The Power of Blogging
Today was my first class on my second round of the ACE (Alberta Cancer Exercises) program. I was able to do 30 seconds of full jumping jacks before moving down to a modified form. I could look at this as I was only able to do 30 seconds of jumping jacks but by blogging my progression in the last 8 months, I could see how this was a positive step forward, small as it might be.
Most of my documentation and blogging of my journey has not been on the IHC forum. I have documented on my personal blog and journal and these are still a powerful tool. Here are some of the steps and milestones over these months that show how 30 seconds can be a real positive step forward.
April 26 - Entered the Foothills hospital to start treatment.
May and June consisted of trips around the hospital pushed in a wheelchair. I could only do some of the Tai Chi warm up exercises. There was even one instance when I had to get down on the floor for my slipper which was under my bed and I became stuck. There was no way that I could get off the floor using my leg muscles and my arm muscles were just as useless. In my mind, I still recall the image of a stuck seal trying to get up on a rock. I am sure that is exactly what I looked like trying to get back into my bed. At least we can laugh at it now.
July - I slowly transitioned to a walker which was my main form of assistance. I had to move to my hands and knees to get up off the ground. I needed help to climb up two small stairs to our friends’ deck.
Aug - I turned in my wheelchair and walker just before heading home to Stony. Once I was home, I could barely go up and down the stairs but I could start to get out of the tub easier. I was able to do more and more in my Tai Chi classes.
Sept - Started the first round of the ACE program. Most of my exercises were from a chair but slowly I was able to do harder and harder exercises. Started to participate in the entire Tai Chi classes.
Oct - I had a hard time lifting my feet so would stumble when walking. Could not do any of the jumping exercises. Able to walk up and down the stairs at home easier, even carrying a laundry basket. These were the months of weight gain from the medications so that brought on another set of challenges. I finally had my central line removed.
Nov - Mike and I went to Canmore and I walked to the bakery. 3 km round trip. Legs burning but I did it (and what a reward at the end). Attended Tai Chi classes regularly.
Dec - Completed the ACE program and did the post assessment. Was able to see improvements in all areas but needed a reality check. I was expecting to do better and my ego was comparing me to others, comparing me to my former self. I mean it had been 7 months so I should be better by now, correct? This was a tough month mentally which slowed my physical progression.
Jan - Started the year at Canmore. Able to get some beautiful walks around Lake Louise, Banff, and Canmore area. Yesterday I was able to do 175 wall pushups and modified situps. Today I started my ACE exercises using the weight and difficulty from last session and for the first time, I was able to lift my feet and do 30 seconds of jumping jacks.
By documenting my journey, it shows how 30 seconds is a positive step forward and how I can look back at this later to remind me how far I have come.
Jackie Kohut
