Checker Mate

Danny and I had another appointment in Seattle today, for speech therapy at the UW. Each time (once a week) we wake up at the crack of dawn, drive over, attend the therapy, and then head back home. It's about 3 hours (on average) each direction.

It's worth it though. Rehab therapy at the UW is third in the nation, and for many reasons, I know that the bills are worth it. I'm learning all kinds of tricks. They know how to challenge me. In fact, the other day, Danny and I were playing Dominoes at home, a ritual that we used to enjoy and finally, I won for the first time since the surgeries. We've been playing at least once a week, and since the brain trauma, I could never calculate the math. After discussing it with the therapist, she mentioned writing the math down. It completely cut my half of the game, which was probably 90% of the duration of the game. I know it sounds like a simple change, but it's nice to know that it's ok to count on my fingers; that it's acceptable to write down my thoughts, and calculations. My short term memory is pretty disgusting, but with little tricks, I'm making things work. In fact, with simple changes they're making my life much more successful. Little things make my life easier, and I don't think that there's a price on that (actually, there IS a price on that, but let's not go there). I can't seem to solve my own problems, but I'm learning how to manage them. It makes all the difference.

After the therapy, Danny and I went for a walk along Lake Washington and ran into a checker board. It was too rainy (note my rain boots in the photo) for a game, but I love the idea!

I'm loving my therapy, and I'm excited for my psych test in the neuro dept. It's going to be continued over three days, Monday the 11th, the 12th, and the 13th of October. It surrounds by my MRI. Lots of doctor's appointments that week. It's big time.

Moving Mountains

This weekend, friends of ours got married. The bride is a true inspiration.

During a 20 week program, she lost 70 lbs. Amazing.

That's what a determined woman can do. Move mountains.

Encouraged by her dedication, Danny and I went to the gym just minutes after we got home from the trip. For the first time in years I reacquainted myself with lunges and squats. Instead of just running, I'm doing all kinds of strength training. I'm determined to transform my body as much as possible before October 12th, my next MRI. My goal is to cherish my body, and turn it into a well oiled tumor fighting machine. The stronger my body becomes, the better. I'm going to fight this disease from all angles, with my body, my mind, and my spirit. I'm going to move mountains.

My First Juice

The other day, my parents went to Costco and surprised me with a juicer. I've been eating vegetables for breakfast, lunch and for dinner, and now I have the ability to make juice!

In true Jessica form, I snagged a little bit of everything for my first attempt at fresh juice. In odd quantities I included the following:

Cabbage
Carrots
Parsley
Kiwi
Nectarine
Ginger
Celery
Asparagus
Cucumber
Spinach

I was excited because I didn't have to peel anything (just make sure they've been washed - and when applicable, pit). You can even use a whole kiwi, skin and all!

Anyway, when I was finished juicing I poured a cup and sniffed the glass. Instantly, I recoiled severely, and started dry heaving. It smelt like baby poop. You know the kind when babies are starting to eat solids, and meats? Absolutely horrendous! I walked a glass over to Danny and told him not to smell it, but to chug as much as possible as quickly as possible. I tried to convince Danny (and myself) that in the cheese world the stinkier the cheese, the better the taste, but within the first sip it was obvious that the same can not be said about juice.

Laughing hysterically, and sick to our stomachs, we each almost finished a glass, and I vowed to never make another concoction like that again.

I think, for now, I'm going to start with the basics; carrots, apples, oranges, etc, but NOT in the same mixture. No more mixing until I've earned it.