Well, Monday did in fact come - lol - and the new routine was set in motion. Bruce had another good session on the Estim bike. 35 minutes and 3 miles. Already into week four, you can see how he has increased his speed. He has to help the strong left leg at least 50% with the right and maintained that.
I will say that he has certainly enjoyed my total attention for four days. I think that may have made the transition a bit easier for him and again I thank Sue for the early heads up.
Today
OK - so I have "tooled" (Mary Beth's word for the way Bruce moves himself in the WC) around the site now for 2 hours, getting my head together. Blog/Post. But this will end up longer than I think, in that I will also be getting my own head around it. So for those of you who do not have time or want to deal with another "Debbie" drama, you can just by pass.
It has been a difficult week for me. I resumed taking Bruce out every day. Extending our errands so he would get out. The test on him doi
Wow! Life sure turns on a dime. I can't believe I blogged two days ago, so optimistic. I have spent so many hours trying to figure out exactly where Bruce and I are in recovery, what is best for Bruce. How much I can do to help him. What I think may be the right course to take - Bruce gives mostly no input still and that was why I have spent so many hours trying to figure out what changes were needed.
Bruce is in a funk. He no longer will even walk with Leo. He loves his Stim bike, which we
!Well, week one into the new regime, ill health and weather nonwithstanding!
Monday on the Estim bike was a learning experience for both Bruce and I. Figuring out the computer, how to make changes and the biggest discovery in that they unplug the bike overnight! It was Bruce who noticed it and brought it to my attention! There is always someone there to help out in the Independent therapy program. Today was 100%. We arrived early, I got Bruce hooked right up and off he went. His therapist w
So, I made the decision last week to get Bruce back on the therapy treadmill. We plan, God laughs.
He was decerted from PT on Wednesday, my last day of instruction on the Estim bike. I am so thankful and appreciative that his PT was able to keep him paid for since January. I don't know how she did it, but am so thankful. Bruce's next Botox is June 6th and OT wants him back. PT, I am pretty sure, is out of the question.
Bruce is not doing well. He is now refusing to do anything with the C
I had the most amazing sleep last night. I can't remember a night as restful in a very long time.
Being the oldest of seven, I have always been a light sleeper. One of those other six brats usually needed something overnight-LOL. And that has certainly helped in stroke recovery.
I was thinking as I was cleaning up after dinner tonight that not so long ago, any sound I heard from the WC sent me running. Everything is set up here, in the main four rooms, totally accessible from the WC. Whe
Mary Beth and I had kind of a fun day today. Pre-stroke we could talk to each other two, three times a day. That was when conversations were fun and free. When seeing something funny outside, like the day I saw a coyote in my back yard, or a special plant that had bloomed; something either one of us saw at work or shopping; something the girls needed that was easier for me to get.
Not so much now, mostly when she can come; her week, what is going on with the girls, how therapy is going for B
My poor Bruce is still fighting that cold-two weeks now. When Leo showed up coughing two weeks ago-said it was allergies-I started mega-dosing the vitamin C for both of us. Yes, I got it, but since I smoke, did the Mucinex D and within 4 days I was fine. Changed both our toothbrushes. Big thing, I think with Bruce is just fresh air. It has been cold and wet past week, so hesitated to turn off the heat and open windows. But tomorrow is a down day for us and I think, after his shower, will do just
We had a terrific day today. We don't go out much in the evenings. This was part of why I set up my work schedule for evenings when Jen relocated. I was the only one signed off to take Bruce in the pool, besides Jen. Cathy and Leo can usually only come at 4pm after work, but neither can do the pool and I just dragged my heels getting someone else-no one could drive a five speed.
Bruce's closest friend has her birthday end of March and Bruce is first part of April. Pre-stroke we always had a
Sitting here right now, enjoying my quiet. Glass of wine. Kira has gone off with Bruce, way too much activity around here past couple of days for her - lol. Mary Beth has gone up to bed.
Bruce started with a cold last week. I am sure it was from Leo who insisted his was just allergies. But yesterday at work he was sneezing, coughing, just miserable. But he refuses to give up his time and by that time it is too late for Bruce and I. When Bruce starting coughing on Tuesday, I mega-dosed the Vi
For those of you who missed Chat last night or had problems with the server, quick update.
My appointment with my PCP about my back issues is tomorrow. MRI was Saturday and I picked up a copy of the report on Monday. Since it went to the Walk-in Clinic I originally went to, I faxed it to my PCP and then got on-line. Can't take the nurse out of the picture-lol. With my list and some help from others here, have my questions all set for that.
In answer to my prayers, our caregiver Jen calle
Do you remember hope and dreams? Sitting in your bedroom with your $30.00 guitar, thinking you could certainly sit next to Paul McCartney or Eric Clapton and hold your own. That you could hope NASA would forgive your glasses, so that you could fly to the moon. Yes, you could swim or play ball well enough to at least have a tryout for the majors?
At sixty, I still do air piano in the kitchen on good night. Children of the 70's, so much was in our future. So many choices, so much on the horizo
I think most of you already know that I am a Type A personality. This helps with the organization and routine here and I do have to remind myself to rest. With Sue's advice early on, I always nap or rest when Bruce does, after lunch. And I found when I insisted that I do this every day, things started to even out. Certainly my attitude and focus.
Back in early March, I mentioned that my back-hip-knee were somehow injured. Very sharp, direct pain. Weird thing was this happened when I was stan
The low key observance of Bruce's three year anniversary went terrific. Our niece was involved in an early Spring softball tournament in our family home town. This is kind of neat, in that they live in New Hampshire. Mary Beth set the wheels in motion when the tournment was posted, so all family was involved.
My two brothers, one ex-wife, one girl friend, Mary Beth, a friend of Melissa's, Brittany and John Michael and of course, our Izabella-who now, at two, is the center of attention. I hav
I have posted before that Bruce has two new fellow stroke survivors in therapy this time around-both left stroke, right affected, like Bruce. We are all close to the same age and us "wives" talk while the men are in therapy.
Both of these men are higher functioning physically than Bruce and both are just at about one year post. Neither, however, can be left alone for too long. One walks independently with the hemi and one independently with a cane. Neither has their hand, but do have arm mov
OK: so I have read all of your posts and blogs, responded when I felt I had something intelligent to say and now just have to get down to business. I was hoping it would be late enough to just say good-night! LOL
Today was Bruce's third year anniversary. I usually read the paper while he has breakfast and today I said so what is today.
His response "First day of spring, and the the three years after my stroke." This is not on any calendar or list here. He knows it because tomorrow our niec
I should be working on how to get the new Email up and running. It is a month. Those that know and care, call. But not many have stepped up and I always updated every week. I just have to be into doing computer stuff. And after a day here at home and then work, just can't seem to think or problem-solve.
Interesting thread tonight in Chat. Some of our people are being decertified yet again by their therapies. We are allowed so little time by our various Insurances. We see improvement, willing
Bruce was fitted for a night foot splint last week. We picked it up on Monday. This thing is a hoot. Looks like an AFO with an ankle hinge. Once his foot is in it properly, I pull up on two straps on either side of his leg and secure them. Basically I am bringing his toes to his head-about 45 degrees. Leo can get it up a bit higher. Bruce needs to feel resistance in front part of ankle and pull at his hamstring. He needs to be in this to start 2 hours daily for the first few days, then build up
Right where I sit to work on the computer is a lovely hearth window that tonight has a beautiful full moon. I sat down about an hour ago, poured a glass of wine, my Kira is curled up and will be happy until about 10:30 pm when she will remind me that it is time for bed-lol.
I am so happy it is Friday night and Bruce and I have two days just to ourselves. I am tired of accomodating, adjusting and rescheduling.
Kira's vet called today. Her thyroid is still acting up, so Doc will be consult
We have had an incredible two weeks. Seems like most of you, we go several weeks, nice even routine and then WHAM! a new change. Now, in all fairness, I stretch out the errands. Bruce loves being out and about and if he is, there is little TV.
Truck is back in the shop for the Catalytic converter again. Manufacturer agreed to change it out, free to us and the mechanic. So I fit in today changing out the Honda for an oil change and fluid check for the truck. I can take Bruce and will worry ab
I know, Sue, three times in one week-remarkable! LOL. But I must share this and don't want to take up post areas.
Today was another crazy day. Bruce has to have yet another brace and appointment was today. In the meantime, PT broke his long leg brace-just recently re-vamped. So that worked out. Most of this is my fault. I am tired of fighting with Bruce about putting on even his AFO and of course, his foot rotated. Yes, I know better. But we'll try the new one and I will be more attentive.
I am so tired tonight, but need some down time before hitting the hay. Tomorrow we start up again, but it is a Debbie day: hairdresser, new glasses.
Seems we are back on the treadmill after many months of just hunkering down and concentrating on stuff here at home.
Engine light went on again in the truck. Didn't we just do this? After four days at the shop, the catalytic converter they just replaced is apparently setting off the Engine light. Company has agreed to replace it yet again an
Well, a lot going on here.
I spoke with Leo tonight about the oven and the gas burner. He was very apologetic and I knew he would be. Even self-centered people understand the fear of fire, especially to a disabled patient that one is responsible for. I said to him, "how do you think he would get out?" I do not want to think of this anymore. I did not sleep all weekend, just the anxiety and the confrontation to come. It's done. One more incident, he is gone. And as my Ruthpill advised, some t
Interesting development here at the ranch. Last night Bruce and I were able to enjoy a rare dinner together. Cathy was able to come during the day and I got home from work early enough to make a nice dinner for us. After dinner, he said he was going to stay up later and enjoy some time with me. He turned on a funny video show with a live panel, the female laughs so gratingly and they enhance it. So that was it for me. Now he knows I do not care for this show. I went into another room to read unt
Well we are up and running. Some tweaking to do, like moving my Email address book. I will play with stuff or get my guru here. Supposed to be much faster, I don't see it yet, but I don't use my home computer for much other than Email and Stroke Net.
I felt sorry for our technician-young twenty-something, very patient and thorough. He had to rewire the street as well as the house before he did anything here in the house. Those storms took down all the existing lines and AT&T did not both
