My Weekend

Hi , all! Well I stayed here for the weekend and it has been quite alright!Saturday my good friend Debbie came and got me and we went to the Halifax Shopping Center to see the Hair for Hero's which is people getting their head shaved for cancer. Her son Adam was getting his head shaved and they brought a police horse there, Sarge, a beautiful boy, 16.3 hands high and they shaved his mane! not sure I liked that! and we were going to do some shopping! Yeah! Oh and I have to mention I got New York Fries!!! First fries in many months! so good. Well the shopping went ok...Debbie was so good! but I have to tell you shopping in a chair was challenging! but with Debbie's help and her strong arm I got a few things....a pair of capris (just picture me wearing them with the knee high white pressure stockings I have to wear! ouch! but I have to admit I have the capris on now and not the stockings) After shopping we got a delicious smoothy and then back to the Rehab. When I got here there was a woman visiting Jennie who I knew a bit from Truro! She was the interpreter the Dept. always got when dealing with a deaf person! What a small world! Then I hit the bed! I was soooo tired, I'll be happy when I get some of my stamina back!

Today is Sunday and the sun is shinning and the sky soooo blue, I lazed around in bed for an extra 30 min's then up and to the laundry here in the Rehab and did a few things, Ferne my favourite roommate and I went outside to wait for the laundry to be done, then went for a wheel down to the corner and up to almost the end of the street and then back...we were trying to figure out how we could get a couple of electric chairs and then really do Spring Garden Rd. and the Public Gardens whohoo! Some how I don't think they will lend us the chairs...haha The day was sooo nice it made me sad for just a moment to be thinking what a perfect day for riding.....but you know it is natural for me to feel that way and I will again several times,I have had a big change in my life and I doubt I'll ride again but I will still have the joy of being with Fan and just loving her and being with her is very important and good for me.I have to admit I have been very impatient this past week....you know it has been almost 3 months since the accident....I have been so good up til now...but in physio I have been pushing it and get frustrated when my left leg just won't do something....she explained to me that muscles take time...some longer than others but she pointed out that I was able to walk in the walker ...let me see....oh yes the last measured walk was over 70 meters and I had the brace and the walker for the weekend and I'm sure I walked over a 100 meters! won't be long before I kick this chair good bye! In fairness I have to add my walking wouldn't make a fashion runway! haha I am going to try to get some pic's and video of me walking and doing my physio so you can get a better idea of what my life here is like. I will have to figure out how to get them on this blog or you might have to go to facebook.....love to all

I'm Back......

Hi all, supper is finished and now the big controversy here on 5B is that "someone" says that we all have to eat in the dinning room, no more trays in the rooms......well steam came out my ears and the rebel in me (oh yes there is a rebel in me...somewhere.....) got fired up....to make a short story shorter....I just went in and put my tray on my lap and my roommates by the way, and one of the non biased nurses rolled me to my room...not a word was said and we all ate peacefully....well, you have to take whatever excitement you can get where you can get it haha



I am staying here for the weekend, going out Sat. with my good longtime (was going to say old friend but...:) friend Debbie to see her son get his head shaved for Cancer...hope I might pick up a few summer clothes to...don't know what size I take anymore as I lost 15lbs but I have to figure in the toneless muscles that are paralyzed ..esp. in my midrift...hmmmm



I go see Dr. Oxner about my neck on June 5th....say a prayer for that please...thank you. Oh and about the word thank-you which I was taught to respond with "your welcome" well guess that is of the past, we have student nurses here and every time you say thankyou they respond with " no problem" like it could have been a problem! The Student nurses are all very sweet and very young and very sure of themselves.Fortunately or unfortunately they don't assign one to me because there is nothing for them to do.....wash my teds maybe (Teds are the very tight white elastic stockings I have to wear) but it is interesting in a 4 bed ward working on others.



I am much to my chagrin taking warfarin a blood thinner, yes it is the stuff they kill rats with, as result I have some very fancy bruises interestingly mostly on my right arms and leg.....I have to take them because I had a blood clot in my arm in ICU....so I am on them for a few more weeks.

Now that Deanna has sent me the instructions on how to get on I should be ok and check in regularly. By the way I am still in awe of the great work you all did for me....love in motion eh!

You all are the greatest!

Love ya

Back Again!

Hi everyone, I have been trying to blog for the past couple of days but guess what ...I had forgotton how to get on to blog....man, that head injury has taken its toll! haha

I have had a good couple of dsys, Tuesday I walked 27.7 meters (not feet) in the walker with the brace...! I felt pretty good about that and today I am sure I walked further than that though Karen didn't mesure it.

As I might have mentioned there is a deaf gal here inthe room with us and I am learning a few signs...I love it,Jean has such a great spirit to have lived and gone throughso much !

I have to go more to follow tonight

Oops!

Hi everyone, I don't think I made any friends in Occupational Therapy today.....they are very kind and sweet there but they keep trying to teach me wheel chair skills and as I have no intention of coming home in a wheel chair....why should I take the time and effort to learn all that stuff.....finally when she suggested that I go tot the OT kitchen and try cooking a meal I had to speak up...very nicely I said that I would not be going home in a chair therfore saw no reason to cook a meal in a chair....she said ok...maybe when I was walking I could try cooking...well if she thinks I'll cook here when I seldom cook at home.....alright haha

You know, I have had lots of time to think in here and I have realized that things I would get upset about before are just not that important now....things are not that important now, it is what is in my mind and in my heart that are important, it is important to smile at the old man or young child, look into the eyes of a homeless person and buy them a sandwich or drop a loonie in their can...if they buy a bottle of wine with it ...well that is their journey isn't it. To see a flower and appreciate it's beauty...you get my drift.

I was soooooooo pleased by the headline on the front page of the Berwick Register..
"Love, Prayers Heal" The fact that the Benifit day made the front page makes me think it was a slow news week! haha but they got the message!!!! yeah!!! How many times can I say thank you...never enough times.I love you all so much

I was home this weekend but never even left the house, I was tired, just coming down from last weekend....I saw family, Larry and Zack brought over some delicious plank salmon, so good!

The gal in the bed next to me, a deaf woman from Antigonish who got hit buy a train had a halo just like mine and she got it of today!!! Great rejoicing, I am almost as happy as she is that it is off!

I'll catch up with you all later....

More thoughts on Sat.

Oh what a day it was, the sun shone, (who would have expected any less!) and it was all so beautiful, so many good friends I wanted to stop and talk to but I just couldn't talkto everybody like I wanted to but just to see them...my heart was filled.

Folks as I said to you before, this thing (the event Sat.) was so much more than about me, I was the original catalyst but it took on a life of it's own....people were drawn to be there , coming from Halifax, Truro, Chester Basin, Yarmouth and probably other places....people I had never met nor had any connection with either through massage or horses...people came and stayed all day! The therapist's and readers etc. worked all day! I know how exhausting that is...and the generosity for the silent auction donations and bids were mindbogaling.....friends we have to take the love we experienced Saturday and make it grow, spread it around to every one you meet, do random acts of kindness and love every day every thing from sending healing energy and love to someone who needs it to paying for someones lunch or coffee....

I believe that my accident was meant to happen , for those who understand I signed up for it before coming in....it offered me this wonderful opportunity to learn,love grow and share, as most things in our life are opportunities...I'll close now but am sending out love to you all...love is everything.

Back i Rehab!!!

Back in Rrehab...my mouth hasn't stopped since I got here! Have to show every body the pic of my beautiful Fan and tellas much as words can tell about Saturday whichh folks you may or may not know was a huge Spiritual Event! More on the later...I would love to hear some thoughts or anticdotes from you fellows...send it on this blog or to mgb_46@yahoo.com.

I am just trying to process it all...but I had a great time home...saw my horse first thing...I called her name from the car and she lifted her head from the hay she was eating (a major thing in it self haha) and turned her head and pricked up her ears...I was so thrilled! As far as I'm concerned it was her her saying hi Ruth...

My mother is so great! Helping me get the chair and me through hundred year old door ways which were as wide as the the chair plus 1 inch...yes the door jambs will need a paint job now!!! The food was so good and the company even better. I slept in my old room in my old bed.

I wanted to go in an see my house...mom & I had it all figured out! or so we thought...pulled the car right up to the back door I bummed it up the 2 steps and got in the back hall, next I was to get into the walker and sit and mom would push me through the house....stop....I couldn't get my ass off the floor...oh how we laughed..but not too be thwarted we call on Zack...good old Zack strong and sweet...down he came and we had a great tour of the house...(I couldn't remember wher anything I wanted was.....small matter.....

I am going to post this and continue I have lost to many things......

Sunday Morning..Morning After

Hi all, I am sitting here Sunday morning, looking at the beautiful flowers Heather gave me.Basking in the glow of yesterday. Mom and I are going to church, I have a lot to thank God for don't I! Yesterdays so full of love and friendship and fun, it truly couldn't have been any better. I was ready to get up in the walker this morning and walk around but mom quickly put a stop to that, I guess even though I feel so good I feel I could walk I might be pushing it.....:) haha

Well off to church with mom....get back to you later

love to all

What a Day!

This was one of the best days of my life! Thank you is too small a word to use but the only one I have right now...today was magical, the energy and the love was palpable and I just took it all in and will take it back tot he Rehab with me...Deanna my friend you and all the others did an amazing job...put this one on your resume...I saw so many good friends and new friends and wish I could have spent more time talking to each of you...if I missed you or could only say a quick hello I hope you understand.

Pictures if you have any really good pic's I'd love to see them. they will help remind me of all the great people who were there.

All the volunteers who manned the tables and bouncy cage, barbaque etc you did such a good job!
Everything was so well run and every one seemed to be having a good time, feeining the love that was so strong there.

The money raised will cerrainly be a big help allowing me to not worry about money concerns and focus on my healing and for that I am forever grateful but even more important to me was the coming together in love and friendship of so many people from so many different parts of my life. That as they say is priceless! If you know of people there today who don't follow the blog please pass these setiments along to them.

It has been a long but memorable day forever held in my heart.....love to all good night.

In the Pool!

Hello folks Well this morning I am in the pool! I am excited as this is supposed to be the best therapy. Well we have a new roomamate, I almost fell out of my chair yesterday when I rolled in and saw a MAN in the empty bed..now I have nothing against men but we gals get pretty wild in here at times and I wouldn't want anything to cramp our style haha. This morning there was evident proof there was a man inthe house, the toilet seat was up! Not to mention his aim wasn't so good :0) He is out this morning, he was just waiting for a room to open.

We have student LPN students in now...man I can't get away with anything...she is on me like flies on honey....but nothing like a keen student.

I had my swollow test Monday, I can now eat bread products yeah toast! but still no liquids....oh well nothing seems too bad when I remember the halo.....from there it is all good haha


I worked really hard today but it was worth it. Wasin the pool and loved it, then to OT and went in the standing box and stood on both legs....it felt good...the problem child left leg is getting stronger. Thento PT and more standing.....Looking fortward to the weekend...I plan to be there about noon and hope to stay an hour or two we will see how much stamina I have...

Hands are shaking to much to type...a sign of being tired....good nite ....3 more sleeps!

Hello on this cold windy wet day, a day to be spent infront of my wood stove with my cat...hmmmm soon to come! It has been aquiet day except for losing ny drawer key ....again!!!! I look after my own meds here, but they are to be kept in my locked drawer. I lost my first key and it took quite a while and much ado to try to get another key so when I thought Ilost another key...welll you can imagine...yes she is responsible enough to take care of her own meds but not responsible enought to keep the key...I could just hear it..anyway after going through the dirty laundry bag (twice!) and the bed linen getting Carelton my nurse get down to cheak under the bed..said it was the first time he had been on his knees for sometime haha....I was getting desparate..then Caelton (thre nurse) put his hand on my shoulder and felt the plastoc thing \i had the key on...it had some how got pushed up my arm from my wrist....we had a good laugh and speaking of Carelton it turns out he lived in Cambridge same time I was in Bwerwick in the early 70's, didn't know each other but we have a number of mutual friends...small world eh

They call me Little Miss Independence here...because if I can find a way to do it my self I do.....it is amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.

This living in the NOW is very interesting...while at the same time
looking forward to the 16th.

Good nite my friends love to all

Hello from The Rehab rm 510! I am all cuddled up in bed writing to my friends before I go to sleep. I had a wonderful visit from Linda Rozee today and we went for a roll down Spring Garden Rd. Linda got her workout pushing that chair on the bumpy side walks but it was fun. Things are progressing slowly at times then all of a sudden wow you see a great change.....I am learning to really listen to my body and pay attention.....I have another swollow test on Monday...that is a test to cheak out my swollowing, after haveing trach the swollowing mechanism doesn't always work effectively and stuff slips into the lung....not a good thing. Ihave been drinking thickeded juice for what seems like forever, as I can't have any liquids like water or ice cream, so keep your fingers crossed for me on Monday.

Good night and I look forward to seeing you on the 16th .......love to all

Hello hello! it has been a really good day! I was up in the walker! now I didn't run any marathons but 4 or five steps. It was a good start,the left leg still can't bear weight but is getting stronger yeah!

Another thing I have been thinking about is love.....I have been saying it to alot of people lately and I want you all to know that to me it is not just a phrase I use, I mean it from my heart, I feel it from my heart....itis impotant to me that you all understand that...ok

Well it has been a good day, the girls here are teasing me about my snoring...apprntly \i have a variety of snores....well at least I'm entertaing.....0)

love to all

Ruthie

Hello, my friends ! Well you might have noticed that there was no blog yesterday.......reason for...."it was one of those days!" but that is all that is needed to be said on that matter! Today isanother day and it was much better! I am making plans for the trip home for the 16th and look forward to seeing all my wonderful friends including Deanna of course who has worked so hard at putting this all together! What a gal!

Unfortunetly I don't get to go inthe pool like was \planned I have urinary tract infection so have towait til it clears up.....more antibiotics more yougurt! Two of the other gals in the room have UTI so I guess I just trying to fit in with the crowd haah

I also must mention that I have the best sister in the world, Barb, who drove all the way up from Yarmouth and then back again after visiting for just an hour but that hour was yesterday and that visit helped me get through a difficult day more than anything else could.....thanks Barb your speciial!

My pysio guy is amazed at at how well I am doing in weight training.....I explained that I wanted to be the very best I could be by the 16th.....I'm a woman with a mission....don't get in my way haha

I still can't have liquids so continue to drink the "thickened juice" yuck ...hoping by the `16th I'll be able to enjoy some Chapmans and a hot cup of coffee!

Well waitng for supper which really isn't that bad.....for a Rehab...\\\\\\;0)

Talk to you later

love to all

Quiet Sunday...major revelatio

Hi it has been a quiet day in the Rehab,which is nice for a change. My problem child (left leg)has not been cooperating like I think itshould....but we will be back in physio tomorrow and I will be in the pool....yeah!

No major insights right now,they usually come about 3 am.......but I was taking to Barb, my sister in Yarmouth this afternoon and she is driving up tomorrow and going back to Yarmouth......I was saying that it was too much for her and not to it....she replied " I'd rather drive to Halifax to see you than to go visit your grave" well, that set me back.... I guess I never really realized how close I was...I knew but didn't take it in....

I am looking forward to May 16th....I may be an emotional mess but I do want to see all my dear friends.

Love to all.....

Oh my goodness...I have just finished reading more posts on the web site.....all I can say it is wonderful to be loved as I am....I am so touched.....and I truly love you all as well, this journey I am on is teaching me so much, there are so many tresures I am finding, I am learning and growing.....it was a rather dramatic way to get started on this journey but I am thankful for the opportunities it affords me.

Sleep tight my friends I will as I will be holding you in my heart.

\hello my friends! I have had a really good day, Kelly Patterson was in this morning after delivering a puppy and Dale, Tanya and Gail were in then Linda Rozee. I will be going in the pool this week so I am really looking forward to that. \my left leg is slowly getting better cm. by cm. slow but sure.

Oh I must share with you that Dale brought me some of his maple syrup in a CrownRoyal bottle, I went to the nurses station to get a label for my name, she thought it was the original Crown Royal, she was aghast that I wanted to put it inthe community fridge, she said "what if someone drinks it!" \i said that would be ok...she just stared at me, then I caught on and told her it was maple syrup, she didn't believe me! It was too funny! Finally I had her take the top off and smell it...she was so embrassed!!!

I spent the morning reading the posts on the Facebook page.....wow, what can I say...every one is so kind and it is not surprising how well I am doing with all the best wishes, prayers and healing energy being sent to me, I am truly blessed
and I am very aware of it.

What a great day May 16th wil be! I really hope to be there, I look forward to seeing all of my friends and joining in the fun!

As for an update on me, \i am now totally independent for my personal care such as showering , dressing and all that, it takes a while and would look pretty funny but I do it myself! still have to have a few medical things done but just give me time! \In physio, in the muscle building exercises he is adding more weight every day, he is very surprised! He doesn't know how many angels are helping me and all the help from the Universe!

Sally Shaw a osteopath from the city and a horse person came in to give me a treatment yesterday...so generous of her and she
brought a young english osteopath from England and they both worked on me! No big surprise , my sacrum and skull were both jammed up!

Well my hands are so shaky now I am spending more time correcting typos than writing...haha \i have had a good day my frinds and am continuing to learn all \i can from this interesting journey I am on........love to all

Hi again, for you that don't know I had the halo (another name for the metal thing of torture they had put around my head when the accident first happened) anyway to make a long painful story shorter, the halo malfuntioned and they had to remove it, the silver linning to this cloud is that there had been enough healing that they were able to put a "collor" on me and not replace the halo.....another example of prayers at work!

To update my right leg is coming along just fine, I can move it back and forth, bear some weight, it feels numb like if your leg had fallen asleep butthat will slowly get better, the left leg is the problem child, very numb like frozen in dry ice, but the toes move and that is a very good indication. When I was getting the halo off my surgeon was there and when he saw that I could move my left leg toes a big smile came over his face and he said" your going to be ok" Gotta tell Ya that sounded pretty good to my ears!

We were joking here in the ward...there were 3 of us then...trying to think of what mischief we could get up to but as we thought about our collective abliities we thought..... one of us as no use below the neck, one no use below the waist and the other only one leg.......didn't we laugh!

Well tomorrow is Saturday and I have lots of company coming, so I will be very busy! Look for my next blog.......love to all and I mean to ALL!

Hi, I'm back from my nap! Not often time for a nap here I am keep very busy doing physio which is a lot of strength training for my legs and Occupational traing to learn how to use the wheel chair which let me tell you around the streets of Halifax you need to know all the tricks! Haha

This journey Iam on is very interesting, I am learning a lot about me and about the world of the disabled.....we take our health for granted or at least I did....this Rehab is great , the staff happy and really caring and the food, now that I am getting real food is not bad..I have some swollowing issues because of the tracheostomy and can't have liquids yet, no tea coffee or water not to mention ice cream ie Chapman Frozen Cherry Yogurt! as once it melts it is a liquid and the concern is that I will aspiratate it into my lung and well that is anot a good story......so I am being a goodgirl and will wait patiently til I can have my Chapmans...oops the hands are getting shaky again..will stop here but write again in a bit.....love you all!

Hello Hello My wonderful good special friends! I am finally blogging! I have so much to tell you but I will have to do it in smal spurts as my hands are shaky and my typos would be rediculous! But first to say I am doing amazingly well and attribute it to your loving prayers and healing energy...I'll take a nap and write some more!!! Love to all!