Remembering the days

My morning began this day like every other morning, bright and early, 5:00 a.m. to be exact, YEH. A word we often use during laughter therapy. Once I had finished physically exercising, I then focused on my swallowing, exercises I don't normally do, but am getting use to. Although I am making progress with the stem cell therapy, It has been a pain not only with my swallowing, but my breathing and speech as well. Not so much as being able to speak, but to get enough air to speak and breath together. My tension identification and control exercises have been an important focus in my recovey. Reconising those muscle we are not normally aware of. Once I had finished with my morning routine which by the way seems to be getting longer and longer I then had eaten my breakfast and preceded to get ready ready for the day ahea. Once I had arrived at WestSide I knew I had a more busier day ahead of me then usually, "A KILLER DAY!" I had worked my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Lydia. She strapped the gate belt on right off and we went for a half of a mile walk, which ny the way my time is getting much faster. We then returned to the gym. Lydia then gave me a balance test we were all to take in Tai Chi group during the next hour. Getting mine out of the way freed up some of her time to work with others on there balnce test, other she not the only therapist in the group, it still gave her time to work work with others. I to do things like stand with my feet close together and how long. I then had kept my gate belt on for the niext hour for Tai Chi which I had with Lyndsey. She and then worked together in the group by given instruction from a professional Tia Chi instructor. He also had us gralp onto one anothers arm given force to test eachothers balance. At 11:00 I then had laughter group with Deb and Flourina. Along with pther clients we all joined in laughter with Rober Rivers. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch before taking the long trip back home of wich I had slept all the way. Today three hour therapy was a killer. I then had to go to stem cell therapy at C M M C for fourty five minutes. This is tiring with in itself Swallowing using muscles your body is not normally use to using. It is continuouse swallowing non stop. United then picked me up and brought me home. After sleeping the full hour home, I had arrived home at 3:00 going straight to bed thus sleeping for two more hours. I then got ready for the night before eating dinner. My mother had made a recipe tonight that I use to eat at my granmothers. I do remember those days staying at grandma's with my aunt Joan on Friday nights. We use to do so, so as not to make that hour long comute, so as to be to work early the next day. Grandma use to make a mean captains casorole. Those were the days.

visiting grandma

I began my Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. by getting up at camp and taking the sheets off my bed. I then packed up the car and leftt for home with my mother. We had arrived home at 7:10. Upon doing so I had eaten my breakfast. After doing so I then went downstairs to ride for thirty minutes. I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercsises I then started a load of laundry before stretching. At 9:00 I then took my shower thus getting ready to go to church. After mass my mother and I went to the Pierce House to visit my grandmother and so that my mother could give my grandmother communion. My mother and I then went to Hannaford so that I could pick up my medication and a few other things. At 12:20 we then left for home. We had arrived home at 12:45. Once we had the groceries inside and unpacked I then had some lunch before laying down to rest. I had slept from 1:00-3:00 before getting up. I then went for a walk. I had returned home at 4:00. Upon doing so I had taken a shower. I then called United to cnfirm my pick up for tomorrow morning to bring me to WestSide. I then spoke briefly with a friend before sitting down to blog, before dinner.

What a wonderful day spent at camp

I began my Saturday morning at 8;30 a.m. by going into the camp from my bunk house to eat breakfast. My mother was at camp so she had made me scrambled eggs, sausage, and a toasted muffin. While she was preparing I had sat down to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit. Once I had finished with my breakfast, I had brushed my teeth before beginning my workout. At 9;40 I had done my tension I.D. and control exercises. At 9;45 I then preceded with my swallowing exercises. First with a hard swallow. Then the swallow where I put my tongue between my teeth. I then did some pucker, smile exercises. At 10:00 I then went for a walk with my mother down a camp road. We returned to camp at 10;50. Once inside we had sat down at the table to play three games of cribbage before having some lunch at 12;50. I then brushed my teeth and went out to my bunk house to take a nap. I had slept for three hours before going back into camp at 4:00. I then went upstairs to take my shower, before sitting down at my laptop to blog. What a peaceful relaxing day.

cleaning the camp, surprise surprise

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going downstairs at camp to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit. After doing so I then preceded to get myself a bowl of cereal, banana, and a toasted muffin and a glass of orange juice. I then sat down to eat my breakfast, while admiring the lake as the water rippled ever so slowly in a diagonal direction. I had finished with my breakfast at 9:00. I then preceded to pick up the kitchen thus washing my dish's and putting things away. My balance is like walking on a trampoline at times were I am always on the edge, although I rarely seldom topple over. At 9:15 I then began to do my stretching exercises. I did so for thirty minutes before turning to my speech, breathing, and swallowing exercises. oo ee oo ee. doing this exercise with my mouth when ever I get a chance sure is strange. At 10:00 I then called my grandmother. We had spoke briefly before hanging up. I then sat down to watch a movie. At 11;30 I then pulled out the vacuum cleaner to vacuum the camp. After doing so, I then preceded to dust. At 12;30 I then had gone out to the bunk house to rest. I had slept for three hours before getting up at 3:30. I then made my way back into the camp. I had spoke to my parents briefly who were home from work. I then sat down to type my blog.

to camp we go

I began my Thursday morning at 8;30 a.m. I had made my bed before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished my bowl of cereal and a muffin, I then preceded to pick up the kitchen before returning to my bedroom to brush the teeth. I then put my workout clothing on before riding for thirty minutes. After doing so, I had returned to my bedroom to do my upper weight exercises. At 10;10 I then began to do my stretching exercises. My mother had called as I was stretching to let me know that she would be home at 2;00 to go out to camp. At 10:30 I then took the sheets off my bed and brought them to the laundry room start a load of laundry. I then returned to my bedroom to continue to stretch. At 10:45 I then did my ankle exercises with the thero band. At 10:50 I then put clean sheets on my bed thus making it. At 11:00 I then preceded to do my leg exercises with the ankle weights. After doing so I had sat down at my desk to fill my pill containers to bring to camp later on today. At 11:15 I then put the laundry in the dryer. I then had returned to my bedroom to dust the furniture in my room. At 11:50 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 11:30 I had lied down to rest. I had done so for two hours before getting up. I then went to get the laundry to fold and put it away. At 2:00 I then I had left for camp with mom. My mother had made me a sandwich to eat along the way. At 3:00 we had arrived to camp. Upon doing so I had unpacked the car and brought things inside, while my mother put things away as I brought things in. I then took a shower to warm up before sitting down to call my grandmother to speak briefly before sitting down to blog.

sharing in support group

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast, I then returned to my bedroom to put my laundry away. After doing so I had started a load of laundry before starting the dishwasher at 8:30. I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises, I then stretched. At 8:10 I had spoke to my mother on the telephone before putting the laundry in the dryer. I then put my clean clothing away. At 9:00 I then did my leg exercises. After taking my shower I hung laundry out to dry. At 10:25 I then did my swallowing exercises. Some hard swallows and swallowing with my tong between my teeth and there is another one that I do but I can not remember what it is. At 10:30 I then put the laundry in the dryer away. I then called my mother at work before sitting down to a bowl of soup for lunch. I then picked up the kitchen before brushing my teeth, I then grabbed my knapsack and went to the door to wait for United to arrived. I soon was on my way to Westside. Upon my arrival I had gone to the conference room for support group. During group we shared with Tammy, Sam, and Deb of our weekly events. Linda's dislocated shoulder and her ribs are getting better, She also mentioned she starts bowling Friday. Dee Dee doing fine. Her doctor in Scarborough says it is time to have surgery to remove her implant and put in a new one. She mentioned how she likes to dress up for Halloween and hand out candy at the end of her street. I then spoke about my running during my P.T. at Westside. Scott then spoke about his blood pressure 110 over 60. He mentioned how he wont take statin drugs. He use to sing pretty good until he had his stroke. Linda hates it when people hover over her. Denise goes horse back riding at a place called Riding To The Top. Her horse's name is Spring. During the weekend she likes to walk her dog. She also mentioned she is going to the Fryburge Fair. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. I first di the Nu Step for 20 minutes. I then did some tandem stepping to work on my balance. Dan then had me standing on an errix Cuissoion in the parallel bars. Looking to the left and right then straight ahead. At 3:00 I then met with Deb to work with my I pad for an hour. She had me try out this tool called a stylist. It is used to touch the I pad to type. At 4:00 United took me home. I had arrived home at 5:00. Upon doing so I had taken my shower and got comfortable before going out to the kitchen eat my dinner. I then went to my lap top to blog.

"Happy Birthday", DAD

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to stretch. I then preceded to do my ankle exercises with theroband. At 5:40 I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had done so I had returned to my bathroom to get ready for the day ahead. After taking my shower, I then preceded to pack my nap sack before grabbing my lunch, I then went to the door to wait for United Wheelchair to arrive. Upon my arrival to Westside, I had made my way to the conference room for yoga group with Michelle. Today David, Donald, Matt and I first did some Yoga exercises with Michelle as she led the group. After doing so, we the did some breathing exercises following some meditation. At 10:00 I then made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Amanda. I first did ten minutes on the Nu Step on level three. Amanda then strapped the gate belt around my waist before going outside to do some walking. We had walked one-fourth mile in 4 minutes and 44 seconds. On the way back I had walked the one-fourth mile in 4 minutes and 31 seconds. We then returned to the back parking lot so that I could do some running. I had first run 175 once. I then ran 120 feet three times. I then went to the lobby to sit for fifteen minutes to rest before my case management session with Piper. At 11;15 I then met with Piper. I had spoke to Piper about my vial stem treatment and how long she thought I should do it for. We then discussed the matter further. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. I had spoke to Sally too about my vital stem. She went to get Susan a speech therapist at West Side who is certified to perform this treatment for a better answer on my question. We then spoke about my medication. I then had gone to the kitchen to eat my lunch with others. At 12:30 I then met with Deb. Today we worked further with my I pad. United then picked me up to take me to my vital stem treatment at Central Maine Medical Center. Once I was through, Nicole had helped me to the door with my knapsack. United then brought me home. I had arrived home 4:15. Once inside I took a shower then sat down to blog.

Lets get physical with p.t., tai chi, and laughter

I began my Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. after doing so I then stretched. At 5:45 I then preceded to do my tension I.D. and control exercises. My swallowing exercises then followed. At 6:00 I then took my shower thus getting ready for my day. I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After doing so I had grabbed my things and went to the door to wait for my ride. At 9:00 During my P.T. session with Lydia I had first walked .35 miles on the treadmill, Lydia then had me Tandem walking 80 feet in the hallway stepping to the side ever so quickly if I lose my balance. Lydia then had me stand in front of a mirror so as to do some modified skiing. Shifting my weight from side to side. At 10:00 I then kept my gait belt on and went to the conference room for Tai Chi Group. Today we practiced some Tai Chi moves and some deep breathing. At 11:00 I then had laughter therapy. During group today Jes, Don, Mat, Paul and I took turns chosing a form of laughter, My favorite milk shake laughter. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. United then took me to Central Maine Medical Centers Trolly Building fro my vial stem therapy with Nicole. Once I was hooked up, I then started to do some swallowing. Nicole then let me know to come tomorrow with a raiting on how I thing I am doing United then took me home. I had arrived home at 3:00. Upon doing so I had gone straight to my bedroom to go to bed. I was extremely tired after todays therapy. it was all physical. I had slept until 5:00 before getting up to take a shower. I then went out into the kitchen to eat my dinner. After doing so I had gone to my computer to blog.

Having Dinner with our friend Jim

I began my Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting and to do my weight exercises both leg and arm. After doing so, I then preceded to stretch. At 8:10, I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. While I was drinking my hot cocoa and eating my fruit with fruit dip, my mother had made me and egg sandwich. At 9:45 I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready to go to church. Once I has done so my mother and I left at 9:30 for the Pierce House to pick up my grandmother. We then went to church. After mass we had brought my grandmother home before going to rite aid to pick up a few things. We then went to the tractor supply store so that I could get my father a gift card for his birthday. We then went home. We had arrived home at 12:30. Upon doing so we had unpacked the car , I then sat down to eat some lunch, before laying down to rest, before doing so I had brushed my teeth then did my swallowing exercises. I then lied down to rest at 1:00. I had slept until 4:30 before getting up. Those weekends spent at camp are a killer. Once I was up I had taken a shower. before sitting down to blog. I then later had dinner with my parents and our friend Jim.

Out to eat with some friends

I began my Saturday morning at 9;20 a.m. by going into the camp. I first had some fruit and hot cocoa, while my mother had made me a French toasted banana and peanut butter sandwich. Once I had finished eating I then pack my things and left for home with my mother. We had arrived home at 11:30. Once we had the car unpacked and my things from camp were put away, I had my mother drive me up the street so that I could do some walking in a little town called Industry. I did so for forty-five minutes before calling my mother to come and pick me up. I had arrived back home at 12:30. Once inside, I had taken a shower before laying down to rest. I had slept from 1:00-4:00. My father then took me to the shop to give me a hair cut. I had arrived back home at 5:00. I then jumped in the shower so as to get ready to go out to eat with my parents and some friends. We had left the house to go eat in a restaurant in the town of Wilton next to the Town in which I live. Once we had finished we had drove back home. I then sat down to blog.

another quiet day at camp

I began my Friday morning at 6;00 a.m. by going into the camp from my bunk house. My parents had left for work already so I thought I would go in. While in there I had my hot cocoa and some fruit. I then had a bowl of cereal and a toasted muffin. Once I had finished eating I then washed the dish's. After doing so I began to do my stretching, ankle exercises, swallowing exercises ect. At 10:00 I then sat down at my laptop to send my aunt Joan an email. At 10:40 I then spoke to my grandmother on the cell phone, After doing so I sat down to relax and watch a movie. At 12:00 I then was feeling a little famished so I had made myself a sandwich. Once I had finished eating I then returned to my bunk house at 12:30 to rest. I had stayed out there relaxing until 4:00. Falling a sleep off and on watching television in between made for a relaxing day.

back out to camp

I began my Thursday morning at 9;00 a.m. by taking the sheets off my bed and bringing them to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. Once I had done so I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had done so I then brushed my teeth before calling Sally the nurse at West Side. I had a question about the medication I had been put by my neurologist for my headaches. I then called my neurologist. What it boiled down to is that my neurologist had put me on to much of a dose at first. It was causing my legs to weaken. Once I had things straightened out medically along with my mothers help calling doctors and such I then preceded to hang the laundry out to dry. After doing so I then started the dishwasher. At 10;30 I then road for thirty minutes. At 11:00 I then put clean sheets on my bed thus making it. After doing so, I then took the Gabapentin out of my pill containers. After doing, I then called my grandmother. At 11:30 I then went outside to walk six times around the front yard. At 12:00 I then went back inside to take a shower. I then packed to go to camp. I then left for camp with my parents at 1:00. Upon my arrival at 1:45 I had helped unpack the car before making the bed in my bunkhouse with my mother. At 2:20 I then lied down to rest. I had slept until 4:30 before getting up and going to sit on the deck with my parents. At 5:30 we then went inside to eat dinner. At 6:00 I then sat down to blog.

Finding out the medication I am taking for my headaches has me causing me to be unsteady on my feet

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to have some peanut butter and honey on a toasted English muffin along with my fruit and hot cocoa of course. Once I had finished eating, I then had brushed my before riding for thirty minutes. After doing so I then preceded to do my weight exercises leg and then arm. To rap things up I then did my ankle exercises before stretching. At 8;45 I then took my shower thus getting ready my day. I then grabbed my lunch and my nap sack. United had arrived to bring me to Central Maine Medical Center for my therapy on my throat area to help with my swallowing. I had arrived there at 11:30. Nicole had taken me right in and hooked the connectors up to my throat. She then turned up the control so as to get more stimulation. I then started to swallow with my own saliva. After my treatment, United then picked me up to take me to Westside. Upon my arrival to Westside I had gone to the dining area to eat my lunch. Once I had finished eating I then went to the conference room for support group. Deb, Sam, Cammy, Dee Dee, and I first explained to scot what the group was about. We then checked in. Cammie had a stroke. found a brain tumor and had another stroke. Cammie likes to challenge her memory. She said she has a hard time with simple words. Question from Scott, How do you cope with losses? Scott had a stroke in January effecting his right side. Denise was in a bad car accident 1994. She has two kids and enjoy's horse back riding. Dee Dee then checked in has seizures and had a brain tumor. She said going to West Side has helped a great deal. Dee Dee is very crafty. Deb then checked in and spoke about acceptance. At 2:00 I then made my way downstairs to the gym. Amanda first had me ride the nu step for ten minutes. She then strapped the gate belt on and we took off walking outside for thirty minutes. Once we had returned to the gym she then had me doing stepping exercises in the parallel bars. At 3:00 I then went into the conference room for I Pad group. Nancy had come into the group to show us a program called Siri. You can talk into the I Pad and it will answer you back. Deb then helped me put in dates and schedule. At 4:00 United then took me home. I had arrived home at 5:00. Upon doing so I had taken my shower thus getting myself comfortable for the evening. I then went out into the kitchen to eat my dinner before going to my bedroom to blog.

Setting an alarm on my I Pad to help remind me to take my noon time medication

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat a cup of hot cereal and a toasted pancake. Once I had finished eating I had then returned to my bedroom to shave and brush my teeth. At 5:50 I then began to stretch. I then did my ankle exercises. Once I had finished I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. Once I had done so, I had grabbed my lunch and my knapsack and went to the door to wait for United. I had arrived at West Side at 9:00 a.m. Just in time for me to go to the conference room for Yoga group with Michelle. During Yoga group today Mat, Don, Dave, and I first focused on some breathing exercises. We then did some yoga stretching. At 10:00 I then went to the gym for P.T. with Amanda. Amanda first had me on the nu step for twenty minutes. Amanda then strapped the gate belt around my waist and we took off walking outside. We had walked one-fourth mile before turning around. We then went back inside. I then had a fifteen minute break at 11:00 before meeting with Piper for case management at 11:15. I had spoke to Piper about having a release signed so as to release information to central Maine Medical Center speech department. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. I had showed Sally my new meds I had been put so that she could up date my chart. Sally then took my blood pressure 112 over 72. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then met with Deb. Today Deb helped me set an alarm on my I pad for a reminder to take my noon time medication until it becomes a habit. At 1:00 United then took me to my vital stem appointment at C.M.M.C. Once I had arrived the driver had helped me in. I then meet with the person who does the vital stem on me each week. as I was being treated I had to do my part and swallow. I think things are now getting better. I was soon then on my way home. I had arrived home at 3:30 thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 5:30 before getting up to eat my dinner. I then took my shower. I then spoke to my friend Stacie before sitting down to blog.

I had began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. bright and early. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I had a bowl of hot cereal with a toasted pancake.

My first week with Tai Chi group

I began my Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my upper weight exercises. After doing so I preceded to work out with my arms by stretching. I then moved right into the stretching I do with my legs before strapping my ankle weights on. At 5:50 the did my ankle exercises using the green thero band. At 6:00 I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me a banana sandwich this morning with peanut butter. At 6:30 I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then took my shower thus getting ready for the day ahead. Once I had done so, I then preceded to do my swallowing exercises five times each twice. I then grabbed my knapsack and my lunch thus going to the door to weight for United to arrive. I had left my house at 7:30. We then preceded to go to Donald's to pick him up. We were then on our way to Lewiston. Upon our arrival to Westside for 9:00 a.m. I had made my way to the P.T. gym for my session with Lydia. Lydia first had my walk for fifteen minutes on the treadmill. After walking .7 miles, Lydia strapped the gate belt on and had me walking out in the hallway. I had walked 1300 feet in six minutes. She then had me back in the gym doing matt exercises, lifting my legs. I then went in the parallel bars to some balance exercises. At 10:00 I then went to the conference room for tai chi group with Florina and several other staff. Today during our first Tia Chi Group we were given instruction from a professional Tai Chi instructor on relaxation and exercise. After doing so, I then had laughter yoga with Deb. We first sat in a circle. We then mentioned one thing that we did over the weekend, then saying yah and raising our arms. We then sang the Laughter song. It was Donald's first time in the group so we had gone over some of the basics. Before ending the group we had watched a video of Robert Reverse on laughter Donald, Paul, Alisa, and I with Deb and Florina. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. After doing so, United had taken Donald and I home. I was so tired I had slept the entire way. I had arrived home at 2:00. Upon doing so, I had gone straight to bed. I had conuinued to sleep until 4:30 before getting up to take a shower. I then went to the kitchen to eat my dinner. Once I had done so, I then returned to my bedroom to do my swallowing exercises. once again. I then pulled up my blog and began to type.

catching up on lost sleep

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting up at camp with mom and dad and our friend Greg. My mother had been in the kitchen making breakfast. We had pancakes, with Bacon. We had watched the news briefly once we had finished eating before going out to sit by the camp fire with our friend Greg. We had done so until 10:40. my father then took our friend Greg home. My mother and I then left. We had arrived home at 11:45. Upon doing so We first unloaded the car, bringing things inside. I then went to my bedroom to unpack and put things away. I then had brushed my teeth before laying down to rest. I had slept from 12:15-3:00. I then went out into the kitchen to eat some lunch. After doing so played words with friends until 4:40. I then had put my laundry away. At 5:15 I then had taken my shower thus getting ready for the evening, soon calling it a day.

Spending the day at camp

I began my Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me French toast this morning. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before changing the sheets on my bed. At 10:30 I then began to do my stretching. After doing so I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 11:30 I then left for camp with my mom. My dad had gone to Auburn to pick up my friend Greg to spend the weekend. At 12:00 I had met my Dad and my Friend Greg at Camp. I had first showed Greg around. At 12:45 we then played a game of tock. At 3:00 I then put some warmer clothing on. At 3:20 Greg and I went for a ride with my dad. We had returned at 4:30. I was then feeling tired so I had lied down to rest. I had slept for two hours Before going back into the camp to take a shower thus getting comfortable for the night. I then sat down to eat dinner with my parents and our friend Greg. Once we had finished eating hamburgers, fries, and corn on the cob. Once we had finished eating, I then sat down to blog.

planning for the weekend

I began my Friday the 13th morning at 8:30 a.m. by going out to the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and to eat my fruit platter my mother had put together before she had gone to work. I then had a bowl of cereal with a toasted English muffin. Once I had finished eating I had pick up the kitchen and put all of the dish's in the dish washer before starting it. After doing so I then began to exercise. First I went for my thirty minute ride. What really would be nice is if I could go out on the streets to ride a real bike, but that will never happen because. of my vision. It is amazing the things I use to do as a child and teenager that if I were to do them now would be, "Oh my word what are you doing on the road." That is if someone I know were to see me. At 9:30 I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight workout and stretch. At 10:00 I then began a load of laundry. After doing so I then preceded to do my hand stretching and my ankle exercises. At 10:40 I then preceded to do my swallowing exercises. Things seem to be on the up and up in this are of my rehab. Thank goodness. At 11:00 I then put the load of laundry in the dryer. After doing I went back to the kitchen to empty the dishwasher thus putting the dish's away. Once I had eaten my lunch, I then took my shower. Once I was clean, I then rested for a half an hour before folding the laundry and putting it away. At 1:10 I then lied down to rest. I did so until 3:00. My parents had arrived home from work, thus waking me from my sleep. Which is a good thing. I then organized some paper I had laying around. Hmmm, what to through away and what should I file. After doing so, I then rolled some coins I had laying around. I then finished putting some laundry away before calling a friend to chat. I then took another shower before sitting down to blog. I then went to the kitchen to eat my dinner, Oh what a day.

busy busy busy

I began my Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my fruit. I then fixed myself a bowl of cereal with a toasted English muffin. I then sat down to eat while watching the news. Once I had finished eating I then picked up the kitchen before starting in with my morning workout. I first rode for thirty minutes. At 10:00 I then called my mother at work to let her know that I had forgot to schedule my two appointments next week at Central Maine Medical Center for the vital stem. I then called Westside to leave a message in Piper's voice mail to let her know that I need to have a release signed so that I can have my Westside Weekly schedule sent to Central Maine Medical Center so that they know how to schedule my appointments around my Westside schedule. I then spoke to my mother briefly about things and let her know that I think she should call my therapy to set up times seems should was doing the transportation too. At 10;30 I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercise. I then stretched before continuing with my legs exercises. Once I had done my hand exercises, I then preceded to give my grandmother a call. We talked for ten minutes, I then continued with my workout. Next I did my ankle exercises. finishing up with my planks and bridges exercises. At 11:15 I then took my shower. After doing so I then sat down to eat a bowl of soup for lunch. Once I had done so I had brushed my teeth and went straight to bed. I was so tired from the morning workout that I had slept from 12:30 to 3:30. Once I was up I had put my sneakers and went out in the front yard to walk around the perimeter ten times. which took all of thirty minutes. At 4:00 I then returned inside. I had spoke to a friend on the phone briefly before taking my shower. I then filled my pill containers before eating dinner. At 5:30 I then sat down to blog.

infected horses

I began my Wednesday morning bright and early at 5:30 a.m. by jumping out of bed to do my upper weight exercises. After doing so, I then continued with arms by stretching. It is amazing on the mornings I do not have time to stretch, which is not that often how tight everything feels. At 6:00 I then did my leg exercises. After doing so I then had taken my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I then returned to my bedroom to get ready for the rest of my day. United had picked me up to bring me to Central Maine Medical Center to physical therapy so the I could have vital stem done on my throat area. Upon my arrival United had brought me in to the area where I was to meet Nicole. I then checked in and then sat down to wait. At 11:30 Nicole then hooked me up to the vital stem. I then began to swallow. Once my treatment was done Nicole walked me to the area I was to meet my ride. I had arrived to West Side at 12:00. I then made my way to the kitchen to sit down to eat my lunch. After doing so I then went to the conference room for support group. During support Dee Dee, Denise, Les, Camie, and spoke with Deb, Sam, and Tammy about our week. Denise mentioned how she has not been horse back riding in over a month. She mentioned that something had infected the horses. Denise also mentioned how horseback riding helps her with her balance. Dee Dee has not been camping much lately but instead at home making Halloween cards for her nieces. She had gone to Michael's in Portland to buy supply's. I spoke about my therapy in the speech department at Central Maine Medical Center and how it is helping me. Camie started school. She feels comfortable the way one teacher teaches. She mentions how she records all of the lectures. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for P.T. with Amanda. Amanda first had me on the Nu Step for twenty minutes. She then had me on the matt doing leg exercises with weights strapped around my ankles. At 2:00 I then went to the conference room for I pad group with Deb. Today I down loaded a word search app. After I pad group United took me home at 4:00. I had arrived home at 5:00. Upon my arrival home I had gone straight to my room to take a shower before sitting down to blog. I then had dinner.

Talking to Amada about joining a walking group at WestSide.

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:20 a.m. by jumping out of bed to do my upper and lower weight exercises. After doing so, I then pulled out my stretching exercises. While I was stretching, I would take brief breaks so as to take a sip of my hot cocoa. Once I had finished my workout I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I had a bowl of hot cereal and some toast. Once I had finished eating, I then brushed my teeth before doing my swallowing exercises. After doing so I then grabbed my knapsack and my lunch, I then went to the door to wait for United to arrive. Upon my arrival to Westside I had brought my lunch to the kitchen to put in the refrigerator. I then made my way to the conference room for Yoga group. Mat, Donald, David, and I first did some sympathetic breathing. After doing so we did some Cat Cow exercises. At 11:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Amanda. I first went on the treadmill for ten minutes on 3.3 miles per hour. After going .543 miles Amanda then strapped the gate belt around my waist and we took off walking outside. We went from Westside to Dunkin N Doughnuts thus going one-third miles twice. We then went in the back yard at Westside to walk on the grass. We then went back inside to look at the Westside overall schedule so as to be put in a walking group. We then went in the front yard to walk on the grass to work on endurance and to get my heart rate up. After P.T. I had a fifteen minute break so I took a shower to clean before my appointment this afternoon. At 11:15 I then met with Piper for case management. At 11;30 during my nursing session with Sally. We first called my neurologist to talk to her about my headaches. I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. After doing so I then met with Deb. We spent the time working on my I Pad. United then took me to Central Maine Medical Center for my vital stem treatment. Once I had finished swallowing and having the treatment while I was doing so, Nicole then help me carry my bags to the door so as to wait for United. I was then on my way home. I had arrived home at 4:00. I had lied down to rest for an hour upon doing so. I then got up to take my shower before dinner. I then went in my room to blog.

breaking records as I run in the parking lot at WestSide during P.T.

I began my Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to my weight exercises with my arms. After doing so I switched it up a little and did my arm stretching exercises before dealing with my legs. At 5:40 I then preceded to strap on the ankle weights and do my leg exercises and stretching. At 5:55 next on my list was my swallowing exercises, given to me by Nicole the speech therapist at Central Maine Medical Center. Some of the exercises involve me making an effortful swallow by using extra effort to swallow hard. Another on is holding my tongue between my teeth and swallow at the same time. Number three is to pucker and smile widely. At 6:00 I then did my tension and Identification and control exercises. Tensing parts of my body then relaxing. Like my eyes, shoulders, and fore head for example. At 6:00 I then preceded to do my ankle exercises. I then took my shower thus getting ready for the day ahead. After doing so, I had gone out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I then brushed my teeth before sitting down to wait for United Wheel Chair to arrive. Upon my arrival to Westside, I had taken my lunch to the kitchen to put in the refrigerator. I then slid over to the gym for my P.T. session with Lydia. Lydia first had me on the treadmill walking at 3.3 miles per hour. After walking for fifteen minutes going .8 miles, We then went outside in the parking lot to do some running. I had run a total of fifteen hundred feet. 250 feet was the furthest distance I had gone so far without stopping. That included going up and down the hill in the parking too. We then went back into the gym. There I did wall squats five times holding each one for ten seconds. I then positioned myself as though I was skiing as I shifted my weight from side to side. Lidia had a grasp on the gate belt just in case. At 11:00 I then went upstairs to the conference room for laughter therapy group. Mat first read his skit he did last week at pine tree camp. It was about CTS the transportation scheduling peoples rides and how unreliable they have been thus far. He also added parts about TD bank too. We then as a group each took a turn to name a date of the first snow fall. Paul, Alisa, Mat, and I Yah a word we say after each time we say something. Then We sang the laughter song. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. After doing so I had returned to the lobby to meet United to take me home. I had arrived home at 1:45 going straight to bed. I had slept until 4:50 before getting up to take my shower. I then went to the kitchen at 5:00 to eat dinner. I then returned to my bedroom to do my swallowing exercises before sitting down to blog.

getting back on line

I began my Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. by getting and leaving camp to go home. I had arrived home at 7:45. Upon doing so I had unpacked the car with my mother. I then returned to my bedroom at 8:00 to do my arm and leg weight exercises. After doing so, I then preceded to do my stretching. Once I had finished my morning workout, I had taken my shower at 8:45 thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 9:00 I had gone out to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me an egg sandwich. Once I had finished eating I then continued to get myself ready to go to church. My mother and I then soon left to pick my grandmother up at the Pierce house. After church, My mother and I had taken my grandmother back home. We had stayed too for the Pierce House's Family and Friends Day. All the residents and their families gather outside for food and socialization. While my mother and were up in my grandmothers room, my sister had showed up surprising my grandmother. My grandmother was tickled pink. She thought it was going to be just my mother and I, but guess what, SURPRIZE!!! At 1:30 my mother and I had returned home. Upon doing so I had gone straight too bed. I had slept for two hours before getting up at 3:00. I then did my swallowing exercises. After doing so, I had called Fair Point to get back on line. This took me an hour talking back and forth trying things with the technician at Fair Point. After doing so, Just like magic, I was back on line, YEAH!!! I then was able to blog.

going the distance

I began my Saturday morning at 10:00 by getting up and going into the camp to eat my breakfast. While drinking my hot cocoa and eating some fruit, my mother had made me hash, eggs, and a toasted English muffin. Once I had finished eating, I then shaved and brushed my teeth before starting in with my stretching at 10:30. After doing so, I then did my swallowing exercises given to me by the speech therapist at Central Mine Medical Center. At 11:35 my mother and I then drove to our friends Zips to park the car so that we could go for a walk. The summer prior to my stroke my mother would take me there to run to so that I could train to run my first 10k. The Beach To Becon. I will again some day too. At 11:45 we park the car at Zips and the began to walk. We did fifteen minutes out and fifteen minutes back. I had used my cane before the walk was over. My breathing started to give me a problem also, that is where the inhaler came in handy. We had returned to camp at 12:30. I had just enough energy to make it to my bunk house to sleep. And I did for until 4:00. I remember the days I could run an eight mile run and go the rest of the day having all the energy in the world. Not now, any little thing I do now takes what energy I have and zaps it right out of me, but my is endurance is building every day. I then made my way into camp to eat some crackers and cheese with a cut pear. After doing so I then had taken a shower before sitting down to blog.

The days are getting chilli at camp

My Friday morning began at 9:00 a.m. by going into the camp from my bunk house to eat my breakfast. I had heard both my parents leave for around 5:00. After doing so I then fell back to sleep. Once inside the camp I had a bowl of cereal and English muffin while watching the news. It really is weird living with this brain injury I have to watch the news three times a day in order to remember. Once I had finished eating I had washed my dish's before sitting down to watch some more news. After doing so, I began to do my stretching exercises. My weights were at home, so my workout was cut short, and it was certainly to cold to go for a swim. Once I had finished stretching I had given my grandmother a call. We spoke briefly before hanging up. I still wished I could drive, life would much easier. But it is what it is. I then spoke to a friend on the cell phone before making myself a sandwich at 11:30. At 12:00 I then went back to my bunk house to watch some more news. I then doze off at 12:30 and slept for thirty minutes before being awoken by a call for my mother, I did have her cell phone, I new the person and explained to her the reason being that I had the cell phone. I then went back to sleep until 3:40. The same person had called awakening once again. My parents were home from work so I had gone out on the deck to let them know. They had used my father's cell phone to call her back. I then called a friend to chat briefly before pulling up my blog.

Back to camp for yet another relaxing weekend

I began my Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat some fruit while drinking my hot cocoa. After doing so I then had a bowl of cereal with a cut banana, with a toasted English muffin. At 8:30 I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before riding the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then went back to the kitchen to start the dish washer and pick up the kitchen. I then had returned to my bedroom to put some clean laundry away my mother had put outside my door before going to work. After doing so I went to the laundry room to get the laundry to hang out on the clothing line to dry. At 9:45 I then went back to my bedroom to dust the furniture in my room. I then received a phone call from rite aid to let me know that I have some pictures ready to be picked up. I then washed some dish's before putting some more clean laundry. At 10:15 I then filled my empty pill container so as to get ready to bring to camp later on today. At 10:30 I then began to do my weight exercises. First with my arms. After doing so I then began to do my stretching. At 10:50 I then did my ankle exercises using the green thero band. At 10:15 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of the day. I then started yet another load of laundry before sitting down to eat a b.l.t. for lunch. Once I had finished eating I had emptied the dishwasher thus putting the dish's away. I then brushed my teeth before hanging out another load of laundry to dry. At 12:30 I had lied down to rest. I did so until 2:00. I then got up to pack some things to take to camp. My mother had arrived home from work waking from my sleep. We then left for camp at 2:45. We had arrived at 3:00 thus unpacking the car bringing things into the camp. It is a little hard for to walk on uneven ground, but if I take my time, I get the job done. At 3:20 I then went out to my bunk house to rest. After a couple of hours I then returned to the camp to blog.

Jamiees last day, GOOD LUCK JAMIEE !!!

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat some grapes with fruit dip while drinking my hot cocoa. I then had my bowl of cereal with a cut up banana, along with a toasted English muffin. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my bedroom to make my bed. I then preceded to do my weight exercises. After doing so I then stretched. At 9:50 I then started a load of laundry. and a big load indeed. After doing so I then preceded to get ready for the day ahead. At 9:30 I had put the laundry in the laundry basket and brought to the clothing line to hang. I then grabbed my lunch and my knapsack. United was in the driveway before I had finished hanging the laundry. Larry was to take me to CMMC rehab for my vital stem treatment in the speech department. As soon as I had arrived Nicole hooked me up to the vital stem machine. She then turned it up as high as I could tolerate it. I then began to do some swallowing. Once my therapy was finished, Nicole grabbed my knapsack and my lunch and help me to the door where I was to meet United so that they could bring me to Westside. But some how with this new system things got confused with transportation, so I had to call United and then Westside to help figure out what was going on. So while waiting I had eaten my lunch in the lobby area. Once I had finished eating United finally arrived to bring me to Westside. I had arrived a little late, around 1:20, upon doing so I had made me way into the conference room for the rest of the support group meeting with Dee Dee, Camie, Wes, and Denise, continuing to share with others on how our week was going. At 2:00 I then made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with the student Jaimee. Jaimee first took me outside to walk in the uneven surfaced grassy area at Westside. While out there we came across the black berry patch. Jamie had found one berry, picked it and gave it to me to bring inside to wash and eat. We then went back inside to work on exercises on the matts using four pound weights on my legs. I then did twenty reps of each exercises on both legs. I then went in the parallel bars and did some balance exercises. Standing on one leg and tandem stance. Jamie then had me stand with my feet together as she gave me a light push in any direction. I was to fall a little but try to regain my balance as quickly as I lost it. I had done so ten out of twenty times. At 2:00 Piper then covered for Deb in I Pad group. Denise opt to leave the group so Piper and I went on Creg's List to at key boards for my I pad. After doing so United had taken me home. I had arrived home at 5:00. Thus going inside to take a shower before sitting down to eat my dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog. What a day!!!

Another speech treatment at Central Maine Medical Center

I began my Tuesday morning at 4:30 a.m. by getting up and doing my upper weight exercises. I then pulled out my stretching exercises before engaging in my leg exercises. At 5:40 I then did my ankle exercises with the tharoband. At 5:45 I then preceded with my workout by doing my speech and breathing exercises. At 6:00 I had made my way to the kitchen to have a peanut butter and banana sandwich with some grapes my hot cocoa and a glass of orange juice. At 6:15 I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for the rest of the day. Once I had cleaned my bathroom I then sat down to fill up my empty pill containers for the week. After doing I saw that I was running low on medication so I had called the pharmacy to place my order. After doing so I had grabbed my lunch and my knapsack thus bringing them to the door. United Wheelchair had soon arrived to bring me to Westside. Upon my arrival for 9:00 a.m. I had made my way to the conference room for Yoga group with Michelle. Michelle first had David and I do some deep breathing exercises. We then followed a video doing an intense yoga workout. At 10"00 I then made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Jamie. Jamie first had me walk on the treadmill for twenty-five minutes. twelve minutes at 3.3 m.p.h. and thirteen minutes at 3>4 m.p.h. Jamie then had me working on balance in the parallel bars. At 11:00 I had a fifteen minute break. So I had gone out in the lobby to sit. At 11:15 I then met with Piper for my case management session. I spoke to Piper about my weekend at my aunt and uncles with my parents and spending time with my cousin Chris. Piper then covered my nursing session with Sally, because Sally was on the Camping trip with clients who had signed up to go. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. I then returned to the lobby to wait for my next therapy. Laurie then had come out to get me. she was covering for Deb who had gone on the camping trip. We just chatted about how my recovery is going and my breathing. We also touched upon the days when I use to go to Westside prior to my stroke. I had also spoke to Laurie about what things were like while I was in the hospital. At 1:00 United picked me and brought me over to the speech department over at Central Maine Medical Center. While there I had my vital stem treatment with Nicole. She had me clamp down on my tongue and swallow while I was hooked up to the vital stem to my throat area. She also had showed me some exercises to do to help strengthen my throat area. Nicole then helped me to the door, thus carrying my nap sack for me. United then took me home. Upon my arrival home I had taken my shower thus getting ready for dinner. once I had finished eating I had gone to my bedroom to blog.

Happy Labor Day

I began my Monday at 8:00 a.m. by getting up and getting dressed at my aunt and uncles house on Cedar Lake. As soon as I was dressed I had gone out into the kitchen to eat breakfast. My Aunt Marion had made me a dropped egg on toast. My parents and I then packed up the truck. We then said good-bye to my Aunt Marion, Uncle Don, and my cousin Chris. We were soon then on the road back to Farmington at 9:00 a.m. We had made pretty good time, we had arrived home at 12:15. I then put on my workout clothing and road the workout bike for thirty minutes. At 12:35 I then went to my bedroom to unpack from the trip up north. After putting away what clothing I did not use and bringing my dirty clothing to the laundry room I then began to do my upper weight exercises. I remember the days when I use to miss a workout or two, how I thought I would decline in my recovery and something drastic would happen to my body. I am over that now. What I do now could help improve my progress. At 1:20 I then went out in my driveway to do some walk/jogging. I had gone back in forth ten times before going back inside. I then did some stretching before taking my shower. After doing so, I then lied down to rest. I had slept two hours before getting up at 4:00. I then spoke to a friend on the telephone before talking to Fair Point to connect myself back to the internet. I then began to blog.

Taking it easy at Cedar Lake

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by eating breakfast with my parents, aunt and uncle and my cousin Chris. Once I had I had finished eating I then took a shower at 8:30 getting ready for the rest of the day. Once I was ready I then sat down to visit with my cousin Chris for an hour before Chris hit the road back home to Boston. At 10:00 I then lied down to rest until noon. I then went for a walk with my mother and aunt Marion. Once we returned I went out on the deck to sit with my parents, aunt and uncle and there son Chris to eat lunch. We had crab rolls and potato salad. At 1:30 everyone left to go for a ride so I lied down to rest. I had slept from 3:00-5:30. I then got to take a shower to wake myself up before sitting down to blog. I then sat down to visit before eating dinner, on my last night in Houlton, Maine.