Thera-band Day

Today was thera-band day. YAY!!! My Home Health Aide brought me a sheet of exercises for people who are wheelchair bound and I had such a good time. I moved from the green band to the blue (up one level) because the green just doesn't challenge me anymore. There were 10 exercises, all pretty basic, but fun. I want to get a book of thera-band workouts but I can't find any in Topeka. Will have to order from Amazon (not a bad thing - I love Amazon).

I also did my floor stretching routine, mat leg stretches, and a bunch of wheelchair push ups. Lets not forget wheeling the chair all over the hospital. I go as fast as I can. Feel like I'm getting back in the groove. Feels better. The thing I was most afraid of about this injury is that I'd lose all the endurance and flexibility I'd worked so hard to build up. Guess I'm doing ok.

More later...

Missing the Exercise

It's amazing how you can get used to something and when it's gone it feels like such a loss. I miss the 3 mandatory and 1 1/2 hours of exercise I was getting at KRH. I'm still getting in quite a bit of exercise but I miss the apparatus which were available in rehab. I don't have the arm ergometer for aerobics and I don't have the blueprint of the the required sessions. Most of all I miss the raised mats for yoga and stretching. I'm still doing the mat exercise but on my bed which isn't the best surface, some stretching, upper body weights, some thera-band, and seated leg exs. It's not nothing but I need me some aerobics. Anyone have any ideas on getting the old heart rate up there while sitting in a wheelchair? Please chime in I need the advice.

I'm back at work. Today is the third day. I'm getting around pretty well. I went for a bone density test first thing this morning. The break happened so easily that the doc wanted to check things out. I don't have any osteoporosis on my Mom's side and I don't have any way of knowing about my Dad's genetics so the test will tell. I hope to get the results back by the time I see the doc next Thursday.

My food is good. For breakfast I had cottage cheese with crushed pineapple, a drop of bourbon vanilla, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Yum.

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Goodbye-Tuesday

Tomorrow is my last day at Kansas Rehab. I've really enjoyed my stay, Got in lots of exercise, learned tons of new stuff and met some nice people. The environement was one of healing and getting better and although some folks fought the process most were willing to do whatever it took to get better. I have mixed feelings about leaving. Part of me wants to stay and be taken care of and take Andy's thera-band class, and do PT with Francis, and all the other fun physical training I've been doing. But it's time to go home and get back to work. I won't be able to bear weight on the ankle for at least 3 more weeks which should make getting around home quite interesting. I have a wheelchair, a walker, and a cute little bench for the shower. I'm hoping I can get my wheelchair up the new ramp built onto my front porch. Tomorrow will be the test. I don't know what I'll do about my laundry since the washer/dryer are in the basement and I can't go down the stairs. I guess I'll have to ask for help. That will be difficult. I've already asked so many people to do so much for me that I feel I'm running out of goodwill.

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Titanium

Well guys, this is the second Sunday I have spent at Kansas Rehabilitation Hospital with a broken ankle. Two weeks ago (on my birthday of all days) I fell and broke it in two places. Had to have surgery and now have two titanium plates, a small brace and a bunch of screws in my right ankle. I am unable to put weight on that foot and will be for awhile so I am in rehab learning how to deal with living on one foot. I think I get out on Tuesday.

While I was in the hospital my house was robbed. They took all my appliances includeing my new window air conditioning unit and all my electronics. Going home will be a lot of fun.

Has anyone tried Theraband? I am in love with it. We use it in one of my rehab classes. I was surprised at the great workout I got. I'm looking for a book with some instructions so I can continue to use it at home.

More later....