more running in the parking lot at westside with

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After doing so it was now 8:00 so I had begun my exercises with a half an hour ride on the swin air dine. At 9:30 I then returned to my bedroom to begin my weight exercises both leg and arm. At 9:00 I then preceded with my stretching. After doing so I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 10:00 I then went to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. I then continued to get ready to go to Westside. At 10:40 I then hung the laundry to dry. I then had a quick bite to eat before United arrived to take me to Westside. Upon my arrival for 1:00 a.m. I had made my way into the conference room for support group. Tina, Dee Dee, Denise, Camie and I shared with Deb and Sam. Denise first went around to say our names. Tina's 16 year old daughter lives with and goes to school in the area. Tina mentioned how she did not like herself before her brain injury, but now enjoys every moment she can. When Camie checked in she said that Linda who was not here today said to say hello. Camie wants to be a social worker. Dee Dee went into the camp ground this past weekend. She says things have changed. It is very quiet. No one can be at the pool alone, pets have to be on a leash, Denise went to her daughters this past weekend. Denise also likes to horseback ride. During my P.T. session with Jamie I first did ten minutes on the treadmill going a half of a mile at 3 mph. Jamie then strapped the gate belt on and we went outside to run in the parking lot. After running 1200 feet even up and down the parking lot hill we then went back inside. Once I was back in the gym I then did fifteen reps of standing exercises in the parallel bars. At 3:00 I then went to I pad group. Today Laura showed Denise and I more about the side by side apt. and using google. At 4:00 Everet from United Wheelchair took me home. I had arrived home at 5:30 thus going straight to my laptop to blog.

Running in the parking lot at WestSide

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises, both arm and leg. After doing so I then began with my stretching. I then ended my workout by using the theroband to do my ankle exercises. At 5:50 I then made my way out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal with banana and blueberries along with an English muffin. Once I had finished eating, I then returned to my bedroom at 6:30 to take a shower and get ready for the rest of my day. At 7:00 I had done my Identification and control exercises. Tensing the muscles in my face and body. I then grabbed my knapsack and lunch and went to the foyer to wait for my ride. Upon my arrival to Westside for 9:00 a.m. I had gone straight to the conference room for yoga group. with shawn and Carol. We started the group by doing a breathing exercise were we touch each finger with our thumb saying sa ta na ma. Matt, David, Donald, and I then use the Wii to exercises. I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Amanda and her student Jaime. They first had me walk ten minutes on the treadmill at 3.0 miles per hour. I then had a gate belt strapped around my waist before going out in the parking lot to do some running. I ran 1200 feet with Jamie holding onto the gate belt running next to me. At first my trunk was hunch and my arms were swinging every where, but once I had that brought to my attention my form straightened out and I was good to go. There is always the breathing issue too. which has been giving me a hard time since I became more active in my therapy at Westside. Once I had finished with my running, I then went back into the gym to do some ankle exercises with Jaime before calling it a session. I then had a fifteen minute break before meeting with Piper for case management. Today we spoke about my running and the procedure I will be going through for my through. At 11:30 I then met with Sally for my nursing session. Sally for first took my blood pressure 122 over 62. We then spoke about my appointment I will be going to at Central Maine Medical Center for my swallowing. Sally had asked me to find out the name of the therapist I will be working with. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. Once I had finished eating, I then went back upstairs to meet with Deb. During my rehab session today Deb helped me download the apt side by side. This will enable me to do two things at once with my I Pad. Like reading the steps to do something and actually do the task. At 1:00 United took me home. I had arrived home at 2:30 thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 5:00. I then got up to take a shower before eating dinner. At 5:45 I had to call my fair point to get reconnected to the internet. Once I was connected I then sat down to blog.

Running in the halls and outside during P.T.

I began my Monday morning at 6:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen t eat blueberry pancakes for breakfast. After doing so, I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower thus getting ready for the day. Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I grabbed my things and went to the door to wait for United Wheelchair to arrive. Upon my arrival to Westside for 9:00 a.m. I had gone to the kitchen to put my lunch in the refrigerator before making my way over to the gym. It is a hop skip and a jump from the kitchen to the gym because they are both on the lower level. Today Lydia first had me walking on the treadmill for ten minutes, I had gone one-half mile. She then took me outside to try running but it seemed to be too hot so we went back inside to jog in the halls at Westside. When it was all said and done I had run 1160 feet total inside and out. Then one thing she had pointed out to me while working on my running is the word control which I do remember them speaking allot about at d'youville. Lydia wanted me to focuss on being able to come to a stop at the end of the hall after my jaunt. On command sort of speak. I did 12 runs back and fourth in hall before ending the exercise. Lydia then commented on how well I did with the exercises, but the only thing standing in my way was my breathing after all that exercise. I can't seem to control it getting it back down to where it is normal. We then went back into the gym to do some wall squats. I had done ten of them with a five second hold each one. I then went in the parallel bars to do six inch step ups without hanging on. I then did some tandem stepping. At 11:00 I then went to the conference room for laughter therapy. Today Mat, Michelle, Paul, Silver and I Practiced many forms of laughter with Deb and Flourina. At 12:00 I then went to the dinning area to eat my lunch before going home. I use to have speech at 12:30, but I have met my goals and no longer need speech therapy for now. United then took me home. I had arrived home at 1:30. Upon doing so, I had gone straight to bed. I had called for my blood work results. I then lied down to rest. I had slept from 3:00-5:00 before getting up to take my shower. I then sat down to blog before eating dinner.

coming home from camp

I began my morning this Sunday at 7:00 a.m. by packing things up and loading them into the car. My mother and I had left camp to go home. We had arrived home at 7:30 a.m. Once the car was unpacked and things were put away, I had returned to my bedroom to my weight exercises. After doing so I then stretched. At 8:44 I then sat down to eat my breakfast. After doing so, I then took my shower, thus getting for the day ahead. At 10:00 my mother and left for church. After Mass we went to visit my grandmother so that my mother could give her communion and just to check in and say hello. We had arrived home at 12:00 Upon doing so I had gone to my bedroom to do my hand and ankle exercises. My mother then made my a steak and cheese sandwich for lunch. Once I had finished eating, I then lied down to rest. I had slept from 12:50-3:15 before getting up to have something cool to eat. I then sat down to play words with friends. At 3:40 my sister had called, we spoke briefly before I handed the phone off to my mother. After doing so I then did some laughter therapy and then my tension and Identification and control exercises. Tightening muscles and relaxing them. Eyes, shoulders, neck, ect. I then took my shower before sitting down to blog of the days events.

A busy day at camp

I began my Saturday morning at camp on Porter Lake at 9:00 a.m. My mother had been making blueberry pancakes for breakfast and the aroma sure did smell good. Once I had my fill, I then turned to doing my stretching. not having my weights at camp, I have to make my workouts at camp simple. After doing so, I then Went back upstairs to take my shower. At 11:00 I then went on my I Pad to keep myself busy for thirty minutes, I then preceded to help my mother arrange the furniture in the camp. At 1:00 I then had a cucumber sandwich for lunch. Once I had finished eating, I then lied down to rest. I had slept from 1:30-4:30 before getting up. I then sat out on the deck with my parents and sister to watch the boats go by as we talked. My parents then tended to the dinner as my sister and I played a game of cribbage. We soon went in to have BBQ chicken, corn and zucchini. Once I had finished eating I had put my bathing suit on and went in the water with my life jacket on. I then swam and waded in the water with my father for fifteen minutes of so before getting out. I then went inside to get comfortable before sitting down to blog. I then sat out on the deck with my father and mother before going to bed.

Once step closer to having the vital stem done on my throught

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting up to put my exercise clothing on. I then went downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. After doing so I had received a call from one of my speech therapists from West Side. She was calling me to let me know that she had contacted my primary care physician to get the ok to go ahead with the vital stem for my throat. I then had her call my mother at work to let her know what was going on. I then ate my breakfast. After doing so, at 9:10 I then brushed my teeth before starting the dish washer. I then returned to my bedroom to put away some clean laundry. Once I had made my bed thus putting on clean sheets, I then preceded to do my weight exercises. I had done so for twenty minutes before beginning in with my stretching at 9:50. I did so for thirty minutes before doing my Tension I.D. exercises. Once I finished with my morning workout I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 11:10 I then spoke to a friend on the phone Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I then hung then emptied the dish washer, thus putting the dish's away. At this point I was feeling a bit tired, so I had lied down to rest. I had slept for two hours before being awoken by the sound of the garage door being opened. My mother was home from work. We immediately loaded the car then left for camp. We had arrived at camp at 3:30. My father had met us there to help us unload the car and to spend a few hours before going home. We just had the deck on the front of the camp and the deck going out into the water rebuilt and it looks tremendously good. At 4:00 I then hooked my lap top up so as to be able to sit down to blog.

Catching up with old friends

I began my Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After doing so, I then brushed my teeth before going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises, leg and arm. At 9:20 I then preceded to do my stretching exercises. After doing so, I then took my shower. After doing so my mother had called from work to let me know that she would be picking me up to go to write aid and Hannaford if I wanted to. I said yes. At 10:15 I then started a load of laundry. After doing so I then filled my empty pill containers. It is amazing, I am back on as much medication as I was when I has seizures as a teenager. At 11:20 my father had called, to see if the wood had been delivered yet. At 11:20 I then hung the laundry to dry. At 12:00 I had lied down to rest. I had slept for an hour before getting up at 1:00. I then went out to pick blueberries. At 1:30 I had gone with my mother to pick me grandmother up at the Pierce House. We then went to Write Aid, Post Office, and then to Hannaford. While there a high school class mate of came up to me and said hi. At 3:00 we then left for home. We first brought my grandmother home. Once we had arrived home I went back out to the blueberry patch to pick blueberry's until 4:00 to talk to a friend on the telephone. After doing so I then took care of my laundry before sitting down to blog.

Filling out a permission slip to go on a trip to Boston

I began my Wednesday morning at 7;50 a.m. by riding for thirty minutes. After doing so I had returned to my bedroom to begin to do my weight exercises. After doing so I then went out to the kitchen to have a bowl of cereal, my hot cocoa, English muffin, fruit, and orange juice all in one setting. At 9:10 I then brushed my teeth before doing my stretching at 9:15. After doing so I then shaved, took my shower, thus getting ready for the day ahead. Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I then went to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. At 11:20 I then hung it out to dry. Just in the nick of time, for United had arrived ten minutes later to transport me to Westside. Upon my arrival to rehab, I went straight to the conference room for support group. As I was sitting in the conference room, Susan, One of the speech therapist came in to let me know that my primary care physician and my neurologist are both on board to do the vial stem on my throat to help with my swallowing. We then started support group. Tina's daughter is back living with her now. I then spoke about jogging in P.T. around the halls outside the P.T. gym. It is only the beginning and room for allot of gains and improvement. Dee Dee spoke about how her niece's boyfriend proposed to her. She also has been working on a photo album and finished putting it together. Camie things are going well. Denise had to bring her dog to the vet because he was pulling his hair out. Denise still goes horse back riding. her tomato's are still growing in her garden. Deb tried the adaptive cycling yesterday at Westside. At 2:00 I then went down to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. Today Dan first had me walk 2500 feet downstairs inside Westside in eleven minutes. I then standing range of motion in the parallel bars. I then did quadrant stepping exercises. At 3:00 I then went back to the conference room for I Pad group. I first filled out a permission slip for the Boston trip I was chosen to go on. I then showed Denise the steps use a certain thing to do with the I pad that I use. We then looked up recipes. United then took me home at 4:00. I arrived home at 5:15, thus taking my shower before dinner. I then sat down to blog.

Dr's. appointment with Doctor Auger

I began my Tuesday morning at 7:00 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had done SO, I had returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for the day ahead. Once I was ready I had grabbed my lunch and my duffle bag. My father then took me to the hospital for my doctors appointment with Dr. Auger. Once I was there his nurse Marcia took me into a room to get my weight and blood pressure. Then doctor Auger came in with a student to then do my exam. After my exam I had met United out in the parking lot. I had arrived to Westside at 11:00. I started with my fifteen minute break. Piper then came out to the lobby to get me for my case management time. Today Piper went over my goals for the next six months. She then asked me questions on how I am treated as a client of good will answering agree or disagree. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. Today we called Dr. Selvitelli my Neurologist to find what medication she had put me on. We then called dr. Augers office. Sally then took my blood pressure 122 over 78. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. Once I had finished eating I then met Deb in the lobby for my support session. We then made our way into a treatment room to meet. We then then continued to work with my I pad. After doing so, I had grabbed my things and went to the lobby to meet the driver who would be taking me home. I had arrived home at 2:35. Upon doing so I had gone straight to my bedroom to go to bed. I had slept until 4:35 before getting to take a shower. After doing so I had gone out into the kitchen to eat my dinner. I then showed my mother some pictures of Judy's mug rugs from my I pad. quite impressive I might ad. I then went to my bedroom to blog.

No running in the halls

But that's exactly what I did, and once I started, I did not want to stop. Once I had walked for twenty-five minutes on the treadmill at 3.3 mph. I had gone 1.35 miles with no arm support. Lydia then strapped the gate belt around me I then took off running in the halls at Westside. It was the best I have done so far. It was course more like a jog but still. After running back and fourth six times it average about eighty feet. Lydia then had me back in the gym. She had set three cones on the floor. one in front of me, on the side, and one in back. She then had me standing on one leg using the other leg taping each cone with my foot. working on my coordination. Lydia then had me standing against the wall doing wall squats. I had done five of them holding each one for five seconds. What a P.T. session indeed!!! Now that I was exhausted from my P.T. session I then went to my laughter therapy group with Deb. During Laugher therapy We started by saying our names and something positive. "I RAN" We then talked about laughter. Mat, Alissa, Michelle, and I went around naming the benefits of laughter. We then then named an activity we had done that we were proud of, with Deb and Carol, YEH!!! At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch with other clients. After doing so I then had my last speech session with Carina. I had used my breathing notes during this time while walking on the treadmill in the gym. After doing So United then took me home. I was so tired Once I arrived home I went straight to bed. I had slept from 2:30-5:00 before getting up to blog. Who would not be tired after a therapy session I had today. I then sat down to blog before eating dinner, WOW!!! WHAT A DAY!

Taking my friend Greg to lunch

I began my Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal and a piece of toasted home made bread. At 9:00 I had returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for the day. Before leaving I squeezed in enough time to do my speech and breathing exercises. At 10:00 I had left the house with my father for Auburn. Along the way we first stopped to fill up with gas. We had arrived at Odd Fellows in Auburn to pick up my friend Greg to take him out for the day. While there I saw my cousin Cindy who is employed at Odd Fellows as a c.n.a. At 12:30 we went to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch, my treat. My father and have a deal going when we go to take Greg out, who ever pays for the gas the other pays for the meal. Today I bought the meal. Once we had finished eating we then went to the Auburn Mall to walk around for a little. After doing so, we then met my sister at the turn pile exit to pick up her dog Pepper. After talking to Barbara we then brought Greg back to Odd Fellows before heading home. We had arrived at 4:15. Upon doing so I had gone straight to my bedroom to do my weight exercises, stretching, and my ankle exercises with the orange thero band. At 5:20 I then took my shower before sitting down to blog. I then went out into the kitchen to get a bite to eat before calling it a day.

Strengthening my ankle has been a lot of work,. I think I need magic.

I began my Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my cocoa and eat fruit while my mother made crepes for breakfast. Once I had my fill, I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:45 I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. I then preceded to stretch. After my morning workout, I then went out to the mail box to get the mail and the newspaper. I then took a shower before laying down to rest. I had slept from 10:30-1:00 before getting up. I then went into the kitchen to eat some lunch. After doing so I then started the dishwasher at 1:30. I preceded to do my ankle exercises using the yellow thero band. At 1:40 I then spoke to a friend on the telephone briefly before playing words with friends. At 2:20 I did my speech and breathing exercises. At 2:30 I then spoke to my grandmother on the telephone. Who by the way is an avid baseball fan. At 3:15 I then emptied the dishwasher thus putting the dish's away. After doing so, I sat down to watch a movie. At 5:00 I then made my way to my computer to blog.

trying to stay cool

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting up to exercise. I had first put my workout clothing on before going downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After doing so I then returned to the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal, my fruit, hot cocoa, and a glass of orange juice for breakfast. After doing so I had picked up the kitchen and returned to my bedroom at 9:00 to first brush my teeth before doing my upper weight exercises. After doing so I then preceded to do my leg weight exercises. At 9:40 I then stretched. At 10:00 I then made my bed, thus putting on clean sheets. At 10:00 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the day ahead Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I then returned to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. At 11:00 I had spoke to a friend on the phone. At 11:30 I then hung the laundry out to dry before sitting down to eat my lunch. At 12:00 I then went to bed. The temperature has been so hot it is hard for me to stay energized. I had slept from 12:00 to 3:20. There is no better place to be then in my bedroom with the air conditioner. I then got up and went on my I pad. Until 4:30. I then called United Wheelchair to have them pick me up at Franklin Memorial Hospital at 10:00 am. after my doctors appointment. It seems like every time I turn around I am at the doctors. I guess I have to so that I don't have another stroke. three is enough.

A visit with grandma

I began my Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my fruit and hot cocoa. Like most mornings my parents had already left for work so I took my time in making my way around. There is not a day that goes by that I do not ask myself, why and how this had to happen to me. I had never smoked or had a drink of an alcoholic beverage and still these problems occur. Frustrating is what it is. The fact that I have been in rehab for two years and my ankle still is not strong enough to support my foot in the motion it takes to allow me to run. Some days I would like to just give up, but then what would I do. I treat my morning exercises as though I am out for my morning run. Oh those three words sound so refreshing, "My morning run." Once I had finished eating, I then made my way to the laundry room to start a wash. It was now 9:00 a.m. I thought while downstairs I might as well ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:30 I then made my way back to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. After doing so, I Had returned to the laundry room to retrieve the laundry to hang out on the clothing line off from the deck upstairs. How do I bring it up in the laundry basket, you ask. One step at a time. At 10:10 I then sat down to eat my breakfast. A bowl of chereo's with cut up banana plus a toasted English muffin. Once I had finished eating I then started the dish washer. I then sat on the kitchen bar stool to do my foot and ankle exercises. Before taking my shower I then did my speech and breathing exercises. Once I was out of my shower, I then cleaned my bathroom At 10:25 I then began another load of laundry. At 11:45 I then gave my grandmother a call. It is nice to have grandma living in town so as to be able to go visit her any time I want. I then called my mother to let her know I would be needing a ride to grams once she gets out of work. Frustrating as it not being able to rely on myself to get around, I somehow manage to get through all of the nooks and crannies of daily living. At 11:50 I then sat down to have an English muffing pizza for lunch. I then brushed my teeth before hanging another load of laundry out to dry at 12:00 p.m. I then watched the news At 12:40 I had taken in the first load of laundry I had done earlier to put away. That is one good thing about thid hot weather. At 12:45 I then spoke to my grandmother to let her know that I would be coming down to visit. At 12:45 I then empty the dish washer. At 1:30 My mother picked me up to bring me to my grandmothers. While there my grandmother and I played a game of cribbage and skip-bo. It was a pleasant afternoon with grandma. At 3:00 my father picked me up on his way home after work. We had arrived home at 3:50. I was tired so I had lied down to rest until 5:00. I then ate dinner before sitting down at my computer to blog. What a day.

Learning how to take notes with the Ipad

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting and going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. First I had my hot cocoa and some fruit. At 8:30 I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes before returning to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. Once I had finished with my stretching, I had preceded to do my tension Identification and control exercises to help me to improve my speech and breathing. After doing so I then preceded to get ready for my day ahead. After taking my shower, I then went to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. I then hung it out to dry. United had arrived at 11:45 to take me to Westside. Upon my arrival for 1:00 p.m. I had made my way into the conference room for support group. During support Dee Dee, Denise, Camie, Pete, and I first spoke about the camping trip some clients had gone on this week and how relieved I did not go do the hot weather with Deb and Sam. In doing so we discussed the topic of what holds you back from going to events like this as someone living with a brain injury. Some concerns voiced were, how do I get up and go to the bathroom in the middle the night? Who do I ask for help? How do I ask for help? Pete then mentioned how his father past away of a stroke. Camie mentioned how she had a bear in town this past weekend where she lives. It was on her sons deck and got into his garbage. Dee Dee will be camping this weekend with her parents, staying in her trailer at Maine Rovers Campground. Denise took her dog to the river when camping with her kids Josh and Nichole this past weekend. Tina's not liking the heat. Spending most of the time laying in her bed with the fan on. Once we all checked in Deb then asked us all a questioned. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. I first walked thirty minutes on the treadmill. Dan then had me walking in the hallway. The goal was to walk in a straight line with out losing my balance. I then went in the parallel bars to do squats with my arms crossed. I then did some ankle exercises using thero band. At 3:00 during I pad group We worked on the note taking apt. How to ad a note and look up cookie recipe. At 4:00 United then took me home. I had arrived home at 5:15. Upon doing so I took a shower to get cool before eating dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog.

Talking about using a stimor neuro muscular elelctrical stimulator With susan during speech

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises both arm and leg. After a thirty minute weight workout I then continued by doing my stretching. As I was doing so I sipped on my hot cocoa. After my morning workout I the preceded to get ready for my day ahead before going out into the kitchen to eat my bowl of cereal and a piece of toasted brown bread. Once I had finished eating I then brushed my teeth before grabbing my duffle bag and lunch. United had arrived shortly afterwards. I had arrived to Westside around 9:00 a.m. Upon doing so I first signed in before making my way into the conference room for Yoga. Today Michelle had Donald, Matt, and I doing floor yoga and some seated yoga from watching a video and following along. At 10:00 I then made my way downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. I started the session by doing some breathing exercises. Dan then had me on the tread mill walking. Before walking Dan took my resting blood pressure, 104 over 74. I then walked for twenty-five minutes at 3.0 mph. My working blood pressure was then 104 over 76. Dan then had me in the parallel bars doing some tandem walking. I then walked in the center of the hall way tandem one foot in front of the other. At 11:00 I then had a fifteen minute break so I just sat in the lobby waiting. At 11:15 I then met with my case manager Piper. Today I spoke to Piper about humid hot 90 degree weather and how it is effecting my breathing. "NOT GOOD" At 11:30 I then met with Susan for a speech session. Today she was telling me about having a vital stimor neuro muscular electrical stimulation done on all the muscles involved in helping me to swallow. In doing so this will prevent food from getting lodged in my throat. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then met with Deb. Today she and I continued to look on line for a keyboard to use with my I pad. At 1:00 United then took me home. I had arrived home at 2:40 thus going strait to bed. I had slept for two hours before getting up to blog. I then ate my dinner before calling it a day. And a hot day at that.

Review during speech

I began my Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. At this point in my recovery I don't know how much stronger I will get, but this is a form of exercises I will keep up with until my legs are ready to go. Once I had finished with my stretching I then went out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit. After doing so, I then had my breakfast. At 6:00 I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready to go to therapy. Once I was ready I then preceded to do my tension I.D. and control exercises, along with some breathing exercises while waiting for United to arrive. I also did some laughing which is so beneficial in so many ways. I had arrived to Westside for 10:00 a.m. Upon doing so, I had made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Lydia. I first walked twenty-five minutes on the treadmill, going 1.24 miles at 3.0 mph. After doing so, Lydia had me in the parallel bars doing lunges. It is amazing my legs are strong enough now to help me balance while doing so. Lydia had to catch me more then a couple of times, but I had my fare share of good lunges too. Lydia then put the trampoline in the parallel bars so that I could do some jogging with out arm support. I then sat down to work on strengthening my ankle with the use of a theroband. At 11:00 I then went back upstairs to the conference room for laughter therapy group with Deb and Piper. Deb and Piper first had Paul, Michelle, Alisa, and I name the benefits of laughter. Helps you lose weight, helps to lower your blood pressure to name a few. We then did some different types of laughter. Milkshake laughter, silent laughter to name a few. we then sang the laughter song. We then said our names and our favorite food before letting out a good chuckle. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with others. After doing so I went back upstairs to the lobby to weight for my speech session with Carina at 12:30. During speech Carina had me come up with the breathing strategies we have worked on to put in my Ipad as a memory tool. Eight sun breaths, Breath in through nose and out through mouth while exercising, Relax shoulders, Push tongue on roof of mouth, belly breathing, then end with eight sun breaths. At 1:00 Cherril from United Wheelchair took me home. I had arrived home at 2:15.upon doing so I had washed my lunch dishes before taking in the laundry. I then took my shower before sitting down to blog. I then took it easy for the rest of the day.

Hot Hot Hot

I began my Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. by getting in my bunk house and packing up to go back home from camp with my mother. We had left for home at 7:00 and had arrived at 7:30. Upon doing so My mother and I brought things in from the car into the house. At 8:00 I then went to my bedroom to do my leg and arm weight exercises. I then did my stretching. At 8:30 I had put my clean laundry away before going back out into the kitchen to have a peanut butter and banana sandwich for breakfast on toasted bread. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my bathroom to brush my teeth and to take my shower. At 8:15 I then watched some morning news while waiting to leave for church. At 9:45 my mother and I had left to go pick my grandmother up at the Pierce House, We then went to church. After Mass, we had brought my grandmother home, then continued on home ourselves. We had arrived home at 11:45. I was still full from breakfast, so I had gone straight to my bedroom to lied down to rest. I had slept from 11:45 to 2:45, which I tend to do when the temperature outside is 90 plus degrees and humid. I can barely function in this weather, SO HOT!!! Once I was up my father took me to the shop to give me a haircut. We had returned home at 3:40. Thus skipping my lunch I had a salad my mother was making for dinner. So I ate the salad a little earlier. I then went back to my bedroom at 4:00 in the air conditioned room to read the newspaper. I then did my tension I.D. and control exercises. along with my breathing exercises. I then did some laughter therapy before dinner. At 5:15 I then went to the kitchen to English muffin pizza's. I then went to my bedroom to blog, before calling it a day.

Finally hooked up

Friday July 12, 2013 I began my Friday morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to take my shower. Once I was ready, I then changed the sheets on my bed. After doing so, my father then took me to the hospital to have a fasting blood test. I had arrived back home at 7:25. Upon doing so, I sat down to eat my breakfast. Once I had brushed my teeth, I had putting my workout clothing on to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 8:30 I was then back in my bedroom doing my weight exercises both arm and leg. Once I had finished with my stretching, I had taken my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I had made my way to the washroom to start a load of laundry. At 10:30 I had spoke to a friend on the telephone before doing my tension I.D. and control exercises. At 11:10 I then hung the laundry out to dry. After doing so, I then went inside to have a bowl of clam chowder and some potato salad for lunch. After doing so, I had brushed my teeth and then lied down to rest. I had done so from 12:00-1:15. I then got up to get ready to go to camp for the weekend. My mother had arrived home from work at 2:30 and we were on our way. We had arrived to camp at 3:00. Upon doing so we first unpacked the car thus bringing things into the camp. I then try to get my computer online but had a problem doing so. So I had set it aside. At 5:00 I then took my shower before sitting down to play a couple of games of cribbage with my mother. At 6:45 we then ate dinner. I then went to my bunk house at 7:30 for the night. Saturday July 13, 2013 I had began my Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going into the camp. Upon doing I had drank my hot cocoa while stretching, while my mother had made popovers for breakfast. I then sat down to eat. Once I had done so, at 11:00 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of the day. Little did I know it was going to turn out a little more complicated then I had planned. At 11:30 I then called the cable company to help me get connected to the internet. After being transferred from tech support to customer service several times, I finally was able to get the problem solved and was back on line after two hours and twenty minutes of trouble shooting with time warner cable. At 1:30 I then sat down to blog, something I was unable to do until I had this problem solved. I then relaxed taking it easy at camp the rest of the day. HAAAAAAAAA!

My first bone density test at Franklin Memorial Hospital

I began my Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal with a half of a cut up banana and a scoop of blue berries. Once I had finished eating, I then returned to my bedroom to shave and brush my teeth before starting the dishwasher. At 9:00 I then gone downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:30 I then started a load of laundry. At 9:45 I then returned to my bedroom to do my weights exercises, both arm and leg. I then stretched before sitting down to fill my empty pill containers. At 10:40 I then did my speech and breathing exercises. I then did some laughter therapy before sitting down to call up my grandmother. We had spoke briefly. I then emptied the dishwasher thus putting the dish's away. Once off the telephone with my grandmother, I then took my shower, thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 11:30 I then went out to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:00 I then returned to my bathroom to clean. At 11:25 I had returned to the laundry room to get the laundry to bring to my bedroom to fold and put it away. Most of it was mine anyway. At 12:30 my mother had arrived home from work so as to bring me to the hospital to have a bone density test, ordered by my new neurologist Dr. Selvitelli. On the way home we stopped off at the Pierce House to visit my grandmother. After doing so, we had arrived home at 3:20. I then went to my bedroom to lie down to rest. At 5:30 I then got up to eat go out to the kitchen to eat my dinner. After doing so, I had returned to my lap top to blog.

Learning how to use my settings icon to make different sounds in I pad group

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to a bowl of cereal with some blueberry's and half of a banana cut up in it. I also had a slice of home made brown bread toasted. Once I had finished eating I then went downstairs to ride the swin air dine for thirty minutes. While doing so United Wheelchair had arrived a little ahead of schedule. I then went out to let them know I would need some time to take a shower and get ready. My first therapy wasn't until 1:00, but I had arrived to Westside at 10:15. I then put my lunch in the frig. I then sat in the lobby. I then ask Deb if I could sit in the group so as to pass the time. While in the group Deb and Michelle reviewed some presentation they had been on in the past few months to discuss how things went. This is a group I was once highly active in before my stroke. At 12:00 I then went downstairs to eat my lunch with other clients. At 1:00 I then went to the conference room for support group. Denise started us off by trying to remember all of our names. Camie, Linda, Denise, Dee Dee, Tina, and I then shared. Tina reports a girl she use to babysit has cancer and she is only 34 years old now. Dee Dee's Trailer is in the camp ground now and reports she is doing well. I then checked in about my week and how I am doing medically since my seizures on April 11th. Linda tried biones on her arms and legs. it helps open her hand and the use of a splint. She is now home healing ribs. She also mentioned she will be going on the camping trip next week with Westside. Camie doing well. spends most of her time playing with her seven month old grandson Jamison. Denise went camping last week on Sabatus Lake. She also went swimming at Read State Park. At 2:00 I then went downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with Michelle. I first walked on the treadmill for 25 minutes at 3.1 mph. I then did some ankle exercises with the theroband. At 4:00 I then went to the conference room for I Pad group with Denise. Today Deb showed me how to change the tone and sounds. At 4:00 United then took me home. I had arrived home at 5:20. After taking my shower, I then went out into the kitchen to eat my dinner before sitting down to blog.

A compliment from one of my peers

I began my Tuesday morning at 4:45 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises both leg and arm. After doing so I then stretched while drinking my hot cocoa. At 5:40 I then took my shower thus getting before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had done so, I then returned to my bedroom to do my speech and breathing exercises. I then brush my teeth. At 6:25 I then cleaned my bathroom. After doing so I had gathered my things thus bringing them to the door to wait for United to arrive. Larry had arrived at 7:30. Before going to WestSide we had to go pick up Donald. Upon our arrivel to WestSide I had made myself into the conference room for yoga group with Michelle. Today it was just Donald and I in the group. Michelle had us stretching, doing yoga poses, and breathing. We then ended the group with a little shavasana. At 10:00 I then made my way down to the gym for my P.T. session with Amanda. I first walked 28 minutes on the treadmill at 3.1 miles per hour. I then did a 3 minute cool down at 2.2 miles per hour. After my cool down my total distance walked was 1.389 miles. I then had a 15 minute break, so I had gone to the lobby to sit. While sitting there Steve a client at WestSide came up to me and gave me a compliment, by saying how much stronger I am looking. Wow! All this hard work is paying off. At 11:15 I then talked to my case manager Piper. I had a question about a paper I had recieved in the mail about transportation. It was saying that any form of transportation will be used tp up patients to go to medical appointments if approved by that carrier. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. We spoke about making another appointment with Dr. Dornboss. This is the doctor that helps me with my asthma. Sally then called my mother to talk with her about what was done. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with the other clients. At 12:30 I then had my rehab session with Deb. Today we worked on looking at key boards for my I pad. At 1:00 Larry took me and Donald home. I had arrived home at 2:15 thus going strait to bed. I hadslept until 4:15 before getting up. I then took my showr before sitting down to blog.

doing a sun breath

I began my Monday morning at 5;30 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. Once I had completed my weight work out, I then stretched. At 6:00 I then did my speech and breathing exercises. I then then preceded to sing the laughing song. Laughter is very beneficial. I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My father had made me an omlet this morning. Once I had finished eating I then returned to my bedroom at 7:00 to brush my teeth. I then sat down at my lap top to write out another poem. I then gathered my lunch and nap sack thus bringing them to the door. United arrived a short time afterwards. Upon my arrival to Westside for 10:00 a.m. I had put my lunch in the refrigerator and then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Lydia. I first walked on the treadmill for twenty-five minutes at 3.1 mph. Lydia then put ankle exercises using the thero band. I then did some simulated running on the trampoline. thirty seconds run thirty seconds rest and so on. At 11:00 I then went to the conference room for laughter therapy group. Matt, Silver, Paul, Michelle, Paul, and I first went around trying to name some of the benefits of laughter. Lowering blood pressure, boosts your ammune system ect. We then sang the laughter song before doing different types of laughter with Deb. I then went to the kitchen at 12:00 to eat my lunch with other clients. After doing so I then went back upstairs for speech with Carina. Today Carina had me back in the gym walking on the treadmill on level 2 up from level 1. My breath was catching allot for I was walking at a faster pace. I then did some sun breaths. After my speech session Sam from United took me home. I had arrived home at 2:30 thus going strait to bed. I had slept for two hours before getting up. I then went out into the kitchen to talk with my parents and my sister. I then went to my bedroom to blog before dinner.

Another Holiday Weekend During The Month of July

Friday July 5, 2013 I began my Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. by getting up in my bunk house in which I stay in while I am at camp. I then made my bed and straightening things before going into the camp to eat my breakfast. After doing so, I then preceded to go out on the deck to wash the deck furniture at camp. I had done so from 9:30-12:00. It is amazing how things just keep getting easier to do day by day, but I still have my barriers to get by. At noon I had taken a brake to drink a glass of ice water before going into the camp to take a shower. After doing so I had made my way back into my bunk house to take a nap. I had done so for two hours before getting up at 2:40, thus going back into the camp. I then sat down with my mother and played cribbage with my mother until 4:00. I then went to sit in my mothers air conditioned car to talk to a friend until 4:45. I then went back into the camp to take a shower. After doing so, I then sat down to relax in the recliner as I looked out at the boats and jet skis go back on the lake. I then ate dinner with my parents. after doing so I had returned to my bunk house at 7:00, thus calling it a night. Saturday July 6, 2013 I began my Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching in my bunk house for thirty minutes. I then had made my way into the camp to eat some home fries and cut up fruit banana, grapes, cantaloupe, and watermelon for breakfast. At 10:10 I then had brushed my teeth before sitting down to play some cribbage with my mother until noon. I then made my way back out into my bunk house to rest for three hours. I then got up at 3:00 making my way back into the camp to take a shower. At 4:00 Jim and Sandra arrived. I then sat and talked with my parents, Jim, and Sandra until 6:00. we then ate dinner. At 7:00 Jim and Sandra had left for home. My father then took Pepper home to stay do to the fire works being consistently set off every night. It is so bad it had caused Pepper to have a seizure. I then took a shower before calling a friend to talk briefly. I then sat up with my mother to look out at the lake and fire works being lit until 9:30. I then went out to my shack to go to bed. Sunday July 7, 2013 I began my Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting up to go home from camp with my mother. We had arrived home at 8:00, thus unpacking the car. At 8:10 I then went to my bathroom to take my shower and drink my hot cocoa. I then put my clean laundry away. After doing so, I had made my way back out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal and a slice of toasted home made brown bread for breakfast. At 9:05 I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth and to sit down and order my medication. At 9:45 we had left for church, stopping at the Pierce House to pick my grandmother up along the way. After Mass we had brought my grandmother home. We then went to Hannaford so that I could pick up my medication that I had ordered earlier. Along the way home I had stopped to pick up some lunch. At 12:15 we had arrived home. I then went inside to eat. Once I had finished eating I had gone to my bedroom to change the sheets on my bed. I then lied down to rest at 12:45. I had slept until 3:00 before getting up to tension I.D. and Control exercises. At 3:40 I then played words with friends using my I pad on face book. At 4:30 I then ate dinner. At 5:00 I then took my shower before sitting down to blog of my weekend.

Happy 4TH of July

I began my fourth of July morning at 9:00 a.m. by going into the camp to eat my breakfast, thus dunking toast in my hot cocoa. while doing so I had some fruit with some fruit dip. At 10:00 I then did my stretching before returning to the bunk house where I sleep to shave. I then had made my bed before leaving with my father at 9:40 to go back home. Making a few stops along the way put us there upon arrival time at 11:15. Once inside my bedroom, I then began to do my weight exercises leg then arm. I then did my breathing and speech exercises. At 12:30 I then sat down to do a blog entrée before taking my shower. While my father was out mowing the lawn. We then went back to camp to enjoy the rest of the fourth of July weekend.

Rang Pond Outing With WestSide and BaySIde

I began my Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m. by getting up to do weight and stretching exercises. After doing so I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast before getting ready to go to Rang Pond. Once I had taken my shower I then grabbed my beach bag and off I went. United then went to pick up Donald. Once We arrived in Auburn we swung by Odd Fellows to pick up Greg before arriving to Rang Pond. Upon our arrival, games were brought out and clients got involved in what ever it was they wanted to do. I first played this game where you through bean bags into a hole from a distance scoring points as you do so. At 11:00 I then played volley ball. At 12:00 I then ate lunch with all the clients Hamburgers and hot dogs. Potato and macaroni salads, chips and desert. Once I had finished eating Angela took my back to Westside so that I could rest. Dan had offered so I had taken advantage. Angela had to go back to work, so I went back to lay down. United then picked me up at 3:30 to go home along with Donald. I had arrived home at 4:30, thus going straight to my bedroom to blog. I then took my shower thus getting ready to spend the weekend at camp. I then left with my mother, thus meeting my father up there for the long fourth of July weekend.

given the o.k. to stop wearing my afo around WestSide.

I began my Tuesday morning at 4:45 a.m. by getting out of bed to do my weight exercises. After doing so, I then preceded to stretch. Once I was all loose, I then shaved before making my way out into the kitchen. I then drank my hot cocoa while eating some fruit. After doing so, I then had a cup of hot cereal and a toasted English muffin. At 6:00 I then went back to my bedroom to finish up with my stretching. I then did my tension I.D. and control exercises, which helps me with my breathing and speech. I then preceded to do some laughter therapy before jumping into the shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. United then arrived to take me to Westside at 7:40 first we had to go pick up Donald. Upon my arrival to Westside for 9:00 a.m. I had put my lunch in the refrigerator downstairs. I then made my way into the conference room for yoga group. Carol first had Don, Dave, and I do some breathing exercises. We then did some yoga poses before moving into shavasana. Which is a form of relaxation. At 10:00 I then made my way downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with Amanda. During my session with Amanda, I first walked on the treadmill for twenty-five minutes at 3.1 miles per hour. After walking 1.394 miles Amanda let me know starting Monday I can start going to Westside again not wearing my AFO, but to bring it with me. We then did ankle exercises. After P.T. I then made my way to the lobby for a fifteen minute break. At 11:15 I then met with Piper for case management. Today Piper explained to me more about Power of Attourney and what it means. In doing so I found that I can revoke it at any time. That is good to know. At 11:30 I then met with Cec for nursing who is filling in for Sally one more week. We first spoke about doctors appointments. Cec then wrote what I had told her down on paper to let Sally know when she returns. Cec then took my blood pressure. 112 over 80. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with other clients. I then made my way back up to the lobby for my 12:30 rehab session with Deb. Today we typed a note to the I.T. department for Goodwill for suggestions on where to purchase a key board for my I pad. At 1:00 Larry took Donald and home. I was so tired I had slept all the way home. I had arrived home at 2:30. Still feeling tired, I then went straight to bed. I had slept until 4:10 before getting up. I then took my shower before packing a beach bag to go to a rang pond outing tomorrow with Westside. Once I had done so, I then went to the kitchen to eat my dinner.

My first appointment with my new neurologist Dr. Megan Selvitelli

I began my Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. Once I had done so, I then preceded to stretch. Once I had completed my morning workout, I then went out to the kitchen at 6:00 a.m. to eat my breakfast. Once I had my hot cocoa and some cut up fruit I then had a bowl of cereal with a toasted muffin. At 6:20 I then went back to my bedroom to take my shower. Once I was ready my parents and I left for Scarborough at 7:00 for an appointment with my new Neurologist Dr. Megan Selvitelli . Upon my arrival to the doctors office of Maine Medical Partners Neurology I was taken into a room by a nurse. She then took my blood pressure which read 1122 over 83. My mother and I then met with Dr. Selviteli. While sitting there I had told her of my past medical history. When I had my last seizures and or ora and how I feel before and after having them. After doing so she had told me that I should have a bone density test, do to the medication I am on. She also had asked me the big question. Do you, or have you ever smoked of drank alcohol. Of course I said, No. Once I had finished meeting with the Doctor, My parents and I left the doctors office at 10:00. We had arrived at my sisters place at 10:20. I then sat on the deck while my father and sister went to get lunch. Mm mm sea food. Once my father and sister returned, my parents, sister, and I then sat down to a sea food feast. Once we had finished eating, my parents and I said good-bye to my sister and left for home at 12:35. We had arrived home at 3:00. Upon doing so I had lied down to rest. I had slept until 5:00 before getting up. I then went out into the kitchen to have a small bowl of corn chowder. I really was not that hungry, but I had a little bight to eat just the same. After doing so, I then sat down to blog.