skiing at Lost Valley with Lydia my P.T.

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting up and taking the sheets off my bed. I then brought them to the laundry room and started a load of laundry. After doing so I had sat down to drink my hot cocoa and eat my fruit with fruit dip. I then fixed myself some hot cereal with a piece of toast. Once I had finished eating, I then picked up the kitchen. After doing so I had brushed my teeth before riding for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then hung the laundry to dry. I then went back to my bedroom to make my bed with clean sheets. After doing so I then preceded to do my weight exercises both leg and arm. At 9:45 I then stretched. At 10:00 I then preceded to take my shower and get ready for the rest of the day. At 10:25 just as I was sitting down to have a bite to eat, United Wheelchair arrived to bring me to Lost Valley ski area. Just a little to early. I did not have to be there until 1:00. and it only takes an hour. So I gathered my things the best I could, skis, ski bag and poles. The United driver helped me out the best that he could. I had arrived at Lost Valley an hour early at 12:00. I had spent the time talking with people that I new that also skied there on Friday too. I then began to get ready to ski at 12:45. Lydia my Physical Therapist from West Side had arrived around 1:00 the time I was suppose to begin therapy. We both then continued to get ready to ski. Today we had made Eight runs down the mountain with three ten to fifteen minute breaks by the fire pit. At 3:00 we then stopped for the day. A plus for the day!!! I did not hit my head on the chair lift as it came around to pick us up. The key is bending at the knees getting ready to sit on the chair lift as it comes around to pick you up. We then went inside to get ready to leave. Sheryl from United had arrived at 3:30 to pick me up to take me home. I was so tired, I had slept all the way home. I had arrived home at 4:45. Upon doing so my father had helped me in with my skis and ski bag. I had gone straight to my bedroom to take a shower. I then ate dinner at 5:30. I then sat down to blog at 6:00. Now it is time to go to bed after a hard day of P.T. on the slopes.

A day to rest up

I began my Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my plate of fruit. After doing so, I then had a muffin and a cup of hot cereal. Once I had finished eating, I then preceded to pick up the kitchen and start the dish washer. I then rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I had gone to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. After doing so, I had returned to my bedroom to begin doing my weight exercises. No matter how strong I seem to be getting these days, I am still a little unsteady on my feet. It is like a roller coaster ride on two legs. At 9:35 I then did my stretching routine until 10:00. I then went back to the laundry room to hang the laundry to dry that I had washed. After doing so I had called my grandmother to see how she was doing. At 10:40 I took a quick break to play word trick on my I pad. I had done so for ten minutes before going back out into the kitchen to empty the dish washer. I then took my shower before sitting down to eat my lunch and watch the news. At 12:30 I then went back to my bedroom to lay down to rest. I had done so for an hour before my mother arrived home from work. I then went to Hannaford to do some grocery shopping. We had done so until 3:00 before going home. along the way we had stopped to see my grandmother at the Pierce House. At 3:40 we then had arrived home. still feeling tired, I had returned to my bedroom to rest once again. I had done so until until 5:30 before getting up to go out into the kitchen eat my dinner. I then returned to my bedroom to blog on my new computer. I think I am finally getting the hang of it. Not the blogging part but the steps I need to take to get to the blog so I can post. Living with this brain injury takes a while for me to get use to transitioning from one thing to the next. I was so use to blogging on my I pad now I can say I have it under control. I might hit a few bumps along the way, and might have to returned to the I Pad now and then. But if given the time, I will figure it out!!!

sitting on a t-stool during p.t.

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my fruit while drinking my hot cocoa. After doing so, I then toasted myself an english muffin. Once I had finished eating, I the preceded to do what I do best, exercise. I first strapped on the ankle weights and began to do my leg raises and other leg exercises. After doing so I then rode for thirty minutes. I then preceded to stretch for thirty minutes. At 9:40 I then filled my pill containers for the week ahead. I then received a phone call from my neurologists office. They wanted to set my appointment for a Friday, but there was now way I was going to miss another day of my P.T. session with Lydia at Lost Valley. At 10:00 I then called the pharmacy to order my medication. After doing so I had taken my shower thus getting ready for the day ahead. I then made myself a half of a tuna sandwich to eat for lunch. At 10:55 I then I had brushed my teeth once again before washing some dish's. I then grabbed my knapsack and off to rehab I went. I had arrived to WestSide at 1:00 P.M. I then made my way to the conference room for support group with Deb. During support group Dee Dee, Tinda, Scott, Denise, Camie, Carol, Started the group with Deb and Sam. We first said stay positive. Denise then went around trying to remember out names. She then checked in by saying how she enjoy's horse back riding. Tina then said things are going well and that she has no complaint's. She also mentioned that her sleeping is getting a little better. Dee Dee is questioning if you had to be a member to join the gym at WetSide. I then replied in order to have P.T. you have to be recently brain injured not long term and that there has to be a need. I then showed the group some pictures of me skiing. Scott had mentioned that it will be a year on February 4th since his stroke. He also mentioned how he sold his truck that he loved. He also enjoy's going to swim in the pool every week. Camie working on the quilt she wants to give to her son being made from old t-shirts. Carol going back to work. this Monday for three hours per week in the o.t. department at St. Mary's. At 2:00 I had I had gone downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session. I first did some tandum walking in the hall way. Working on stepping and my balance. I then went back in the gym to sit on a t-platform looking at myself in front of a mirror. I then walkde on the treadmill for twenty minutes with and incline of three at 2.5 m.p.h. At 3:00 I then had I Pad with Deb. She had helped me post pictures of me skiing on face book. Second time since my stroke at Lost Valley. At 4:00 I then left to go home. I had arrived home at 5:00. After getting comfortable I had eaten dinner before sitting down to blog.

Trip to Waterville to see Dr. Kenny

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting to take my shower. Do to my early appointment to the doctors in Waterville, I had skipped my workout. After my shower, I had gone out into the kitchen to eat some fruit and drink some cocoa. After doing so, I then brushed my teeth before leaving at 6:50 for the doctors with my father. Upon our arrival for my 8:15 appointment, I first checked in then Doctor Kenny looked me over. Once my appointment was done, my father and I then went to Govenor's for breakfast. I had french toast, my father had an omlet. At 9:48 we were back on the road to Farmington. We had stopped at the shop at 10:30 so that my father could give me a haircut. We had arrived home at 11:15. I had gone straight to bed thus sleeping until 2:15. Three hours boy I was tired. I then did my weight exercises stretched and rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After doing so I had taken a shower and got myself comfortable for the night. I then called gram before sitting down to blog.

work out day

I began my Monday morning at 5:40 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to have a cup of hot cereal and a slice of toasted cheese bread. Before doing so, I had drank my hot cocoa and ate my fruit with fruit dip. Once my breakfast was finished, I imediatly returned to my bedroom to begin doing my stretching and weight exercises. After doing so, I then took my shower, thus getting ready for the rest of my day. United had arrived at 7:30. I had grabbed my lunch and my duffle bag and out the door I went. We had then gone to pick up Donald along the way. We had arrived at WestSide a little after 9:00. I immediatly went to the gym for my p.t. session with Lydia. She first had me walking on the treadmill for fifteen minutes. I then went in the parallel bars to work on balance exercises, sit to stand balance exercises to be exact. At 10:00 I then went to the conference room for Tai Chi group. Joe had us doing some breathing exercises along with some balance while moving. At 11:00 Scott, Paul, Mary-Ann, Matt, Donald, and I first named off the benefits of Laughter Yoga During the start of the group before going into saying something positive we had done during the week followed by a Yeh with Deb and Florina. We then watch Robert Rivest while laughing along. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with others before leaving to go home with Donald on United. I had arrived home at 2:00. Upon doing so I had gone straight to bed. I had slept until 4:30 before getting up. I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to have a spaghetti dinner with my parents. I then returned to my bedroom to blog.

Resting up for the beginning of the week ahead

I began my Sunday morning at 7:45 a.m. by getting uo to do my weight exercises. After doing so I went out into the kitchen at 8:20 to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit. After doing, I then had my breakfast. At 8:50 I had returned to my bedroom to do my stretching. I then preceded to get ready to go to church. After taking my shower and doing what I had to do, My mother and I had left the house at 10:15. After church we had gone to visit my grandmother at 11:30. My mother had given her communion before sitting down to chat for a bit. We then let my grandmother go to eat her dinner. We had arrived home at 12:20. I had myself a bowl of soup before laying down to rest. I had slept from 1:00-4:00 before getting up. I then called my friend Tim, who as you know also lives with a visual impairment. We talked for an hour. It gives Tim a chance to vent of any frustrations he has had through the week. I then sat down to read some of the newspaper before eating dinner. I then sat down to blog at 6:00. woo he what a weekend.

Attending my cousin Jody's funeral

I began my Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I then had returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for what was going to be a sad day. I would be attending my cousin Jody's funeral. The sad thing is she was only 39 years old. Once I was ready, My parents and I left for Portland. We had arrived at my sisters to pick her up at 9:30. We then stopped at D-N-D to kill some time. We then went to the church at 11:00. After the service, we then left at 1:45. We had arrived at my sisters at 2:10. We had stayed until 3:45 for leaving for home. We had arrived home at 4:45. I then went inside got comfortable, I then sat down to blog.

Day Two on Down Hill Skis

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my fruit. After doing so I then made myself a banana sandwich. At 8:20 I then started a load of laundry before riding the swin air dine for thirty minutes. After doing so I then put the wash in the dryer. I then made my bed thus putting on clean sheets. At 9:10 I then put the laundry in the dryer. I then did my weight exercises. At 9:30 I then stretched. After taking a shower thus getting ready for the day ahead, I had spoke to my father on the telephone, he let me know that he would be home to help me load my skis in the van. At 10:40 I then spoke to my grandmother. After doing so, I had then put my clean laundry away. At 10:45 I then had a bowl of soup for lunch. After brushing my teeth I had put my ski clothing on. At 11:30 United had arrived. My father helped me in the van with my skis and ski bag. I had arrived at Lost Valley at 12:30. My driver helped me out with my skis. I then went into the lodge with my bag. Once in the lodge I saw a relative who gave me a hug. She had let me know that she would be there every Friday. I then got ready to ski. Lydia then brought out ski bags downstairs to store while we skied. She then put her ski boots on. We had made seven runs, taking tow fifteen minute breaks by the fire pit. I did much better with my turns today and controlling my skis. Next week we will be practicing quicker turns and quicker stops. I skied for ninety minutes in a two hour period with two fifteen minute breaks. At 3:00 I then went inside to get ready to go home. United had arrived at 3:30. Lydia then helped me with my skis into the van and I was on my way home. I had arrived home at 4:45. Once things were out of the van I had gone strait to my beroom to take a shower before sitting down to blog.

Getting the staple out of my head

I began my Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my plate of fruit fruit dip. After doing so I then made myself a banana sandwich. Once I had finished eating it was now 9:15. I then gone to my bedroom to begin with my weight exercises. I then stretched. At 10:15 I had gone to the family room to ride for thirty minutes. After my workout, I had called my grandmother at 10:45. We spoke briefly. I then filled my pill containers for the week. After doing so, I then packed some things to take with me in a over night bag to go to my cousins funeral. How sad. Every time I think of Jody, I cry. At 12:00 I then took my shower and got ready for the rest of my day. At 12:30 I then lied down to rest. First I had a cup of soup. My mother had arrived home at 1:30. She and I then went first to drop some things off at my grandmothers. We then went to Wal-Mart at 2:10 to pick up a few things. My mother then took me to the doctors so that I could have the staple taken out my head. The P.A. said it has heeled quite well. I can feel a little scar and I have to put some cream on it for a few days, but other then that, I am as good as new. On the way home we had stopped off at Hannaford so as to pick up a few things. We had arrived home at 3:45. We then unpacked the car. I then went into my bedroom to get comfortable before sitting down to blog.

Luck of The Draw

i began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat my fruit and dip while drinking my hot cocoa. I then had my breakfast. After doing so, I then started the dishwasher I then went to the laundry room after I had brushed my teeth and began a load of laundry. I then rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:15 I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. At 9:35 I then preceded to shave before putting clean laundry away. I then hung a load to dry. At 10:00 I had returned to the kitchen to wash some dish's that were left in the sink before taking my shower and getting ready for the day ahead. At 10:30 I then ate some lunch before unloading the dishwasher and putting the clean dish's away. AT 11:30 United had arrived to bring me to WestSide. Upon my arrival I had gone to the conference room for support group. We started the group by saying, STAY POSITIVE. We then checked in. Scott spoke about his stroke and how it was the luck of the draw. Dee Dee spoke about the weather and how she is keeping busy doing crafts at home. She also spoke about volenteering at the school and exercising at the wellness center. Scott mentioned how he lived in Alaska. He mentioned how he had two dreams the other night. First dream he was shot in the war. Second dream he drowned in the pool. He has a goal of being able to run again after having a stroke. Denise mentioned how she has no horse back riding until the spring. Her sergury on her fingers may be in the spring. Tina mentioned how she slept for five hour for the first time in a long time. Les is anxious to be able to walk and get his hand moving again since having a stroke on 1/13/13. At 2:00 during P.T. Dan first had me ride the Nu Step For twenty minutes. I then worked with Dan and p.t.a. student Tara Side stepping in the hall. I then stood in front of a mirror working on balance. At 3:00 I had I pad time with Deb. Deb help me get things back up and running again word games, E-Mail, and Face Book. At 4:00 Roger from United took me home. Upon my arrival home I had taken a shower before eating some soup for dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog, then I went to bed.

Taking things day by day

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. bright and early as usual. I first took a big stretch, before diving into my closet to get my weights. After doing so, I then strapped my ankle weights on and then began to strengthen those legs to build muscles for skiing. I am so anxious to go this week. Why you ask? Well I missed last week and I am craving a run down the trail. Once I had finished my I then stretched before doing my upper weight exercises. At 6:30 I then took my shower and got ready for the rest of my day. I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After doing so I had brushed my teeth before grabbing my lunch and my knapsack. I had said good-bye to my parents and out the door I went. I had arrived at West Side at 9:00. Deb had greeted me with a hug seeing that I was alright after last weeks fall. I was working with her at the time of the fall. She responded. "YOU SCARED ME TO DEATH TROY!!! I then put my lunch in the refrigerator then went to the conference room for Yoga Group with Michelle. Donald, Jessica, and I exercises doing different types of stretching followed by a relaxation. At 10:00 I had gone downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with Amanda. I first walked twenty minutes on the treadmill walking .765 miles. I then strapped ankle weights on and did leg exercises in the parallel bars. At 11:00 I then went to sit in the lobby for my fifteen minute break and spoke with Pam. She is a parent of a client that attends therapy at West Side. At 11:15 I then meet with my case manager Piper. We spoke about any concerns I had about my therapy and how my head was feeling. We then spoke about how my skiing was going. I then meet with Sally for Nursing. Sally first took my blood pressure 118 over 78. We then reviewed my notes in my I Pad on my pain level each day and where the pain may be. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I then meet with Deb. We continued to work with my I Pad. At 1:00 I then left for home. I had arrived home at  2:15 going straight to my bedroom and going straight to bed. I had slept until 4:40 before getting up to take a shower. I then went out in the kitchen to have some corn chowder for dinner. At 5:25 I then called my sister to give me the steps on how to go about blogging on my new lap top she gave me for Christmas. I then sat down to blog.

Catching up my blog.

Saturday 1/18/14
I began my Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. by putting some clean laundry away. I then went out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and some fruit and fruit dip. My mother then made French Breakfast Puffs for breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before cleaning out my laundry basket I had stored some odds and ends in as I was cleaning out some drawers in my desk. My mother had then let me know that the staples in my head with be coming out this Thursday, Just in time to get back to skiing Friday. At 10:30 I then rode for thirty minutes After doing so I had returned to my bedroom to begin doing my weight exercises. At 12:00 I then lied down to rest. I had slept three hours before getting up at 3:00 to go out into the kitchen to visit with my parents and our friend Jim. I then had a bowl of soup before taking a shower at 3:20. At 4:00 I then returned to my bedroom to rest for an hour in my recliner. At 5:00 I then went back out into the kitchen to eat dinner.

Sunday 1/19?14
My Sunday morning began at 7:30 a.m. by going out to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I then returned to my bedroom at 8:00 to do my upper stretching and weight exercises. I then stretched my lower body before taking my shower. I then got ready to go to church. At 10:00 I had left for Mass with my mother. The priest had asked me to do the readings again today, I finally responded, "No." I felt bad to but I really do not feel comfortable reading in front of everyone. Problem being is I tend to lose my place from time to time do to my vision. After Church we then went to visit my grandmother. We then returned to home at 12:00. I then had a bowl of soup before laying down to rest. At 12:30 I was then in bed to rest. I had slept until 4:00 to watch the Patriots football game. I then had dinner at 5:30 before going to bed to watch more football.

Monday 1/20/14
I began my day this Monday morning at 8:30 by drinking my hot cocoa and eating some fruit and fruit dip. I then had some cinnamon on toast. I then returned to my bedroom to to brush my teeth before beginning in with my weights exercises. At 9:45 I then stretched until 10:15. I then filled my Pill containers for the week. At 1:30 I then called my sister to have her help me get onto my blog. I then caught up on the blog. for the past few days. After doing so, I took it easy for the rest of the day.

Out shopping.

 i began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the ktichen to eat my plate of fruit and fruit dip. along with my hot cocao. After doing i had a bowl of cereal and english muffin. i had returned to my bedroom at 8:30 so as brush my teeth before going ahead with the rest of the day. i then returned to the kitche to start the dishwasher and pick up the kitchen. At 8:40 i had gone to the laundry room to see what trouble i could stir up. After starting a load of laundry. i then returned to my bathroom to fill up my empty pill containers for the week. At 9:00 i then changed the sheets on my bed. After doing so i had dusted the furniture. At 9:45 i then hung the laundry to dry. At 10:00 my mother had called to let me know that she would be picking me up at 1:20 to go to Wal-Mart and shop-N-save. When i go to Wal-Mart i am going to have my camera checked, and that i did. At 10:05 i then started another load of laundry. After doing so, i had returned to my bedroom to stretch. With this staple in my head, i was told to take it easy for a couple of  days. At 10:40 i then emptied the dishwasher and put the dish" s away. At 11:00 i hung a load of laundry to dry. i then had a bite to eat before laying down to rest at for fourty-five minutes. i then got up to take a shower at 12:30. After doing so i had sat down to watch some news while waiting for my mother to pick me up. At 1:00  we had first gone to hanatord to grovery shop. We then went to wal-mart to pick up a few things. We arrived home at 3:40. After unpacking the car, i had gone to my bedroom to blog before dinner.

Laying low for the day

i began my Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen. Even thought i had the day off  i still preceded to get out of bed a little earlier then usual. i then went out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocao and eat my fruit with dip. My mother had the day off from work so she had made me some french toast. Once i had finished eating my breakfast, i was feeling a little more tired then usual do to yesturdays mishap, WHO WOLD NOT. so  i went back to bed. i had slept from 8:30-12:00 before gettiing up. i was still full from breakfast so i got into the freezer and had a popcycle. something cool felt good. At 12:20 i then called my grandmother to talk. i had not done so since the incident yesturday. At 1:30 i sat down in my recliner in my bedroom to rest. For some reason i was extra tired today.  Hmmmm i can't immagine why? i had slept in my chair until 3:15. i then got up and went out into the kitchen to eat some soup for dinner.  i then took my shower, thus washing my head ever so gently so as not to disturb the staple in my head. i still had blood in my hair that had to come out. After my shower i had sat down at my computer to blog. 

Stitches ???

i began my wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting up and going out into the kitchen to make myself a banana sandwich for breakfast. things going well so far. i had finished eating at 8:00. i had brushed my teeth before beginning in with my weights and stretching exercises. Things still a.o.k. it was now 9:30 i had jumped on the bike for thirty minutes. i then took my shower and got ready for the day ahead. After doing so my sister had called to see how my skiing went last week. Once word, ausum!!! After eating my lunch Larry from united had arrived to bring me to westside. i had arrived at 1:00. went right into support group. "stay positive" Denise then said everyones name. Tina, dee dee, scott, les, camie, denise, and i then checked in with deb, sam, and. i spoke about my skiing for the first time last friday. scott spoke about how he has a hard time putting gloves on after his stroke. He would like to be able to run again. also would like to sing again. Les had a rotten night last night. has a doctors appoitment to have his stomach checked. Camie doing well, working on resumes now that she had graduated. Tina slept through support group. she only got ten minutes sleep last night. Denise mentioned she has no horse back riding this week. her dog is well. Dee Dee doing fine. received phone call. she can get in free at the wellness center in her town. "stay possitive!" At 2:00 i then had a p.t. session with Dan. i first rode bike for twenty minutes at level four. i then used the ramp did some squats. i then did some side stepping on the ramp and on 2by4. i then stepped from cuission to 2 by 4 and back. At 3:00 i had gone into sally's office to meet with deb for my i pad session. before the we had started i was in sally's office and lost my balance and bumped my head on the cupboard on the wall, it started to bleed. i was then rushed to CMMC by ambulance. upon my arrival i checked in and was brought to my space in the emergency room. They first put some cream on the area of my head where it was bleeding. i then had to wait until it was nummed. The doctor then put a staple in to prevent it from bleeding any more. There is always the first time for everything.  i now have a staple in my head for a week. My father had drove to Lewiston from Farmington to pick me up at the hospital. i then waited for them to write up what i can do and cant do. No skiing this week. bummer. Already i have missed a day. Deb had called sally the nurse at westside. so i had received a call from sally while in the hospital. i explained to her what had happened letting her know about the staple and the C.A.T. scan i had. Which came back o.k. by the way. i was worried because the last time i banged my head i got a concussion and stroke a month later. Once i had checked out and signed papers my father took me home. We arrived home at 6:45. i had a bite to eat took a shower and went to bed. 

Walking on an eight inch incline during P.T.

i began my Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises with my arms. i then preceded to stretch. before doing my leg exercises with the weights. i am so glad i never gave up!!! At 6:15 i then took my shower and got ready before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 7:00 i had returned to my bedroom to polish my teeth before paking my napsack. At 7:30 united had arrived to take me to Westside. i had arrived at 9:00 a.m. thus goint to the conference room for yoga group. david, donald, and i first exercised with Michelle we then did some relaxation in corps pose. At 10:00 i then made my way to the gym for my P.T.session with Amanda. i had first walked for thirty minutes on the treadmil at 2.7 miles per hour, but with an incline of 5.0. i had gone 1.411 miles.  Amanda then had me walking on a eight inch incline stepping forward and back and side to side. At 11:00 i then had a fifteen minute break before my session with Piper my case manager at 11:15. We spoke about my skiing last Friday and other important things like my service plan which she then had me sign. At 12:00 i then wet to the dining area to eat my lunch. At 12:30 i then met with Deb. After going over some things with my ipad, i then went home. i had arrived home at 2:00 thus going straight to bed. i had slept until 5:00 before getting up to take a shower. i then went out into the kitchen to have home made turkey soup for dinner. i then returned to my bedroom to blog before calling it a day. 

HA HA HA

i began my monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by gettin up to do my weight and stretching exercsises.  i then went to the kitchen to eat an omlet whitch my father had prepaired for me. After doing so i had preceded to get ready for my day ahead. i then grabbed my things and off to therapy i went. i had arrived a little this morning and average Monday thus missing half of my p.t session with Lydia. i was able to get in a fifteen minute walk on the treadmill at 2.2 m.p.h. going .5 miles. at an incline of five.  then i  did wall squats three holding each one for thirty seconds and two holing each one for twenty seconds. At 10:00 i then went to the conference room for Tai Chi group. Today we focussed on breathig in and out while exercising. At 11:00 i then had laughter therapy. We first named some benefits of laughter. Helps with asthma patients. Paul, Mat, Donald, scott, and i then laughed with Robert Riverse. with Deb and Flourina. we then watched kids say the darndist things. i then went to the dining area to eat my lunch before going home. i had arrived home at 2:20 thus going streaight to bed.  i had slept til 4:45.  i then had dinner before sitting down to blog. 

speaking to the priest in church

i began my sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. First arm and then my legs. After doing so i then preceded with my stretching. As i was doing i could not help but think of my Friday afternoon skiing with Lydia, my P.T. Oh what a time  i did have. i can not wait until next Friday when we do it all over again. Once i had finished with my workout, i then went out into the kitchen. i had first washed some dish's while drinking my hot cocoa. i then sat down to eat my breakfast. Once i had done so i had taken my shower and continued to get ready to go to church. At 10:00 my father then brought to me to church. As i was sitting in church the priest had come up to and asked, "where is your mother?" i preceded to let him know that she visiting my sister in scarbourough. My father had picked me up after mass, and took me home. i had arrived home at 11:30. After eating a bowl of soup for lunch, i had washed some dish's, brushed my perly whites, i then lied down to rest. i had slept from 12:15-3:30, still feeling beet from skiing Friday. i then showed mon some pictures of me skiing. before dinner.

Big Game Tonight

i began my saturday at 7:00 a.m. by goig out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocao and eat my fruit.  i then changed into my workout clothing to start exercising. i first rode for thirty minutes. At 8:00 i then washed the dish's in the sink before siting down to eat my breakfast. After doing so,  then washed more dish's before i brushed my perly whites. After doing so i have given grandma a call. We spoke briefly, i then turned to my weight workout, legs and arms. At 9:10 i then began to stretch. i new all this exercise would pay off some day. it has and will pay off again for other physical related goals i have for myself. After my workout, i then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of my day. At 10:30  i then spoke to a friend on the telephone. At 11:30 my grandmother called me to talk.  then made myself a grilled peanutbutter and jelly sandwhich. i then polished my teeth, i then lied down to rest. After sleeping from 12:15-3:15 still feeling tired from yessturday's ski adventure i got up to speak to my father. We then had dinner together. Once we had finished eating we then got ready to watched the Patriots game.

Back on skis for the first time since my stroke, Yahoo!!!

I began my Friday morning at 8:00. by going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. As I was sitting there eating a banana sandwich, I had my mind preoccupied on the rest of my day. because in five hours from the time I got up this morning, I would be at Lost Valley skiing for the first time since my last race at Sunday River, in which I received a concussion. Once I had finished eating Despite the day I had ahead of me, I still did my work before leaving the house. At 8:30 I had begun to pick up the kitchen washing dish's, then starting the dishwasher. I then returned to my bedroom to change my bed, thus putting on clean sheets, becoming more and more excited by the minute to get back on the mountain. After starting a load of laundry, I had returned to my bedroom to beging my workout. First with my weights and then my stretching. After doing so I then preceded to hang a load of laundry to dry. At 9:40 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of the day. Once I was ready, I then sat down to fill my pill containers for the week ahead. At 10:45 I then went back out into the kitchen to empty the dishwasher and put the dish's away. At 11:30 United had arrived. The driver had helped me load my skis and my ski bag in the van. The grin on my face was a mile wide. I could not believe it. The time has finally come. All that hard work has finally paid off. After attempting to run last summer I was not so sure how my day on the slopes would turn out. I had arrived at Lost Valley at 12:45. Upon doing, I had met my physical therapist Lydia there. She then helped me in with my ski bag and to put my skis on the ski rack outside. I then sat down to put on my boots as Lydia went to get our tickets. We had made about four runs before our time had expired. I was amazed at how well I did. I had kept up with Lydia and at a good clip too. We had done wide turns as we were skiing traversing across the mountain. Amazingly enough I was using normal ski poles. I had built up enough muscle in my legs so as not to have to use outriggers. After about four runs my legs were getting tired. As I had come to a stop, plop down I went, Oh well, I guess I earned that one. I have to say, I am yet to wipe that grin off my face. At 2:30 United had picked me up. We then went to WestSide to pick up Donald. We then went home. Luckily the driver took me home first. I had slept all the way home. At 4:30 I was finally inside taking my shower. After doing so my father had made me a grilled cheese and a hot bowl of soup. Ah, warmth. Once I had finished eating, Still with that grin on my face, went to my bedroom to blog, so as to share with all of you the progress I continue to make on this train ride towards recovery.

Dreaming of the big day

I began Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. I thought I would go out into the kitchen to nourish my body with a bowl of cereal and a toasted english muffin. While eating my fruit and drinking my hot cocoa. Once I had finished eating, I then, I had began to exercise. I first rode for thirty minutes. After doing so I had returned to my bedroom to stretch and build those muscles. Very important for I go to put those down hill skis on tomorrow for the first time since my stroke. I am so excited. It has been a long road but I am half way there. Now the fun part begins doing the things I use to do and love. At 10:00 I then put my clean laundry away. At 10:20 I then lied down to rest. For some reason I seem to be more tired then usual this morning. I had slept for two hours before getting up to eat my lunch. After a bowl of soup, believe it or not I had gone back to bed. I need all the rest I can get before the big day tomorrow. I had slept another two and one-half hours before getting up to take my shower. I then sat down to type my blog before eating dinner.

First blog entree using my new computer

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen. I always wait for my parents to leave for work, just to make things a little easier. I had first sat down to eat my fruit and drink my hot cocoa. After doing so, I then made myself a banana sandwich. Once I had finished eating, I had picked up the kitchen before starting the dishwasher. At 8:40 I then returned to my bedroom to begin with my exercises. I had first Strapped on the ankle weights to do my leg exercises. After doing so, I then preceded to work out with my upper body. At I had continued with my workout by doing my stretching routine. At 9:30 I then hung the laundry to dry. After doing so I then had cycled for ten minutes. I then returned to my bedroom to pack my nap sack to bring to WestSide. I then took my shower. At 10:30 I then sat down to have a cup of soup. I then brought my things to the door. I then picked up the kitchen before leaving to go to WestSide At 11:30. Upon my arrival, I had gone straight to the conference room for support group. Dee Dee,Tina, Camie, Les, Sam, Deb, and I Started the group off by saying with our hands in the center of the table, "STAY POSITIVE!" We then checked in. Les, Things going well, Spent Christmas with nieces and nephews. Les had been walking during P.T. I then spoke about how I will be skiing for the first this Friday at Lost Valley since my stroke. I then spoke about my new computer I received for Christmas. We then had a discussion about I pads and I pods. Clients in the group were curious as to what I was using. My I pad. We then spoke about technology and what the I pad can do for you if you owned one. We also spoke about the options you have with the different types of tablets that are out there. Dee Dee then checked in, saying she is feeling very tense. She has an appointment next week to see if she has a chance of having cancer. Thinking about it is making her feel stressed. Not knowing is holding her back from moving forward with her life. Tina then checked in letting us know that everything is going well for her. Once of the speech therapist at WestSide is going to help Tina get her G.E.D. Tina then wants to do what it takes to get her liscence back. Denise had a nice Christmas, Making a seperate visit with each of her children. Camie is heading in the right direction. She is not feeling stressed out now that she has finished college. We then ended the group, "STAY POSITIVE!" 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 four. He then had me out in the hall doing side lunges. He then had me doing some step exercises on the ramp. A new device for the P.T. department. At 3:00 during my I pad session with Deb I learned how to type my blog on my new computer, which I am doing right now for the first time ever. She also showed me how open and close window screens. At four Roger from United then took me home. I had arrived home at 5:15 thus taking my shower before eating dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog on my new computer. Thank You Barbara!!!

Going over my medical notes with Sally the nurse

i began my Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises, leg and arm. Which at this point in my therapy is very crucial. building up muscles so as to help in my skiing. Which by the way will be my first day since my stroke this Friday. After i had stretched, i then took my shower and got myself ready for the day ahead. At 7:30 united had arrived to bring me to westside. we ha picked up Donald along the way. After doing so we had arrived to Westside at 9:15. we were only fifteen minutes late today. Donald and i made our way into the conference room for yoga group with John and Carol. Don, David, Jes, and i started by listening to calm and relaxing music. The key to this was to helps us relax more while stretching . some of the stretch's we did were childs pose and other stretch's. At 10:00 i then made my way down to the gym for my P.T. session with Amanda. i first walked on the treadmill for thirty minutes going 1.249 miles. After doing so, i then did wall squats. After doing two sets or five, holking each one for thirty seconds a piece i then rested. At 11:00 i then had a fifteen minute break. i then took a shower before going on with the rest of my day. At 11:15 i had meet with my case manager Piper. At 11:30 i then had my nursing session with sally. Today we went over my weekly notes that i keep in my i pad of a medical isues that i have during the week that might have to be addressed. We then wrote a note for my neurologist to read when i meet with her. sally then took my blood pressure reading. 122 over 78. i then went to eat my lunch in the dining area at 12:00. At 12:30 i then meet with Deb for a support session. Today Deb showed me her blog, the she showed me how to check mine for how many people actually read my blog every day. she also showed me how to check the comments people make. At 1:00 i then left to go home. it had taken me two hours. After dropping Donald off and the road conditions. i then went straight to bed and slept until 5:00.  i then got up and went into the kitchen to eat my dinner. At 5:30 i then blogged. 

A DAY AT HOME DO TO BAD WEATHER

my monday morning did not start off all that well. Oh, i was able to get my stretching and weight  exercises in o.k. up at 4:30 a.m. so of course i should have given myself enought time. i then took my shower thus getting before going into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Oh that went o.k. too. i then packed my napsack before polishing up my teeth. Then came my dilema, Do i go to Westside or not. Our driveway was covered in ice. it had been raining all night and the temperature was right at the freezing mark. i never like to cancel. i have not made it to Westside on time on a Monday morning in three weeks do to the weather. thus missing my P.T. session. Oh, how i hate to miss P.T. anythig but P.T. At 7:00 i then made the decision to pick up the telephone to call united and cancel.  i then watched the news because it was to early to call westside. At 8:30 i then called westside to let them know i would not be in today. i then went back to bed. i had slept and rested until 12:45 before getting up. i then went into the kitchen to have some lunch. After doing so i had brushed my purly whites before speaking to a friend on the phnoe. At 2:00 i had taken a shower before sitting down to blog. 

Having dinner with my father and some friends

i began my sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. to do my stretching and my upper weight exercises. i had not time to do any more. i then went out into the kitchen to eat my fruit and drink my hot cocoa. After doing so, i then had some pancakes for breakfast that had been already made from the other morning. At 8:45 i then went back to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for the day ahead. At 9:45 i then sat down to read the newspaper while waiting to go with my father. At 10:15 my father and i then left for Lewiston. Along the way we meet our friend Jim at the cross roads to in livermore so that he could come along with us for the day. We then continued on our way. At 12:15 we arrived at Odd Fellows to pick up my friend Greg so that he tow come tag along. At 12:30 we then meet my sister to give her dog Pepper back. We then went Gippers for lunch. Greg, Jim, Dad, and i. Once we had finished eating we had brought Greg home. Jim, Dad, and i then continued on our way home. We finally arrived home at 3:30. i then went straight to bed. After sleeping for two hours, i had put on some comfortabe night ware before siiting down to blog.

keeping busy but making time to rest

i began my saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit with fruit dip. After doing so, i had folded some dry laundry and then put it away while my mother was makeing pancakes. i then went upstairs to eat at 10:15. Once i had finished eating i then hunch some laundry to dry. At 11:00 while i was in the family room i had rode the bike for thirty minutes. After doing so i had returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. After doing so i had continued with my stretching. Legs, arms, ankles, wrists, ect. At 12:15 i then hung another load of laundry to dry. i then returned to my bedroom at 12:30 to lay down to rest. i  had slept until 3:00 before getting up to eat a small lunch. i then took my shower before sitting down to watch a movie. i then ate dinner with my parents before sitting down to blog.

COOOOOOOOOLD

My Friday morning  began this day at 8:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my fruit. i then had a bowl of cereal with a toasted english muffin. Once i had nourished my body i then went back to my bedroom to change the sheets on my bed. At 9:30 i then rode the exercises bike for thirty minutes. i then made my way back up to thekitchen to start the dishwasher. i then found myself in my bedroom doing my weight exercises. At 10:30 i then stretched. i have been doing theses ankle exercises, "HOW Discouraging!"  At a 11:00 i then spoke to a friend on the telephone briefly before speakig to my grandmother. At 11:30 i then ate some lunch before emptying the dishwasher thus putting the dish's away. i would have shoveled the deck, but it was so cold outside i would have froze in my step. At 12:20 i lied down to rest and i slept until 3:30. i then spoke to a friend briefly before takinig my shower. i then sat down to blog.

keeping myself hydrated

i began my Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. by making myself  a banana sandwhich for breakfast. Once i had finished eating, i then rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes. At 9:00 i had returned to my bedroom to strap my ankle weights on and do my leg exercises. After doing my arm exercises, i had shoveled more snow off the deck. i then did my stretching exercises before speaking to father on the phone.  i then spoke to my grandmother. i then filled my water bottle with ice before filling up. Once i had returned to my bedroom i had sat down at my desk to fill my weekly pill containers for the week. As i was doing so i found that it was time to refill my prescriptions. At 11:30 i then went out into the kitchen to eat my lunch. i then filled my water bottle again with ice before going back to my bedroom to rest. i had slept from 12:00-3:00 before going out into the kitchen to eat a salad my mother had made for me when she arrived home from work. After doing so, i had taken my shower. At 3:40 i had put some clean laundry away before sitting down to blog. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

i began my New Years Day at 6:00 a.m. this morning by getting up to stretch my muscles. i then preceded to do my weight exercises while sipping on my hot cocoa. At 8:00 i then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to to eat my breakfast. after doing so, i then polished my teeth before going to church. before mass my mother and i were sitting there and the priest came up to speak to me. After mass my mother and i went to the Pierce house to visit my grandmother. We had a little extra time with grandma today because church was let out a little earlier then on a regular sunday mass. We finally arrived home at 12:15. upon doing so, i had a bite to eat before laying down to rest. i had slept for three hours and i did not even bring in the new year last night. i then went out into the kitchen at 3:20 to have some odderves with my parents before talking to a friend on the phone. i then play a game of cards with my mother. At 5:00 i then ate dinner before going to my room to blog.