What's Been Keeping me Busy?

Lately I’ve been busy with the ABLE program at Courage Kenny. It’s going great so far, and I am learning a whole new way of exercising when I’m unable to move. It has been challenging and exhausting, but beneficial to my health and healing. I spend 2 ½ hours, twice a week doing a nonstop workout, which includes transfers from the bike, the mat and to my chair. This doesn’t include drivetime there and back. I’m grateful that I started and can’t wait to see what results may come of it. I know one thing for sure is that I have already gained an improvement in strength, and I’ve only gone five times so far.

Aside from this, I have been getting outside when the weather is tolerable. It’s been hot and humid here, which makes it difficult to take Brody for a walk and roll. I try to stick to the shade as much as possible so that the pavement isn’t hot on his paws and the sun isn’t hot on me. Not only is it much cooler he seems to enjoy his walk more without overheating. When the weather is like this, I need to take him in to get his haircut more often.

Along with exercising and getting outside, I’ve been having Dr. appointments and going shopping at the mall. Now that restrictions on masks in public have been lifted, I have felt more comfortable getting out in the public. Although they are still required in clinics, including Courage Kenny, it feels good to not have to wear them all the time. Since I didn’t go out too often in the last year and ½, I’m not used to the masks as much as other people. I’m still a little skeptical of other people, because lifting the restrictions may give even those who haven’t been vaccinated an excuse to not wear a mask.

When I am inside, I’ve been playing games, painting, watching movies and going on my computer etc. To pass the time by, I like to play games with my nurses. Depending on which nurse works, depends on which game I decide to play. I don’t watch movies all that often, but when I do, I usually pick out ones that are most popular. Between my sister and I, we have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney plus, Discovery plus and cable. Also, because of lack of movement, I don’t check my phone as much as others, except texting and phone calls. I use my computer for emails, writing blog posts and other things.

I’ve also been spending time with my sister and two nieces. I enjoy watching them grow up and spoiling them at the same time. Since I don’t have kids of my own to spend money on, I end up buying things for them. This includes clothes, toys and other things they may need or want. Avery will be eight in August and Madilyn will be one in October. I usually see them one or two times a week and is always a highlight.

Jenni

Donating My Hair

The other day I got a well needed haircut. It was a couple inches past my elbows. The last time I got it cut was almost a year to date. Last year, I wrote a post that said that I was going to get 10 inches cut off and donate it to locks of love. It was down to my elbows at that time. Although I ended up just getting 4 ½ inches cut off. This time I got 10 inches cut off and have yet to send it in to locks of love. It will be my fourth time doing it.

The last few times I’ve donated it, my hair afterwards was above my shoulders. This time, my hair was so long that it’s still shortly below my shoulders. It’s so thick and healthy now! It always seems so short once I get it cut, but my hair grows so fast. I always need to remind myself that it’s just hair and it will grow. Also, that I am doing it for a good cause.

Alopecia areata, cancer radiation therapy and severe burns are just some of the reasons why someone could lose their hair. And hair loss is not just a cosmetic concern-it can also seriously affect someone’s mental health. Hair donation gives people a chance of high quality, free, natural hair wig for free. It can also help someone restore emotional balance and regain self-confidence.

Locks of love is just one of the organizations that accept hair for donation. Some places require 12-14 inches or more of hair, but most require a minimum of 10 inches or more. There are some that only require a minimum of 8 inches or more. I like to do at least 10 inches because I have the stylist layer my hair, and when you donate it, they separate the longer and shorter pieces. Locks of love requires 10 inches or more. Also, if you send it in yourself, you get a laminated certificate saying you donated.

Jenni

Things I've Been Doing

I’ve had a few appointments in the last month. Most have been through video or phone calls with doctors. Nothing in particular; just a follow-up or annual visits. I’ve had other appointments for new nighttime AFOs and adjusting my back brace and daytime AFOs. It’s good to get new and/or improved equipment, but sometimes can be a pain working up towards it, especially in the winter.

Thankfully, we haven’t had much snow yet. There isn’t even any on the ground right now. It’s a good thing too, as it can be rough getting outside. Recently, the temperatures have mostly stayed above freezing. I have still been trying to get outside as much as possible. Not only does it feel good to get fresh air, but Brody loves his walks!

I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas! We decorated a couple weeks ago and put a real tree upstairs and a small fake one downstairs. This year was a little different shopping wise because of COVID. Things were on sale all of November instead of just Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I ended up doing all my Christmas shopping and wrapping early. To me, it always feels good to give than receive.

Both of my Bible study groups are taking breaks until next year, which is only a few weeks away. I’ve been reading, playing games, watching movies, and talking to friends. I’m also enjoying having another niece. She’s getting so big already; even though she’s only 6 1/2 weeks old. 

Jenni

Update on Me

The past few weeks have gone by fast. Back in July, I talked about how I joined a Bible study group that meets once a week. Since starting, I have really enjoyed reading the Bible. Every story has a meaning, and it can be applied to life in different ways. I decided to join another group that also meets once a week but on another day.

This one is different in which instead of reading the Bible in a year, we are just studying the book of Genesis and it only goes until December. It is also more involved. There are lectures to watch, notes to read, and questions to answer along with the reading. I like both group studies, as they keep me busy. Probably the reason why I haven’t written a blog post for a while.

I have still been trying to get out every day, walking Brody. It’s been really nice outside, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. It even got to 80° the other day. I’ve been enjoying the fresh air and change of scenery from my house. All the trees are starting to turn orange and red now that it’s fall. Pretty soon winter will be here and with all the snow it’s hard to go out. Not to mention when the temperatures drop below freezing.

Fall Colors in Minnesota

Brody and I on a Walk and Roll

Since quarantine started in March, I have only left my house a hand full of times. Because I am on a ventilator, I’m at such a high risk if I get the coronavirus. That’s why I’m so cautious about being around other people and going to places that may be overcrowded. I suppose I could go to a park or movie where I could social distance myself from others. I do have a couple of doctor’s appointments coming up in October and November so I will be going out, but it’s nothing like doing something for fun.

I have still been in a lot of neck pain. When visiting my neurosurgeon last month, I got an x-ray of my neck to see if everything looks okay. He also wanted to see if there was anything bone related that could be causing my pain. But when he looked at it, he didn’t find anything. In fact, he stated that the plate that he put in when I had surgery to remove a bone spur in my neck was holding stronger than he initially thought it would. I would’ve had to have another surgery to do a bigger fusion if it wasn’t. He said that my pain was probably just due to strain leading to tight muscles, especially because I can only move from my neck up.

Also, I’ve still been having trouble sleeping and with edema. My sleep doctor doesn’t want to give me anymore medications for sleep because I’m already taking a lot. I did get a prescription from my primary doctor for anxiety, which has helped a little bit with sleep. That’s one thing that keeps me up at night. He also referred me to a specialist within the University of Minnesota Fairview offices that can take another look at why I might be retaining fluids. I had a phone call with a doctor and he’s going to look over every test I’ve done and every medication that I am on to see if he can figure it out.

Other things that have been keeping me busy are playing games, watching movies, and painting. Yesterday I painted an abstract picture with lots of colors on it in which I posted below. I also shared a few pictures of Brody. He is quite the favorite around the house!

Avery and Brody

Brody on My Bed

Brody Sleeping on his Toy

Abstract Rainbow Painting

Jenni

Bible Study

Recently I joined a Bible study group consisting of three other people, one of which is a longtime friend of mine since second grade. We meet once a week (Thursday nights) via FaceTime and talk about certain sections of the Bible. We go based off another book that helps break down the Bible for you to read it in a year. I’m really loving getting back into reading and learning more about the Bible. 

I’ve always had faith and been a Christian, but never really went to church much. Only when I was in junior high with my friend. A couple years after my accident my family and I started going to a church about 15 minutes away from my house. Although we stopped going a few years back, in 2016 when I was hospitalized a lot. And now with the coronavirus, I’ve been finding it difficult to go out to places. Every so often, I watch the service online.

It gives me a great feeling when I am reading the Bible, talking about it, and praying. I know how lucky I am to be alive today despite my accident and often tell myself that it was a miracle that I survived. To me, having faith isn’t always about believing in God. It’s an expression of hope that goes beyond the conscious mind and based in one’s heart.

Jenni

“Without faith in ourselves we would hold ourselves cheap, and without a faith in others we could never live as free people.” - Arthur Dobrin

Lifting Orders

Despite the number of coronavirus cases rising, Minnesota’s stay-at-home order expired on May 18. Although it extended many restrictions on public gatherings including eating at restaurants and in-service religious services until June 1. That means most retail businesses are open at either 25% or 50% capacity under safety guidelines. Small social gatherings are permitted with 10 or fewer people. These orders have varied from state to state, with some opening their doors earlier.

I’m hoping to go out somewhere soon. The only thing is the more I start venturing out, the more risk I have of becoming exposed. Even though I could figure out a way to maintain distance, I mostly would be worried about other people coming close to me. That’s why starting with somewhere like the mall would be good because it’s more open than a regular store. Next month I have some doctor appointments scheduled, but that’s another month still.

Right now, I have been trying to get outside as much as possible when the weather is nice and warm. That way I at least get a different view along with fresh air other than just inside my house. Hopefully by the end of the year, everything will be open. Although I’ve seen that a lot of stores have gone out of business because of having to be shut down and not maintaining revenue.

Jenni

A Little Bit of This and That…

School is over now for this semester. I received an A in both my stress management class and in my intercultural communications class. They were pretty good classes and I learned a lot, especially when it came to managing my stress. Soon I'm going to sign up for a class or two for the fall semester but I'm not sure what I'm going to take yet.

In the last couple days the weather here has been extremely nice. I've been going outside trying to get a tan before nationals. It feels good to get some fresh air and vitamin D. It just makes me a happier person after being out and about enjoying the sun.

Speaking of nationals, I'm trying to get all my information together so I can send in the first two packets of three by May 24. We have enough money to cover the first half of the entry fee (also due the 24th) but that still leaves us with a large amount that were trying to get donated. I need to book the tickets ASAP before the prices start raising even more. I've got a few confirmations from people and companies who can make some bigger donations, but I haven't seen too much money yet. Hopefully everything will fall together smoothly.

My sister will be in AmeriCorps until July 23, which is exactly one week before I leave for Michigan. I'm so excited that she will be able to come with me since she's missed a lot of events and activities already. Recently her group started a project on a nature reserve/Park in Bonners ferry, Idaho. I looked it up online and I saw all the stunning scenery. I'm so jealous!

Everything else is going good. I kind of feel like I should be more productive but I guess you could say I'm "taking it easy" for a couple weeks. I need some rest before all my events of the summer as my reign of Ms. wheelchair Minnesota 2011 continue.

Jenni

Under Construction

About a week ago my sister's room which is right next to mine flooded with about 3 inches of water. Somehow one of the pipes in the wall cracked and when the water got turned on for outside, it started coming in through the ceiling of the room. My mom noticed the water when it was coming down the hallway towards my room. Everything was wet. Once they got most of it cleaned up, they had to rip up the carpet in her room, down the hallway, and even some in my room where the pad underneath it was wet.

After a day or so they opened up the ceiling and fixed the pipe. A few days after that, they had to rip apart some of the wall and installation that was still wet. Needless to say our basement looks like we're under construction. I think we're planning on ripping up all the carpet and putting in laminate. Not quite sure how they're going to do my room yet, but I'm really excited. I've wanted hard floors in the basement for a while. I think it'll look really good and will be nice rolling over it with my wheelchair. Good thing my sister doesn't live here.

Jenni

The Last Few Days and Class

On Friday I had a doctors appointment. Yesterday I went to my cousins college graduation party at this humongous park that I didn't even know existed. It's called Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis; about 25 minutes away from my house. It was 75° and sunny. Much better weather than it has been. The last couple weeks it's been a little colder than usual for this time; temperatures between 40° and 50° and sort of rainy. Today it's 70° and sunny. I'm planning on going outside later to try to get some more color. I'm going to put sunscreen on though to make sure I don't burn. With all the meds I'm taking I have to be careful.

I start my online mass communications class on June 2. I've never taken a summer class before so it will be interesting to see how it goes. Plus I've only taken one online class before this and it was writing. I'm definitely going to buy the book early and start reading since I have time now. I don't know how busy I'll be with this class, but I'm sure I'll be on the computer a lot.

Jenni

I'm Back

The semester is finally over. I've been a little stressed this past week trying to get everything done for the class. I e-mailed my final in last night. I think I'm going to end with an A but I'll have to wait and see. My mass communications class online starts in a few weeks so I have some free time to relax.

Sunday I went to the Spinal Cord Injury Research Symposium. It was really great and I learned a lot about what they're doing to help cure spinal cord injuries. I will post a link to the video when they get it up online.

Tomorrow I'm getting Botox in my neck again. Hopefully it'll help my tight muscles.

Jenni

Tuesday Update

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Minnesota. On Saturday I went to my friend Karly's CD release party. It was so amazing. They did a presentation sharing about her and how she writes her songs: one note at a time. That was near Stillwater which is almost an hour away from my house. It was worth the drive though.

Sunday I went to church in the morning and then my dad came over with his dog Bailey in the afternoon. My sister also came over after work. Then in the evening my friend Steph came over for dinner. We hung out and watched TV.

Yesterday I stayed at home for a well needed break. I went outside in the backyard and watched my mom plant some flowers. Our garden is coming along; everything is growing already and there are flowers blooming in the front yard. Not to mention all the weeds, including those prickers and dandylions.

Today I went to school. It's a beautiful day in Minnesota. Last year it snowed in the middle of April. I don't think that's going to happen this year since it didn't even snow in March which is very usual. I got picked up 20 minutes late by Metro mobility and then I was on the bus for an hour and 20 minutes. I didn't get home until almost 4 PM. That gives me no time to even do anything before I get back in bed at 5 PM. Then I do my cares and eat around 6 PM.

So there's your update on what I've been up to the past four days.

Jenni

Update

Still no word on my tongue touch. Hopefully by next week I will be up and running again. At least my nurses aren't bad drivers, otherwise I would be stuck.

The other day I had an appointment with the urologist. I have to see him annually for a checkup. I've had bladder stones in the past, so they needed to make sure that I didn't develop another one. A couple of weeks ago they did an ultrasound on my bladder and kidneys to see. When I saw the doctor, he said everything was clear. That was a relief. I didn't want to have to go through another surgery.

I've been pretty laid back today. Just watching TV, reading, sleeping, going on my computer, and now about to play the game Scrabble. Sometimes we all have to have days like this to give our body and mind a break from all the crazy things going on in life. It definitely works for me.

Jenni

Good Weekend

Yesterday I entered one of my paintings in my church's art show. The show is next Saturday, but it's a juried show so they still have to pick which ones make it in. I'm sure mine will be in it though. I won't know until the 16th when they send me an e-mail.

Today I went to this thing outside in Wayzata, MN called James J. Hill days. They had a bunch of nonprofit booths and also an art fair where people could sell their work. It's pretty big with a lot of people. They closed off a long street for it. There was also about an hour long parade with about 60 entries, including the animal Humane Society with dogs and the Wayzata High School marching band. I like doing things I don't do very often. I'm not much of a parade watcher but it was fun and I enjoyed watching the kids run in the street and pick up all the candy people were throwing.

On Tuesday I have it interpersonal communication class again and I will be taking a quiz on chapter 2. I suppose I better get right on reading the second half of the chapter. I also have to read chapter 3 for this class and chapter 3 my creative writing online.

Jenni

Another Look

I sent my hair into Locks of Love. I thought I would put up another picture of me with my hair short. It's already grown since I got it cut two weeks ago. I've been able to style it many different ways and it's super easy. Plus, it's a lot cooler without all that hair on my neck; especially on these humid 90° summer days. I'm still planning on growing it out and doing it all over again. It's a nice change every once in a while and definitely worth it. To know that just by donating my hair I am making a difference in someone else's life is an amazing feeling. For me, hair just grows; for others, it doesn't grow at all. I am very lucky and now someone else will be too.

Jenni

"Generosity is not giving me that which I need more than you do, but it is giving me that which you need more than I do."
-Kahlil Gibran

A Little Bored

I haven't really been doing much these past few days. I've been playing games, watching movies, surfing the web and going outside. I'm planning on painting in a little bit. Tomorrow I'm going to church in the morning. Next week I'm going to get my books for class.

Jenni

I Finally Did It!

Wow! I finally got my haircut yesterday. They chopped off 10 inches (25.4 cm). I'm going to donate it to Locks of Love. This will be my third time in six years donating my hair. According to their website "Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers."

This is my hair before they cut it

Prepairing for the cut

Ready, set, cut!

After the cut

Styled to perfection

I think I look older with my hair shorter. I was scared at first, but it's nice to do something for a good cause.

Jenni

Summer Boredom

I guess it isn't quite summer yet, but I have been very bored lately. It is hard not being mentally stimulated by school. I have been doing the same thing every day, which doesn't involve much. I have way too much time to think about things. It would be good if I could find something that I can do or somewhere to go to that could keep me busy. I'm tired of just going to the same places like Target and the mall and doing the same things like going on the computer and watching TV.

On the upside, I have been painting a lot. It's the one thing that has been calming my mind. I feel like every time I paint I get better and better. I'm thinking about selling some, but I am very attached and it is hard for me to let any of them go. I guess I could part with the older paintings that I have done; the ones that may not be as good.

Jenni

"What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life."
-Leo Buscaglia

The Past Few Days

Sunday I went to the spinal cord injury research symposium. It was great! I learned a lot about what type of research they are doing to help cure spinal cord injuries. They videotaped the event and as soon as they place the video on the website I will post it on my blog.

Yesterday I walked, rolled rather, to the mall down the street about a mile away from my house. It was beautiful outside! Sunny and 80°. I shopped around for a while and then my sister met me there after work for a bite to eat. It was a lot of fun.

Today it is going to be sunny and 85°. My nurse and I are going out to lunch at a restaurant called Cowboy Jacks. I am very excited to be getting out of the house so much. I don't like being cooped up inside. I like to enjoy the nice weather and do normal activities. We are leaving in less than an hour so I have to go now but I promise I'll put another post up soon.

Jenni

"Enjoy each day to its fullest."

What I've Been Doing

I have been trying to keep busy now that I am on my summer vacation from school. The weather is finally nice so I have been going outside everyday. However, I am now sunburned because I refused to wear sunscreen. I definitely will put some on when I go outside later today. I have also been trying to get out of the house as much as possible.

A few days ago I went shopping at Knollwood Mall. Usually I go to Ridgedale Mall down the street but I decided that I needed a change of scenery to shop in. I bought 6 T-shirts; none of them were over seven dollars. I'm a good bargain shopper.

Also, the other day I went to the movie Fast and Furious. It was good! I liked it a lot! I don't go to see movies on the big screen very often. Only if I know it's going to be a good movie and it is an action film. Those are always fun to watch oversized.

This weekend I am going to a Minnesota Twins baseball game. They are playing the Los Angeles Angels. One of my nurses was able to get me 12 tickets to a suite. I am so excited to go! I will let you know how it went.

Jenni

A Long Week

This week has been going by slow. For the past three days I thought it was Thursday and now that it is Thursday it feels like Monday. I haven't done much over the course of this break. I guess that's why they call it a break. I am so bored! It's weird though because I only go to school twice a week so it's not like things are that different but I miss it so much. I haven't started the outline for my speech that I'm supposed to be giving next Tuesday. Whoops! I've been kind of out of it because my routine is different. I'm such a routine person. I had a few friends over on Monday evening and yesterday, however, I haven't gotten out of the house since church on Sunday. I think I might go somewhere tomorrow but I'm not sure where. It's not quite nice enough outside yet to sit in the sun. Even though it's sunny, it is only 40° today. I've been on my computer for about 2 1/2 hours now and my eyes are starting to go buggy. I'm going to go watch some TV.

Jenni