Clinker 2.0

[Clinker]

Keeping On. This week, we picked up the pace a little. We added more resistance to some of the exercises and tried some new stuff. I also stood every day this week and worked on trunk control. I can roll from my back, to my stomach, with no assistance and get up on my elbows. We worked on me trying to go in a down word dog, its a yoga stretch. Needed help getting in to it, but once there, I was able to hold it on my own. Very hard to do for me. We also, worked on me laying on my back and walking my elbows behind me to prop myself up. Still needs some work, but went well. I was and am very sore. Thats alright, no pain no gain. Thanks for the support.

Clinker 2.0

[J.C.]

keep up the good work!

[Uncle Steve]

keep up the good work!

x2

[Clinker]

Game Face. This week went really well. We kicked, everything up a notch this week. We added, quite a bit more resistance to a couple exercises. I stood all week with out getting dizzy. We are working, on me standing in parallel bars more. I'm doing more stretches with my left arm and both hands too. I was able, to get up my hands and knees with some assistance, but did hold myself up for a little bit, on all fours with no assistance, for a short time. My rolling wheelies are improving, but I'm still working on it. I was super super sore this week. As one of my therapist said. "Pain is weakness leaving the body" I'm very grateful, to have such amazing family and friends, that support me. Thanks for your on going support!

Clinker 2.0

[Clinker]

Moving along.
After a set back, of a touch of a stomach bug. Were back on track. I've been working, on trying to hook my legs, while sitting and bring them to the mat. Long way to go yet, but going well so far. We have been working on stretching my left arm and wrist. They're stretching out nice and the wrist is finally showing great signs of strength. I am also starting to have noticeable muscles in my arms, along with good strength. We have been, using a machiene to work my legs and arms at the same time. Thanks for your support.

Clinker 2.0

[Clinker]

Easy Going. This week, I kind of took it easy. My left shoulder, was really tight and causing pain. I still stood all week, without getting dizzy and we worked on transfering into the bed and me trying to get out of bed on my own. Was quite the workout, but went really well.  We've also been working on me swinging my legs into bed/mat while using a stiff band that I hold to help swing my legs in. We've also been stretching my left arm and wrist more. Thanks for the on going support.

Clinker 2.0

[Air Force Fireman]

Glad to hear you were able to stand without getting dizzy. Recovery is a long road, but you seem to be doing very well!  Happy for that. 

[Clinker]

Crunch Time. This week, we have done alot. The cargivers, were trained how to gaurd me, when transfering. So, I've been transfering myself from my chair to the bed, with little to no assistance and from the bed, to my chair using a slide board and its going very well. I'm also wearing a brace at night, on my left arm to try to straighten it all the way. I also worked on self cathing a little more too. I'm going to start, focusing on my recovery more and kick it up a notch. Thanks for the on going support!!

[Clinker]

Getn It. This week, went really well. My transfers are going great and I've done a few 100% on my own. I was able, to go from laying on my stomach, to my hands and knees with little assistance and then was able to do a couple push ups, with no assistance. I also pushed myself up, to sitting up right postion, with no help and did it several times, after tranfering. Was also able to sit, on an uneven surface and did pretty well holding my balance, against resistance. We also adjusted my wheelchair. So now, I sit almost the same, as a paraplegic would sit in their chair or close to how you would sit in a kitchen chair. My left arm is stretching out well too. Thank you all, for your ongoing thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement.

[Clinker]

Chugging Along. This week, I worked on my left arm alot. Its stretching out really well. Also worked, on my back muscles and core. I can now army crawl, forward and backward, the full length of the mat, were working on trying to pull my hips, from side to side while crawling. I was able, to go on all fours and do a push up with no assitance or a Scooby snack, tried for two, but didn't make it. Therapist, told me I was sinking, towards the mat, cause I was getting tired. Told her, I wasn't sinking, the mat was just getting lower, lol. Thanks, for your support

[Hammerlane]

Quite the inspiration.. keep pushin" !

[Clinker]

Right Path. What ever I'm doing, is working. We worked on me sitting on the mat, with my legs stretched out in front of me, leaning side to side, to shift my weight and scooting one leg at a time forward, till their off the mat and I'm sitting on the side of the mat. I'm also able to sit on the mat, unsupported with my legs stretched out and lean forward and touch my shoes and sit back up, all unsupported and can do it several times. I'm doing a bunch of my own workouts, several times through out the day. I'm wheeling my wheelchair up and down the hall with 1lb weights on my wrists. Just focusing on form for now. My PT did an eval and we were both very impressed. I went from having muscle contractions in T12 to now, having muscle contractions in L5 this is a great sign. Its only a weak contraction for now, but could have great potential, time will tell. This picture of the spine explains, why its exciting. Thank you, for your words of encouragement and on going support.

[J.C.]

Sounds like you're doing good, keep it up!

[Clinker]

Trutle Speed. This week, my allergies kicked my ass. I was sneezing all week and have no energy or strength. Still went to therapy and did what I could. Worked alot, on stretching my fingers and arm out. I also, have been having alot more sensation in my butt and legs. Been trying to focous on relaxing my bladder and trying to pee on my own, just experimenting with this. Thanks, for your support.

[Clinker]

Little Bumpy. Its been hit and miss this week. Had some trouble with an antibiotic, at the beginning of the week, but were good now. My energy is still hit and miss. Been working my back alot, along with the wrist and fingers too. Been practicing with a cath kit, not on myself, but pushing it through a resistance puddy. I began schooling this week for Medical Coding and Billing. I'm going to, have to dust the cob webs off, that little shriveled prune I call a brain, lol. Thank You, for all of your on going support.

[Clinker]

Moving Along. This week, has been a busy one. Between school and therapy. I'm starting to get my energy back and kind of changed my approach on how, I'm doing my exercises. Going to focous on my cardio a little more, to help get better control of my breathing. We worked my core, back and trunk alot this week. We are watching my feet, really close. They have always wiggled up and down a little with spasams, but they moved left and right this week, which they haven't done yet at all, without spasams and with me looking at them and the toes seem to wiggle a little more too. We are doing little tests to see if its actually me, sending the signal. Time will tell. Thank you, for keeping me in your thoughs and prayers.

[Clinker]

Light Duty. This week has been a sketchy one. Very little PT due to very low blood pressure. Still did some every day, but watched me very close and been taking it easy. After a visit to ER Monday, from just about passing out at therapy and in my room, later that day. They couldn't find anything wrong and tried saying it was dehydration. I drink tons of water and labs all came back good. I'm still having low (bp) and dizziness every day, so that rules that out. We are waiting to see, what the neurologist wants to do. He wanted to see me right away, but didn't realize how far away I was. There may be a trip to Ann Arbor in my very near future, but trying to get a referal to one closer. I should find out today or Monday, what the plan is. Maybe, I should feed my hamster, thats spinning the hamster wheel in my brain, lol. Thank you, for your thoughts, prayers and support.

[Clinker]

Tweety Birds. This week, was the second week in a row, I couldn't do therapy, due to very low blood pressure and dizziness. I did try every day, but was a no go. I feel like a nerd, for all the homework I've done. I have an appointment on the 8th with the Cardiologist. Going to have a stress test and wear a heart monitor for a couple days. I think its just cause, I'm so cool, calm and shy, is why my blood pressure is so low and if you believe that, I'll sell ya some ocean front property in Arizona, lol.
Thanks for all of the support.

"Could Always Be Worse"

[Clinker]

Still Going. Well.. This week started out rough, with low blood pressure and dizziness. As the week went on it got better. Actually, got to do some therapy and I picked up right where I left off. Seen the cardiologist this morning. He wants to do a heart monitor for two days, with a very percise log book, of everything I do or don't do, sleep study, heart ultra sound and a variety of other tests. Very pleased, with the doctor and his determination to try and fix my bp issue. Thank you, to all those who helped and for all of your ongoing words of encouragement.

[Clinker]

Killn Time. Well.. my therapy got cut due to my low bp, until I can maintain a steady and safe level. I've been still, doing an arm bike and stuff on my own and have been working on self cathing and have cathed myself, a couple times 100% on my own. The cardiologist, said the heart looks great, which is great news. He had, several viles of blood drawn and had me take my bp every 15 min after eating for 2 hours. Their thinking, I may have some damaged brain cells, that are weak. Always knew, I had a couple screws lose, lol!! If I do, I'll be on a med to balance everything out and hopefully it will maintain my bp and I can get back to kicking ass!
Thank you, for all of your on going support and words of encouragement. It's greatly appreciated!