Being in hospital is not all laying around

It has been all go for me over the last couple of days. I guess the busy times started on Tuesday morning when I went to the gym for 40 minutes and then the group for TR went for an hour walk/push through the Travis Wetlands. It felt like I had just run 10km. Then I had a physio at 1pm and went shirt shopping for the wedding to finish off the day.

The following day I had had school photos, my standard 3 hours of physio as well as an hour in the pool.

Now today I have had an hour in the gym that really got the heart rate up and the sweat dripping off me.

For the rest of the day I will be back in the gym at 1pm, a driving test at 2pm, and a swim at 3.30pm.

I knew rehab was never going to be a walk in the park but I did not think it was going to be this full on.

Mr P. off to find somewhere for a quick rest.

A weekend without the wheel chair

I had a great weekend at home catching up with friends, chilling out with family and working on a few final wedding plans. On Friday we went and filled out the paper work for the wedding licence so it is all getting very real now.

The big news from the weekend was that I did not use my wheel chair once and I hope to carry on with that only using my chair when I get really tired or have to get somewhere quickly. I also went out and got myself a Wii and a Wii fit it is great fun and a great way for me to practice my balance.

I have been able to walk to the gym this morning and after my gym session I walked from the gym all the way to the library which took me about 15 minutes. You guys would be able to do it in about 5 but it is a big deal to me.

I am hoping to get back to school for school photos but I will have to do a little planning before hand.

Mr P signing off.

Playing Wii for a work out

Today as part of my work out I was able to use the Wii balance board with wii fit. I am not that goo at some of the games as I am not that quick on my feet but I got the high score on the ski jump one.

I am looking forward to going home again for the weekend to do some wedding planning and just chill out with family.

Mr P

Still working hard

I am still working hard in the gym and still making good progress. Today I was able to comfortably walk up the stairs with my sticks and I walk to the gym from tr with ease.

I am spending more time in the gym working on my balance. Which means trying to stand on one foot and standing on balance boards.

I am finding that I am spend less time in my wheel chair and only using it for long distances or when I am in a hurry. I use my stick when in TR and when moving around the gym.

I am looking forward to going home again this weekend and go the All Blacks.

Mr P signing off.

Walking with no help

Today I had a really good session in the and was able to walk 2 lenghts of the gym unaided which was very cool. I can also get off the floor into a standing position with out any help, I thought it was going to be really hard but it was quite easy.

I enjoy the visit from all the Avonhead Junior staff yesterday you guys were exactly what I needed after a hard day.

I have had to re assess my goals as I have already achieved them and have 3 weeks to go. Talking to my physio we are now going to try and get me walking with one stick very exciting.

Well got to go and make lunch.
Mr P.

Weekend out

I had a great weekend at home was able to stay out from Friday and only came back to hospital late on Sunday.

On Saturday Kat and I and lunch with our mothers as a bit of a pre wedding thing and then we went hat shopping so they would get hats for their wedding outfits. Lots of laughs and they both look great.

On Sunday I spent the day with Dad. We went to the boat show and I had my first beer for at least 5 weeks.

I am continuing to work on my walking in the gym. My focus is now is to straighting my legs more and push off my toes more.

Mr P.

Getting there

I have had another session in the gym and have been walking more with crutches. I am now able to walk better without my brace on my left leg which is very exciting and I know this will keep improving everyday with more practise. I am able to the climb the 6 stairs in the gym and can do it with only one hand on the rail, so I hope to be able to walk into my house very soon.

Hope everyone is keeping well and thanks you for all your messages of support. I hope to see you all very soon.

Walking every day.

I am walking all the time now and not just in the gym. I am able to walk using my zimmer in TR and today I used crutches in the gym. I am hoping that tomorrow I will be able to use crutches in TR.

I am making really good progress and everyday things get a little bit easier. I may be walking or standing, getting dressed or just moving around.

The wedding plans are pretty much sorted and with just a few jobs to do every thing is going to be fine. The resort have been more than helpful with ideas to make the beach more accessible.

Stay fresh Mr P.

Zimmer Frame

I am still making great progress in the gym. I am now able to stand and walk by myself in the parallel bars now and with a little bit of help (it is really just being watched by a physio), I am able to walk a few lengths of the gym.

I will be heading home for the first time on Saturday. I am really excited to hang out at home and see Phil (my cat) and Kat.

I have been moved to transitional rehab. Which is a unit with 4 people in it. We all have our own room, and have to make our own breakfast and lunches as well as do our own washing but I just send mine home home and Kat does it for me.

My days a very busy that is why I have not been able to update the blog as often as I would like, I will try harder next week.

Mr P signing off.

More Walking

It was great to get out over the weekend not that I did much more than sit on the couch but it was all good.

Today I was back in the gym for 2 sessions. This morning session I did some standing and walked a bit with the gutter frame (the one that is in one of the photos). During my afternoon session I did my work out with stretching, hip lifts, the glut work. To finish off the session I got to walk between the parallel bars. It felt amazing as I was able to do it pretty much under my own steam.

Tomorrow I am able to stand by myself without the physio between the parallel bars, so I am still making a little bit of progress every day and I feel great about it.

Mr P

Breaking Out

Today I have been able to get out of the hospital for a few hours. It may not sound very exciting but I just hung out at Mum and Dads house with my Brother and Sister playing Wii and I am going to have Subway for lunch, no hospital food. Not that the hospital food that has been bad.

Over the weekend the hospital is pretty quite and the gym is closed so I can't go for my workout. I am able to some of it in my room so I will keep getting better.

Check out this guy in his wheel chair, it will give me something to work on.

Mr P.

Hard Days

Had a full on day yesterday with 3 hours of physio and swimming for an hour. I am working on my standing technique I have to make sure I don't keep sticking my bum out. I did a bit for walking yesterday but it was not pretty. I have to try and push my hips forward which is taking alot of thinking and effort.

I am able to go out during the day over the weekend which will be cool. I am heading to Mum and Dads place and I might have to get subway on the way.

Hope the Avonhead students enjoyed the ski trip and everyone is having fun.

Mr P

Feeling The Burn

I have been working very hard in the gym. I think getting back to the class room will give me a rest. On Tuesday after 3 hours of physio and the a 45min swim I was completely stuffed. My visitors that came and saw me will be able to tell you that I was not very good company.

I have something really cool to share with you all on Tuesday I walked a little with a frame and today I walked alot more. I still need help but the more I get to practise the better I will get.

Every day I am seeing little improvements, for example I do an exercise in the gym where I lie on my back with my knees bent and with a ball between my knees I move them from side to side. A couple of days ago I could only go from side to side 6 time before the ball dropped and disappear across the gym. But now I can do 5 sets of 10 pretty comfortably.

Below are some photos of the gym gear that I am using and the pool.

From Surgery Till Now

Well where do I start. On Monday the 3rd of August I was going into hospital to have surgery to remove/repair a abnormal blood flow on my spin. It was meant to be a 2 hour surgery however when the doctor opened up my back it was far more complicated so my surgery lasted 5 and a half hours. In the process i have now had some disruption to the signals and movement in my legs. It is like someone has cut me in two my legs are attached but they don't always feel like they are mine.

Now I am in the Burwood Spinal Unit for rehab. I go to physio twice a day for about an hour and a half each time and twice a week I go swimming in the afternoons.

I have been able to stand with a frame and help from the physio and everyday I get a little stronger and gain a little more control over my legs. The physio thing that I will be able to walk with braces on my knees and help from a frame of some sort by the end of the week.

I will try to update this blog daily and tell you about what I have been up to and any progress I have made.

Mr P signing off