Physical Therapy Stops for Nothing, Not Even Summer

Even though I don't have anything exciting to write about today, I'm still going to write. Why? Because this is my life and I'm not always going places or doing things.

Therapy has been very long and painful this week. I've reached a personal milestone these past few months, but I don't want everyone to know. I will post about it when the time is right, don't worry. :) As soon as therapy ends, I let my seat back to help my back. I've been icing my hips and back this week. All I feel like doing is coming home and going to sleep, but I'm usually to wired up to sleep.

It is summer, but that doesn't mean physical therapy stops. I still have to get up around 8:00-8:30 to get to my appointment on time. Once I get there, it's time to work. Physical therapy is a process. You won't notice changes right away, but you have to be motivated to keep going.
I will be the first to tell you that it's not always easy, but it's always worth it. My mama said when I meet my goal that we're going to have a celebration. I wholeheartedly agree!

*When I say that physical therapy doesn't stop in the summer, I don't mean that physical therapists are like drill sergeants that make you do the exercises, they're there to guide you. Sometimes my physical therapist has an emergency, so I can only come one time instead of two. That's not the end of the world, but for you to reap the benefits of physical therapy, you have to show up. You can't make excuses two or three weeks in a row. You do have that choice, but it will only hurt you in the end.

Just Another Day

Not much to report lately, unless you want to read about what I've watched on TV. That's why I haven't posted.

I had PT as usual on Thursday. It was harder than the others. I came home and rested, but no relief. I don't want this blog to be a sad place, so I won't go into details.

My mom and I were supposed to go to a Memorial Day celebration (I think) that our town was supposedly having, but it was nothing major. So, after reading my favorite blogs and playing computer game, I'm resting. I feel a little better now that I've had a shower. Somehow that always gives me a much need pick me up.

I forgot about one thing. My brother is gone to Myrtle Beach with my grandparents and a few others for a couple of days. At least he has something to look forward too. He needs this vacation because he's been working hard for my dad.

What about you? Any plans for the weekend?

What a Weekend!

On Friday, my mom decided I needed to get out a little so we went to Anderson. We went to Ross(a clothing store), and I picked up some cute tops for summer.

We ordered takeout from Olive Garden since I couldn't sit any longer. It was so yummy!

Even though we only stayed gone a little over two hours, I was beat when we got home. I told my mom, "If anybody wants to kill me tell them to take me to Anderson!" She just laughed, but I was serious. The minute I laid back down I felt much better. Sitting for longer periods of time is still a work in progress.

Today, I plan to rest. I completed my mission which was to go to Anderson. The interesting thing is that it didn't always hurt me to sit up. I may give you the back story on everything sometime, but I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me.

Short and Sweet

I finished the book Gifted Hands that I wrote about in a previous post. It was an awesome book. The kind of book that makes you wonder what's happening to that person now. It's filled with highs and lows. You'll marvel at Dr. Carson's courage all while trying to process everything that happens. I'm not going to give it all away, go read it. :)

I had kind of a rough weekend, but I was able to sit in the living room for a little while. It was nice to get out of my room. Now that school is out for a few months, I'm hoping to rest up a little bit. I know that things could be much worse.

You can purchase this book on Amazon. They have a different cover than mine because the book was republished in 1996. Don't worry, it's the same book.

*I wasn't compensated in any way for this review. I just shared my opinions of the book because I felt that it was a book worth sharing.*

Mothers

My mother is such a strong woman who has weathered many storms in her life. She's found a way to move on and find the joy in life. She's always upbeat, giving until she can't give anymore, loving with her whole heart, and (most importantly) laughing along the way. She's taught me to hold my head up in the midst of adversity. She's let me know that it's OK to be me and voice my opinions.

When I was made fun of each day at elementary school, she was concerned about protecting me, like a tiger protects her cubs, whatever the costs.

She was there in those late night homework sessions during the fifth grade. I was so frustrated with myself, but she urged me to keep trying. One day, the light bulb came on and I made a 95 on a test and never looked back.

Little did I know what lie ahead in the next few years (for another post).

She was there for me the night before I started high school. Oh what a night! I was a nervous wreck because I'd been hearing stories about how all the freshman were going to get stuffed in the lockers. Since I couldn't sleep, she put on a CD with soothing music. This year defined me for so many reasons. When everyone else was worrying about wearing the latest fashions, surgeries awaited me.

She was there when I was pretty much on bed rest for two years of my life during my junor and senior years of high school. She did everything and more. She WAS my in home nurse. I always joke, asking "What's my bill for today?" She said (and still says) I could never repay her. She's so right about that. She was there to wipe my tears away because all of my friends had forgotten about me. All of them were too busy to come see me. She saw my pain and hurt.

She was there for the countless hours of physical therapy, cheering me on when I think I can't go anymore. She's also come up with endless jokes to take my mind off of the pain.

She's been there to watch me grow up. It may not seem like much, but not everyone has both parents there for those special moments.

Mama, I could never write enough to say how much you mean to me. Thank you for providing me with a great example of what a woman should be.

What are some things that you love about your mother?

Change of Plans...and Pace

I know I said I wouldn't be posting until Thursday, but there's been a change of plans. I didn't have any finals...that's right no finals. A fellow student at my college was killed in a very bad car accident on Saturday. The passenger escaped with a few minor scrapes and bruises.

Due to the ongoing grieving of the students and faculty, they (the administration and faculty) called a meeting to decide what to about upcoming finals. After much thought, they said finals were optional. If they helped boost our grade, it would be counted. If they lowered our grade, it wouldn't.

I thought about it, but I didn't really benefit from taking any of my finals since I had A's. I'm not one to toot my own horn, just trying to make a point. Lots of people wanted to know if I was taking any finals, and I said, "No." My summer has started early, but not AT ALL in the way I expected.

Yes, everyone likes it if they don't have to take one final, maybe two. People go nuts when they hear the word optional. Lots of people packed their things and went home to their families. In the midst of them celebrating summer, a girl has died. I told my mom this was supposed to be a happy time for her and her family because of graduation, but now it will be a sad time for them. I can't imagine how her family felt, knowing the miles that separated them. She lived in Texas, so it wasn't like her family could get to her in ten minutes.

Last night, my mom said, "Well, no more school for awhile." I said, "I know. I have NOTHING to do, and I don't know what to do with myself!" She laughed and said, "I've got something you can do, read this book." So, as my summer starts, I'm relaxing and reading. Imagine that, reading on my time off! The book is called Gifted Hands by Ben Carson M.D. with Cecil Murphey. It's a wonderful book about a black man who defies all odds to become someone who performs medical miracles. Seriously. There's no way you can be depressed after reading this book. It's a classic story of the "underdog" becoming something great.