Raking the back yard

I began my Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. by goig out into the kitchen to eat my my breakfast. After doing so I had burshed my perly whites before then starting a load of laundry. After doing so I then went to my bedroom to stretch. After doing so I then hung the laundry to dry. At 9:40 I preceded with my workout by doing my weight exercises. I then focussed on my ankle exercises before sitting down to fill up my pill containers for the week. After doing so, I saw that I was running low on my medication so I had called the pharmacy to place my order. After doing so my mother had called to let me know that she would be at 1:00 to pick me up to take me out shopping. I then went outside to rake the back yard. I had done so until 11:30 before going back inside to start another load of laundry. My leg was a little tired from raking, but with a little rest I was able to cary on. After taking a shower I then sat down to eat my lunch. Once I had done so I had hung another load of laundry out to dry. At 12:00 I then lied down to rest for an hour. At 1:00 my mother had arrived home from work to take me and my grandmother to Wal-Mart. ON the way home I had to stop and pick up my medication at Hanaford. After dropping my grandmother off at the Pierce House I then went home to fill out a survey for the division of the Blind. After doing so I had eaten dinner before sitting down to blog.

Going over new therapy offered at WestSide with Tobie

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me scrambled eggs with toasted english muffin. Once I had finished eating, I then brushed my teeth before starting in with my weight exercises. ONce I had finished my workout. I then preceded to pick up the kitchen and then start the dishwasher. I then started a load of laundry. After doing so I then took my shower thus getting ready for the day ahead. I then grabbed my lunch and knapsack. Dave from United had arrived at to bring me to the Trolly Building for what was to be my stem cell therapy with Nichole. I had arrived for my appointment for 11:00. Nichole took me right in. She then hooked my trhought up with the electroids and away we went. Today Nichole had me chewing and swollowing cut up apple and bananna. Once I was done, Nichole gave me a hug. and we said good-bye. United then took me to WestSide. Upon my arrival I had signed in and went straight to the kitchen to eat my lunch. After doing so I the went to the conference room for support group. Today Les, Scott, and I shared our weekly thoughs with Deb. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. I first went ten minutes on the Nu Step. Dan then set up some cones then had me walking over them trying to land as softly as possible. I then side stepped over them. At 3:00 I then met with Tobie for I pad. We first added two more steps to follow when using my note section. Tobie then went over the theropy being offered at WestSide for the nex six months. At 4:00 Roger from United took me home. I had arrived home at 5:00. Once inside I had taken a shower before eating my dinner. I then sat down to blog.

Meeting with Dr. Auger for the final time

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch. After doing so I had made my way out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa before eating a bowl of cereal with banana and an english muffin. Once I had finished eating I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then did my swallowing exercises. I then preceded to do my ankle exercises before grabbing my knapsack and lunch. My father then took me over to the hospital to have my four month check up with Dr. Auger. Once I was given a clean bill of health, Dr. Auger let me know that he will be leaving in a month and a replacement will be taking his place. I then met United Wheelchair outside to bring me to WestSide. Upon my arrival for Ten a.m. I had put my lunch in the refrigerator and made my way into the gym for my P.T. session. Today I started by walking ten minutes on the treadmill. Lydia then had me walking outside. I had walked one-third mile twice before returning to the gym. I then rested and had a drink of water before going back outside to the back parking lot to jog 100 feet six times with Lydia. At 11:00 I then had a break, so I had sat in the lobby to wait. My case manager Piper then came out to get me. We had meet for fifteen minutes to talk about how my programing is going at westside. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. I first spoke to her about the doctors appointment I had this morning. She then took my blood pressure reading. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. I the meet Deb in the lobby for my support session. Deb had helped me write out steps on how to use the calendar and to play word trick on my lap top. At 12:30 United took me home. Upon my arrival home I had gone to bed to sleep for a couple of hours before getting up to take a shower and then eat dinner. I then sat down to blog.

Trying to breath during Tai CHI

I began my Monday morning at 5:30 A.M. by getting up to stretch. After doing so I then preceded to do my weight exercises with my upper body. At 6:00 I then made my way out into the kitchen to have a bowl of cereal with banana for breakfast along with a toasted pancake. At 6:30 I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth ad continue to get ready for the rest of my day. Once I was ready, I then grabbed my knapsack and went out into the kitchen to get my lunch. I then waited for United to arrive. Once I was aboard we then went to Donald's to pick him up. Upon our arrival to WestSide for 9:00 a.m. I had put my lunch downstairs in the refrigerator before making my way over to the gym for my P.T. session with Lydia. Lydia first had me walking on the treadmill for fifteen minutes. I had gone a distance of a half of a mile at 2.2 mph. with an incline of 3.5. Lydia then had me outside in the back parking lot running back a forth as she held onto me with the gate belt. I had gone a total of 480 feet, thus making several runs back and forth. We then went back into the gym to do calf stretch's. I then did five wall squats. Lydia then took pictures of me doing wall squats and calf stretch's using my i pad, so that I could refer to them at home. At 10:00 I then went into the conference room for tai chi group. During tai chi I practice breathing with Tobie as she would cue be making a big breathing noise herself. I don't know why but I tend to hold my breath while exercising and such. I hen continued to practice the form while trying to breath with Tobie and the rest of the group As Joe instructed us to do so. At 11:00 I then joined laughter therapy group. Today Paul, Donald, Alisa, and I first said what we did over the weekend followed by a big yeh! We then watched Robert Rivest with instruction on some types of laughter with Deb and Flourina. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with others before leaving for Farmington with Donald on United. I had arrived home at 2:25 thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 5:00 before getting up to take a shower. After doing so I went out into the kitchen to eat my dinner before sitting down to blog. I then watch some of the World Series before falling to sleep.

Pot roast tonight

I began my Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. By getting up to stretch. I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After doing so I then returned to my room to get ready to go to church. Once I had done I had packed my napsack with my workout clothing so that I could change at my grandmothers and go for a walk while I was downtown. At 9:30 my mother and I went to pick up grandma to go to church. After mass I had got out of the car with my granmother so that I could change into my workout clothing. I then took off walking. I had returned to my grandmothers at 1:00. I then called my mother to come pick me up. I had returned home 1:15. Upon doing so I had something to eat I then went to bed at 2:00 and I slept until 5:00. I then got up to take a shower before dinner. Yum pot roast.

Out for dinner

I began my Saturday at 9 40 a.m by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Scrambled eggs potato pancakes and bacon. A meal to last me til dinner. Once I had finished eating I then went to my bedroom to put my laundry away. At 10 40 I then filled my pill containers for the week. At 11 00 I then walked ten laps around the front yard. I then went back inside to do my weight exercises. After doing so I then began to stretch. At 12 15 I then went to shop with my dad to get a hair cut. I had arrived home at 1 15 . I then helped my dad the best I could to put furniture back in my parents room. I then went to bed. I had slept from 1 50 to 4 30 before getting up to have a glass of egg nog. I then left for the carriage house with my parents to meet.some friends for dinner. We had arrived back home at9 50. I then blog before bed.

Dinner with grandma

I began my Friday, WA HOO! IT IS FRIDAY! Tore those sheets right off my bed. I then started a load of laundry. I then sat down to eat my breakfast, giving my body energy to begin my day. This moring a bowl of cereal with a cut up bananna along with a toasted pancake, hot cocoa, ad a glass of O.J. I am now energized!. At 8:30 I then made my bed, thus putting on the clean sheets. Oh, that will feel so good to get into tonight after the day ahead I have planned. At 8:50 I then stretched before hanging up the laundry to dry. I then folded dry laundry and put it away before going outside to walk ten laps aroung the front yard. this took me thirty minutes to do before going inside to do my weight exercises. Once I had completed my upper and lower body workout I then focussed on my ankle exercises by using the theraband. At 10:25 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. After doing so I had hung the second load to dry. My mother had then arrived home at 11:30 to take me to my grandmothers so that I could have lunch with her. ON the menue today was a tossed salad, popover, and fish chowder. For dessert a strawberry cake. At 1:00 we the went up to her room to play cribbage. At this time I started to get a headache. For what reason I do not know. I wished it would go away. After three games of cribbage and one game of skip-bo my mother had arrived to take me home. We had arrive home at 2:40. My headache had been at its max. Laying down was the option. I had slept for two hours. A miracle had occured, my headache was gone. Well, to the point of being managable. Few! I then took a shower thus getting comfortable before dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog.

Chew, chew, chew then swallow, swallow, swallow

I began my Thrsday morning at 7:00 a.m. I did not have a to busy of a day ahead, but just the same I had to get ready and make that trip to Lewiston and back. I had first gone out into the ktichen to eat my breakfast. This morning I had a peanut butter and honey sandwhich, along with some grapes and half of a banana. At 7:30 I then returned to my bedroom to begin to stretch. After doing so whick usually takes me thirty minutes, I had gone to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. I then returned to my bedroom or shuld I refure to it as my gym, to complete my workout. ONce I had finished my weight exercises, I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of the day. At 9:00 I then hung the laundry to dry. Larry from United Wheelchair had arrived at 9:45 to bring me to my stem cell appointment. It was nice not to walk out the door with my hands full. Not going to WestSide I had that opption. I had arrived at Central Maine Therapy Services at 11:00. Upon doing so I had gone up to the seconc floor where my therapy takes place. There I meet with Nichole. Once Nichole had me all attatched to the stem cell machine and the electroids to my throat area she then turned it on. Today after I had done some swallows using my own saliva, Nichole then had me chewing grancraker and swallowing. Todays lesson was to swallow three times before taking another bite. I was also to CHEW CHEW CHEW, before swallowing. Doing this was to make sure every bite was mush. After my apointment, Larry took me home. I had arrived home at 1:15. Upon doing so I had made myself a sandwhich before laying down to rest. I had slept from 1:45-3:45 before getting up. I then had taken a shower before sitting down to blog. It was still a tiring day even thought I did not go to WestSide.

Downloading the weather app with Deb onto my I pad

I began my Wednesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished a bowl of cereal with a toasted muffin I then preceded to go back to my bedroom to make my bed. Once I had stretched and done my weight exercises, My task now was to fill my pill containers with all the new medication the doctors now have me on. At 7:00 I then lied down to rest for an hour. At 8:10 I then got up to shower and get ready to go to my stem cell appointment. United had arrived at 9:45 to take to the Trolly Building at Central Maine Medical Center. While there Nichole hooked the electrodes up to my throat then turned the machine on. I then began to swallow. Believe it or not this can be very tiring.just as thought I were in an hour session of P.T. United then picked me up to go to WestSide. I had arrived there at 12:00 noon. Upon doing so I had gone to the kitchen to eat my lunch with others. At 1:00 I then went to the conference room for support group. Denise went to a banquet fund raiser. While there she danced to country western music. Camie had moved six miles from where she was living and is still studying ever so hard to get her degree. Scott spent Saturday harvesting tomatoes. He then made spaghetti sauce. I spoke about walking and how vitamin B is helping me with my headaches. At 1:00 I then wet to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. I first went on the Nu Step for twenty minutes on level four, Thus averaging a mile. Dan then had me stepping in the hallway. Forward and backward and side to side. I then went in the parallel bars to do placement exercises. At 3:00 I then meet with Deb to work on my I pad. We firs wrote up steps on how to use the new format we down loaded. We then downloaded the weather channel app. United then took me home. I had arrived home at 5:00 thus eating dinner before taking my shower. I then sat down to blog before calling it a day.

Downloading a new program with Deb for I pad

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching and weight exercises. At 5:50 I then preceded to get ready by taking my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I had a bowl hot cereal and some toast before returning to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then grabbed my knapsack and my lunch thus going to the door to wait for my ride. Upon my arrival to WestSide I had brought my lunch to the kitchen to put in the refrigerator. I then went to the conference room for Yoga. Michelle first had Donald and I on the mats stretching and doing some yoga poses. We then did some deep breathing and relaxation. At 10:00 I then made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. I had first walked on the treadmill for fifteen minutes Dan then massaged my foot on my leg that was not effected by the stroke. For some reason the ball of the foot was in pain. Making it difficult to walk on. I was then told to freeze a bottle of water and use that to massage my foot with it. At 11:00 I then had a fifteen minute break before meeting with Piper for my case management session. Today we spoke my vital stem and how my swallowing is improving over all. We then spoke about my running during p.t. and the possibility of me down hill skiing this winter. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. After discussing up coming doctors appointments and skiing this winter we then touched upon my headaches thus leaving a note in the note section on how I was feeling at that time. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. After doing so I had met with Deb. Today we down loaded a new program on my I pad. At 1:00 I then went home. I had arrived home at 2:15 thus going straight to bed and sleeping until 4:45. I then got up and went out into the kitchen to eat my dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog before calling it a day.

I am very tired

I began my Monday morning at 6:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat breakfast. My father had the day off from work, so he had made me two eggs with ham and toast. Once I had finished eating I then I had returned to my bedroom to do some stretching. After doing so I then did my swallowing exercises. Once I had completed the workout I had time to do, I then preceded to get ready for the rest of my day. After I had taken my shower and put my workout clothing on I then grabbed my knapsack and my lunch and brought it to the door. United had arrived shortly after ward. Once we had gone to pick up Donald we then were on our way to Lewiston. Upon my arrival to Westside, I had made my way downstairs to put my lunch in the refrigerator before making my way over to the gym for my P.T. session with Lydia. Lydia first strapped the gate belt on. We then took off walking outside. I had walked one-forth mile for the first time during P.T. with taking a break. We then went back inside to do some stair climbing. Lydia then did something with me called Dynamic Gate Index. The results were 16 out of 24. Lydia then had me walking on the treadmill for ten minutes at 1.8 mph at an incline of 3.5. PROGRESS, I love it. At 10:00 I then kept the gate belt on and made my way upstairs to the conference room for Tai Chi Group with Lyndsey. Today Tai Chi the instructor had us first practicing a resting meditation technique for sleeping. We then another technique called Lazy about tiring coat. We then ended the session with the form. By this time I was completely exhausted but still finding the group therapy on Monday very beneficial. At 11:00 I then stayed in the conference room for laughter therapy group with Deb and Flourina. Today Mat, Paul, Donald, Alisa and I did some laughing and breathing with Robert Rivers. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat lunch with others. At 1:00 Cherral from United Wheelchair brought Donald and I home. I had arrived home at 2:45 thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 5:45 before getting up to go out in the kitchen to eat dinner. I then returned to my bedroom to blog. Soon calling it a day.

Power outage wow!!!

I began my Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting out of bed to do my stretching, which now takes me about thirty minutes to do. With the exercises I had taken home from rehab at d'youville and the exercises I have accumulated to do from Westside. I then began to do my weight workout. At 8:30 I then took my shower and got ready for the day ahead before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After doing so I had brushed my teeth and then left for church with my mother. Once church had let out I had my mother drop me of in town so that I could do some walking. I had done so for forty minutes before returning to my grandmothers to call my mother to come pick me up. One of the employee in the Pierce House had found out I had not eaten lunch, so she had brought me up some lemon pie which they had for dessert. At 12:45 My mother had picked me up to bring me home. I had arrived home at 1:00. Upon doing so I then had taken a shower, before eating some lunch. I then lay down to rest. Little did I know it was going to be for the rest of the day. I had slept from 2:15-5:35 before I had awoke. Shortly afterward the power had gone out so I had gone back to bed to stay for the night. The power had come back on at 11:00. awoke by the flashing noise my alarm was making I decided to get up blog before the stroke of 12:00.

enjoying the day as I spend some time walking around the front yard

I began my Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat some cut up fruit while drinking my hot cocoa. After doing so I had returned to my bedroom to make my bed while my mother had made me some pancakes for breakfast. I then went to the kitchen to eat. At 10:45 I then returned to my bedroom to do my stretching exercises before going outside to walk around the front yard. After going around ten times, I had returned to my bedroom to do my upper and lower weight exercises. At 12:00 I then went to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. I really do enjoy walking around the front yard. I am so glad my P.T. at Westside suggested I add this to my home workout. After taking a shower, I had put some clean laundry away before retrieving the laundry in the washer to be hung out to dry. After doing so, I then lied down to rest at 1:15. I had done so for forty-five minutes before getting up to start the dish washer. At 2:10 a friend had called. We spoke briefly, I then called my grandmother to see how she was doing. I then went on face book to play words with friends while waiting for the dish washer to run its cycle. At 4:00 I then preceded to empty the dishwasher and put the dish's away. My parents had arrived home from camp as I was taking in the laundry. It wasn't totally dry, but good enough to be put on the clothing rack inside to finish doing so. At 4:40 I then did my swallowing exercises before sitting down to blog.

An afternoon of running the roads.

My Friday morning began at 8;00 a.m. by getting up to fill my pill containers. I still have to refer to one that is already filled so that I do not screw up on my medication. Do to my short term memory loss it will take some time to remember once again do to the medication that I am now taking that has been recently added to my daily meds. At 8:20 I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished my bowl of cereal, fruit, and toasted biscuit, I then went back to my bedroom to take the sheets off of my bed. After doing I then had brought them and the rest of my laundry to the laundry room to start in. Once I had a load of laundry going, I had returned to my bedroom to make my bed with clean sheets. At 9;20 I then began to stretch, focusing heavily on my ankle. At 9:45 I then began to do my weight exercises with my arms. After I had finished with my upper weight exercises I then went to the laundry room to start another load of laundry. Once I had hung the load out to dry that was in the washer, I had returned to my bedroom to do my leg exercises. Once I had finished exercising I then sat down to eat some lunch while watching the news. At 12:30 I began to feel a little beat, so I had returned to my bedroom to lay down to rest. I had done so until 1:20. My mother had returned home from work thus picking my grandmother up along the way. She then took us to BIG Lots to go shopping. While at the Mt. Blue Shopping Center we went to Save-a-lot to do some grocery shopping. We then went to Mt. blue Drug to pick up medication. At 2:45 on our way back we stopped at Wal-Mart. At 2:50 we then left for home. After dropping my grandmother off we had arrived home at 3:15. Still feeling tired I had lied down to rest once again. I did so until 5:30 before getting up to take a shower. Once I was feeling fresh, I then went out into the kitchen to eat dinner. After doing I had returned to my bedroom to blog.

Going out to lunch at the HomeStead Bakery

I began my Thursday morning at 6:00 a.m. My father had brought me over to the hospital to have some blood work done. After doing so, I had arrived back home at 7:15. Instead of going back to bed right off, I decided to stay up and eat my breakfast. After doing so I went to my desk top to look up some poems that I had saved on there to submit to Vicky at Westside for the calendar project Goodwill is putting together. After doing so I then went to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. I then continued to type the email I of my poems I was to send to Vicky at Westside. At 9:30 I then put the laundry in the dryer. After doing so, I then started the dish washer. At 10:10 I finally sent the email out of the poems. I then lied down to rest. I had slept for a couple of hours before getting up to empty the dishwasher, thus putting the dish's away. At 12:10 I then took my shower before my mother had arrived home from work. At 1:00 I then went out to lunch at the Home Stead Bakery with my mother and our friend Laurie. Once we had finished eating my mother had dropped me off at my grandmothers to visit while she went grocery shopping. While there I had gone for a walk around town. I then went back to visit with my grandmother while waiting for my mother to arrive. My mother had picked me up at 3:00 to bring me home. I had first helped her in with the groceries, I then continued to exercise. First I had done my weight exercises both leg and arm. I then preceded to stretch. At 4:10 I took my shower thus getting into some relaxing clothing before sitting down to blog. I then did my swallowing exercises While sitting in my recliner to relax. HAAAA!

Thinking of a poem to submit for the goodwill calendar

I began my Wednesday Morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to do non other then to stretch. At 6:00 I then preceded to continue my workout with my ankle exercises, hoping some day that right ankle becomes as strong as my left. After doing so, I then preceded with my weight workout, first arms then legs. After my workout I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had my cocoa, fruit, bowl of cereal, and my toasted muffin, I then preceded to brush my teeth before doing my swallowing exercises. At 7:40 I then went back to bed to sleep for two hours. It is a good thing I got up when I did, United had showed up ten minutes later. I still had not taken my shower. They were not suppose to pick me up until 10:45. C.T.S.!!! So I quickly took my shower and got ready to go in about five minutes. I then grabbed my things and left. United had dropped me off at my Stem Cell appointment at 11:10. Larry said to me as I left, see you at 12:00. My appointment was not until 11:45. It is a forty-five minute appointment. OH WELL. During my appointment today Nichole hooked me up sticking the wires and such to my throat. She then began to turn up the level up the stem cell machine. Today she had me sucking chocolate pudding through a cocktail straw. I was sucking my brains. I could not even breath. Nichole replied, I never heard you do that before. After my appointment United then took me to Westside. Upon my arrival I had gone down to the kitchen to eat my lunch before returning to the conference room for todays support group meeting. We first started our group with our positive solute. We then began to share. Dee Dee went in to have her stimulator changed. But during the procedure the doctor could not do it do to the faulty wiring. Dee Dee would go to use her magnet over her stimulator and it would not stop her seizures. scot was sharing how he had a break through in his therapy. he is now able to move his arm. The arm that was effected from his stroke. Scott blames his progress on the love he has at home and encouragement. Scott Use to wall paper for a living and is hoping to get back to doing so again some day. He keeps getting phone calls to do work, but he can't do to the effects of the stroke. Les is doing well. Having headaches which seem to be giving him problems. I had mentioned I was taking vitamin B for mine headaches. He said he was going to check into it. Les also mentioned now how he is using hemy walker. soon to be using a four pronged crunch. Camie had a rotten week in school hard time passing test and getting through to her professor. Denise had been horse back riding and doing very well. After support group I then went to the gym for my P.T. session. Today Lydia had me first walk twenty minutes on the treadmill at 1.9 mph. She then strapped a gate belt on and we went outside. We first walked one-third mile twice. We then did some running in the back parking lot. 100 feet six times to be exact. At 3:00 I then had I Pad with Deb. I had first spoke to Vicky about sending her a poem for the calendar. I then worked with Deb on fixing my sound with my I Pad. At 4:00 United took me home. I had arrived home at 5:15. Upon doing so I had taken a shower before eating dinner. I then sat down to blog.

Keeping note of my headaches

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting out of bed to begin to stretch. After doing so I then preceded to do my weight exercises, first leg then arm. Once I had finished with my weight exercises, I then preceded to do my ankle exercises, to help strengthen the ankle. This to me is taking for ever to do. For now, I have the time. I then did my swallowing exercises before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. This morning after drinking my hot cocoa and eating my fruit, I then had a dropped egg on toast. Once I had finished eating, I then got ready for the day ahead. United had arrived at 7;30. We then went to pick up Donald before venturing on to Lewiston. Upon our arrival to Westside, I had made my way into the conference room for yoga group with Michelle and Carol. Today we followed a yoga workout on line. Continuously moving. At 10;00 I then made my way to the gym for my P.T. session. with Amanda. I first walked fifteen minutes on the treadmill. I then put the gate belt on and one-third mile twice on the sidewalk. After doing so I then ran in the back parking lot with Amanda's student 100 feet. After my P.T. session I then had a quick break for fifteen minutes. I then met with Piper my case manager for the next fifteen. We spoke about how my vital stem is going and my progress being made in P.T. At 11:30 I then went out to the lobby to wait for Sally to come and get me for my nursing session. Once we were back to sally's office she first took my blood pressure 118 over 72. We talked about how my headaches were doing. I replied ever since the doctor put me on Vitamin B four times a day I have little or no problem at all. Sally then let me know how she would like me to write something every day in my note section in my I pad about my headaches. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with others. After doing so I then went back upstairs to meet with Deb for a support session. We first fixed the font on my computer so that it was not so large. We then spoke to Vicky about a poem she would like me to submit for a calendar they are putting together. At 1:00 United then took me home. I had arrived home at 2:00 thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 5:00 before getting up to go eat dinner, I then sat down to blog.

sipping bananna through a straw

I began my Monday at 5:00 a.m. by gettig out of bed to stretch. At 5:30 I then did my ankle exercises before lifting weight with my upper body. I seem to be running out of time, so I had to skip my leg exercises with the weights. At 5:40 I then made my way to the kitchen to eat breakfast. My mother had made me a bananna sanwhich along with my hot cocoa and a glass of o.j. Once I had finished eating I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for the day ahea. I then grabbed my lunch and my napsack, and left for the day o United Wheelchair. I had arrived to Westside at 9:00 a.m. I then went straight to the gym for my P.T. session with Lydia. She first had me walk ten minutes on the tredmill for a warm up at 3.0 mph. Lydia then strapped the gate belt on me and we went ouside. She first had me running in the parking lot as she held on ever so tightly. I had run 480 feet not all at once, I then went on the lawn to walk to peremetere of the back yard at WestSide. We then went back into the gym to do some heel to toe walking in the hall. To catch my balnce I would step out so as not to fall. Lydia then set up some cones for my to step over one foot at a time and tapping them ever so lightly. I then kept my gate belt and went to the conference room for tai chi with Lyndsey. There are allot of staff in this particular group do to all the clients with balance issues needing one on one assistence like myself. Lyndsey held on to my gate belt with two hands as I participated in the tai chi exercise called the form which include raising your arms and alot of weight shifting. I then spent the second half of the group sitting because I was so tired from P.T. At 11:00 I then went to Laughter Therapy group with Mellissa. Today Allissa, Paul, Dondald and I Laughed along with Robert Rivers and his laughter sessions on line. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with others. I then went to the lobby to meet United to take me to the Trolly Building at Central Maine Medical Center for my stem cell therapy with Nichole. Once inside Nichole put the electroids to my throat area. she then mashed a bananna up. Nichole then turned on the vital stem. she then handed me a straw and had me suck the mashed bananna through the straw and swallow. There were times during this exercise it was difficult and I would cough or choke. I then woule sip some water before continuing. After fourty-five minutes of stem cell theropy Bruce from United Wheelchair took me home. I had arrived home at 4:00 thus going straight to bed. I was beat. I had slept for ninty minutes before my mother had awken me. I then took a shower before having a bowl of soup for dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog on my I pad.

walking in town after church

WOW WHAT A DAY!!! Now that I have your attention, Firts thing at 7:00 a.m. hmm what did I do? I stretched. After doing so, I then preceded to do my upper weight exercises. At 8:00 I then made my way to the kitchen so as to be able to eat my my breakfast. At 8:50 I then returned to my bedroom to do my leg exercises. There are times once I stop exercising it sure is hard to start back up again, esspecially after eating a meal. At 8:45 I then began to get ready to go to church. My mother and I then left at 10:00. My grandmother did not feel to much like going this morning, so we had left the house a little later then usual. It sonetimes is weird while in church during the offitory, they use to ask me to help with the collections, but not that I have a hard time with my balance and since I had returned to church after my stroke I have not been asked. After mass I had gone to visit my grandmother with my mother. After doing so I had stayed in town to do some walking while my mother went grocery shopping. I had eventually returned home at 12:30. After a small bite to eat, I had lied down to rest. I had slepty for two and one-hald hours before getting up. I then spoke briefly to a friend before taking a shower. I then went to thekitchen to eat my dinner, before sitting down to blog.

STILL DEALING WITH MY HEADACHE

My Saturday morning began at 9:00 a.m. not headache free, but nearly as painful as is was going to get later as the day progress. As soon as I ate my fruit and drank my cocoa, I then had some french toast. Once I had finished eating I had then brushed my teeth. I then had my mother bring me to a neighborhood down the road so that I could do some walking. As I was doing so my foot then became heavier. Oh, well will this ever stop dargging. I had walked for fourty-five minutes before calling my mother to come pick me up. I had arrived home at 11:10. Upon doing so, I then had taken my shower. I then had a cup of tea and a piece of toast. Still fealing the effects of this headache, I then lied down to rest. I had slept from 12:20-3:05. I then got up and went out into the kitchen. My headache was actually barable. The pain was at a level wher I could say that it was gone. But it never completly vanish's. I then had a cup of flavored coffee. Me? drink coffee, I never drink coffee. It wasn't regular coffee. BLA!!!! It was flavored. some how it had helped with my headache for a while. At 3:30 I then did my swallowing exercises. I found it hard to do any form of exercise today after my walk do to the excurciating pain I had in my head. At 4:30 I then had a cup of hot soup. ONce I had finished eating, I then filled my pills for the week before taking a hot shower. I then spoke to my grandmother to see how her day went before sitting down to type my blog. I then went to bed with a hot pack on my head. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

The headache is back

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. Once my parents had left for work, I then preceded to get out of bed and begin my day. I first had began by taking the sheets off my bed, thus going to the wash room to start a load of laundry. It is funny I had began to the day with a headache and..... Once I had the load going, I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 8:20 I then preceded to put clean sheets on my bed. I then went to the kitchen to wash some dish's and pick up. At 9:00 I then went walking in the yard. AT 10:00 I then went in to do my leg exercises. Once I had strapped on the ankle weights. away I went. After I had stretched, I had done my swallowing exercises. After taking my shower and getting myself ready. I had rested while waiting for a load of laundry to be done. I then hung it to dry. At 11:35 I then rested once again, trying to get rid of this darn headache. I then got up at 2:00 and had a bowl of soup for lunch. After doing so, I then did my ankle exercises. After doing I had taken in some laundry that was dry, but I can't seem to get rid of this headache. At 2:50 I then called grandma. At 3:00 I then began to put my laundry away. After doing so I then did my hand stretches. I had done my entire workout during the entire day. At 3:25 a friend had called, so we had spoke briefly. I then took in the remainder of the laundry and put it away before taking anther shower which seemed to eleviate some of the pain in my head, but not for long. I then sat down to blog before eating dinner.

walking fifteen laps in the front yard

I began my Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my fruiet and my drink my hot cocoa. After doing so I then had a bowl of cereal with bananna. Once I had finished eat, I then preceded to go back to my bedroom to make my bed and and put my work out clothing on. At 9:55 I had started a load of laundry before going out in the front yard to do some walking on the uneaven surface. This was recommended from my P.T. at WestSide to do so as to work on my balance and strengthening of my akle. I had walked fifteen laps aroud the yard before going back inside at 10:20. As I was entering into the house my mother had called to let me know that she would be picking me up at 1:15 to do some shopping with she and gram. Once off the telephone I then started a load of laundry. I then went to the kitchen to start the dish washer. Once I had all the appliances working I then returned to my bedroom to do my upper weight exercises. At 10:45 I then preceded to take my shower and get ready for the rest of my day. At 11:15 I had pur the laundry in the dryer. I then lied down to rest. Once I had got up at 12:30 I had emptied the dishwasher and then I folded laundry. At 1:00 my mother had arrived with my grandmother. We then first went to Wal-mart. After walking around a bit we then went to Save a Lot so that my mother could pick up some groceries. We then went to Mt. Blue Drug store so that I could get a flue shot. We then brought my grandmother home. We had arrived home at 3:30. I was tired once again, so I had lied down to rest for two hours. I then got up at 5:40 to take a shower before eating dinner.

Learning how to use my new key board

I began my Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m. by gettomg out of bed to stretch. I then did my my swallowing exercises Hard Swallow, Swallow with tongue between teeth, the pucker and smile. At 7:00 I then began to get ready. After doing so I then called my grandmother to speak to her breafly before leaving. United had arrived shortly afterward to take me to the Trolly Building at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston to meet with Nichole for my vital stem appointment. Upon my arrival the United driver had brought me up to my appointment. I then meat with Nichole. Today she had me chewing and swallowing an apple and then a gran cracker once she had hooked up to the vital stem. Once my appointment was done the office called United Wheelchair to come pick me up and take me to WestSide. It is much easier now that they have me wait for my ride inside and the driver comes to get me. Once I was at WestSide I had gone to the kitchen to eat my lunch with other clients. At 1:00 I then went up to the conference room to for todays support group. Denise first spoke about her new horse she now rides at horseback riding named Butter Cup. I then spoke about my vital stem appointment and the progress I am making with my swallowing. Les then shared with the group how he walked yesturday during p.t. usually spending most of his time in a wheelchair. Linda then mentioed how she fell twive over the weekend. She also mentioned how she had gone on a date. Meeting people is very important to someone like Linda who is recovering from a stroke. Camie mentioned how she is still busy with her school work. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. Dan first had me ride the Nu Step for twenty minutes on level three. He then had me do grape vine walking out in the hall way. Dan then had me standing in the parallel bars reaching for cones and stacking them in a pile on the other side of me. scanning played a big part in this exercises. While having my one foot on a platform. At 3:00 I then had I Pad with Deb. I had left my new key board at WestSide to be charged overnight. Today we asked Nancy to come in to help us get it connected. I began my I Pad experience with Nancty during an O.T. sessions when I first arrived at WestSide two yeas ago. At 4:00 Roger from United took me home. I had arrived home at 5:15 Upon doing so I had taken my shower before going out to eat dinner with my parents. I then went to my I pad to blog.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a day! It all began thia this morning at 5:30 a.m. exciting so far, That's right I am in the kitchen now. DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION! Breakfast hmm what did I have? OH YES, HOT CEREAL, mmm don't you forget I always have my cup of hhhhot cocoa. wooo that's good. Am I done? Guess so, of breakfast that is. "DO I STILL HAVE YOUR ATTENTION?" Time to work out. Don't forget to swallow. Hard swallow, and swallow with my tongue between my teeth. What's up with that? I surprised I haven't the thing off yet. Alright time to stretch. Cool it on the weight exercises, I have a busy day ahead. I need all the energy I can get. Can I just take my shower already. Finally, United is here. 9:00 a.m. made it to WestSide with no incidences, Yet anyway. Alomost bit my tongue off, but I seem to be doing o.k. Well here we go with Yoga group with Michelle and Carol. O.k. David, Don, and Mat let us get stretching to music yoga stile. And mind you, "DON'T FORGET TO BREATH, I know I often do. 10:00 a.m. to the gym. "Hi, Lydia" "O. K. Troy, on the nu step. 25 minutes, now. WOW, I went 1.32 miles. Few! Alright outside on the lawn. WALK! " But the ground it is uneven, I might fall and sprane my ankle. "MOVE IT!" Oh alright." Wow and I did not even lock my knee, YEH! 11:00 I finally can catch a break. fifteen minutes, Big Break. Hi Piper case management? No problems on this end, O.K. good see you next week. BYE!!!! 11:30 TIME TO SEE THE NURSE, SALLY! 116 OVER 72 GOOD! Drs appointments and so on, nothing new here. Lunch time. 12:30 Deb, Charge up that key board to go with my I pad use tomorrow. Can't wait. Bye. Off to vial stem. HELP!!! My swallowing is getting better but, HELP!!! Hi Nichole, here chew, today you will be shewing and swallowing cut up apple. Do not forget to swallow. tuck that chin. FINALLY homeward bound. Nap time, 3:00-5:30. Business. call United to chech on my pick up time. AH DAYS END. Relax, shower and then dinner. I hope you have enjoyed reading todays blog entree as much as I had enjoyed writing. It is always good to laugh once in a while, I know I did.

Calling it quits early

I began my Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to stretch, loosening up those muscles. After doing so I then preceded to do my weight exercises. At 6:00 I then continued to get ready for the day ahead before going out into the kitchen. This morning I had a cup of hot cereal with a half of english muffing, along with some fruit and my hot cocoa. I then gathered my things, I then sat in the living room to wait for my ride. I was counting a long seven hour day. At least that what my schedule said, Little did I know that my body would say other wise. As soon as United had brought me to WestSide I started my morning with Lydia in the gym for P.T. She first had me on the Nu Step. After going twenty minutes on level three, Lydia then had me out in the hall doing some tandum walking. After going twenty-four feet she then had me doing writing reation. She had me concentrating on taking consistantly seven steps before correction. At the end of my P.T. session I had kept my gate belt on and made my way up to the conference room for Tia Chi group with Lyndsey. Lydia is also in the group along with about seven other therapist for thos who need personal assistence and gate belts. We had worked on a lot of balance during tai chi wich I have none. At 11:00 I then stayed in the conference room for laughter therapy. Pete, Don, Mat, Paul, Deb, Flourina, explained to David a little bit about what the group consisted of. We then said one possitive thing about our week and gave a shout yeh! We then continued by singing the laughter song. At 12:00 I then went to thekitchen to eat my lunch. After doing so I had asked if I could go home with Donald, because I wasn't feeling all that well do to the aura's I had over the weekend and the medication I am being weined off of. I was suppose to stay until 4:00 to particiapate in an open testimony for Maine Care. I was not feeling all that well so I thought it would be best to go home. After sleeping all the way home, I had arrived home at 2:40 thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 4:30 befor getting up to take a shower before eating dinnner. At times it feels like my life will never get back on track.

an ora during church

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. My mother had made me an egg sandwhich along with my fruit and hot cocoa. Once I had finished eating I then took my shower and continued to get ready to go to shurch. At 10:00 my mother and I left the house to pick up my grandmother. During mass today I had felt a little funny. A sick feeling in my stomache. The doctor has been trying some new medication on me to try to control my headaches. The feeling felt something like an ora. One might have before having a siezure. I not to sure just yet. If that is the case I have to call my doctor and let her know. After mass we had brought my grandmother home. We then arrived home at 11:50 and straight to bed I went. I had slept until 2:30 before getting up. I then lied there and continued to rest. At 4:00 I then went out into the kitchen to eat dinner. At 4:45 I then took my shower before sitting down to blog. I then went straight to bed at 5:05 p.m.

Back home from camp a day early

I had began my Saturday morning at camp by spening a little extra time sleeping. Until 10:00 a.m. to be exact, before venturing into the camp where my mother was preparing tonight's meal for my father and his friends. Once in the camp, I had sat down to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit while my mother had made me a grilled peanutbutter and bananna sandwhich. Once I had finished eating, I then preceded to wash the dish's and pick up the kitchen. At 10:30 I then packed up my things, closed up the bunk house, I then left for home with my mother. We had arrived home at 11:45. Once the car was unpacked, I then went to my bedroom to put things away. At 12:00 I then went outside to do some raking. I never realised how this would work on strengthening my legs by shifting my weight from one leg to the other as I raked. Just like p.t. at WestSide but in a different fashion. At 1:10 I then went inside to eat a bowl of soup for lunch. I had planned to rake the entire yard, HA! As if I could do that. After I had eaten my lunch, I had taken a shower before laying down to rest at 1:50. I had slept until 4:25 before getting. I then went into the kitchen to have a cup of hot cocoa. At 5:00 I then spoke to my sister Barbara on the telephone. After doing so I then pulled out my stretching exercises and began to do just that, stretch. At 5:45 I had called my grandmother to see how her day had gone. After doing so, I had sat down to blog before dinner.

going for a walk with dad at camp

I began my Friday moring at 9:00 a.m. by going into the camp from my bunk house to drink my hot cocoa and some fruit while looking out at the lake. I then toasted an englsh muffin and had a bowl of cereal. Once I had finished eating I then picked up the camp before going for a walk up and down the driveway for thirty minutes. At 10:30 I then had called my grandmother to speak briefly. After doing so I then began to stretch. At 11:20 I then did my swallowing exercises. I then relaxed listened to music, watched t.v. At 12:00 I then went out to my bunk house to rest. I had slept for three hours. My mother had arrived to camp which woke me up. That is a good thing or I would have slept all night. I then went into the camp and had a half ofa sandwhich. My father had then arrived home. He and I then went out for a thirty minute walk. We then returned to the camp. I then sat down to blog.

pucker and smile

My Thursday morning began this morning at 8:00 a.m. I was at camp so I had taken a little extra time to get myself going. My parents had left for work around 5:00 a.m. I had back to sleep. If not I be sleeping right now. Once I was in the camp, I had sat down to drink my hot cocoa and some fruit while the water ripple on the lake. How soothing I had thought to myself, and to be so lucky to have this oppertunity to do so after having a stroke two years ago. It just does not seem possible. Once I had finished eating, I had brushed my teeth before washing the dish's. At 9:00 I then began to stretch. I then preceded to do my swallowing exercise. first a hard swallow, then swallowing done with my tongue between my teeth as I do so. My last exercise was to pucker and smile. At 10:00 I then began to clean the camp. First I had dusted everything, it was not as bad as last week, but I thought why not keep up, so that it does not get out of hand. I tend to lose my balance every now and then, but maintaining my cool is a challenge, I do get frustrated with life now think of the way it use to be, although working ever so hard to get back to way of life once again. I then pulled out the vacuum cleaner. I then preceded to clean the kitchen wiping everything down. We are having company this weekend at camp, so why not. At 12:00 I had stopped and went out into my bunk house to rest. I had done so for two hours before going back into the camp. My mother had arrived, so that must have woken me. Once inside I had some lunch before taking a shower. I then sat down to blog at 4:10. I then sat out on the deck to relax before dinner.

Transportation ahhhhh

I began my Wednesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by taking my medication, I then went back to bed to sleep two hours. HAAAA! I then got up to stretch. At 7:45 I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then started a load of laundry and the dish washer. After doing so I then did my weight exercises. I then made my bed with clean sheets. After taking my shower I then hung the load of laundry to dry. United then soon arrived to take me to therapy for my swallowing at stem cell at C M M C. My transportation scheduled to get me there worked out quite well. I then had Nichole hook me up and I then I did some swallowing. After my appointment It was a disaster. So I had eaten my lunch while waiting. I then called WestSide to see what was going on. Vicky had answered the phone to take care of things for me. I finally arrived at WestSide at 1:45. I had gone to what was left of support group before going downstairs to the gym for P.T. session with Dan. Today Dan had me ride the Nu Step for twenty minutes. I had gone one mile before Dan having me walk on a 2by4 beam side ways. I then went to I pad with Deb. Today we went over my email. We also ordered my new key board to go with my I pad. I then went home. Upon my arrival Dad was there waiting to take me to camp.

SURPRISE

5:30 a.m. that is right, Up and at'em, move it stretch those muscle, loosen those quads. I mean it get out of bed, I mean business there soldier. This is what my life has felt like for the past two years. Has it paid off? I don't know you tell me, you be the judge. Following my blog since my stroke, Have I made progress. Am I doing things I wasn't doing two years ago, you be the judge. I have done my job up until now, working hard every day exercises physiaclly and mentally, speech, and swallowing. Now it is your turn to give my a grade per say. Where do you think I should be in my recovery. You could always comment on my blog entree or just made a free judgement of your own. I know I have worked hard, how hard do you think I have worked. Yes my memory has been effected my mobility and my speech/ swallowing, but I have worked extremly hard to get were I am today. After a cerebral hemerage at the age of six and two stokes I think I have done quite well, but I am still not where I want to be. So I am gooing to keep plugging along hoping for more gaines in my therapy and soon some day I will be back to "NORMAL" Whatever that means. So bare with me in the years to come, of more blog entrees of the same day to day stuff. and wait patiently for that bit of excitement that might be plugged in ever now and then. I just might surprise you one of these days with god knows.