05 I then went back to the laundry room so as to hang yet another load to dry. At 10:50 my mother had called from work. I then called my grandmother to chat. Once off the telephone with my grandmother, I had some spinache squares for lunch. At 12:00 Larry from United arrived to take me to Westside. Upon my arrivel for 1:00 I had made my way into the conference room for WestSides weekly support group meeting. Pete, Tina, Denise, along with the two therapist Deb and Jenn gathered in the conference room. We first put a hand in the middle of the table thus saying the words, "STAY POSSITIVE!" Denise then went around trying to remember everyones name. We then all checked in. Dennise was able to remember some peoples names but having a hard time over all, Pete made another batch of bisquets with the use of only one hand. Pete reports that it is getting easier every time. Tina had mentioned how her daughter is getting married but having problems with her roommate. Dee Dee went to the Wellness Center a local gym where she lives. She reports how well she is doing on the eliptical. I let people know how well I have beel cross country skiing with the use of adabptive equipment. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. Dan first took my blood pressure, 110 over 80. I then walked on the tredmill. Dan increased the incline and lowered the speed. Dan then had me walk around the lower level of WestSide holding a big theropy ball. Dan then had me holding about ten plastic containers, thus walking around. to test my balance. I did not do all that bad. At 2:35 Dan then had me doing bowling using the wii. He had to strap the gate belt on just in case I had lost my balance. Sure enough I did. At 3:00 during my O.T. session today with Angela today we downloaded an apt onto my Ipad. The evernote. Yoe speak into a microphone and it dictates the note back to you. At 3:30 Rod brought me home. I had arrived home at 4:30. I immediatly took my shower getting comfortable for the night. I then went into the kitchen to eat my dinner. At 5:25 I then sat down to blog.

Weight shifting during P.T.

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to first do my upper weight exercises. It sure is taking a lot to whip that right arm of my back into shape. I then did my leg exercises. At 5:30 I then began to do my stretching. At 5:50 I then made my way out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My father had made me an egg sandwhich this morning. Once I had finished eating, I then went back to my bedroom to get ready for the rest of my day. At 7:30 I then grabbed my lunch and my nap sack to go by the door and wait for United. Once Larry had me in the van we then went to pick Donald up. We had arrived at 9:00 a.m. Just in time for Donald and I to go to the conference room for Yoga group. Donald, Matt, and I first started the group with breathing exercises with Michelle. We then followed some exercises from the wii fit for the fitness enthusiast. We did the Triangle, Sun salutation, spinal twist, and a few others. At 10:00 I then made my way down to the gym for P.t. with Dan. Dan first took my blood pressure, 102 over 70. He then had me walking on the tremill. I had walked for 27 minutes at 3.2 mph before lowered the speed to 2.5 mph for a one minute cool down. The entire walk ended up being 1.497 miles. My blood Pressure then read 104 over 80. Dan then had me walk one loop around the lower level at WestSide. Dan then had me in the parallel bars staning with my feet together and my arms crossed. He then had me move one foot forward. Dan then had me work on weight shifting, keeping my balance while doing so. I did not do all that bad. Losing my balance once at the end of the exercise. At 11:30 I then went to the dining area to take my break. I then went to the lobby for 11:30 so as to meet with Sally. We then went into her office. She first took my blood pressure. 112 over 68. We then talked about my headaches and doctors appointment. I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then met with Deb for a Support Session. Deb tried to help me with my Ipad. In doing so looking on line for help. At 1:00 United took me home. I had arrived home at 2:15 going straight to bed once inside. At 4:30 I then got up to take a shower before dinner. I then went back to my computer to blog at 5:15

A day home to rest

I began my Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching. Once I was all loose, I then preceded to make my way out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 8:30 I then made my way back into my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then began to do my weight exercises. At 9:00 I then took my shower. Once I was ready for the day, I called the pharmacy to order one of the medications I take. Once I had done so I had said good-bye to my parents who were leaving for the day. I then played words with friends on face book until 11:30. Then all of the sudden the power went out, do to the high winds we were having. It had stayed out for almost an hour. It was back on at 12:20. I then had some grancrackers and nutella. Once I had finished eating, I then started a load of laundry. At 1:40 I then hung it to dry. At 2:00 I then started another load. At 2:10 I rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. I am still waiting for that day when I am able to run that 5k road race. At 2:40 I then hung another load to dry. I then went to bed to sleep for a couple of hours. I had got up at 4:30, thus taking a shower before going out into the kitchen to eat dinner. I was back at my computer at 5:20 typing my blog.

IT WORKED !!!

Saturday 2/16/13 I began my Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to have some toast dunked in my hot cocoa. Once I had finished with my breakfast, I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before beginning my work out. As I was doing my weight exercises, I always have the fear that a weight would fall off and land on my toe, or worse my head. It happened once, but I had lucked out and escaped injury free. At 10:00 I went downstairs to the swin air dine. After riding for thirty minutes, I then returned to my bedroom to stretch. I had completed my workout at 11:10, but I was not done. At 11:10 I then began to do my speech and breathing exercises. I still can not see how this is going to strengthen the week flap in my throught. Something must be working because my breathing is getting better and with the swallowing strategies I have food and liquid is going down better. At 12:00 I then went to bed. what stroke surviver wouldn't after a morning routine like that. I had slept until 2:30 before getting up to go out to the kitchen to eat my lunch. I had a lobster roll my grandmother had saved me from a luncheon from where she lives. I also had a cupcake my mother had just made, for dessert. At 2:45 I had called a friend to chat for a while. At 4:30 I then took my shower. I then went out into how to get on my blog sight for a new post. It is funny living with a brain injury one moment you know how to do something and the next moment you do not. GUESS WHAT? The next day comes and you know how to do it again. I'm stumped. Sunday 2/17/13 I began my Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. At 8:00 I then went out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa. I then had returned my bedroom to stretch, wHile my mother had made french toast. At 8:30 I then went out into the kitchen to eat breakfast. At 8:50 I returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before doing my tension and identification At 10:00 my mother and I had gone to church. We did not have to pick my grandmother up today do to the snow and cold weather. After mass my mother and I stopped at the Pierce House to visit grandma. We finally arrived home at 12:00 noon. Once inside, I had made myself a bean sandwhich for lunch. I then brushed my teeth before laying down to rest at 12:30. I had slept until 3:00 before getting up. My mother and I had played three games of cribbage before dinner. I was then in my room by 5:30 typing my blog. IT WORKED!!!

strategies used to prevent choking

My Friday morning started at 7:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal and a toasted english muffin for breakfast. My parents had already both left to go to work, So the house was all mine. Once I had finished eating I then went back to my bedroom to take the sheets off my bed. I then put clean ones on thus making my bed. I then brushed my teeth, before bringing the dirty sheets down to the laundry room, plus whatever other laundry I had in my laundry basket. At 8:25 I then started a load of laundry before riding the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:05 I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. Once I had finished, I then put some clean laundry away my mother had put by my door. At 9:40 I then returned to the lanudry room so as to hang the laundry to dry. At 9:50 I then started anothr load. I then made my way back upstairs to wash some dish's before going to my bedroom to stretch. At 10:25 I then put my individual daily pill containers in the dish water to soak. I then vaccuumed my bedroom. At 10:40 I had hung my sheets to dry. At 11:00 I then went back to my bedroom so as to dust the furniture. At 12:00 I then took my shower before starting another load of laundry. I was then feeling a bit tired, so I had lied down to rest at 1:00. I had slept until 3:30 before getting up. I then spoke to grandma briefly before going out into the kitchen to eat dinner. I have been using some strategies while eating, so as not to choke. Like clearing my mouth of fook before taking my next bite. This elieviates unnecessary food that may be trapped under the tongue or beside my teeth. I also follow each swollow with a drink of liquid. This helps wash down food so that my mouth is totally clear. I also tuck my chin before making a swallow this helps tremendously when taking that gulp. Once I had finished eating, I then returned to my bedroom to blog.

cross country skiing at Pindland

I began my day this morning at 5:00 a.m. by doing my stretching. I then went to the kitchen to eat some hot cereal with toasted english muffin. Once I had finished eating I then went back to my bedroom to get ready for my day of skiing at Pineland. United had arrived at my house at 7:30. Upon my arrivel to WestSide I had to sit in the lobby to wait for the other clients to arrive. At 9:00 Dennis, Richard, and I left for Pineland with Tobie. Upon our arrivel Tobbie first had me skiing with mike one of the volenteers back and fourth on one of the practice trails. two years ago before my strok I was skiing on one of the two mile trails with mike. It is going to take a while I think at this pace, but I have come a long way thus far in my theropy. before leaving Tobie had me try snow shoeing. That is what I will be doing next week with carol. We then left to go back to WestSide. We arrived back to WestSide at 12:00. I then went downstairs to the dining area to eat lunch. At 1:00 I then met with Dr. Ablitz to talk about how my theropy is going and other things. I then left to go home. I had arrived home at 3:00. Feeling tired I had lied down to rest. I had slept two hours before getting up to take a shower and eat my dinner.

Giving my ipad a voice

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:45 by riding the swin air dine for thirty minutes. While downstairs I started a load of laundry. I then went back to my bedroom to make my bed. Once I had done so I had gone back out into the kitchen to start the dishwasher. At 8:30 I then sat down to eat my breakfast. At 9:00 I then went back to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 9:10 I then hung the load of laundry to dry. before going back to my bedroom I started another load. Once I was back in my bedroom I finshed my weight workout with my leg weights. AT 9:25 I then stretched. At 9:25 I took my shower thus getting ready for my day ahead. At 10:15 I then hung another load to dry. At 10:40 I then emptied the dishwasher thus putting the dish's. At 11:05 I then did my hand exercises with the theropy ball. At 11:20 I then did my speech and breathing exercises. United soon arrived to take me to WestSide. I had arrived at 1:00 p.m. thus making my way into the conference room for support group. During support group Denise, Camie, Tina, Tina, Dee Dee, Pete, Linda and I Shared our weeks events with Jenn and Deb. First we had put our fists in the middle and said "STAT POSSITIVE!" Denise then went around trying to recall everyone name. Dee Dee then shared how she started to volenteer at the school were she lives. I had shared how I had gone cross country skiing last week and how I am walking with out my AFO now full time. Even after P.T. Linda shared with the group how when she zaps her leg it helps lifts her foot. Tina shared how her daughter is getting married. Pete was saying how he was having problems with his transportation. Camie was sharing of an upcoming Drs appointment. Denise was sharing about all of the snow at her house and how her dog likes to play in the snow and slide down the ramp to get into her appartment. At 2:00 I then went downstairs to the gym for P.T. Dan first took my blood pressure 108 over 80. Dan then had me walking on the tredmill twenty minutes on 3.2 he then put it on 2.6 for a cool down for a minute. I had walked 1.056 miles. Dan then had a task for me to do while walking in the halls without my cane and no gate belt. While walking I had to scan and look for three cards taped to the wall. Upstairs and downstairs. At 2:45 Dan then had me in the parallel bars with my arms crossed. He then had me look straight, left, right. I had only lost my balance once. At 3:00 I then had my O.T. session with Nancy. Today we continued to work on my Ipad. Today she showed me how to adjust my volume. At 3:30 United took me home. I had arrived home at 4:45. Once I had taken my shower, I then went out into the kitchen to eat dinner. I then packed my duffle bag to go cross country skiing tomorrow at PineLand with a group from WestSide. I then went to my computer to blog.

my hardest P.T. session yet

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. First with my arms and then my legs. Once I had completed my weight workout, I then stretched. I then went out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa while eating some fruit. I then had a cup of hot cereal with a muffin. Once At 6:00 I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower, brush my teeth, and get ready for my day ahead. Once I was totally ready I then sat down to do my speech and breathing exercises while waiting for United to arrive. Larry had arrived at 7:30 thus taking Donald and I to Lewiston. Upon my arrivel for 9:00 a.m. I had made my way into the conference room for yaga group. This morning Michelle and Carol had Donald, David, Dennis and I first chant our own name. We then did yoga on the Wii. We did rowing squats, push ups, and side plank. At during P.T. Dan first took my blood pressure, 106 over 78. I then walked on the tredmill. Distance 0ne mile in 18:46. Dan then took my blood pressure reading again 112 over 80. I then continued on to walk 1.055 miles. Dan then had me on the upper level at WestSide looking for five red items. As I was doing so I was working on my balance, vision, ect. I then went downstairs to look for five green objects. At 11:00 I then met with my case manager Piper. Today she had me upday my face sheet for my black chart. I then had a fifteen minute break. For this I went to sit in the lobby. I really needed it after my P.T. session this moring. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. We first called my mother at work to get the dates of my upcoming Doctors appointmens. She then took my blood pressure, 114 over 78. I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then meet with Deb for my support session. Today Deb continued to help me to learn more on how to use my Ipad. This week it was learning how to put my weekly theropy schedule in on the calandar pages. I had arrived home at 3:00 p.m. thus going straight to bed, what else is new. I had slept for two hours before getting up at 5:00. I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen I then went out to the kitchen to eat my salad and dinner. I was then back in my bedroom at 6:00 typing out my blog.

Making the best of my work out

I began my Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen. My mother had made crepes for breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then resumed activity. I first began with my weight exercises. My legs then my arms. At 10:50 I then began to stretch, which through out this recovery process has been very crucial. Once I had finished with my stretching, I then went to my duffle bag and pulled out the folder with my speech and breathing exercises. I first began with some deep breathing in through the nose and exhale slowly through my mouth. At 11:45 I then lied down to rest. without an ounce of energy left in my body, I had managed to fall right to sleep. I had slept from 11:45 until 2:15 before getting up and going out into the kitchen to have a snack. I then went on line to play words with friends on face book. At 3:15 I then spoke briefly with my sister and my grandmother whose names coincidentally are both Barbara. At 3:40 I then spoke to a friend whom I had meet at rehab. At 4:30 I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat my dinner. Once I had finished eating I had returned to my computer to blog.

The storm lingers on

I began my Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. Once I had done so, I then preceded with my stretching. During my workout I had drank my hot cocoa. At 7:30 I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I then went back to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready to go to church. Once I was ready to go, my mother and I left for the 10:30 a.m. mass. Once church was done we went to visit my grandmother who hates going out in the cold. While visiting my grandmother, my mother gave her communion. We had arrived home at 12:10. Once inside, I had gone straight to my bedroom to lay down. I had slept from 12:15-2:30. I then went into the kitchen to make myself a bean sandwhich with the beans we had last night for dinner. At 3:10 I then went on facebook to play words with friends. I did so until 4:30. That is when I brought up my blog to type in todays entree.

winter weather in Maine

I began this snowy Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat some fruit with fruit dip, while drinking my hot cocoa. Once I had done so, I then had french toasted blueberry muffins for breakfast. At 9:40 I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before beginning my weight exercises. I had spent a good fourty-five minutes with my weight exericises before starting with my stretchting. At 10:35 I then turned to my speech and breathing exercises. I then had spoke to a friend on the telephone until 11:40. Once I was off the telephone I then went to bed. I had slept until 2:10 before getting up and going out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of chlli for lunch. At 2:30 I had gone on line to play words with friends. At 3:45 I put the laundry away I had washed yesturday. I then continued to play words with friends unil 4:00. Once I had taken my shower, I then sat down at my computer to do my blog. Now that the wind has picked up and the snow is still flying around, will make a good night to cuddle up by the fire and watch a good movie or just go to bed and listen to the sounds of the howling wind.

Lending a helping hand

I began my Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. I then had returned to the kitchen to eat some fruit, a bowl of cereal, and a muffin for breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then started the dishwasher. At 9:35 I then rode the swin sir dine for tirty minutes. once I had my cardio work out in for the day, I then hung a load of laundry to dry. At 10:25 I then returned to my bedroom to make my bed with clean sheets. I then did my leg exercises. At 10:50 I then stretched before doing my upper weight exercises. At 11:15 I then took my shower thus getting teady for my day ahead. Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I then started another load of laundry. At 11:45 I then had emptied the dishwasher, thus putting the dish's awat. At 12:10 I then hung another load to dry, before giving my grandmother a call on the telphone. We had spoke for fifteen minutes. I then went out into the kitchen to make myself a grilled peanutbutter and jelly sandwhich. I then spoke to a friend on the phone until 1:30. My mother had arrived home from work. Once she was inside, I then lied down to rest. I had slept until 4:00 before getting up. I then went on line. I then spoke to a client from WestSide who needed a pep talk. They also too suffered a stroke recently. At 5:40 I then went out into the kitchen to eat my dinner. I then went back to my bedroom to blog at 6:50

"Happy Birthday" Aunt Joan

I began my Thursday morning at 4:30 s.m. by stretching and doing my weight exercises. Once I had finished my morning workout, I then preceded to make my way out into the kitchen to eat hot cereal and a piece of toast, along with my hot cocoa and a half of bananna. At 5:30 I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for my day ahead. At 6:00 I then put my ski clothing in my nap sack. I then made my way to the kitchen to get my lunch. While waiting for United to arrive I had done my speech and breathing exercises. United had arrived at 7:30. I had arrived at WestSide at 9:00. Dennis, Diana, and I then went with Tobie to PineLand Once we had arrived to PineLand Nordic skiing area we had gone in the lodge to get out ski equipment. Once I had arrived inside Suran the program coordinator gave me a hug and other were pleased to see me doing so well. I had skied there one day a week for four years straight prior to having my stroke. Diana being her first time ever. This was Dennis and my first time after our injury. We had spent the day on the biginner trail going back and fourth. After a couple of hours out on the trail we had returned to WestSide at 12:30. Once we had grabbed our things from Tobies car, Dennis, Diana, and I had gone to the kitchen to eat our lunch. Once I had finished eating, I then went to the lobby, Larry from United then took me home. I had arrived home at 2:15. Upon doing so I had gone straight to my bedroom to lay and go to sleep. I had slept until 5:15 before getting up to take a shower. I then went out into the kitchen to eat dinner. Once I had so, I had returned to my bedroom to blog. I like to end by saying "HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT JOAN"

Fire Drill At WestSide

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:45 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to first drink my hot cooa and eat some fruit. I then had a muffin with a bowl of cereal. Once I had finished eating I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 8:45 I then hung a load of laundry to dry. At 9:00 I then went to my bedroom to do my leg exercises with ankle weights. At 9:12 I then did my stretching. At 9:45 I then took my shower, thus getting ready to go to WestSide. Once I had done so, I then gathered my things to bring to the door. I then went to my bedroom to first put my laundry away, then to do my speech and breathing exercises. United arrived at 11:30 to transport me to WestSide. Upon my arrivel at 12:45. I then hung my coat up in my locker before going back upstairs to the conference room for support group with Deb. Once Denise, Dee Dee, Linda, and I did our group hurra "STAY POSSITIVE!" Denise then went around trying to remember everyones names, and is making great progress. Denise then checked in, letting us know how she is trying to continue to do as much as she can. Denise has two kids though, that help out when ever they can. Linda then checked in letting us know how she suffered a stroke last August. She had spent five weeks in the hospital before going to rehab. Dee Dee then mentioned how she has loss of interest art and cooking. The doctor tells Dee Dee to think positive, "you will get better." Dee Dee went snow shoeing in her back yard. The Apple cure for energy. Dee Dee has been cooking with apples and enjoying it. I then went down to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. Dan was late to my session because he was planning to have a fire drill. He then came to the gym to get me so that I could go outside before the drill. Do to my seizure disorder he lets me know before hand. Once we were back in the gym, Dan then took my blood pressure 110 over 80. I then walked on the tredmill for 17:00 minutes. I had walked 0.892 miles. Dan then had me in the parallel bars stepping on a platform alternating my feet. Dan would say stop, I then would have to regain my balance. During my O.T. session with Nancy, She showed me how to use my reminders and calander icons. Once I had returned to the lobby, Mellisa the reseptionisy had given my lunch container that I had forgot there yesturday. She let me know that Tobie said to be ready to go cross country skiing tomorrow. At 3:40 Larry took me home. I had arrive home at 4:50. I took a shower once I was in my bedroom. I then packed to go skiing tomorrow. At 5:30 I then went out into the kitchen to my dinner. At 6:10 I was back in my bedroom to blog.

leg raises duing p.t.

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching. At 5:20 I then preceded to do my leg exercises with weights. Once I had finished, I had made my way into the kitchen to have a bowl of hot cereal and toasted english muffin for my breakfast. At 5:45 I had returned to my bedroom to shower and get ready for my day ahead. Once I had done so, I then sat down to do my speech and breathing exercises, which seem to be helping, but it is such a slow process, like everything else I guess. At 6:45 I then gathered my things, thus bringing them to the door. At 7:00 I then put my daily schedule into my note pad so that I know what is going on for my theropy onc I arrvive at WestSide. I then watched the news while waiting for United to arrive. Upon my arrivel to WestSide this morning for 9:00 a.m. I had gone straight to the conference room for yoga group. Donald, David, Dennis and I Started the group with Michelle and Carol by doing sun salutation. Once we were all loosened up we then did the twist. We then each grabbed a mat and did some exercises on the floor. To wrap things up we then did the corps pose. this is a relaxation technique we do at the end of each yoga group. At 10:00 I then went downstairs to the gym for my p.t. session with Dan. Dan started the session by taking my blood pressure. 100 over 74. Dan then had me walking on the tredmill for nineteen minutes at 3.2 for speed. He then had me at 2.6 for one minute for a cool down. Once my walk was finished I had walked 1.054 miles. At 11:30 Dan had me put ankle weights on. He then had me doing leg raises as I sat on one of the Theropy beds. We then went out into the hall way to do some walking. At 11:00 I had met with my case manager Piper. Today she had me signing releases so as to give her permission to release information to my parents, sister, and my doctor. I then had a fifteen minute break before I met with Sally the nurse. During my nursing session I has gone over my speech strategies Carina wated me to do. We then talked about the headache on the right side of my head is worse with activity and how the blood vessel protrueds. At 12:00 I then had lunch. At 12:30 I then met with Deb. We worked on deleting photos in my Ipad. At 1;00 Lou took me home. I had arrived home at 2:15 and went straight to bed. I slept til 5:00. Took my shower, ate dinner. I then went to my computer to blog.

Laughter Theropy HA HA HA !!!

I began my Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. by doing my stretching exercises. I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. This morning my father had made me and omlet with toasted english muffin. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my bedroom at 6:45 to do my leg exercises with leg weights. At 7:00 I then took my shower thus getting ready for my day ahead. Once I was ready, I then did my speech and breathing exercises. At 8:00 United arrived to take me to WestSide Neourorehabilitation services. I had arrived at WestSide at 9:40. I first had Mellissa the receptionist let me in. I then went downstairs to the kitchen to put my lunch in the refrigerator. I then sat in the gym to wait for my P.T. session to start with Dan at 10:00. Dan had first taken my blood pressure reading 108 over 74. I then walked at 3.2 mph, for nineteen minutes. I then did a minute cool down at 2.6 mph. I had walked in all 1.055 miles. At 10:30 Dan had me in the parallel bars doing leg exercises with leg weights. Dan then took the weights off my legs. I then stood out of the parallel bars and on to the gym floor. doing some standing exercises. Left foot in front of right a couple of inch's apart I stood for 35 seconds. Then right foot in front of left 42 seconds without losing my balance. With my feet together, this is where I shattered all records; two minutes without making a move. At 10:50 I then made my way up to the lobby to wait for this new group I had started this week called laughter theropy group. Once Florena and Deb had come to get me in the lobby, I then gathered with the other clients in the conference room. Matt, Paul, Allissa and I talked with Deb and Florina about laughing on the telephone with a friend, and where laughter theropy groups are held in the community; Portland for example. We also talked about looking on an ipad for laughter sites. We then talked about greeting laughter, looking at super bowl ads on youtube, and yoga Laughter. We then went around the room letting out a few HA HA HA'S. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then went to the lobby to wait for Corina to come get me for speech theropy. While with Corina we went over my test results. My left vocal cord is weaker then the right. She then showed me how I should tuck my chin when swollowing food. She also mentioned to alternate when eating. Eat, swallow, take a sip of liquid. At 1:00 Sam from United took me home. I had arrived home at 2:00, thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 4:30. I then got up, took my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat dinner. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bedroom to blog. I then called it a day at 6:30.

Watching the super bowl

I began my Sunday morning at 8;00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit while my mother was making blueberry muffins for breakfast. Once the muffins were out of the oven, I then had two. Once I had finished eating, I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth and shave before doing my stretching routine. Once I had done so I then took my shower and got ready for the day ahead. I had skipped my weight exercises, because I had pulled a muscle in my back the other day. At 9:00 My mother and left for the Pierce house to pick my grandmother up to go to church. Once mass was done we had brought my grandmother back home. My mother and I then had made a couple of stops before returning home. First one at Tranten's a local grocery store downtown, we then went to Wal-mart, then to hanaford so that I could pick up my medication. We had arrived home at 12:40. I had first change out of my church clothing before eating some soup for lunch. You'll never guess what I then preceded to do? That is right, I had lied down to rest. I had slept from 1:10-3:40. I then went into the kitchen to play a few games of cribbage with my mother. At 5:00 I then went back to my bedroom to take a shower before dinner. Once out of my shower I then watched the pre game show of the super bowl. I then began to watch the super bowl while doing so my parents and I had chilli for dinner and what a hot chilli it was. I then continued to watch the game until half time. I then went to my computer to blog.

Aunt Jills Funeral

I began my Saturday morning on this ground hog day at 5:30 a.m. by doing my stretching. Once I had done so my father then took me to the shop to give me a hair cut. ON the way home we stopped to get something to eat for breakfast. We arrived home at 7:00 I then sat down to eat. Once I had done so I then began to get ready to go to Aunt Jill's funeral. At 7:40 I then did my breathing exercises. My parents and I had left for Rumford at 9:00. We had arrived at the church at 11:00. Once the priest had said the mass everyone then went to the Chicken Coop for the reception and lunch. My parents and I had sat with my cousin Jimmy and his wife Carol. At 2:00 we had left to go home. We had arrived home at 2:40. I then went to bed to rest. I had slept until 5:10 before getting up. I then went out into the kitchen for have a fruit shake. I then went to my computer to blog.

Preparing to go to Aunt Jills funeral tomorrow

I began my Friday morning at 7:40 a.m. by getting up to change the sheets on my bed. Once I had done so I then went to the kitchen to make myself a toasted english muffin with peanutbutter and honey on it. Along with some fruit, hot cocoa, and a glass of o.j. made the breakfast complete. Once I had brushed my teeth, I then went to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. While I was downstairs, I had jumped on the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I had returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 9:15 I then hung the laod of laundry to dry. Once I had done so I then started another load of laundry. I then went back to my bedroom to finish my weight exercises and to do my stretching. At 10:00 I preceded to clean up and get ready for the rest of my day. Once I was out of my shower and set to go, I then went back to the laundry room to hang yet another load to dry. At 11:00 I then went on face book to respond to some messages. At 11:30 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. Once I had finished eating I had lied down to rest at 12:00. before falling to sleep, Carol Bouffard called to let us know about Aunt Jills funeral tomorrow and that the family is going to the chicken coop afterwards. I had slept until 3:00 before getting up to do my speech exercises. I then called my grandmother. Once I was off the telephone with my grandmother I then had put some laundry away that had dried. At 4:30 I got out the cothing I was to wear tomorrow to Aunt Jills funeral. I then went to my computer to blog.