Today, I finished my last day of rehab at Pate. This finishes up a long journey for me, which began back in June, 2009. It feels strange to be “cut loose”, if I may use that saying.
To recap -- at my worst I was unable to walk, talk, sit up straight, or do things like tie my shoe. At this point, I can do all those things, though when I walk and talk it appears that I'm drunk, and it takes me a lot longer to tie my shoe.
I saw the doctor today, and he approved botox injections for my left leg and my left arm to help with the spasticity. If that doesn't work, I will try the baclofen pump. It seems that is where the doctor thinks I will end up, anyway. As the injections are only temporary, they are supposed to last about three months.
I spoke with the therapists today about helping with athletics for the fourth nine weeks, and they seem to think that it would be all right. I would like to do this because I would like to get to know the seventh grade athletes for next year and because I just miss going into the gym in the mornings. This does mean that I will miss out on one period of planning a day, but I hope to have everything under control by that time, anyway.
Teaching continues to go very well, I had enough time away to put together a very good plan for my class and so far it’s been very successful. It is also very nice to be back in my old routine.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
getting back to work and other changes
A lot has happened since the last time I posted. I've been very busy. I started back to work on January 4 on the Monday. that day was a staff development day, the next day the kids came back. So far, it has gone very well. I had plenty of time to make a very good plan to manage my classroom. I also have a classroom assistant that helps with a lot of the legwork and the discipline.
As far as deficits I still deal with -- I still get pretty tired when talking, and I don't move very well around the room. But other than that it is very nice to be back in the old routine. I will say it's a bit frustrating not being able to do things as fast as I used to, but it is nice to be back doing them.
I am dictating this right now, because typing takes way too long. I found a nifty bit of software that allows you to speak and it types for you. I tried the Vista voice-recognition software, and it's not great.
I've been to a few different doctors since I've posted last. The neuro ophthalmologist has cleared me to take the driving evaluation and I no longer have any double vision. I had an MRI back in December, and the neurosurgeon reports that all the blood has cleared up from the surgery. I saw another neurosurgeon about the tremors in my left side and found out that I have many options before surgery to put a Baclofen pump in. Such as, Botox injections, and more medications.
That's it for now, I will check back with everyone later. Thank you for your continued support!
As far as deficits I still deal with -- I still get pretty tired when talking, and I don't move very well around the room. But other than that it is very nice to be back in the old routine. I will say it's a bit frustrating not being able to do things as fast as I used to, but it is nice to be back doing them.
I am dictating this right now, because typing takes way too long. I found a nifty bit of software that allows you to speak and it types for you. I tried the Vista voice-recognition software, and it's not great.
I've been to a few different doctors since I've posted last. The neuro ophthalmologist has cleared me to take the driving evaluation and I no longer have any double vision. I had an MRI back in December, and the neurosurgeon reports that all the blood has cleared up from the surgery. I saw another neurosurgeon about the tremors in my left side and found out that I have many options before surgery to put a Baclofen pump in. Such as, Botox injections, and more medications.
That's it for now, I will check back with everyone later. Thank you for your continued support!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Preparing for work
So the kids don't walk all over me when I go back, I'm in the process of putting together a class management plan (my first thought of making an example of one kid per class with a baseball bat Al Capone style might not sit well with parents). Apparently, asking them to go easy on me would be asking too much of an eighth grader :D I'd give you some details, but then it won't be secret :/
On the therapy front, I continue to make strides in all my trouble areas. The biggest concern is my voice. It gets stronger by the week, but the question is if it will be strong enough come January? Typing is coming a bit easier, but still slow as christmas. The mac and cheese at Panera is frickin tasty!
Yesterday, I got seven in a row on VMR level 4, the program I must pass to get a referral to a driving eval. I'm on the last level; you have to get 10 trials in a row with no errors, an average time of 0.6 and no instances over 1 second. All this means I will be driving again soon, so if you're going to be around north Texas WATCH OUT!
On the therapy front, I continue to make strides in all my trouble areas. The biggest concern is my voice. It gets stronger by the week, but the question is if it will be strong enough come January? Typing is coming a bit easier, but still slow as christmas. The mac and cheese at Panera is frickin tasty!
Yesterday, I got seven in a row on VMR level 4, the program I must pass to get a referral to a driving eval. I'm on the last level; you have to get 10 trials in a row with no errors, an average time of 0.6 and no instances over 1 second. All this means I will be driving again soon, so if you're going to be around north Texas WATCH OUT!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Getting Back to Normal
Bless me Interweb, for I have sinned. It has been over three weeks since my last blog.
Since my last post, I continue to progress. This last weekend, I watched Q solo while Jess rested (she wasn't feeling well). This is significant for two raisins -
1. Jess wasn't there to change diapers, etc.
2. Q actually let me watch after her without hitting me and shouting "NO DADA".
The issues on my left side are still there, though I am using my left hand more and moreeeeeeeeeee; such as to hold down buttons on the keyboard.
My voice seems to be coming back, but it's still pretty weak.
I had my second visit in two weeks with a neuro-ophthamologist today. I finally got a new prescription, Eyemart is cooking those up right now (unless you read this more than 30 minutes after I type this, then they cooked them up at the current time/date minus Tuesday 11/10 at 6:30pm).
Yesterday, at Pate, my therapist and I discussed the conditions under which I would go back to work - they pay me, while I complain of a headache and stay home...as nice as that would be, it's a lie. The real discussion concerned me going back for teaching only, no athletics, working 3-5 hours a day, and if possible, working as an assistant to another teacher and gradually changing roles. Hopefully, I will be ready for the full schedule and independence by tennis season in late Feb.
That's the skinny for now!
Since my last post, I continue to progress. This last weekend, I watched Q solo while Jess rested (she wasn't feeling well). This is significant for two raisins -
1. Jess wasn't there to change diapers, etc.
2. Q actually let me watch after her without hitting me and shouting "NO DADA".
The issues on my left side are still there, though I am using my left hand more and moreeeeeeeeeee; such as to hold down buttons on the keyboard.
My voice seems to be coming back, but it's still pretty weak.
I had my second visit in two weeks with a neuro-ophthamologist today. I finally got a new prescription, Eyemart is cooking those up right now (unless you read this more than 30 minutes after I type this, then they cooked them up at the current time/date minus Tuesday 11/10 at 6:30pm).
Yesterday, at Pate, my therapist and I discussed the conditions under which I would go back to work - they pay me, while I complain of a headache and stay home...as nice as that would be, it's a lie. The real discussion concerned me going back for teaching only, no athletics, working 3-5 hours a day, and if possible, working as an assistant to another teacher and gradually changing roles. Hopefully, I will be ready for the full schedule and independence by tennis season in late Feb.
That's the skinny for now!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Holding Nothing
I am sitting at Panera bread right now, where I've had several delusions of normalcy. Yesterday, my physical therapist took me off the cane, so when I am just standing or sitting I tend to forget my deficits without the cane to remind me.
Anyway, my left leg twitches, and my left arm hangs as if I'm holding something (but I don't hold stuff in my left hand unless I want to drop it). I've asked several people if they would just cut off my left side, I've even offered cash! Alas, no takers, my left leg lives to twitch another day and my left arm continues to hold nothing.
Quinn and I went to a pumpkin patch outside Chandler, Ok Saturday. We both had a good time. Q got to ride a pony and pet lots of animals. There was a corn maze that could've been very traumatic for some kids had I not had the cane. My left arm up carrying nothing, my short, punctuated steps, I looked like a zombie! I refrained from eating brains though (Ryan's looked tasty).
Hands hurt,see ya!
Anyway, my left leg twitches, and my left arm hangs as if I'm holding something (but I don't hold stuff in my left hand unless I want to drop it). I've asked several people if they would just cut off my left side, I've even offered cash! Alas, no takers, my left leg lives to twitch another day and my left arm continues to hold nothing.
Quinn and I went to a pumpkin patch outside Chandler, Ok Saturday. We both had a good time. Q got to ride a pony and pet lots of animals. There was a corn maze that could've been very traumatic for some kids had I not had the cane. My left arm up carrying nothing, my short, punctuated steps, I looked like a zombie! I refrained from eating brains though (Ryan's looked tasty).
Hands hurt,see ya!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Life After Surgery
Sorry I haven't posted in a while; my left side kinda crapped out after surgery, so typing has been a bit of a pain. I'll get right to it -
The procedure went well, the surgeons are confident they got the whole malformation out, though we won't find out for sure until December. Several of the deficits I had before surgery have returned with renewed vigor21- Quinn says hi, she rolled a train over the keyboard.
Aside from the left weakness and neglect (I tend to run into stuff on my left, so make sure you pass me on the right or I'll run into you), my eyesight has gone from double to blurry (with or without glasses), My balance and coordination took a hit, but it's about back to where it was, and my voice sounds more strained and tired sounding.
Plenty more to say, but typing is getting frustrating. Talk to you later!
The procedure went well, the surgeons are confident they got the whole malformation out, though we won't find out for sure until December. Several of the deficits I had before surgery have returned with renewed vigor21- Quinn says hi, she rolled a train over the keyboard.
Aside from the left weakness and neglect (I tend to run into stuff on my left, so make sure you pass me on the right or I'll run into you), my eyesight has gone from double to blurry (with or without glasses), My balance and coordination took a hit, but it's about back to where it was, and my voice sounds more strained and tired sounding.
Plenty more to say, but typing is getting frustrating. Talk to you later!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tomorroweth iseth the Bigeth Dayeth
Today being the eve of my official uncapping, I went through all the tests today. First, they made us wait for a long time; don't know what that was testing. Then, they sucked out a bunch of my blood to test my pass out reflex...somehow, I stayed awake. Then, they asked me my name, birthdate and doctor's name over and over to test my patience.
All the professionals there seem very apt and knowledgeable. They speak as if they do this every day (which, I suppose, they do) and its common procedure. This made me feel much better about the whole ordeal; I didn't have to run off screaming (although, I can't run, so I wouldn't have gotten very far).
I have to report at 5:30, so it being 7:30pm, it's way past my bedtime. G'night, all.
All the professionals there seem very apt and knowledgeable. They speak as if they do this every day (which, I suppose, they do) and its common procedure. This made me feel much better about the whole ordeal; I didn't have to run off screaming (although, I can't run, so I wouldn't have gotten very far).
I have to report at 5:30, so it being 7:30pm, it's way past my bedtime. G'night, all.
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