Dec 31st to Jan 13th

Dec 31 to Jan 13

Mon Dec 31^st: Did 16.1 k on the bike. Was going to cut back but I’ll take pain meds if I need to. That’s what they are there for. Yes the back tightened up and so did the arm.  I really should ride the bike every day as I feel so much better after the ride. With a few tight parts.

Called the service provider today to see if we can get the morning workers in here at 7 am. Darcy explained about being in bed for 12 hours and not getting my meds on time, there answer was that we need to be more flexible…well we won’t. I lie in bed on my back and do not move the entire night. 12 hours is too long to stay in one position.  They had originally said they would be in at 9 on New Years day…. we said no. They called back and now someone is coming in at 7.

Tues Jan 1^st: Slept through New Year’s eve but I’m assuming it was the same as last year, sans Dick Clark. Strange dreams last night. I kept thinking air was coming out of my lungs under pressure and my ribs were collapsing when in reality, I had opened my mouth and the CPAP was short circuiting through my mouth. This happened several times but I didn’t figure it out ‘til morning. 

The PSW was here at 6:45…yeehaw . Went to meet the cycling club for the annual Jan 1^st Frost Bite Ride. Last year I talked to all the guys on Skype. This year I got some of the pre-ride Maple Crown Royal and got to see the riders off. Darcy and I had our usual 25 cent bet. She thought there would be 5 riders, I guessed 8. We were both wrong, there were 13. Even 3 ladies showed up. I have found that if you can keep your hands and toes warm you can ride for quite a while. I used those heater packs that kept the fingers and toes nice and cozy.  I could ride comfortably for about 2 hours at – 10 degrees. This is the end of an era, the Ride has always started at Rocket’s lakefront property in Port Dover for the last 14 years. Rocket and Stephanie are moving to Simcoe in February.  Hmmmm…perhaps I’ll be doing the ride next year.

Wed Jan 2^nd: Back to PT and the ol’ gang is back and ready to go. Did the usual stretching and did some sit to stands. Showed Laura the ‘new bike’ and told her about the 14” seat height. She got a tape and measured the height of the plinth. It was 23 inches, I can get up from there with a little assistance. It was then moved down to 22, and I got up with a little help. 

Did a stand from the plinth and pivoted into the chair. The good thing was that I put weight on my left leg and moved the right foot. Must really think to stand strong on the left before I move the right. I try to go too fast and move my feet before my body is in the right position to move. Another little improvement is that I can now lift my left leg while sitting in a chair which means some muscles are getting stronger in my hip. 

Thurs Jan 3^rd: Did 11.1 k on the bike in 45 minutes. It tightened me up a bit.

Fri Jan 4^th:  No pool as Yonna left for Hawaii. Did 10 k on the bike in 30 minutes. Riding the bike causes tonal overflow. That means the harder I pedal the tighter my trunk gets. Tonal overflow is different for everyone. My friend Etienne who has a spinal cord injury at about the same place in his neck, has tonal overflow to his legs. He also pedals a bike and then it feels like he has tight bands around his legs and he can’t do anything for a couple of days.

In PT, did some stretching and prone lying and then some standing and doing some weight shifting. They get me standing very tall and keep my butt in. It is hard to do a shift with 3 people hanging on but I was able to put some weight on my left leg and lift up my right leg. Both of the physios mentioned that my legs are getting stronger but there is a long way to go. They want to get me back on the treadmill.

Sat Jan 5^th: Finally got to go to Karate class. The PSW comes at 8:30. Darcy got me up at 7:30 for breakfast and the worker gave me a shower and got me dressed. Did 10 sit to stands and putting weight on moving side to side putting weight on each leg. I can feel the left leg getting stronger as I can stand on it and take most of the weight off my right foot.

Got to class just as they were starting it.  Sensei John got me to the front of the class and it was good watching class again from the front.  It sure was energizing watching everyone train and getting a good sweat on. It is inspiring watching Frank, a 78 year old doing the class. He gets a little frustrated because he forgets his kata moves sometimes, but who cares, he’s there doing it. Probably the only 78 year old doing Karate other than in Okinawa…rah Frank.

Did an hour on the bike at tension 3,4 and 5. It felt ok but the last 30 minutes the cadence sure slowed down. Did 10.4 k in the first ½ hour and 9.1 in the second. We’ll see how the tonal overflow is tomorrow.

Sun Jan 6^th: Well it looks like I’ll be putting up with a tight back and ribs today. Perhaps need to keep the biking down to 30 minutes. Did 10 sit to stands with some weight shifts.

Mon Jan 7^th:  Did 10 sit to stands before going to Parkwood. When I get up I stand tall on one leg and lift the heel off the other to put all my weight on one leg. In the past my left hip would give out but it seems to be able to hold my weight now….hmmmm…another new development. Now when I get into bed from my chair, I stand and pivot. The left leg actually holds all my weight when I lift and move my right foot. Soon I want to be able to stand and pivot to get into the car.

Got into the pool Parkwood. After some stretching they got me standing. Walked backwards across the pool and then forward. That is with a physio on either side with my arms around their shoulders. Pleased with the progress in the pool and the sit to stands, must keep reminding myself to stand tall before I move my feet.

It seems I have tonal overload no matter what I do. The trunk was very tight after doing the walking in the pool. I asked Laura if it will ever go away. She said, “it’s up to me to make it stop.” That is one tough mental exercise.

Tues Jan 8^th: Met my buddy from Parkwood at the Mandarin for lunch...ate way too much but we will do it again next month. Got home and rode the bike for an hour. Laura suggested that I ride for 30 minutes but I have turned the tension down and my trunk isn’t any tighter than when I ride for 30 minutes. I will try drinking lots to see if that helps.

Well I ordered the trike…they are out of stock but the order is in.

Rode the bike for an hour…at lower tension. Felt ok, arms tight after the ride.

Wed Jan 9^th: Well that will be the last hour ride for a while. Had a lot of spasms in bed in the morning.  Got to Parkwood and I could hardly move. Jody in OT tried to loosen me up, it worked little. In PT they tried to get me into prone but my back hurt so much I couldn’t stay there. Had massage from Jeanie and I stayed loose for about an hour. Had to take some pain pills. Not only is my back tight but my legs and shoulders as well.

In OT there was a student OT doing her 7 week practicum and wanted to know what muscle tone is. She now knows.

Thurs Jan 10^th: Still a bit tight and the ol’ back is sore but it is getting better. Back on the bike tomorrow for 2x15 with a 3 minute cool down in between and I’ll limit my workout to some standing and the leg workout in bed. 

Had lunch with Etienne who is walking but is a little down. He can’t workout much because his legs tighten up and his back hurts. He was one strong rider before his injury and now he feels that he can’t do anything because he tightens up the next day. I must take that into consideration and do lighter workout so the trunk doesn’t tighten up but at this point in time I will continue to work out… just be a little smarter. 

Just about had a panic attack, it is strange on what sets them off. I was on the computer and had a sweater on, and started sweating and my nose was plugging up and it was about to start…was able to talk myself out of it, but I really wanted to go outside and get some fresh air…but it passed. Perhaps I do need to see the psychiatrist just to make sure the meds are ok.   

Fri Jan 11^th: PT with Emily and then in the standing table for 20 minutes. Stand on an incline board it gives a very good calf stretch. Don’t know if standing tightens up my trunk or not. Not going to do any biking on the weekend as I want to be without trunk tightness for the treadmill on Monday. They told me on Wednesday that I’ll be on the treadmill on Monday at about 2:15. If I can stand on the left and walk properly I may get into the locomotor program.

Did lots of work getting the program ready for Sunday morning Brown Belt workout. Looking forward to teaching again.

Sat Jan 12^th: Yikes my hour ride on Tuesday is still with me. Need to take extra pain meds, something  I haven’t done for a while. Missed class this morning because I was so tight…grrr. Just rested most of the day.

Sun Jan 13^th: Made it to Karate class and worked with the Brown Belts. They seemed to enjoy the workout. Then went for a coffee. I should be drinking decafe as caffeine gets me ‘excited’ and it’s tough sitting in the chair with a caffeine buzz. 

A friend from the rugby club came for a visit today. I was good to see Bob and Marion.

How am I Feeling?

Right now, Sunday evening, quite frankly not that good…the pain is becoming a factor in my back in particular and with my intercostal muscles tightening, it becomes difficult to breath. Don’t know how to describe it. All the muscles are tight and it feels like I can’t move, but I can. Perhaps that explains the dreams I am having where I am tied up or someone is squeezing me very tight and it usually isn’t a pretty girl doing the squeezing. Guess I’ll just get used to it. In some of the research they say that the pain increases as the nerves get reconnected. Hopefully that’s what is happening. A burning sensation started in my legs on Saturday night even though I did very little exercise other than some sit to stands before bed. Woke up at about 3 and had trouble getting back to sleep. Legs, back and neck were burning. Of course now I am starting to worry that I’ll be having nerve pain in my legs and back. Perhaps it’s time to see the Doc. For sure, no more hour bike rides and lower tension to reduce the tonal overflow.

I’m still looking into the trike and have sent some emails to the company about what I want on it. I asked if they could put a 700c wheel on the back instead of a 26 inch standard. Got a reply from the production manager that the 700c would fit. Next email I ordered a bike with a 700c rear wheel with the components I want on it. The sales rep responded that they only supply 26 inch wheels. I sent a copy of the production manager’s email just to see what happens…haven’t got a reply yet. I am sure he meant that a 700c wheel (a normal road bike wheel) would fit and I could put it on, but that’s not what he said…we’ll see what happens. 

Thanks for listening...

Thanks for listening….