December 2011 - Saying Goodbye to Ponoka

A group of friends and I met at sister Sue's in early October and the group decided I was well enough to write my own blog. Since my accident, many people left messages and supported me with the web pages that Jacquie Barone and my cousin Jane allowed people to gain information and learn more about my difficult journey. Now, I have started a blog once a month, and i've added a lot of people to that list. If you do not want to be on the list just send an email back with your request to be removed from the list in the subject line.  Or if someone would like to be added, do the same thing but request their name be added to the list. 

This has been (although it is far from over) a real exercise in what a horrific brain injury is like, as I have spent the last 1.5 years living at this hospital learning to take care of myself as I always loved my independence will and hope not to need to be taken care of. Things like walking, taking, and learning the various aspects of keeping myself.  I know it wasn't easy for my family to even start this journey.  Most people thought I wouldn't want to struggle that hard, but I've done most everything else so why not try my hand at working back from this?

As much as I belly ache about this hospital, it is the fastest way I have heard about recuperating from an accident like mine and they are all pro's here but the good news is that I will be leaving next week with my buddy Bones (Cindy-loo). The plan is to go to her place in Invermere where we'll hook up with LB and in one day drive to her place in Rossland.  My good friends Scott and Cathy from Santa Barbara, their daughter Torrie and Lesley's two kids, Colesten and Samme will be there to celebrate Christmas. Afterwards, I'll be at Red Mountain to ski the steep and deep, (Now don't believe everything I say) but Lesley has an infrared sauna and I hope to get outside a bit. Lesley and I met in Banff when we were about the kids age being close to 20, crazy and reckless!  So we're 50+, we're still crazy and reckless so I don't know who will learn from who.

Well my sister Sue really stood up for me and I really appreciate the friends and family who have helped me over the past 1.5 years and when Rossland Christmas is over, we'll ring in the new year at Sue's in Vancouver.  When that crazy party is over I hope to find a place close to Sue's, daughter Kate and son Max, as long as husband Gary can handle it! Sue has a PT (physiotherapy) group on task as well as other "professionals" that will help me keep getting back in shape and keep me busy.  I'm also counting on my Vancouver friends to fill in on the fun factor.  That might be going to a movie, a dinner or just grabbing a coffee and shooting the breeze!

Hopefully I will be able to secure a place to live close by because it will be such a treat to have family (Tom & Sue and Jim & Jan will have to fly in) Come summertime it'll be good to get a lift with someone in Vancouver, so I can visit all my good friends in the gorge.  Ok rollerblade the road between Mosier and Hood River.  Another "don't believe me!" it was fun to blog you from Canada's north pole!  Merry Christmas and let's have a blast in 2012!

Peg about to leave Ponoka ;)

November 2011 Update

     I had a good thanksgiving at Uncle Tom's cabin. (More like mansion on the lake) which led straight to Sue's meeting of my friends, which is where we came up with this idea of a blog which cousin Jane has setup and I am filling in the content. We will send a notice when it has been up dated, so you can decide at any time if you want to get a notice or if you would rather take your name off the list.

    I am getting ready (ok, I'm ready) to leave Ponoka. Yes, it has taught me a lot but I think the next phase will too. Cousin Jane (Ralph) has been a fantastic cousin that tidied and organized me, which was just how I would have done things, in my life before the accident, ok, better! But because of her once a week visit I felt very much ready to meet the challenges of my recovery schedule. Now I am going to leave the hospital and Cousin Jane has already bought a retirement place on lake Erie near home.  Just because it is in the tomato capital of Canada, Leamington, Ont.  It is close to both Tim's and her family.  Ok I plan on visiting so I am sure it will suit me fine!

     I have worked real hard to use my left hand after this summer with the blue berries and my favorite niece Kate, or my niecie piecie. I have learned to type with two hands but on my laptop but it is more of a challenge on my IPad. I typed a recipe on my laptop and transferred it to the IPad so it could be sent to the whole list! On Mondays I have a cooking class where I like to make low fat, dishes that are more interesting than mashed potatoes and gravy or the same old hospital food so I thought I'd share this autumn soup with you.  I like quinoa because it is high in protein which for something that is similar to rice or potato which is usually all carbohydrate. It is an ancient grain that has recently become popular! So it can be found in most grocery stores.

   For the rest of my time here I am working with my walker in the hopes of learning to walk. It is a lot of work, and I know I am pretty spastic but i know how important it is, so I'll continue to work hard.

   The week before Dec 9th sister Sue will drive her Van out here and load it up for our drive to the rain forest on the wet coast so for the rest of my time here I'm just trying to get all I can and keep working hard to the very end. I've read a lot of books and thank god I can still read. Right now, I'm reading the trashy sequel to the Da Vinci Code "Angels & Demons" but I've really enjoyed my book club book on water called,  "The Big Thirst" and reading about Michael J. Fox's struggle with Alzheimer’s and all he took on in America, and the foundation he started under the Bush administration.  I read a number of books on brain damage that were not as fun as the fiction books about "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" but Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's "Stroke of Insight" and Lee and ABC news correspondent Bob Woodruff who was imbedded with the troops in Iraq and suffered shrapnel giving him brain damage and one other book on brain damage that was tough to handle but it was given to me from my girlfriend Sandra from LA (ok I forget the title) and it was tough as cause it hit a little close to home and I really enjoyed the fiction.  Which is a change for me.

     Well I don't have a lot to say.  My head is down, and I'm very much looking forward to being close to Sue and family and Christmas and getting the heck out of here! It will take me some time and adjusting as I get used to life as a cripple on the left coast.  I will also be looking for a place to live that is suitable and friends who are interested to have stimulating conversation or go sky diving!

Quarterly Update Available Via Email

Sister Sue will be sending out a quarterly email to keep friends, family and other interested parties up to date on Peg's news items. News such as fundraising, volunteering, microboard updates, etc. If you'd like to receive these emails please send a request to msuerowan@hotmail.com.

Thanks for your support.
Cousin Jane

Peg's Posts Coming Soon!

This blog spot will be used for Peg to keep her friends, family and acquaintances up-to-date as she transitions through her rehabilitation from a brain injury. You'll be able to follow along as she keeps you in the loop as to her progress. When she is up against some challenges she will let you know how you can help.

Enjoy the journey along with Peg and be sure to help out any way you can.

I will hand these blogs over to Peg now.

Cousin Jane