My Second Bonus Birthday
I apologise for not posting for a few weeks but it has been a difficult few weeks where I’ve been in a lot of pain. I’ve not missed sessions but when I have not been at the gym or visiting therapists I have been resting to deal with the pain in my back and shoulders. I do not think it is a bad thing that pain at the moment as I can feel my body changing just a little bit. As I gain more strength in areas that are weak, the spasms in those areas particularly the shoulders are also getting stronger. I am hoping it is a phase that my shoulders need to go through to learn how to behave more like normal shoulders. I’m hoping this anyway but I will have to monitor it over the next month or so and will put up with the pain that comes with it.
It was great to celebrate my first birthday at home and not in hospital! The day itself was nothing special but we finished up with some local friends over who have been a great help since the accident happened. It was a very normal day that finished with a wonderful piece of chocolate cake.
Monica gave me the best present as you would expect which was a handle that sticks to a shower wall using suction. I had my first stand-up shower since the accident. Not only was it invigorating but it meant the shower took about 10 minutes less! So every second day now I no longer need to use the uncomfortable shower chair can avoid it altogether by standing up to be showered and dried before I get dressed. A small thing but a big change to the daily routine in terms of time usage. It also makes a difference with what I am trying to achieve to be able to stand up as much as possible.
I have also had a bar installed at home that I can stand up and hold onto. This allows me to do squats, leg raises and sideways leg movements and also stand-up to talk to people. It is really important that I do this to get my body used to standing for periods of time to improve blood pressure. As a part of this condition your blood pressure falls through the floor and you have to retrain your nervous system to get it back to normal levels. Of course it also allows Ashley to practice her ballet moves as shown in the photo. 
Whilst I am making progress and need to keep encouraging myself to work every day to get better you can see it is not all beer and skittles. I am dealing with a lot of pain and you still get slapped in the face every day with what you can’t do. It is taking every ounce of my patience and determination to keep my head up and keep working every day to improve. Luckily there are people around me to help me out during periods when I feel down. My family and friends are my greatest blessing.
Keep well,
Mike.
September 2nd, 2009 on 12:45 pm
Mike,
Belated birthday greetings.
Sorry to read about the pain you are experiencing. We are sure you are so determined that you will ride it through.
It is also great to hear about your increasing mobility as the reward for so much work.
Saw Dad yesterday as we were watching the kids swim lesson for a bit of a chat.
Love to Moni and Ash.
The Congdons
September 2nd, 2009 on 9:58 pm
Mike,
You have achieved so much and it has taken the type of grit and determination that many of us struggle to find when the going gets tough. I bet every nerve and muscle in your body is wondering which one is going to be targeted next for strengthening exercises… because it will! Great news about the upright shower, the ballet bar (is there is theme happening here?) and the regular standing achievements. A belated happy birthday and love to you all. Marcia
September 4th, 2009 on 11:03 am
I especially love the angles your arms can be at now, Mike. I have vivid memories of the confined forward and backward movements they had. Love Ash’s acrobatics.
Love
Mum
September 4th, 2009 on 6:08 pm
Great to have this post Mike. There are lots of sayings about determination and this you epitomise. “Where there is a will there is a way” and as Ashley can show you her will to have her way/turn on the “ballet bar” it looks as if it runs in the family.
Have a good weekend as we slide into another September and we all know what that means. Enjoy the footy while you keep up the campaign…..we can all see the improvement!
Love Dad
September 8th, 2009 on 5:25 pm
Hi Michael
I saw your story on Ch 7 a while back, you gave me a huge amount of inspiration with your determination, your positive outlook and goal setting with every step forward you take. At the time I had what I thought was a major drama from a lawn mowing accident which stopped me in my tracks for some time. Your positive approach to life rubbed off on me, and I’m sure it rubs off on the people around you. Keep up your fantastic efforts.
Cheers
Richard
September 8th, 2009 on 8:45 pm
Happy Birthday Michael (belated). Sorry to hear about your pain. I can only imagine.
I’m continuously amazed and inspired by your journey. All my best.
Wade
September 13th, 2009 on 1:25 pm
Hi again Michael,
It was wonderful to see you out and about on your bike this morning. You flashed past in such a whirlwind of action I only realised the significance of it afterwards. A great way to spend a quiet Sunday morning. All power to those legs!
I am keenly watching my granddaughter experiment/learn to stand up and stay steady. She has not yet mastered the skill you so neatly described as – all the little muscles used to keep upright.
Best wishes
Robyn
September 18th, 2009 on 1:36 pm
Hi Mike – Happy Birthday – though clearly you are getting to that “my Cake looks like a Bush Fire..” age!!!
Love Tom Lil and Harry
September 18th, 2009 on 4:52 pm
Hi Michael,
I recently tried to contact you via the St Kilda Cycling Club.
I wanted to ask if you might consider being a guest speaker at our organisation AGM in November.
Is there a contact email or phone number that is suitable to reach you on?
Regards
Richard Burn