One Week Behind Me

Well I have officially been here one week. So far it has been very good. I'm so impressed with everyone that works here. Their attitudes and knowledge are very impressive.

In physical therapy, we're working a lot on independent slide board transfers as well as balance and overall strengthening. Within a week I already feel a lot more confident with my transferring, and am hopeful that if I will have it down.

In occupational therapy, we are working on strengthening, adaptive tools, and a new hand splint that will help me pinch between my fingers and thumb better. This morning I worked on independent dressing and it was so hard I can't even explain it. I was so physically exhausted after a half-hour of wiggling around, trying to get my clothes off and on, reaching to my toes trying to push them over my feet, and him leaning forwards and backwards. I was thankful they came at seven in the morning so I could take the rest before getting up for the rest of my days.

I'm also working on bowel and bladder training ( is that TMI?).  The only reason I bring this up is because this is seriously as physically exhausting as physical therapy and occupational therapy.  Even more it's probably the most emotionally draining part.

I also found out today they would like me to stay for six more weeks.
I will more than likely be discharged on October 4.

Rehab 101

I discovered today while chatting with the other patients that their many similarities between rehab and prison.

This does not in any way imply that I do not want to be here, or do I not appreciate what I'm going to be able to learn while I'm here, more just funny quirks comparing the two.

1.  We all plot during meals about how we can escape.

Today we decided that we would create a distraction so that one of the other ladies could make a run for it. Since we outnumbered the help, we decided that if we split up and each went in different directions she could make it to the elevators.  Of course, she would have to ditch her wristband which is like a tracking device.

2.  After meals we all are escorted back to our room.

After we have meals, one of the CNA's pushes us back to our rooms where we wait until the next person comes to get us. If you head for the door, you are immediately intercepted by someone.

3.  Typically, the most exciting part of the day is
when we get to work out.

Therapy sessions are the only time besides meal time that we are able to get out of our room.  It's all about getting stronger, and trying to impress the person next to you with your abilities.

4. There are gangs.

We each sit at our designated tables and rarely converse with the other tables. while here it is more split up by men and women.

5. Meals can be very questionable.

While not all meals have been bad since I got here, I won't lie, I wish there was a hamburger man like on the movie ' The Longest Yard'.  There are days, I would drop a pretty penny for a hamburger pulled out of the old man's pants.

6. Our primary conversation, is when we get released.


One lady is released tomorrow and you could see the envious looks on everyone's faces. Another lady got her release date today, and with good behavior, will be going home next Friday.

The Test

Growing up, I have heard this song more than 100 times.  Now this song rings true even more.  If you look at the world there is so many people who struggle each day. I think we all ask the question, "why"?  It would be very easy to walk the path of sorrow and self-pity, but instead of focusing on what's wrong with the world, I see so many people who use their trials to lift others and be inspiring.  Thanks to the internet, blogs, and emails, there are beautiful people out there who focus on the good and make the world a little more tolerable. I have definitely used this time to find peace with my situation. It's true, we weren't sent hear to live a life of perfect ease. We were sent here to deal with trials and to be tested. To be forced to choose to walk the path of either the darkness, sorrow, and self-pity, or to choose light, joy, and peace. Each choice is always around, there for our taking, it's what we choose to see that will define our life. Everybody deserves some bad days still, but it truly is our decision to make it one bad day, not a bad life. It's true, I might not understand why this happened, and just because I have this large trial, doesn't make me think that there still won't be more ahead. Like the words of this song said though, "but didn't he say we could live with him forever more, well and whole, if we but patiently endure."  When things are hard, it's definitely hard to remain faithful, but these experiences truly are to strengthen us and help us grow, to learn, to love, and to appreciate the good that truly is all around. Through this trial I have been blessed to meet many wonderful new friends, to spend quality time with my boys and family, to be exposed to so many acts of kind service, feel the love of so many prayers, and to feel the constant support of everyone around me, and for so many things like this, I am grateful for my tests.