step by step

The last few weeks at rehab have been to busy for me to blog as much as I'd like to, now that I have a few moments I will update you all to my progress. Since starting rehabilitation my progress is phenomenal. Now by that I mean I'm able to do small things that I was not able to before. My largest accomplishment is my ability to take a few small steps with the help of a brace,walker,and therapist. I couldn't believe it. They are teaching me to use my ab muscles to advance my paralyzed leg. It is so cool. I haven't been so happy in a long time. I know small steps will one day lead to big steps. There's no such thing as only small steps in the world of rehabilitation.

standing up

Today I stood up using the parallel bars for the first time. The therapist moved my legs to help me take some steps while I grabbed onto the bars to hold my balance. Kessler is doing a lot of good for me. I am really excited to continue making progress in therapy. I'm glad to be at rehab.

Kessler day 4

I really like it here.it's a wonderful facility,I feel like I can get a lot accomplished. Today in physical therapy I tried the standing frame. It was so cool to be standing,even if it was only for a short time. I couldn't stand so long because it made me lightheaded. We also worked on balance exercises and neck strengthening. They work me really hard every day. I like it. I hope hard work produces results. Day by day.step by step. It'll happen.

Kessler day 1

I started my therapy sessions today at Kessler. We worked on stretching, trunk strengthening, and other leg exercises. It was hard work but I'm happy to work hard to get my desired results. After my therapy sessions I played scrabble with a recreational therapist and another patient who is my age. It was a tiring but productive day.

good news

finally after weeks of waiting i found out i got accepted into kesslers rehab program. I am extremely excited because i will finally get a shot at the therapy i need. Im getting admitted on sunday. I cant wait to begin therapy. One of my major goals for when i get out is to be able to walk. It would be amazing if that would happen. Im ready to work hard.

Post op

Yesterday i had my post op appointment with the surgeon who removed my gallbladder. Good news. Im healing up nicely. After that i had an appointment with a doctor at kessler rehab hospital for an evaluation. Everything seemed to go well. She said we will know something on tuesday. Fingers crossed.

Surgery update

Its kind of depressing for me lately. I see all my friends are going off to college and I have to stay behind. I know its the logical choice its just a bummer because id rather be off to college with my friends. The healing from my surgery is really slow. Its still really sore. Im glad to have it out already because i dont need to take the galbladder pill anymore. That pill tasted so nasty. Glad to be rid of it.

gallbladder out

yesterday i finally got my operation to remove my gallbladder.Everything went well. Im very sore right now and need a lot of rest but i think ill be ok soon.

decisions

Througout my illness i have been faced with many choices. It still doesnt make deciding on a major decision any easier. Ive been given the option to either go to school this up coming semester or take the semester off to go to rehab. Although i really really really want to go to school based on how things are playing out in my life right now, ive decided to take the semester off. I am still waiting to hear if the rehab facility will accept my case..fingers crossed. Only time will tell if i made te right decision. It would be nice to be able to get on my feet thoug. That would make missing the semester worth it.

8/8/12

Yesterday I went to visit doctor katz to get an ivig treatment despite the reaction I had. We changed the brand and pumped me up with pleanty of antihistimine and steroid. Everything went ok, my throat only seized up twice. For now I no longer have the luxery of being able to get home infusions due to the high risk of anaphylaxis. I desparately need treatment so Im willing to drive up to connecticut weekly if i have to. i  would do anything to get well.

update 8/5/12

This week has been pretty eventful. I met with the surgeon and got a date for my surgery. I really cant wait until the operation because the symptoms suck right now.I am also stuck on a diet limiting what i can and cant eat even more. On wednesday I will go up to connecticut to see Dr.Katz. I am looking forward to my appointment with him. On monday i will go to the hospital to have some presurgery testing done as well as an anesthesia consultation. Hopefully, everything goes well. On friday i met with a new doctor. Doctor Bransfield. He is another doctor with a large amount of experience with lyme disease. He put me on a few new meds. Hopefully they will help.I liked him he was very nice.

Money sucks

Im really pissed off because college is so expensive. Im sure many other college students are going through this same frustration. But, its not fair. Its bad enough that I have to work harder than the average student to stay in college but now that i managed to get the grades money once again stands in the way. I am worried that all my hard work is now in jeopardy because school is so expensive. This is really upsetting to me because school is the one ounce of normalcey i get. I really hope that everything works in my favor for once.

ER last night

Last night I had to be taken to the Emergency Room. I called my new PCP and she told me to go to the ER after telling her how Ive had fever and abdominal pain for the past three days or so. So, I went to the ER and sure enough my gallbladder was the culprit. I was not at all surprised since the sludge has caused me problems before. I hope the problem can be solved so I can have one less issue to deal with.

I cant take this anymore.

Im tired of my illness ruling my life. Its like I have no say. My mom is all like why dont you take a year off from school.. I tell her the same thing every single time. School is my only sense of accomplishment/productivity I get. Right now lyme disease has presented nothing but let downs. I still cant walk, this treatment doesnt work, ect... With school I feel productive, like im achieving something. I have my heart set on studying abroad spring semester. I brought it up to my mom today and she said you can only go if I can walk. like i have the ability to choose. I am so frustrated and angry because once again my illness decides what in my life I get to do. Studying in Sweden is something I knew I wanted to do since before even going to college. Spring semester is my chance to go.. my illness is once again the only thing standing in my way. Im sooo fed up. I want to be able to have a say in what I want to do. Ive missed out on too much of my life because of stupid Lyme disease. I really dont want to miss out on this too. Id do anything so I can get well enough to go. Please fate work in my favor. I beg you.

its so hard to say goodbye

My boyfriend left back for canada yesterday. I had so much fun while he was here. I love his company and dread the day when he has to leave. I love how he accepts me for who I am instead of  only seeing my disability.  The visit started out grim because the first week he came in town I was still in rehab. He is so devoted that he visited me everyday from start of visiting hours until late into the night. The second half more than made up for it. We even got to take a two day trip to Niagra Falls. He promised he'd take me out of the country since I often complain to him about my lack of traveling. (he is really well traveled and i wish i was ^^ ) At the stage I am at right now traveling is like playing Russian roulette. You hope for the good days but count on bad ones coming up. Lucky for this two day trip it was only good days. I guess the forces that be decided that i deserved those two days being good ones because they messed with my plans by causing me to be hospitalized while my boyfriend was in town.
I am extremely thankful for everything he does for me. I know it must take a lot of patience to be with an ill partner. Especially on the bad days. I dont know how he does it but he does a great job.
Saying Goodbye to him yesterday was just as hard as it was last time. I wonder if it ever gets any easier. Probably not. I hope I get to see him again soon.If Im lucky I might get to see him on my birthday. That would be the best birthday present I can get.

Home from rehab

I got released from rehab today. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand I am really happy to be home and on the other hand I feel like I could use more rehab. I was hoping to be standing by the time I got out but unfortunately, it didnt happen. My goal is to be walking (on crutches or cane at the least) by Christmas. I really hope I can achieve this goal.It does feel good to be home though. I missed my dogs especially. I went and surprise visited my grandparents. I wanted to introduce them to my boyfriend. Things went well and I had a really nice time with them as always.

Fourth of july

I spent the holiday with my boyfriend. Despite being in rehab still, we managed to enjoy our time together. We even managed to go out on a day pass to dinner and frozen yoghurt. It was so nice being able to see him. My boyfriend is from canada so the time we actually get to be together is extra special. I hope those who celebrate hope u had a happy 4th of july! :-)

Good day

I had a good day today. It started off with productive therapy sessions. In physical therapy we did e stim, in occupational therapy we did coloring exercises, and in speech i was given a banana to practice chewing and swallowing. The therapy dog was brought in today. I was so happy to pet him. This evening i went out on a day pass to get my boufriend from the airport. I surprised him because he didnt think i was able to leave the hospital. I was so happy to see him. It made my week. I cant wait to see him again tomorrow. For now im going to get some sleep. Good night.

Saturday

I had a very productive day today. In physical therapy i did some weight bearing excercises. It was extremely difficult but i know its necessary. I felt good afterwards because i feel like im working hard. The physical therapist i saw today said i have a lot of potential but need a lot of therapy. Im up to the challenge. As much as it stinks to be in a hospital over break, i dont mind too much. I know that being here is what i really need.
       my grandparents surprise visited me today. It was definately a highlight since i often get lonley. My grandy made me laugh when she pointed out that we are the opposite of the rest of the visitors. The visitors were grandchildren visiting their grandparent while in my case it was the grandparents visiting the grandkid. Its pretty funny. Tomorrow is the day where there is no therapy...i have no idea what im gonna do all day. Thank god there is cable here :P. 

Busy day at rehab

I had a very eventful day at rehab today. I started treatment in physical and occupational therapy and had a speech therapy eval. I worked really hard today.im so sore. The best part of today was this evening. My twin sister came to visit me and she surprised me by signing me out for an hour and takin me for icecream. I have the best sister ever. Im so tired now though. See you later!