Day 133 Today on the bike I did 6.2 miles in 53 minutes! No breaks. I had extra time after my session and was hoping to hit 7 miles in 60 minutes but ran out of time. My previous best was 4.3 miles in 46 minutes. Leg strength and muscular endurance continue to improve from the use of the SciFit bike as part of my Physiotherapy program everyday. Things are coming along!!
Tonight when I was in bed laying on my back I was able to bring my right arm up over my head and touch my head with my hand for the first time. I tell you what it felt some good to be able to scratch my face or my head. After not having being able to move my arms for so long I was quite happy to see that I now could with my right arm. That was the worst not been able to scratch an itch. The other worst out of this whole thing is when you have a damn fruit fly flying around your face and you can’t do nothing about it other then blow at it lol…. Glad to have more mobility coming in my right arm. I never thought this day would ever come. Today was a good day! Hoping for continued progress and improvements in the future.
Day 131 Today I went on the SciFit bike and I did 4 miles in 42 minutes on level 6. Last Wednesday I had done 4.3 miles in 46 minutes on level 5. To help with my Physiotherapy program I decided I’m going to increase the level of difficulty each week going forward to further increase leg strength and muscular endurance in my legs. The strengthening of my legs seems to be going well. As part of my Physiotherapy I go on the SciFit bike every day.
Before going on the SciFit bike this morning they put me in front of the wall that contains bars for me to hold onto and grab to try and stand up from the wheelchair. It went better this time around as I get more lift off but I was still unable to stand up. It’s disappointing for sure. The physiotherapists were happy as I’m getting close in their eyes but for me I don’t see it like that. I just want to stand now! They keep saying baby steps, it’s getting better each time, you’re improving and that I’ll get there. For me it’s so slow. With me increasing the difficulty on the bike each week I’m hoping the next time around i’ll be able to and finally stand up once again.
Today I also learned that next week I’ll be heading back to the Moncton Hospital as The Stan Cassidy Rehabilitation Centre in Fredericton closes down for the holidays. I would then be returning back to Fredericton on January 2. I can’t wait to come home and see my family, my children. Looking forward to coming home.
Day 126 and I’m back in Physiotherapy on the SciFit bike this morning as I continue to work on increasing muscular endurance and leg strength so that one day I’ll be able to walk again. As part of my Physiotherapy I work out my legs everyday which is helping me recover from Guillain Barre Syndrome.
For today someone never showed up for their appointment so I got extra time on the SciFit bike. I did 4.3 miles in 46 minutes on level 5 and without any breaks. I was hoping to reach 5 miles but ran out of time. Legs are feeling good! I continue to reach new goals and hopefully all my hard work and determination will pay off. I just have to keep working hard, stay focused and stay positive that the rest will all come together in the end. My muscular endurance and leg strength are improving which is a great sign for my recovery.
Day 124, today in Physiotherapy is one of my first few attempts at walking between the parallel bars supported by a sling. It gets a little easier each time but still very hard. None of this journey has been easy, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Hopefully in time I’ll be walking once again.
My daily schedule pretty much consists of Physiotherapy 3 times a day and occupational therapy 3 times a day as well. In physio I was back between the parallel bars this morning, on the bike in the afternoon followed by stretching after that. This is my start to the week so far.
On the SciFit bike I did another 3 miles in 32 minutes with the difficulty increased to level five. Last week I did 3 miles in 31 minutes on level one. I’m looking at getting my legs stronger faster now by increasing the difficulty. It’s a long road to recovery from Guillain Barre Syndrome but it’s coming. Just trying to speed my GBS recovery time up.
As of today it’s been 120 days in the hospital since being diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome at the Dr. George L. Dumont Hospital in Moncton back in August. Great progress this week but still a long ways to go. I can’t believe it’s been basically 4 months now since becoming ill with GBS.
I have to keep reminding myself how far I’ve come. From being completely paralyzed unable to move, unable to speak, unable to do anything to where I am now. Progress is progress no matter how small it may be. What’s important is I’m still healing and getting better. I might not show much enthusiasm during therapy sessions but I’m happy I’m continuing to improve. Looking forward to more improvements for the months ahead.
Today is day 118 and I realize how far I still have to go to reach my goals despite the progress I’ve been making week to week as I work towards my recovery from Guillain Barre Syndrome. They put me in the sling today between the parallel bars and I walked up and down three times each. Today was easier picking up my legs compared to last time. This is so hard and you can’t help but think am I ever going to get there. Am I ever going to walk again? There’s no question on my drive and determination but it’s just crazy how something can take you out in hours but yet can take six months to a year to recover from. This is by far the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to fight through.
Today it was kind of an eye opener as I know it will be sometime before I’m on my feet unsupported walking on my own again. I’m hopeful that one day I’ll get there and hopefully I’ll get there as fast as I can. To help further my recovery along from GBS I asked them if I could have the bike in my room at night to further increase my physio each day? Hopefully this will help speed up my recovery time. The physiotherapists and the occupational therapists at the Stan Cassidy Rehabilitation Centre here in Fredericton have been very accommodating to my requests for more therapies and session times. I’m here to work and by darn I’m going to give it everything I got. I know my recovery from Guillain Barre Syndrome wasn’t going to be a sprint but I am sure as hell going to try. Miss being home so much, this isn’t life. This is a long journey still ahead. GBS is something I wish no one ever has to go through and experience.
My parents decided this weekend they were going to bring a little Christmas with them to Fredericton. They brought up a small little Christmas tree for my room.
My parents know I like Christmas and they know how much I want to be home especially for the kids. It was a nice little tree, the nurses loved it! They always turned it on everyday.
While the parents were here the kids called, just having a video chat on Facebook messenger with them. I’m so happy I can connect with them this way at least. I talk to them every chance I get. Technology nowadays definitely has its benefits.
This Christmas is definitely going to be different, not what I was expecting for sure. This is a time of year that’s going to be tough on me. I can only wish I can be better by then. Now that would make my Christmas!
It’s now day 114 and today was the first day I took my first steps since becoming ill with Guillain Barre Syndrome back in August. The physiotherapists put me in between the parallel bars supported by a sling and I walked all the way up and all the way back. It’s a start! It’s definitely not easy that’s for sure. I know I definitely have a tough road ahead but in time I’m hoping all my hard work and sweat pays off. I only want two things for Christmas this year and walking is one of them. It was nice to see my hard work is paying off considering I was completely paralyzed head to toe. It’s coming…
Today’s day 111 and I continue to stay focused on beating Guillain Barre Syndrome by increasing my goals each day. I push myself each and everyday by beating what I did the previous day. The harder I work, the faster I get better, the faster I get back home. If there is one thing I do have is determination. I’ve always been a fighter and I will continue to fight.
Well today on the SciFit bike I did 2 miles, hit my goal in 25 minutes. No breaks.. My previous best was 1.5 miles in 22 minutes. My hope is to be walking by Christmas and to be back home for my family. I’m going to give it everything I got to make that happen. That’s my goal!