• REALIGNMENT OF TIME MEASUREMENT
Another week has whistled past at an even faster clip than usual. It’s strange how time, albeit critical to its own passage, loses its singular relevance as its measurement becomes less defined. Where once my life was tacitly controlled by time as measured by performance and deadlines, now, time and its incremental monitoring plays little role in defining my day. Time is not so much based on where the sun is or where I have to be at a certain hour, rather it’s based on where I am today relative to where I was a yesterday. Time, as a construct, has become largely defined by a collective of generalized happenings rather than on singular daily or hourly occurrences. Time is found in the aggregate.
The realignment of time measurement is the natural consequence of my recovery. Days naturally collapse into each other because the significance of any one day is unremarkable given my nominal progress on any given day. As a result, the almost five and a half months I’ve been here (six months on June 14) seems like a blur. It literally feels like Forrest just rolled into the emergency room.
• POOL UPDATE
If you recall, last week I was prevented from using the pool by a pencilhead from the recreation department. The end result is that my therapist now has access to the funds once controlled by the recreation department: She’s going to take us to the pool.
• MY ADVANCES
Finally I was able to put up eight plates on the leg press. That’s 153 LBS. Not bad for a guy, who just a few weeks ago had problems dealing with gravity. Additionally, after almost six months of frustration and disappointment my right bicep is showing signs of waking up. It will be a while before its strong enough to use. With respect to my weight, I lost two more pounds for a total of 82 lbs.
I have to remark about my physical therapist, the effervescent Erin. She’s leaving for a well deserved vacation. I will miss her deeply.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
THE AGGREGATE EXPERIENCE 05/18/10
GOOD MORNING CITY OF DOWNEY (LOOSE REFERENCE TO VIETNAM MOVIE)! And a good morning it surely has been.
Last week was simply wasted. Due to shift changes and location reassignments my workout schedule was substantially disrupted. You have to understand, my life is built on routine. Routine provides structure and structure is the foundation leading towards a goal. No routine no goal.
On top of that I was precluded from pool therapy because some #$@&"g pencilhead, with whom I've never worked, from a department with which I have no involvement, superseded the approval and full endorsement of my Physical and Occupational Therapists, both of whom I have worked with since I entered this joint and know my physicality. As stated, I weighed over 200 lbs. and they were concerned with the therapist's safety during my transfer from the wheelchair to the pool. Good reason in theory bad reason in practice.
I argued that I wasn't dead weight (a person with no body control ) which adds a substantial degree of difficulty and In point of fact, my therapists specifically trained for the transfer. It was executed in the gym and later executed in the field without incident. Bottom line is that before imposing an arbitrary line in the sand restrictions consult with the folks who are hands on: my therapists,
Enough of the Rancho Politic: Despite the want of exercise I was still able to stand essentially without any external support for a brief moment; while leaning on the standing frame I'm able to stand just a little over two minutes. As a side note I'm getting a leg brace for my right knee. I need the support because I no longer have a ACL or PCL from an old injury.
Additionally, I am scheduled to receive two more rounds of the IVIG It is hope this will advance my recovery. Great news given the cost of the treatment. See link below.
Fighting against the odds , I was finally able to increase my leg strength which appeared to have stalled over the past two weeks. I completed five sets with seven plates on the leg press. That's 133 lbs. I'll try eight plates, 153 lbs., later this week . The curve is ascending once again.
And finally, I lost 2-3 lbs., righteous! I'll be conservative and say 2 lbs. I'm now 223 lbs. YOU HEARD ME, THAT'S 80 LBS.!! Now that's RIGHTEOUS!!
The TRIFECTA!
Thanks folks for taking the time to read "THE AGGREGATE EXPERIENCE." If anyone wants more info let me know. I've inserted a link to a National GBS website which highlights current events involving GBS. There are also stories of others inflicted with this dreadful condition. http://www.gbs-cidp.org/
Look forward to hearing any feedback.
Take Care. And remember, it could be worse. Have faith in your own strength. It's the only thing you can truly rely on.
Last week was simply wasted. Due to shift changes and location reassignments my workout schedule was substantially disrupted. You have to understand, my life is built on routine. Routine provides structure and structure is the foundation leading towards a goal. No routine no goal.
On top of that I was precluded from pool therapy because some #$@&"g pencilhead, with whom I've never worked, from a department with which I have no involvement, superseded the approval and full endorsement of my Physical and Occupational Therapists, both of whom I have worked with since I entered this joint and know my physicality. As stated, I weighed over 200 lbs. and they were concerned with the therapist's safety during my transfer from the wheelchair to the pool. Good reason in theory bad reason in practice.
I argued that I wasn't dead weight (a person with no body control ) which adds a substantial degree of difficulty and In point of fact, my therapists specifically trained for the transfer. It was executed in the gym and later executed in the field without incident. Bottom line is that before imposing an arbitrary line in the sand restrictions consult with the folks who are hands on: my therapists,
Enough of the Rancho Politic: Despite the want of exercise I was still able to stand essentially without any external support for a brief moment; while leaning on the standing frame I'm able to stand just a little over two minutes. As a side note I'm getting a leg brace for my right knee. I need the support because I no longer have a ACL or PCL from an old injury.
Additionally, I am scheduled to receive two more rounds of the IVIG It is hope this will advance my recovery. Great news given the cost of the treatment. See link below.
Fighting against the odds , I was finally able to increase my leg strength which appeared to have stalled over the past two weeks. I completed five sets with seven plates on the leg press. That's 133 lbs. I'll try eight plates, 153 lbs., later this week . The curve is ascending once again.
And finally, I lost 2-3 lbs., righteous! I'll be conservative and say 2 lbs. I'm now 223 lbs. YOU HEARD ME, THAT'S 80 LBS.!! Now that's RIGHTEOUS!!
The TRIFECTA!
Thanks folks for taking the time to read "THE AGGREGATE EXPERIENCE." If anyone wants more info let me know. I've inserted a link to a National GBS website which highlights current events involving GBS. There are also stories of others inflicted with this dreadful condition. http://www.gbs-cidp.org/
Look forward to hearing any feedback.
Take Care. And remember, it could be worse. Have faith in your own strength. It's the only thing you can truly rely on.
FRIDAY EVENINGS
Throughout our lives Friday evenings has brought an anticipation of joy and revelry while introducing a short but well deserved two day respite from five days of drudgery. It seemed that People even acted happier on Fridays .
Often, Fridays would serve as a gauge for how the rest of the weekend would turn out. We would have such a great time Friday night it seemed to pour over into Saturday. On the other hand, sometimes you blew your wad and the rest of the weekend would be a complete bore.
Irrespective of how Fridays went, however, we'd always hit Monday morning thinking about the next Friday and the fun we were going to have.
At Rancho Fridays don't work the same way. Fridays bring to a close all activity involving your therapists. So for two excrutiating days there's nothing to do but ride around in the wheelchair. What makes matters worse is everyone's parting salutation, "have a great weekend !" What a joke.
Often, Fridays would serve as a gauge for how the rest of the weekend would turn out. We would have such a great time Friday night it seemed to pour over into Saturday. On the other hand, sometimes you blew your wad and the rest of the weekend would be a complete bore.
Irrespective of how Fridays went, however, we'd always hit Monday morning thinking about the next Friday and the fun we were going to have.
At Rancho Fridays don't work the same way. Fridays bring to a close all activity involving your therapists. So for two excrutiating days there's nothing to do but ride around in the wheelchair. What makes matters worse is everyone's parting salutation, "have a great weekend !" What a joke.
GOOD MORNING CITY OF DOWNEY (LOOSE REFERENCE TO VIETNAM MOVIE)! And a good morning it surely has been.
Last week was simply wasted. Due to shift changes and location reassignments my workout schedule was substantially disrupted. You have to understand, my life is built on routine. Routine provides structure and structure is the foundation leading towards a goal. No routine no goal.
On top of that I was precluded from pool therapy because some #$@&"g pencilhead, with whom I've never worked, from a department with which I have no involvement, superseded the approval and full endorsement of my Physical and Occupational Therapists, both of whom I have worked with since I entered this joint and know my physicality. As stated, I weighed over 200 lbs. and they were concerned with the therapist's safety during my transfer from the wheelchair to the pool. Good reason in theory bad reason in practice.
I argued that I wasn't dead weight (a person with no body control ) which adds a substantial degree of difficulty and In point of fact, my therapists specifically trained for the transfer. It was executed in the gym and later executed in the field without incident. Bottom line is that before imposing an arbitrary line in the sand restrictions consult with the folks who are hands on: my therapists,
Enough of the Rancho Politic: Despite the want of exercise I was still able to stand essentially without any external support for a brief moment; while leaning on the standing frame I'm able to stand just a little over two minutes. As a side note I'm getting a leg brace for my right knee. I need the support because I no longer have a ACL or PCL from an old injury.
Additionally, I am scheduled to receive two more rounds of the IVIG It is hope this will advance my recovery. Great news given the cost of the treatment. See link below.
Fighting against the odds , I was finally able to increase my leg strength which appeared to have stalled over the past two weeks. I completed five sets with seven plates on the leg press. That's 133 lbs. I'll try eight plates, 153 lbs., later this week . The curve is ascending once again.
And finally, I lost 2-3 lbs., righteous! I'll be conservative and say 2 lbs. I'm now 223 lbs. YOU HEARD ME, THAT'S 80 LBS.!! Now that's RIGHTEOUS!!
The TRIFECTA!
Thanks folks for taking the time to read "THE AGGREGATE EXPERIENCE." If anyone wants more info let me know. I've inserted a link to a National GBS website which highlights current events involving GBS. There are also stories of others inflicted with this dreadful condition. http://www.gbs-cidp.org/
Look forward to hearing any feedback.
Take Care. And remember, it could be worse. Have faith in your own strength. It's the only thing you can truly rely on.
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