Last day skiing for the season, can not wait until next season!!!

I began my Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. by drinking my hot cocoa, eating some fruit and reading the paper. After doing so I had toasted an english muffin to go along with my bowl of cereal. At 8:30 I then brushed my teeth before making my bed. I then stretched. I held off on my weight exercises to save my energy for skiing today at Lost Valley. Being my last day, I thought I would try to make it a good one. At 9:15 I then put some clean laundry away. After doing so, I then took my shower, thus getting ready. At 9:55 I then started a load of laundry. I then sat down to fill my pill cases for the week. After doing so I then sat down to have a bowl of soup before leaving. At 10:30 I then brought my ski bag to the door. I then polished my teeth one more time. At 10:40 I then hung the laundry to dry, before United Wheelchair arrived. I had arrived to lost valley at 11:30, thus meeting my P.T. Lydia there. I then went into the lodge to get ready. Lydia then brought our bags downstairs. Lydia and I then went out and put our skis on. After making seven runs with a couple rest breaks in between. My endurance seems to be better today, needing less breaks. At 3:30 United arrived to bring me home. I had arrived home at 4:45. Once inside I had a cup of hot cocoa to warm up. I then took a shower before dinner. Once I had finished I had brushed my teeth before sitting down to blog.

fighting a migrane, I think

I began my Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. by getting up to go out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit and fruit dip. I then had a banana sandwich. After doing so I had brushed my teeth before going back to bed. I new this was a bad sign to how I would feel for the rest of the day. I had slept until 10:00 before getting up. I then put on my workout clothing before riding for thirty minutes. I then returned to my bedroom to change the sheets on my bed. At 10:40 I then did my leg exercises with my ankle weights strapped on. At 10:50 I then did my upper weight exercises. At 11:00 I then hung laundry to dry. I then started another load. At this point my head pain had worsened. I then started to feel sick. The concussion I had received in the ski accident I was in before my stroke has been effecting me in many ways recently. from headaches to nausea ect. I then continued to stretch as the sick feeling would come and go. At 11:50 I had hung another load to dry. At 11:55 I had done my foot, toe, and ankle exercises. At 12:00 I then had a bowl so soup before taking my shower at 12:30. At 1:00 I then lied down to rest. I had slept for two hours before speaking to my grandmother on the telephone. I then spoke to a friend before sitting down to eat dinner. At this point I had still felt sick. Once I had eaten, I had taken some tylonol which finally got rid of the sick feeling and nausea after a while. I then sat down to blog before going to bed.

Working with Seth and Tara during P.T.

I began my Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my plate of fruit. I then had a bowl of chereo's and a toasted english muffin with peanut butter and honey. At 8:30 I then started the dishwasher before riding for thirty minutes. Once I had finished eating, I then preceded to put all of the dish's in the dishwasher. I then started it. At 9:00 I then went to my bedroom to do my leg exercises. I then brushed my teeth. after doing so, I then focussed on my upper body. At 9:30 I then began to stretch. I then packed my knapsack before taking my shower at 10:00. At 10:20 I then started a wash. Once I had done so, I had emptied the dishwasher, thus putting the dish's away. At 10:45 I then had a bowl of soup for lunch. Once I had picked the kitchen up, before hanging the laundry to dry. United had arrived shortly afterwards to transport me to WestSide. Upon my arrival to WestSide I had gone to the conference room for support group. After an hours worth of sharing and letting others know our week went I had made my way down to the gym for P.T. Today the P.T student seth and the p.t.a. student Tara worked with me in the gym. They first had me walking on the treadmill for twenty minutes. After walking 1.066 miles, they had me doing exercises on the matt. Raising one arm and one leg at the same time. They then had me doing lunges backward and forward on the errex cuission. At 3:00 I then took a shower before I pad with Deb. Today we tried to connect the I pad to the internet. Roger then took me home. I had arrived home at 5:00. Upon doing so I had eaten my dinner before sitting down to blog. I then got comfortable for the night before speaking to my grandmother on the telephone.

Forgetting about pain during yoga

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to start stretching. After doing I pulled my weights from my closet. I first strapped the ankle weights on and began to do my leg exercises. After doing so, I then preceded to do my arm exercises. At 5:45, I had gone out into the kitchen to eat some fuit with fruit dip. I then had a bowl of hot cereal and and toasted english muffin. Once I had finished eating I then took my shower thus getting ready far the rest of my day. I then did my toe exercises trying to grasp marbles thus picking them up with my toes. Once I had done so I continued to get ready. I then grabbed my things and went to the door to wait for United to arrive. I had soon arrived to WestSide for 9:00 a.m. With no time to waste, I had made my way to the conference room with my bags and all for Yoga Group with Michelle and Carol. During group today Donald, David, Sheryl, and I focused on other things like making a fist to forget pain we might be having in our body. At 10:00 I then made my way down to the gym for my P.T. session with Seth the P.T. student. He first had me walk twenty-five minutes on the treadmill. I had walked 1.118 miles before Seth had me side stepping up and down different levels of steps. I then stood with feet close together. He then tapped me, trying to make me lose my balance. At 11:00 I then had a thirty minute break. enough time for me to take a shower and get ready for the rest of my day. At 11:30, I then had my nursing session with Sally. She first took my blood pressure. 132 over 78. We then reviewed the letter Sally had written before she faxed it to my Neurologist Dr. Selvitelli. At noon, I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch with other clients. After doing so I returned to the lobby to wait for my next therapy. At 12:30 I had met with Deb for my support session. She and I spent the thirty minutes working on deleting e-mail. At 1:00 I then met with my case manager Piper. We spoke about how my head aches have been and how things are going in general. We also spoke about my therapy at WestSide. At 1:15 United then took Donald and I home. I had arrived home at 2:30, Thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 5:10 before getting up to eat my dinner. After doing so, I had returned to my bedroom to blog.

My daily workout, I thought it would never end.

I began my monday morning at 4:30 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching. I had ended my stretching with my ankle and foot exercises. At 5:00 I then began to do my weight exercises. Something I should not have done, knowing the day I had ahead of at rehab. Once I had finished my weight exercises I had taken my shower before leaving my bedroom. At 6:10 I then made my way out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished eating I then continued to get ready for the day ahead. I then grabbed my lunch and my duffle bag and was soon on my way on United Wheelchair. We first had to pick up Donald before arriving at WestSide for 9:00 a.m. I then made my way down to the gym. Lydia had put my lunch in the refrigerator for me while I got ready for our P.T. session. Lydia first had me walking on the treadmill for thirty minutes. I then took abrief break before doing some wall squats. Lydia then get me some water before I moved on to my next therapy. Which happened to be in the conference room. Today we worked on doing the exercises with our mind. more so then physical. We also focussed on breathing. This always seem to be a challenge for me. At 11:00 I then went to laughter therapy. Today Deb and Flourina had Donald, Mat, Alisa, and I watching a video with Robert Riverse Laughing and breathing with him. We then focussed on the laughter game we are making. At 12:00 I then went down to the kitchen to eat my lunch with others. At 1:00 United then took Donald and I home. I had arrived home at 2:30. Once inside I had gone straight to bed and slept until 5:00. I then went out into the kitchen to eat dinner before taking my shower. I then sat down to blog before going back to bed at 6:30. What a day.

Meeting Dan for the first time

My Sunday morning began by drinking my hot cocoa and eating my plate of fruit. I then had a bowl of cereal with some strawberry's. I then returned to my bathroom to get ready for the rest of my day. Once I had showered and shaved and brushed my teeth, I was off t Auburn with my father to meet my sister to bring her dog Pepper back to her. At 11:00 we had stopped at Odd Fellows to pick up my friend Greg to take him out to lunch. At 11:15 we had met my sister Barbara and her friend Dan to give them Pepper. After meeting Dan, Dad, Greg and I then went to the Grid Iron for lunch at 12:30. The three of us ordered fish and chips for lunch. Once we had finished eating we had brought Greg back to Odd Fellow's. We had left Odd Fellow's at At 1:50. Along the way we sopped at Khole's to do some looking around. At 2:30 we then left for home. We had arrived home at 4:00. Upon doing so, I had taken a shower before sitting down to blog.

Going to church on a Saturday night

I began my Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. Sleeping in a few extra hours felt good this morning. Once I was on my feet, I went out into the kitchen. My mother had made me scrambled eggs and cinnamin buns for breakfast. Once I had my fair share, I had returned to my bathroom to brush my teeth before beginning with my exercise routine. I first rode the exercise bike for thirty minutes. While I was in the family room I had folded some dry laundry. After doing so I then returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercise routine. First my legs then my arms. At 12:00 I then stretched I then put some laundry away before laying down to rest. I had slept for an hour before getting up to go out into the kitchen to eat my lunch. After doing so, I had returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready to go to church. At 2:30 my mother and I had left for Jay to go to the 4:00 P.M. mass. Along the we way we had stopped at Hannaford at 2:35 so that I could pick up some medication. We then continued on to Jay, thus making another stop to put gas in the car. That arrived us there at 3:45. After Church had let out, we then went home. Along the way we had stopped at the Pierce House so that my mother could give my grandmother communion. We stayed to visit briefly before going home. We had arrived home at 5:40. I then got myself comfortable before sitting down to blog before dinner.

A TWO HOUR P.T. SESSION IN THE GYM

I began my Friday morning at 7:45 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my plate of fruit. I then had toasted myself an english muffin and and made myself a bowl of hot cereal. Once I had finished eating, I then had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth and shave before strapping on my ankle weights to do my leg exercises. I then preceded with my arm weights. at 8:35 I then began to stretch. which now takes me thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then made my was to the cycling stage of my workout. At 9:00 I then went to the laundry room while I was downstairs to start a load of laundry. At 9:45 I had returned to my bedroom to put some clean laundry away that was outside my bedroom door. After doing so I had taken my shower thus getting ready for what ever this day was going to bring. The plan is to ski, but with the weather the way it was, "RAIN!!!" who knows what I will be doing. I then called United Wheelchair to make sure that they were still picking me up. At 10:30 I then spoke to my P.T. at Westside, Lydia to make sure things were still on for today. The answer was, "YES!" I then spoke to Mindy the receptionist to see about transportation. They had cancelled to go to Lost Valley. Now that things were in place, I then gathered my things I pad, snow shoes, and gm clothing. At 10:55 I then hung a load of laundry to dry. At 11:30 United had arrived to bring me to WestSide. I had arrived there for 1:00 p.m. I first went in making my way to the gym to let Lydia know that I was here. I then set my things in the gym and we then went outside to snow shoe for twenty minutes. We then went back into the gym to walk for twenty minutes on the treadmill I had gone .8 miles. I then took a brief break before getting on a mat on my hands and knees raising my opposite leg with opposite arm. Lydia then had me sitting on a t-stool working on my balance. As I was doing so she had me raising my arms in every direction. Lydia then had me walking over cones taping each one with my foot as I pressed on. I then rested a bit before the p.t.a. student Tara took over. she had me with my stomach on a big therapy ball raising my legs and arms trying to balance as I was doing so. I then left for home at 3:00. I had arrived home at 4:30. Upon doing so, I had taken my shower before sitting down to blog. Then, DINNER!!!

What, no nap? No time to rest!!!

I began my Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. by taking the sheets off of my bed. I then brought them to the laundry room, along with some other dirty laundry I had in my laundry basket. I then went to the kitchen to eat my fruit and drink my hot cocoa. After doing so I then had a bowl of cereal with banana and half of a toasted english muffin. Once I had finished eating I then had retured to my bedroom to bush my teeth. At 8:35 i then went back out into the kitchen to wash some dish's and pick things up, wiping down the cupboard. Once things were tidy I started the dishwasher. At 8:45 I then returned to my bedroom to put clean sheets on my bed, thus making it. After doing so, I then put some clean laundry away my mother had set outside my door. At 9:00 I had returned to the laundry room to hang the laundry I had washed to dry. After doing so I had rode the bike for thirty minutes. At 9:45 I then returned to my bedroom to do lower and upper weight exercises. At 10:10 I then stretched. After doing so I had gone out onto the deck to shovel on the snow. After doing, so I had swept it as it was melting. At 11:00 I had gone back inside to empty the dish washer and put the dish's away. At 11:15 I then went out onto the deck that is off my bedroom to shovel. It had snow on it from the past two storms. I then did my ankel exercises. At 11:30 I then returned to the laundry room to start yet another load of laundry. After doing so, I had taken my shower. At 12:00 I then called the pharmacy to order some medication. After doing so, I had hung another load of laundry to dry. I then sat down to watch some news while waiting for my mother to arrive home from work. She had picked my grandmother up at the pierce House along the way. We then went to Wal-Mart to do some shopping. I had to pick up few things. We had left Wal-Mart at 2:30. We then stopped off at Hannaford so that I could pick up some medication. My mother had picked up a few food items too. We had left Hannaford at 3:10 to bring my grandmother back to the Pierce House. We then arrived home at 3:30. Once we had the groceries inside I had got myself comfortable before speaking to a friend. I then sat down to eat at 4:30. Once I had finished, I had returned to my laptop to blog.

Putting my face book friends into groups

I began my Wednesday morning at 7:45 a..m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit with fruit dip. After doing so I then toasted an english muffin and put peanut butter and honey on it. mm mm. Once I had finished eating I had brushed my teeth and made my bed before starting a load of laundry. At 8:30 I then cycled for twenty minutes before returning to my bedroom to do my leg exercises with ankle weights strapped on. At 9:00 I then preceded to stretch. At 9:15 I then returned to the kitchen to wash some dish's. I then hung the laundry to dry. At 9:20 my mother had called from work to let me know not to do a laundry, to late it was already done. She just worry's that I would get to tired before going to therapy. At 10:20 I then took my knapsack to the door. I then hung another load to dry. At 11:30 United had arrived to transport me to WestSide. Upon my arrival for 1:00, I had gone to the conference room for support group. Today Tina, Denise, Camie, Scott, and I, Shared our weekly thoughts with Deb and Sam. We first put our fists in the center of the table, then said, "STAY POSITIVE!" Denise then went around trying to remember all of our names. We then checked in. Denise went dancing in Lisbon two weeks ago. The band had banjo, guitar, and drums. Denise danced to five of the songs played. Country music, her favorite. Tina is doing alright. She says that she is sleeping better do to a new medication that she is on for depression. Depression is common to have with people who have sustained a brain injury. Tina was saying how she wanted to walk to the store yesturday, but did not dare to alone. I then checked in speaking about the days I use to ski with M.S.H. hoping to again some day. Scott says he lets people know right up front before starting a conversation, I have had a stroke. Bare with me. Scott mentioned that he has a difficult time went eating out at restaraunts using his effected hand after his stroke. Scott mentioned he use to be a painter. Scott says he is also sick and tired of the snow and the winter weather. Other wise he is having a pretty good week, making small gains here and there in his therapy. "I am sick of not being able to use my right arm!" Scott says. Scott would like to plant a garden this summer. Cammie, everthing is going well. She is anxious for the summer. "Stay Positive!" Today during my P.T. session with the P.T. student Seth, he over saw the p.t. assistant student Tara as she did some exercises with me to help strengthen my ankle. I first lied on my back then put my feet on a therapy ball on the wall and rolled it back it fourth. I then stood on the floor stepping up and down on a box. I then balanced on a beam walking side to side. I then walked sixteen minutes on the treadmill to end the session. At 3:00 I then had my I pad session with Deb. today we worked on putting my friends on face book into groups. At 4:00 Roger then took me home. I had arrived home at 5:20. After taking a shower, I then ate dinner before going back to my bedroom at 6:00 to blog.

working on my balance in P.T. today with Seth

I began my Tuesday bright and early as usual at 5:30 a.m. by doing my upper and lower weight exercises. Still trying to build up that right side muscle mass. After doing so, I then brought out my stretching exercises. They are all on sheets of paper to remind me on how they are done. I do recall most of the ones I have been doing since I was in the hospital, but the new ones that WestSide has presented to me I am still trying to remember. At 6:30 I then wen out into the kitchen to first drink my hot cocoa and eat my plate of fruit before having some pancakes. At 6:30 I then returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for my day at rehab. At 7:30 Larry from United Wheelchair had arrived to bring me to WestSide. I then had grabbed my knapsack and my lunch and out the door I went. We then went to pick up Donald before venturing on to Lewiston. Upon my arrival for 9:00 a.m. Michelle wes there waiting for Donald and I in the Lobby. She then had brought us to the conference room for yoga. Dave was already in the room waiting for the group to start. Michelle first had us doing some cat cow exercises. We then listened to some soothing music while focusing on our breathing. This is always a good thing for me to do. I have never had such a hard time in my life to breath since arriving to WestSide for therapy once I was discharged from d'youville. At 10:00 I then went downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with Seth the P.T. student. Today he first had me walking on the treadmill for thirty minutes. He then had me standing on the airex cuission. Once I had my balance, he then had me using one leg to step back to the side off the cuission. At 11:00 I then had a thirty minute break because Piper my case manager was on vacation to take up the other up the other fifteen. I had spent the half an hour in the lobby talking to Pam a mother to a client that goes to WestSide for therapy. At 11:30 I then met with Sally for my nursing session. Today we had reviewed my notes on my i pad getting things ready for my doctors appointment to my neurologist. Sally as we were doing so wrote down some key points and will be typing it up to send to my doctor, so when I get there we have something to go by. At 12:00 I then went downstairs to the dining area to eat my lunch with other clients. At 12:30 I then went back upstairs to wait in the lobby. Deb then came out to get me. We then met. Today Deb helped me to put my friends on face book in groups. At 1:00 Larry took me Donald and I home today. I had arrived home at 2:30. Upon doing so, I had gone strait to bed. I had slept until 4:15. I then got up to take a shower before eating dinner. Once I had eaten my dinner, I had returned to my bedroom to blog.

Strengthen my toe muscle using marbles

I began this Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. by getting up and doing the inevidable, That is right exercise!!! Once I had my weight exercises out of the way I then stretched. Which by the way is getting longer and longer to do. West Side keeps stacking on new things for me to do. Oh I am not complaining, I like it, I like it, seriously, I really do. It ads some excitement to the workout. I had stretched until 9:40 before going out into the kitchen to eat some fruit with fruit dip. My mother then made some blueberry pancakes for breakfast. At 10:00 I then gone to my bathroom to brush my teeth before putting my clean laundry away. I then did my toe exercises using marbles. This is one of the new exercises the P.T. department at WestSie has shown me to do. What you do is place the marbles on the floor then try to pick up them up with your toes. Hopefully this will help strengthen my toe muscles. I also use a bath towel, using my toes scrunch the towel up. At 11:15 I then lied down to rest. I had slept until 2:15 before getting up. I then had some lunch before calling some friends to chat that I had met at WestSide Prior to this last stroke I had. I first spoke to Tim my blind friend. He was telling how he was able to get out with his cousin to go shopping at the Wal-Mart in Augusta. While there he tells me he had picked up a turkey and ham italian for lunch and a few items he needed. My friend Dee Dee was telling me that she was able to get out and do some snow shoeing and cross country skiing in the school yard next to where she lives. At 4:50 I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat dinner at 5:20. I then went to my bedroom at 6:00 to blog.

A visiting priest from Hadi in church today

I began my Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. by getting up to do my leg and arm weight exercises. As discouraging as it may be at times, I continue to strive for improvement that I hope will come some day to the point of eccelence in my recovery. But in the meantime discouragement will happen with the ups and downs this path leads me on in my daily struggles. But some how, I seem to concure each obstacle along the way. I then preceded to stretch for thirty minutes. After doing so I had gone out into the kitchen to eat my fruit and drink my hot cocoa. I then had some home made bread toasted with jam. At 8:50 I had returned to my bedroom, thus filling my pill containers for the week. At 9:00 I then took my shower thus getting ready to go to church. I then cleaned my bathroom before leaving for church with my mother at 10:00. Today we had a visiting priest from our sister parish in Hadi Father Pascel. He was her letting us know how things were going After mass my mother and I then went to the Pierce House to visit with my grandmother. My mother first gave my grandmother communion, we then sat down to visit. At 11:50 my mother and I had said good-bye to my grandmother so that she could go to lunch. We then went to wal-mart so that I could by some marbles to do toe strengthening exercises on the side that was affected by the stroke. I have been trying everything, will see if this works. I have to pick the marbles up grasping them with my toes, then setting them down. Every time I do, It takes so much effort that my hand and fingers on my right side tense up and shake. I am great full though I am able to use that hand to type and use just like my left hand. I then stopped along the way home to pick up some lunch. We had arrived home at 1:00. I then sat down to eat before going to bed at 1:30. I had slept for three hours before waking at 4:30. I then went on face book to show my mother some pictures of family. At 5:00 I then sat down to eat dinner before sitting down to blog.

A quick trip to Lewiston and Auburn and back

I began my Saturday morning at quite early for a day that I had the option of sleeping in. My mother had asked me if I wanted go to Lewiston today to meet my sister so as to pick up her dog Pepper for a week. I said yes. I had made my way into the kitchen at 6:00 a.m. I first had some fruit and fruit dip while drinking my hot cocoa. After doing so my mother had made me an egg sandwich so as to speed up things. Once I had finished eating, I then went to my bathroom to to take my shower and get ready for the day ahead. After doing so I then had shoveled my deck that is off my bedroom, which is only five feet by ten feet. At 8:00 I then watched some of the olympics while waiting to leave. My mother and I were on the road my 8:30. We had met my sister at the Auburn exit by 10:00. We then stopped at Shaws in Auburn before going home. I had waited in the car with the dog while my mother shopped. AT 10:40 we then left for home. We had arrived home at 12:00. I then went to bed and I slept until 3:00. Once I was up, I had gone to the kitchen to have a bowl of soup for lunch. At 3:45 I had returned to my bedroom to do my weight exercises. I then preceded to do my toe and ankle exercises. After doing so I had spoke to a friend before pulling up my blog.

Happy Valentine's Day

I began my Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. It was like a blizzard outside, My luck on a Friday to. The day I was suppose to go to Lost Valley with Lydia and ski. Oh well, I will get there. Once I was up I had gone out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my plate of fruit. I then had a toasted english muffin with peanut butter and honey. Once I had finished eating, I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. At 8:40 I then cycled for thirty minutes. After doing so I then put my laundry away. I then bundled up and went outside on the deck to shovel two feet of snow. It took me two hours from 9:45-11:45 to shovel and sweep the deck clean of all the snow. It was spotless. I then went inside to make myself a half of a grilled cheese and a bowl of fish chowder for lunch. Once I had finished eating, I then lied down to rest and slept from 12:30-3:15. Once I was up, I then gave my grandmother a call. We spoke for ten minutes, I then spoke to a friend a while before taking my shower and getting comfortable for the night. At 4:45 I then I then went out into the kitchen to eat dinner. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my bedroom to blog.

getting a call from Kevin to cancel tomorrows transportation

I began my Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going into the kitchen to read the paper and drink my hot cocoa while eating some fruit. After doing so, I had returned to my bedroom to take the sheets off my bed. I then brought them to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. After doing so I had cycled for thirty minutes before folding some laundry that was dry in the dryer. I then put it away. After doing so I had washed some dish's that were in the sink. I then hung some laundry to dry that had been in the washer. At 9:45 I then started another wash before returning to my bedroom to some clean laundry away. Laundry Day??? I think so!!! I then made my bed, thus putting on clean sheets. At 10:10 I then went to my bathroom to fill my empty pill containers for the week. At 10:20 I then did my upper and lower weight exercises. At 10:45 I then hung another load to dry. At 11:00 I then called my grandmother to see how her day was going. We chatted for fifteen minutes, I then did my stretching. I then took my shower thus getting ready for the rest of the day which was not going to be all that exciting do the snow storm we were starting to have. I am glad today was my day off from therapy. At 12:00 I then made myself some lunch. Once I had finished eating I had brushed my teeth once again before laying down to rest. I had lied down at 12:30, as I was about to fall a sleep Keven the dispatcher from United Wheelchair called to let me know that he has cancelled all transportation for tomorrow, do to the snow storm. He said he wants everyone to be safe both drivers and patients. After falling to sleep I had slept until 3:50. I then got up to blog before going out to the kitchen to eat my dinner. Now all there is to do is wait. Just let it snow!!!

Worked on posting pictures with Deb

I began my Wednesday 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 had a cup of hot cereal with a toasted english muffin. Once I had finished eating my breakfast, I had preceded with my day. After I had polished my teeth I then rode the bike for thirty minutes. At 9:00 I then made my bed before doing my weight exercises. I then stretch for thirty minutes before taking my shower, thus getting ready to go to therapy. At 10:40 I then had a bowl of soup before calling my grandmother to chat. I then grabbed my knapsack and off to WestSide I went. Upon my arrival for 1:00 p.m. I had made my way into the conference room for support group. We first started with our positive solute, "STAY POSITIVE!" We then checked in. Denise first went around and said our names. Tina spoke first but saying how she got six hours worth of sleep last night and that she will be going to see her friend Andy soon. Dee Dee is doing well. She had mentioned how she is looking for more support on the topics she brings up in group. I then checked in showing more ski pictures from last Friday at Lost Valley. Scott let us know how he is growing impatient with his recovery from a stroke. He is able to clap a little. He likes to refer to himself at the bionic man. "better then he was before, better, faster, and stronger, Scott says with a chuckle. Wes says,"The sun is shining, wonderful day. Having a pretty good week, I can stretch my arm straight out. Wes also speaks about the spasms he is having in his effected arm after his stroke. Carol had a brain tumor a year ago. P.t. has help, but this past June another tumor was found, Carol says. She still goes to work, but she says she gets tired more easily. Her family is very supportive. Camie in March she'll be cutting back her time in therapy to one hour per week. She is now putting out resume's to get a job. In the mean time she will be starting a job to pick eggs at a egg farm. Denise danced last week to country music. She also continues to ride horses. At 2:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Dan. Today Dans student Tara started with me doing squats and leg raises with two pound weights on each leg. Tara then had me doing sit to stad exercises working on control on the sit. Going a slow as I could on the way down. There was a method to the madness. I was practicing getting on a chairlift safely. At 3:00 I then met with Deb to work with my I pad. We first posted pics from skiing on face book of me skiing. We then worked on posting notes to blog. I then went home at 4:00 with Roger from United. I had arrived home at 5:30. I had taken my shower then blogged before dinner.

Posting pictures of my ski day on Friday during my support session with Deb

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises. At 5:30 I then stretched after taking fifteen minutes going through each weight routine both arm and leg. At 6:00 I then had made my way out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit. After doing so I then had a bowl of cereal with a half of a toasted english muffin. At 6:30 I had returned to my bedroom to take my shower and get ready for the rest of my day. I then had brought my things lunch and knapsack to the door. I then sat down to read the paper while waiting for United to arrive. Larry had arrived at 7:45. We then went to pick up Donald. We had arrived to WestSide a little late. What time we had left for yoga group Michelle had Donald and I stretching and breathing. At 10:00 I then made my way downstairs to the gym for my P.T. session with the P.t. student who Amanda was overseeing. He had first had me walk twenty minutes on the treadmill before doing some stepping exercises on and off the erex cuission. As I exagerated my step back to the side to resemble pushing off as though I was skiing. I also had five pound weights on each leg. After doing three sets of twenty, I then sat on a t-stool. As I imitated the student as he raised his arms in every direction you could imagine, as I tried not to fall off the t-stool. At 11:00 I had a fifteen minute break, so I had taken a shower to get rid of the chill before going on with the rest of my therapy. At 12:15 I then had my case management session with Piper. Today I had something to talk to her about. My ride had been getting me to WestSide late every Monday for about six weeks strait. Upon doing so I was missing half if not all of my P.T. session with Lydia. Now we will see how things work out. for next Monday. Piper then let me know that she wil be on vacation next week. At 11:30 I then had my nursing session with Sally. Together she and I spoke about my neurology appointment coming up and my appointment with my new p.c.p. Sally then took my blood pressure. 134 over 80. At 12:00 I then had lunch in the dining area with others. At 12:30 I then met with Deb for a support session. Today Deb had helped me post some more pictures of me skiing last Friday at Lost Valley with Lydia my P.T. on face book. I then sent to my aunt by e-mail. Deb then help me put ski pictures taken last Friday into my ski album. At 1:30 Larry took Donald and I home. Thank goodness he brought me home first. I had slept all the way then slept two hours and fifteen minutes more once I was in my bedroom. I had got up at 4:45 thus going out into the kitchen to have some dinner. I then went to my bedroom to blog at 5:45.

Doing chi gong exercises in Tai Chi

My Monday morning started started bright and early at 5:00 a.m. by getting to stretch. After doing so, I then preceded to do my weight exercises, both upper and lower. I then took my shower,thus getting ready for the day ahead before going out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. At 6:00 I then preceded to make my way into the kitchen. My father had made me an omlet for breakfast while I was drinking my hot cocoa. Once I had finished eating, I then had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. As I was picking up my bathroom, I had looked at the time, It was getting late. I had to be at WestSide for 9:00 a.m. for my P.T. session with Lydia and after picking me up we always go to pick up Donald. Well my ride finally arrived at 8:15 a.m. barely giving us enough time to get back on the rode to Lewiston. This rural living takes a while to get to point a to point b before getting on your way once again. We had arrived at WestSide at 9:40 barely giving me enough time do anything for P.T. I quickly made my way to the gym. I had walked on the treadmill for ten minutes then picked up small objects with my toes trying to find ways to strengthen those muscles too. Lydia then had me scrunching up a towel to move my toes around. As I was doing so Lydia took pictures with my I pad. She let me know that using uncooked beans would not be a bad idea to use to up with my toes too. At 10:00 I then went to the conference room for Tai Chi with Joe. Today Ethan had helped me with my balance as I was doing Chi Gong exercises. We then did some meditation. At 11:00 I then stayed in the conference room for laughter therapy with Deb and Florina. Scott, Marion, Alisa, and I started to create a game on laughter. At 12:00 I then ate my lunch before going home. I had arrived home at 2:30, thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 5:00, before getting up to do my blog. I then went to the kitchen to eat my dinner before calling it a day.

Eating soup with my sis

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises with my upper body. After doing so I then preceded to stretch. I then focussed on doing wall squats, an exercises Lydia has me doing in P.T. to help strengthen my legs for skiing. At 8:30 I then made my way into the kitchen to eat breakfast. My mother had made french toast for my sister and I before getting ready to go to church. At 9:00 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the day ahead. At 10:00 mother, sister and I left for church. After mass we had gone to the Pierce House to visit my grandmother. We had stayed until it was time for her to go to lunch. While there my mother had given her communion. In the winter months she watches mass on t.v. We had arrived home at 12:00. Upon doing so Barbara and I then each had a bowl of soup. At 12:15 my sister then left for home. My mother then helped me make my bed, thus putting on clean sheets. After doing so, I had lied down to rest, thus sleeping from 12:30-3:15. I then got up and spoke to a friend on the telephone until 4:00. At 4:00 I then watched a Halmark movie about a guy who is living with a brain injury going through simular situation as myself and memory deficits. At 5:00 I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to eat dinner. Pot Roast, mm mm. I then returned to my bedroom to do my daily blog entree.

The Pierce House's annual VALENTINE LOVE LUNCHEON

I began my Saturday morning at 10:00 a..m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my plate of ffruit with some fruit dip. While doing so my mother had made me cinnamon on english muffin broiled in the oven. Once I hads finished eating I had returned to my bedroom to do my stretching. Which by the way now takes me Thirty minutes. The P.T.'S at WestSide keep showing me different exercises to do, and I do them. At 9:45 I then took my shower and continued to get ready to go to the Pierce House with my mother and my sister who was coming up from Portland to attend the annual Valentine Love Luncheon with my grandmother. Other wise my grandmother would just stay up in her room, so she tells me. We served finger rolls, Brocoli pie. We then had desserts and fruit. At 1:00 we then returned to my grandmothers room before leaving for home. We had arrived home at 1:30 my mother, sister and I. Upon doing so I had had gone strait to my bedroom to go to bed. I had slept until 4:00 before getting up. I then spoke to a friend on the phone briefly before sitting down to visit with my parents and sister. I then went to my bedroom to blog at 5:30 before eating dinner.

Another great day on the slopes

i began my Friday 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 cup of hot cereal with an english muffin. Once I had finished eating I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth, shave and make my bed. At 9:00 I then sat down at my computer to send out some emails. At 9:25 I then stretched. Laying low on the rest of my exercises knowing that I would be skiing later in the day. At 10:00 I then took my shower and got myself ready to go skiing. At 11:00 I then sat down to eat my lunch. United wheelchair soon arrived. My father arrived home thirty minutes before hand so as to help me load my skis and ski bag into the van. I was then on my way to Lost Valley. I had arrived to Lost Valley at 1:00 P.M. Upon doing so I had met Lydia my P.T. I then went into the lodge with Lydia to get ready to go skiing. We had made nine runs with two breaks to sit my the fire for ten minutes to rest. At 3:30 Sherral from United Wheelchair picked me up and took me home. I had arrived home at 4:40 , thus going inside to take a shower and drink a cup of hot cocoa. After doing so I had some potato soup for dinner. Once I had finished eating, I had gone to my bedroom to blog.

getting out to breath

I began my Thursday 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 had some crepes that already had been prepared. After I had finished eating I then brushed my teeth then 'made my bed. After doing so I then folded some laundry. At 9:10 I then hung a load to dry before putting away the laundry I had folded. OOPS!!! DON'T TRIP. After doing so I then started the dish washer. At 9:40 I then went outside to shovel the deck. At 10:30 I then hung another load to dry. I then spoke to my mother. She had called to let me know that she would be picking me up once she gets out of work to go shopping. At 10:50 I then rode the swin air dine for thirty minutes before packing my ski bag for tomorrow. At 11:30 I had hunch some clean laundry before stretching. At 11:45 I then emptied the dish washer. At 12:00 I continued to stretch before doing my weight exercises. After doing so I had gone out into the kitchen to eat my lunch. At 12:45 I then took my shower getting ready to go out shopping with my mother. She had picked me up at 1:15. We had gone to Hannaford to do some grocery shopping. We then went to Mt. Blue Drug. We had arrived home at 3:00. I then unloaded the car thus bringing the bags of groceries inside. I then went to my bedroom to blog.

Speaking to a rep from the division of the blind

I began my Wednesday on this snowy morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of hot cereal and a muffin. Once I had finished, I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then began to stretch. After doing so I did my weight routine. At 9:30 I then called my grandmother to chat. At 9:40 I then called United Wheelchair to see if they were transporting today. The answer was, Just in town clients. At 9:45 I then cycled for thirty minutes. After doing so I then started a load of laundry at 10:20. I then folded dry laundry and put it away. At 10:55 I then went out into the kitchen to wash some dish's and pick up. At 11:15 I then hung the laundry to dry. At 11:30 The Division of the Blind called to see if I was in need of any of there services at this time. At 11:30 I then filled my empty pill cases. At 12:00 I then took my shower before going out into the kitchen to make myself a grilled cheese for lunch. At 1:00 I then brushed my teeth before laying down to rest. I had slept from 1:00-4:00. I then got up to blog before dinner.

Standing exercises during P.T.

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch and do my weight exercises. After doing so, I had gone out into the kitchen to have some crepes for breakfast. I then took my shower and got ready to go to therapy. Upon my arrival to WestSide I had put my lunch in the refrigerator before going to the conference room for Yoga group. Michelle had Donald and I first doing some stretching the some relaxation to some soft music. At 10:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Seth. Seth first had me walking outside in the parking lot. We then went back into the gym to do some standing exercises on the erix cuision using ankle weights. I push my legs as though to simulate skiing. Also I worked on balance. He then had me walking up and down the ramp. I then walked on the treadmill for twelve minutes. At 11:00 I then had a fifteen minute break. I then had a case management session with Piper. We then spoke about concerns around my headaches and such. At 11:30 Sally then came out to the lobby to get me for my Nursing. She started by taking my blood pressure 122 over 78. We then called my doctors office to get the name of my new doctor. We then found out about my follow up appointment. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. At 12:30 I had met with Deb for my support session. I then went home at 1:00. I had arrived home at 2:20 thus going straight to bed. I had slept until 4:00. I then went out into the kitchen to eat my sald. I then had dinner. before taking my shower. I then called it a day.

Putting one foot in front of the other in the hall way during P.T. with Seth

I began my Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my weight exercises and then stretch. After doing so I started to get ready for the day ahead, by taking my shower. At 6:00 I the went out into the kitchen to eat a my fruit and drink my hot cocoa. I then had a cup of hot cereal with an english muffin. I then bushed my teeth before sitting down to weight for my ride. I had arrived to WestSide for 9:20. A little late per usual for a Monday morning. I had gone straight to the gym to get in as much P.T. time as I had remaining. Seth first had walking in the parking lot. We then then returned inside to do some balance exercises in the hall way. Seth had me placing one foot directly in front of the other as slow as possible. Seth then had me walk for ten minutes on the treadmill. At 10:00 I then went to the conference room for Tai Chi group. Today John helped with my balance by holing onto my gate belt as I exercised. We the did some seated meditation. At 11:00 I had stayed in the conference room. for laughter therapy with Deb and Flourina. Paul, Mat, Mary Ann, Scott, Donald, Alisa, and I said one positive thing about the week followed by a yeh. We the did some laughing and breathing exercises with Robert Reverse. At 12:00 I then had lunch in the dining area with others before going home at 1:00. I finally arrived home at 2:45. thus going straight to bed. I had slept all the way home plus three extra hours in my bed. I then got up to eat dinner and take a shower before calling it a day.

Watching the Super Bowl

I began my Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit with fruit dip. After doing so, I then had some scrambled eggs with toasted cinnamon bread for breakfast. At 8:20 I then had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth and shave. After doing so I had made my bed. I then began to do my weight exercises. At 8:50 I then stretched before taking my shower. I then left for church with my mother. The Priest today came up to me spoke to me personally to see how things were going. After Mass we went to the Pierce House to visit my grandmother. While there my mother gave her communion. We had arrived home at noon. After a bite to eat, I then found myself in bed at 12:30. I had slept until 3:30 before getting up. After showing my parents some pics on face book I spoke to a friend on the phone briefly for sitting down to blog. Can not wait for the big game tonight. GO TEAM!!!

Speaking to grandma

I began my Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my fruit. My mother then had made me crepes for breakfast. I had finished eating at 10:30 thus returning to my bedroom to polish my teeth before beginning to do my weight exercises. At 10:45 I then preceded to stretch. At 11:00 I then I then started to fill my pill containers and a friend had called. We had spoke briefly. I then finished filling my pill containers for the week. At 12:00 I then lied down to rest. I had slept until 2:30 before getting up to call my grandmother. We spoke for thirty minutes. I then made myself a meatloaf sandwich for lunch. Once I had finished eating I had emptied the dish washer thus putting the clean dish's away while talking to a friend. At 4:30 my grandmother had called We spoke for thirty minutes I then watched some television while waiting for my parents to arrive home. I then visited with some friends before sitting down to eat dinner. I then sat down to blog at 7:00 as I wrapped up my day.