Wow... anybody out there? Anybody in HERE? Wait a minute... where am I? Oh, that's it; I'm on my webisite! (or is that IN my website? Whatever...) Anyway, I'm HERE. I've been doing SO many incredible things since my last post, I don't even know where to start. Actually, I do know where; I'll start with the good vibes, seeing as that's something I'm going to be getting shortly. I'm going to have acupunture at ADAPT Advances (the former Project Walk) with Estim (which stands for electrical stimulus). I've experienced lots of acupuncture in my day, but it's been NOTHING compared with what I've experieced from Nicolas LaPuma. His education is huge, and he is hugely exiting to be involved with. Nick is gutsy, and he's intuitive. Along my PT at OHSU and my doc. who supports me in everything I do, I feel this is really what's going to get me up and walking again. All of this has been EXITING to say the least so, probably needless to say... stay tuned!

She's ba-ack... and even better than before! Actually, better than ever... I'm not walking as of yet, but my energy has been HUGE. The holidays were wacked with all the snow; lovely yes, but also a royal pain in the butt, seeing as I wasn't able to get to either ADAPT or OHSU for three weeks. The incredibly cool thing, however, was my session with Marvin last week when I finally WAS able to get back to OHSU. I got there early, so was surprised that he was able to see me when I first arrived. After I got hooked up in this coset-like thing (I'm not kidding; I swear I have flashbacks to previous lifetimes) he had me begin. And it WAS harder than I remembered. When I said, 'Marv, this thing is set slower than I remember'; his response was, Yeah, I'm making it that way so I can see where your body is at after all this time. The crazy thing was, seeing as I hadn't been there for three weeks it should've been a lot harder, but it wasn't tough at all. He told me he was impressed. When the person who was scheduled after me called to say she was going to be late, he then asked me if I wanted to keep going. I wasn't tired at all and felt great, so I did. When it was finally time to end my session; now he was VERY impressed. He told me that for 50 minutes I had walked longer than I ever had before; a mile and at a slower pace (which is more challenging) and supposedly the whole time I was doing 20% of the work. The thing he was really amazed about was the fact that I had the endurance to do so. Even though a locomat is an automatic locomoton device, the corset-thing is hooked up to a computer that monitors your movement, and can be set to stop if the person using it isn't exerting any energy. A computer screen is in front of you so you can watch your progress, then move as the therapist instructs. In the past Locomat has been enormously tiring--more so than ADAPT--but it's getting easier and easier as time goes on. My healing progress is getting VERY intriguing... Stay tuned!</p>

My Christmas gift to you, is... me! Isn't that special? (winK) It's been too long, I realize... the most exiting news I have to write is that for the last few months, I've been undergoing homeopathic treatment for Lyme from a man who is (supposedly) one of the best. And, wow, it's been quite something. It's actually been the most difficult treatment regimen I've ever been on: http://www.wholisticresearch.com/info/artshow.php3?artid=81 But it's also been the most exiting. My energy has gone from being almost non-existent to being so huge I actually have to remind myself to slow down and take it easy. It's not 100%, and no I'm not walking as of yet, but I'm shocking EVERYONE with my abilities. Abilities like (oh god, I don't know if I should put this in writing but, oh well, here goes) abilities like... cleaning! I'm (unfortunately) very good at it, thanks to my mother. After I asked for a new bike when I was ten, she told me she would only get me one if I paid half for it. When I expressed shock and confusion--what? ;I'm ten years old! Where am I gonna get the money she just shrugged and said, you figure it out. So I went around to the neighbors, and started cleaning. Call me old fashioned, but the young women who help me out don't do it very well, and they say if you want something done right you have to do it yourself, so... I'm doing it! The reason I'm including that in this post is because it exemplifies that I have the ENERGY to do it. I'm still going to ADAPT (formerly known as Project Walk) once a week and am working with the head physical therapist at OHSU twice a week. And I'm of course still writing when I have he energy and spirit for ir; you can't ruse the muse. My book is in no way, shape or form ready for publishing as of yet, but it WILL be published; mark my words. Stay tuned.. I hope you all have enjoyed this early Christmas present Now let's all have the happiest of holidays, and make 2009 the greatest year of our life!

The story on why I've been so horridly late posting (yet again) can be summed up pretty succinctly (think I can do it? ;-); it's simply because been feeling fantastic. I have had fantastic energy, so have been able to get things done that I've been putting off for ages, simply because I wasn't feeling so great. I'm feeling HUGELY better, plus... Jay and I have added a new member to our family! She's a five month old Calico kitten named Sabrina. We her at the local animal shelter just last Tuesday. We already love her immensely, and she adores us. She loves to be loved, loves to snuggle, and loves to play with her toys and look at herself in the mirror! She runs after her toys like a dog; it's incredible. After we throw them, she brings them back to us so we can do it again! I've never considered myself much of a cat person--always partial to dogs--until I met this kitty. After she started giving me high fives at the shelter (no joke) I knew she was the one... I was immediately in love! So again, physically I'm feeling incredible. Jay and I recently went on a restrictive Lyme diet, and BOTH of us are already noticing HUGE benefits. I saw my brother (who was visiting from Alaska last week) and he asked, how's the walking coming? Obviously it's not happening as of yet but (lucky for him) I wasn't feeling my usual sarcastic self. But its VERY close; I can feel it. As with everything else in my life, I know it will happen when it's meant to. It's--ABSOLUTELY--its going to happen. Count on it!

Please do accept my condolences. I realize I haven't posted for well over a month, so know everyone must have been not just incredibly sad, but simply missin' me somethin' fierce. Well, turn those frowns upside down, because you're going to be feeling super swell when you hear the reason why I haven't posted... It’s because I've been getting my butt kicked, somethin' fierce! I’ve not only been going to the former Project Walk twice a week; I've been going downtown to OHSU's Center for Health and Healing, also twice a week. Which has been incredible. Yesterday Ryan and Marvin (the physical therapists at OHSU) hooked me up to something called Biodex for the first time. Known as The World Leader in Neuromuscular Education and Therapeutic Exercise, the biodex goes further than the locomat, supposedly being the fastest way to identify, treat and document the physical impairments that cause functional limitations (italics from website). Like you are while using the locomat you’re hooked up to a computer, the Biodex just going more in depth in its statistics as you perform the movements the therapists ask of you. It is NOT easy. But it’s very, very cool; fascinating, really. Check it out: www.biodex.com/rehab/rehab.htm .

As for the former Project Walk; the Beaverton office is no more. The owners simply told Nat (the manager of the Beaverton office) they were going to close it. The way Ted and his wife Tammy (a co-owner) conducted themselves was incredibly unprofessional, but the way the trainers conducted themselves at what is now going to be called ADAPT Advanced Training was beyond professional. They’re joining ADAPT, the business next door. ADAPT is an acronym that stands for Advanced Development And Performance Training. The trainers I’ve been working with for almost a year now are so knowledgeable; after you check out their site www.adapttraining.com , I can assure you it’s a perfect match. I feel so lucky to be a part of it!

Rest assured I’ll keep you all posted about any new events. Enjoy the beautiful weather having! So, until I click again…

 We've just posted a new progress update video of Peggy at Project Walk.  

The format of the video is to show the progress Peggy has been making in the 9 months since starting at Project Walk, as well as all of the various exercises she's been doing every week there.  The end of the video also includes footage of her first day using the Lokomat at OHSU, which is quite a cool machine.  As you'll see, she's making great strides and she has really put a lot of effort into getting where she is today. 

You can see the video at the top of the Videos page as April 2008 Update (you may have to hit Refresh on your browser if you are a frequent visitor).  If you happen to have a slow Internet connection or have troubles viewing the video, I've also created an alternate video link which will stream the content and hopefully allow you to see it without issues.

Thanks for your support!

Jay

Last Thursday was an amazing  day.  I had a really good workout with both Elena and Jeremy at Project Walk.  Elena had me doing arm work the first hour, then Jeremy had me on the red table working my legs the second. As usual, he would ask me how I was feeling then, more specifically, would ask where I was feeling the movement was originating from. I remember telling him I felt I was connecting really well—better than I had in the past—because I felt I did know where it was originating. I remember telling him I found it odd that I could feel my left leg was stronger doing some movements than my right. I felt both legs were actually doing really well, just that they were oddly mismatched. Hold that thought…

After Project Walk, Jay and I then jetted downtown  to OHSU's Health and Healing Center for my 1:30PM appointment, to use something called Lokomat.  You definitely have to check it out;   http://www.ohsu.edu/health/page.cfm?id=13701  I worked with Marvin Smith, D.P.T., one of OHSU's lead neurological therapists, the physical therapist highlighted in this video clip.  Marvin then set me up using the Lokomat.  The device is absolutely amazing. They strap your legs into this machine then, after given cues you focus on moving as instructed. And the absolutely mind blowing thing is that the machine’s calculations showed my body moving the exact same muscles as Jeremy and I said we were moving, earlier this same day! When Marvin was doing the intake and doing a manual examination before they strapped me into the machine, and both he and another PT there were very positive, saying, “Oh yeah, you definitely have motion happening.” Marvin wants me to come three days a week. They’re pretty booked, so currently  I have only two more appointments scheduled. But it’s definitely going to happen.  I'm still going to Project Walk (which is why I have to raise some money so if anyone reading feels like making a tax deductible donation, feel free to do so here on my super secure site!;-) Jay, the super originator of my super secure site (as well as my super sexy finance, bit I digress)  is also working on a new video for the site so... stay tuned for further enlightenment! (believe it or not that's a hint, of what's yet to come...) ;-)

I’ve been super lazy getting my posts up (obviously) but there’s something I’m hoping someone reading this can help me with. A bunch of us from Project Walk are going to submit some sort of proposal to the Oprah show, hoping we can get on it. Seeing as Project Walk is much, more than traditional ‘physical therapy’ and the people who go there are much, much more than what you think of when you hear of people who are either ‘in', ‘confined', or ‘bound’ to wheelchairs, with their ‘traditional’ labels of gimp. cripple, or invalid, I have no doubt we’re going to get on the show. Much like Barack Obama’s book The Audacity of Hope and the man himself, who inspires people to dare to become more than what cultural mores of their time told them they could be, both Project Walk and the people who go have the ‘audacity’ to reject ‘labels’ and are daring to become more than what traditional medical mores of their time told them they could be. 

Project Walk is not ‘traditional physical therapy; it’s exercise therapy. My own doctor inadvertently validated the benefits of this the other day when he called me to discuss my latest blood test results. He said, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but keep doing it. You’re blood looks better than I’ve ever seen it. Your red blood cells went from being abnormal to the mid-range of normal.” He went on to explain a major function of the red blood cells is to carry oxygen to all the tissues from the lungs and then transport the carbon dioxide from the cells, breaking down the nutrients for assimilation. Red blood cells therefore are essential for healing, and since exercise stimulates bone production and bone is what’s responsible for red blood cell production (and the hip bone’s connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone’s connected to the collar bone, the collar bone’s connected to the…but forgive me, I digress. Not only do I digress, I’m constructing one wacked body…;-) All that to say: EXERCISE PRODUCES HEALING!  (Physical healing, that is. As for mental healing, one can only dream…;-)

As for how my sessions at Project Walk have been since my last post, they’ve been smashing, as usual. So again, I’d love it if anyone reading could help us make this happen. And I have some exiting news…anyone who can help us swing this just might get a free autograph! This would have to be from Oprah, of course. As for a free autograph from me, like I’ve said before; one can only but dream… ;-)

March sixth was also a very good day. The first hour I worked with Jared. He had me on the red table, and was really concentrating on my ankles. No offense to Jared but—seeing as this was about as interesting for me to do as for you to read—I’m not going to belabor the point. He had me finish up by using the adductor machine which was interesting, seeing as what Kandice told me Tuesday. Because I was obviously very strong on my left side; my right side embarrassingly wimpy. Sigh…

The second hour I worked with Elena. She had me doing some core work on the grey table for the first half hour, then had me move to the gait trainer. I have to confess I was getting tired and definitely more than a bit hungry, but the remaining fifteen minutes were pretty wild. I was crusin’ along, thinking I was the cat’s meow while using the trainer, when she switched it off. I started to get down when she said, “Wait a minute, you’re not done; I want to try something you’ve never done before.”  I was still using the gait trainer, but she turned the power off. OFF, meaning I had to power the thing by myself! She would start me out by pushing one of my legs, then I had to take it from there! It was not easy; I was mad, I was sad, but I did it. Okay, so I wasn’t all that mad or sad, I was just really hungry. So, until I click again…

March fourth was another day I felt was going to be very good. The first hour I worked with Elena. She had me start out by using the adductor machine, with a bit of a twist. She started out having me work my legs; the twist is that she had me work my arms, as well. This is hard to explain without a visual aid; suffice to say she had me pulling on some elastic tubes (I’m gonna leave that to your imagination to figure it out; trust no small mammals were harmed. Will, on the other hand… ;-). Elena then had me move to the grey table to do some core strengthening exercises. They were not easy, but she actually complimented me at the end—a compliment from the dominatrix herself!— so I have to say I think she felt it went well.

The second hour I worked with Kandice. She had me move to the total gym and while I was using it she kept questioning where I was feeling it. She had me switch between legs, and in no time at all she said, “Do you realize you’re not doing any load bearing in your right leg at all?” This, again, is hard to explain without a visual aid but after she told me what she saw my body doing and how to correct it, I did! Know that this correction didn’t come easily but, like I think I’ve said before, once I find out how my body has been misaligning itself in order to favor my ’supposedly stronger side, it makes sense.  it just felt right. Kandice also confirmed something I felt was true; she said even though it appears my right side is more strong, she said I actually connect better on my left. It was truly fascinating to learn about. The work she had me do was actually more than very good; I felt it, truly, was a watershed moment for me.  So stay tuned…

Once again, forgive me for being so remiss in posting. I remember thinking, after Feb. 19, I was looking forward to posting the 21 but then, something rather unusual happened: a full moon lunar eclipse. It was absolutely stunning. A full moon nearly always throws me off, but my favorite astrologer, Susan Miller of astrologyzone.com says a full moon eclipse is even more challenging; beautiful to look at, yes, but fatiguing not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, as well. I always say a full moon is like a curve ball everyone has to par and counter to the best of their ability; that being said, a lunar eclipse is like having to dodge three or four balls curve balls coming at you all at once from different directions, at differing speeds! Suffice to say, I’m sure it was draining for everyone. (Yes, I had about three or four balls coming at me all at once, but luckily it’s as if they were thrown by Will, so it wasn’t that challenging or draining at all;-)

People may roll their eyes at all this and say this is just so much silliness, being astrology, but I beg to differ. Like differing languages using words that appear to differ actually mean the same thing in English, not only is talking about the effects of a full moon astrology; it’s science. Remember, the moon is what pulls the tide of the oceans, and humans are made of water; percentages I’ve heard range anywhere from 70-90% .) All that just to say I didn’t post because of the lunar eclipse.  How’s that for an excuse? Not bad, not bad at all, if I do say so myself… (insert sound of crowd cheering;-)

I’m posting about last Thursday, Feb. 28, because it was just very, very good. I woke up early, and had great energy, so knew it was going to be a good day. The first hour I worked with Jeremy. He started out having me do table work (which was excellent; he could feel my muscles doing all the things he was asking me to do) and then he had me move to the fly wheel bike, which I rode for a solid half hour! It was, I feel, my best performance yet.

The second hour I worked with Will. And…it was fun! We had moved to a different table. He had me rolling around, sitting up and down—doing all sorts of other super fun stuff I’m sure (even though I can’t remember what it was, exactly) probably because the final half hour he had me balancing on a bolster, which is when he had me commence to doing what I, truly, feel I was meant to do in this life. We began throwing a soft foam ball, then a three pound ball (which was more difficult, but I got my mojo back pretty quick, so never fear;-).  Elena had joined us, and when she was throwing the soft ball she told me to try catching and throwing it with my left hand. If you’ve been reading my posts, you’ll recall I’ve always said my left is my weaker hand but…oops, I think I’ve been found out (does this mean I’m gonna have to give up my free parking? Say it ain’t so… ;-) On the very first try, I caught it and threw it back, no problem at all. Then did it again, and again and again… Will, literally, was dumbfounded. “Peggy,” he said, “What are you doing? Where is this coming from? You’re not supposed to be able to do this!” I knew I had to do something to preserve my free parking status (and free food, free desserts, and very soon to be free stickers;-) so I did what, at times, a woman has to do just to stay in the game. So—you know what I’m gonna say— I pulled out the tears. Oh so carefully orchestrated (as to not smear my mascara, of course) but they were gushing. I mean, literally gushing; my shirt was wet! And Will, being something I can’t put in print so I’ll save for his face, didn’t even care! I was crying, he was laughing; déjà vu, all over again, the story of my life) So, I did what a woman has to do when she finally has to put some sort of closure on any untenable situation; I went to get some Japanese food. I stormed out, literally stormed.  Admittedly, storming isn’t as effective when you’re using a chair but, if someone is relatively near (or not so near) you can always careen your manual chair out of control and ‘accidentally’ run over their foot, which they’ll then apologize to you for (which is always fun but, still, a seated storm is not the same as a walking storm). Suffice to say, Mr. Will, when I get these bones up and around again –which is going to be sooner than later, mark my words—just for last Thursday, I’m going to owe you a real storm! And you’re gonna get it (if you’re lucky, that is. ;-)

Today was another very good day at Project Walk. The first hour I worked with Will, who started me out doing arm work on the total gym. It’s hard to explain without a visual aid—and Jay’s camera is not working currently—but suffice to say what I was doing on the total gym was not easy. Seeing as my right hand is definitely the strongest I can say I’m lucky my right hand is dominant, but my left hand and arm are still very weak, so it was quite a workout. I finished the hour by doing some throwing and catching with Leslie-- a new trainer at Project Walk—while using a stranding frame. Throwing and catching while using a standing frame with Leslie was very good, but throwing and catching the second hour, with Jeremy, was even better.,,

Jeremy started me doing some passive exercises on the table, and then he had me move to and sit on the edge of a table. He moved across from me, and had me throwing and catching while balancing; point being to challenge to my balance. It was a challenge when I first started but in no time at all it became easy, and wasn’t a problem in the least! It was actually really fun. I finished up by using the gait trainer for the remaining fifteen minutes. So, once again, it was a tremendous workout. The more I go, it’s obvious I’m getting better and better and better. Needless to say, I can’t wait to go back! So stay tuned… ;-)

Please forgive me, once again, for being so late in posting…  I have to tell you I don’t remember the details of February fifth and seventh exactly, just remember they weren’t the best. seeing as I hadn’t yet sunk into a rhythm. I do remember Feb. 12, however....

I knew as soon as I awoke it was going to be a good day. I worked with Jared the first hour. Jared actually was the person who evaluated me the very first day at Project Walk. For whatever reason it had been while since I had worked with him, so it was intriguing. He had me use the total gym the whole hour and…it was fun! It was fun because I was freakin’ him out somethin’ fierce; he had me doing all sorts of different exercises on the total gym and kept trying to push me off balance, but I stayed balanced and upright the whole time. He told me he was very impressed with my progress as supposedly I wasn’t able to do anything I was doing when I first started at Project Walk. The best part is—and you’re not gonna believe this, so you might want to be sure you’re sitting down— he told me if I keep up the good work, I’m just might get a sticker! ;-) The second hour I worked with Elena. The amazing thing is I wasn’t feeling fatigued at all and had really good energy for pretty much the whole hour. She was surprised, too, but I wasn’t surprised one bit. All I can say is, never underestimate what the power of a compliment, plus the incentive of a sticker can for a person. So yeah, February 12^th was definitely one of my best…

 When I woke up February 13, however, I felt as if I’d been hit by a Mack truck. Truly, I felt like hell. I was surprised since I had felt so good the previous day, so thought I must be getting a cold. But I wasn’t feeling any of the usual cold symptoms, so that didn’t make any sense, either.  I called Nat—the manager at Project Walk—to cancel Thursday, seeing as they charge for appointments not cancelled 24 hours in advance. Shortly after we finished talking Jay called on his lunch break. After I told him how I was feeling and how I couldn’t figure it out why, just felt it wasn’t a cold, he said, “I know you’re not going to like to hear this, but seeing as you just recently started upping the meds, it’s probably a herx” . We did the math over the phone, and he was right: it was definitely a herx.

 For anyone unfamiliar with the term, a ‘herx’ is short for something called a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, named after the German doctors who discovered it. According to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, a ‘herx’ happens when large quantities of toxins are released into the body as bacteria die, due to antibiotic treatment. A person experiences a herx when the death of these bacteria and the associated release of endotoxins occurs faster than the body can remove the toxins via the natural detoxification process performed by the kidneys and liver.  A Herxheimer flare reaction may be the first indication that the antibiotic is reaching its target, therefore is considered a good sign.

Super fun, huh? I talked to my doctor who’s prescribing it; she wants me to take a few days off, then start the meds again, albeit slowly. I’m feeling better, actually have been doing some of the exercises Willl recommended I do home (and kicking Jay’s butt instead of yours, Will, but doing so is just making it more likely I’m gonna take you on then take you out the next time we play, so consider yourself forewarned ;-).  I’m planning on going to Project Walk this coming Tuesday so, who knows? Maybe, if I play my cards right, meaning just be my super sweet self (okay, fine: act like I would, if I ever was super sweet self) then look really sad, maybe squeeze out a couple tears… I just might get my sticker, even quicker! (yeah yeah I know it’d be more likely to happen if I deep-six the bad rhymes and tried to, once again, act like I would if I ever had some semblance of a super sweet self but…nah, ain’t gonna happen. Meaning I’m still gonna take you on then take you out next time we play catch, Will; count on it! ;-)

Sorry I’m so late getting this post up… Last Thusrday, January 31^st was my six month evaluation at Project Walk.  I worked with Elena the first hour; she took measurements of my muscle mass and nerve sensation, recording my stats, both written and by video. After she was done assessing me on the table, she had me move to the floor. And this was very cool; she had me rolling from my front to back, and then sitting up, moving from side to side, and…she was surprised! I didn’t find what she was having me do hard at all but, according to her, I couldn’t do any of what I was doing when I first came to Project Walk.

The second hour I worked with Jeremy. He had me start out doing some table work, which I found rather boring, so I told him about the work I did last Tuesday with Jared and asked if I could do it again. So he went to get some gloves and we went into the room next door, which is where I commenced to… kicking some butt! Okay, so I didn’t kick butt literally (as of yet. But I’m not  a very nice woman and I’m getting to the point where I’ll be able to, so be afraid, be very afraid… ;-) Anyhow, what I did was put some gloves on, got situated in a standing frame, and then began pummeling an Everlast bag. I have never done this before but now think this is the quintessential way to work out because I’m working everything; not only is my body challenged by standing; my core is being challenged by punching the moving Everlast bag. The first time I did this—which was Tuesday—it started out very hard.  Jared even told me before I began I might not be up for this kind of thing as of yet. And, again, it was wildly difficult when I first began and I was thinking I might have to stop, but after about five minutes my body sank into a natural rhythm, and it wasn’t difficult at all!

When I get my mojo back, I want everyone reading this to know there are two thingsI I’m going to do forthwith. The first is sign up for and drag my man to ballroom dance lessons. The second thing I’m going to do is get the best lawyer I can find, then commence to suing whoever is responsible for tanking my vocabulary. I mean, one consonant, one vowel, repeat the first consonant, then call it good? That is not good? I’ve said the exact same thing way too often; I just think it’s wrong to be so lacking in originality. But until I get my mojo and start making some money from the very successful lawsuit (albeit somewhat slanderous, and yeah I’m talking about you, Jeremy) I guess there’s really nothing else to say… It was just another WOW kind of day! Until I click again…

Today was another smashing day at Project Walk. I initially woke up feeling tired and was a bit worried because I had chelation Monday, which always knocks me for a loop. But I've also started some new medication, so was feeling a bit more knocked than usual. (Notice I didn't say a bit more loopier than usual? I refuse to screw myself with my own words. I’m not any more loopier than usual, just a bit more knocked. Hey, wait a minute, let me re-phrase that… ;-) Okay, so when I finally got myself out of bed and started getting ready, I told myself this was going to be a very good day. Actually, I told myself this previous night, as I was falling asleep...

I got to Project Walk about fifteen minutes early, then started getting busy with Elena. She again had me begin by doing something I have never done before; had me use the most challenging standing frame they have there, by pretty much taking most of the fame itself away. This is hard to explain without a visual aid, but she was having me tilt from side to side, then back and forth, over and over, with no support. I think she was a bit surprised at how well I was doing, but I felt very balanced and strong, so didn’t find the exercises hard at all. She then had me move to the Total Gym, and had me work my legs. This wasn't as effortless as the standing frame, but still did pretty well. She had me finish the hour loosening up my hips by doing some stretching. I’ve always considered myself an unusually limber person but—wow—after doing the stretches she had me doing, I would say I’m not only limber, I’m also lucky my appendix didn’t get unscrewed and end up next to my left frontal lobe. Elena's a very good trainer and I know she’s well schooled in what she’s doing, but I swear she gets some sort of sadistic pleasure from it. I swear it… ;-)

The second hour I worked with Will. He also had me use the Total Gym; using various tools to work my arms. I did well the first fifteen minutes or so but when it was obvious my arms were starting to fatigue, he had me move to the gait trainer. I used the gait trainer for the last half hour, then had to get gone so I could get some grub! Exercise, go get some Japanese food--some eel and snow crab sushi, maybe a little seaweed salad on the side--go give some blood; can a day get any better than this, really? Actually it can get better, because I haven't seen my man yet! ;-) So have a cozy warm weekend everyone and try not to freeze. Until I click again...

 She’s ba-ack… YES, I’m BACK! And here to stay (better than ever and I won’t go away; rap courtesy of Jay;-). I want to let you all know in this new year (the year I’m going to be walking; mark my words) I am no longer going to be numbering the days at Project Walk as I go along; I’ll just be using dates. So now, for the spell binding scoop about my first real day back (real good, that is) which was Thursday, Jan. 17th…

I was thinking Thursday wasn’t going to be that great, considering how I felt I did Tuesday. I actually had my first day back the previous week, but didn’t post because I wasn’t feeling the best. Call it the holiday hangover, but both Jay and I were feeling under the weather, because we just weren’t ourselves. However, oh, ye of little faith… because when I work UP Thursday morning, I felt tremendous. I actually got to Project Walk early, which was unusual. I even had the feeling Thursday was going to be one of my best days ever. It was looking good…

I first hour I worked with Elena. When she asked me how I was feeling I told her I felt great, even felt today was going to be one of my best she kinda gave me a funny look, then said, “Okay, show me what you got.” She started me on the fly wheel bike. I could tell she was surprised I was doing so well; it wasn’t perfect, but I could tell both her and Will were a bit surprised. She then had me move the gray table, and had me work my legs. She was impressed here, too. When I told her I felt I didn’t do that well when we were doing this same king of work Tuesday because I think I had some sort of bug, she said, “Peggy, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I thought you did really well Tuesday.” This was nice, but it was intriguing because Elena never says something just to be nice. She says it like she sees it, which I appreciate. She kept asking if I was getting tired, and when I said I wasn’t tired at all—in fact felt really good—she said she was going to have me do something I’ve never done.

She then had me go to the power plate, and had me do semi-squats while standing. Doing standing semi-squats would be difficult anywhere, but the added and quite bizarre dimension to the power plate is that the plate itself is actually vibrating. Elena would have me push a button which would set it vibrating for about twenty seconds, then after it was finished, would ask me if I felt I could do more. The bizarre thing is, I kept saying yes! Over and over and over…I did this for at least five minutes, if not more. Afterward, when I told her I was surprised at how well I did—and surprised that I was able to do it at all—she told me she was surprised too, as she’s never done that exercise with anyone; in fact, she told me she had just thought of it this morning, and said she was very impressed.

The second hour I worked with Jeremy. This is when the day got really fun. He started me out on the red table, saying he wanted to see where my legs were at in order to ascertain what I could do. So he had me work my legs for about five minutes, then said, “Yeah, this is just like I thought. You were doing some tough stuff with Elena; your legs are pretty spent.” So I asked what he was going to have me do if he felt they were okay. He said, “Well, I was planning on having you do standing squats, just not on the power plate. You definitely could have done this the first hour, but you’ve already done it and your legs are gone, so not today.”  I didn’t even ask what he was planning on having me do otherwise, just said, “Jeremy, that’s not true. My legs aren’t spent at all, in fact I’m feeling I’m feeling really good.” He gave me an odd look, not saying anything. I said, “Let’s just do it.” So he called Will, and we went into the next room, which is where they had me do standing squats. And…it was fun! I could tell they were both surprised, which I always love.

After about ten minutes of stellar standing squats (okay, maybe not stellar, just really good) I then used the gait trainer for about a half hour. When the day was over, I not only felt good; I felt elated. The day turned out to be exactly what I was expecting; one of my very best. I do want everyone readin to know I’m scheduled to see my naturopath for chelation Monday. Seeing as chelation always  wipes me out somethin’ fierce, I’ve already cancelled my Tuesday appointment at Project Walk. But I’m definitely planning on making my Jan. 24^th appointment.  So, until we click again… ;-)

Today was probably the most difficult day I've had so far at Project Walk. I woke up feeling great, even told Jay I was expecting to have my best day ever. I worked with Elena the first hour. She started me out doing legwork on the table, which was when, after only five minutes, I started having spasms. She kept working my legs, saying, "You have a tremendous amount of energy here. This is amazing. I've never seen your legs move like this before." I didn't mean to come off sounding so non-chalant about the whole thing, but I really couldn't figure out why she was so impressed. She called across the room to Will, saying, "Peggy's acting the same way with me as she did with you with you last week." She then turned back to me, saying, "Peggy, you don't seem to understand what a big deal this is. This is a VERY big deal! I've never seen your legs move like this before. Your legs have a TREMENDOUS amount of energy." She then had me move to an inflatable peanut (for lack of the known term) and had me balancing while doing stomach crunches. While SITTING on the peanut. The challenge was, of course, to not fall off. It was kind of surprised she thought I would be able to do this at all, since I never have before. But I easily did it, and not even REMOTELY felt like I was going to fall off. I did this for about fifteen minutes, and then she had me use the flywheel bike. Jay said he was watching her, and he could tell she was surprised; she had started me out, then turned to talk with Kandice about someone else. When she turned back me, he said he could tell she was surprised I had started out and was still biking so well, without any assistance. Biking is memory to me, so I'm not surprised it's coming back easy. She then had me finish up the last fifteen minutes having me use the adductor machine. Which is when the rest of the day turned REALLY wild...

I've always considered the right side of my body as being the strongest, and would say most doctors I've seen thus far would agree. The adductor machine is NOT easy (for anyone, I'd bet) but today, the LEFT side of my body was acting like the stronger side. It was crazy, the movements she had me doing-- working both my adductors and my quadriceps-- the more repetitions I did, the easier it got! Elena was very careful not having me move too fast, pointedly telling me to slow down, and pay close attention to how my muscles were feeling. So I would SLOW DOWN and, repetition after repetition, my body just seemed to feel stronger! She then also had me work on strengthening my core, having me holding a bar out to the side and then having me try to pull it to the center, holing it to provide resistance. This, too, was not easy but, once again, my left side was acting like the strongest.

The second hour I worked with Will. He started me doing table work, telling me he also felt I had great energy. Then, since we both could tell I was moving better, he asked me if I would like to try walking. Are you serious? I wanted to say. Actually, I think I did say that, but after saying I would ABSOLUTELY be up for trying to walk, he marshaled the troops. Elena, Kandice and Jeremy came to help us, and then all four trainers helped me take my FIRST STEPS (click the link to see the video from today) using a walker! It was NOT easy in the least, but all the trainers were impressed. I didn't feel I did the best, but I could tell it's something that's going to get easier with time. I was HUGELY tired afterward; both Jay and Kandice said this was only to be expected, as my body and brain were on sensory overload. Still, no rest for the weary (and this time it's for sure not wicked; it's definitely WEARY!). Will then had me work on my arm strength, using the moving standing frame. And, again, this was not easy at first, but it was FASCINATING; my left arm, usually noticeably weaker than my right, was the strongest! And NOTICEABLY so. Jay used an electronic metaphor, saying it was like cross wiring. The energy is there, and the SIGNALS are there; they're just jumbled up, having to find or MAKE new pathways to make it through. And of course Jay filmed the whole thing, so you can see me take my first steps. He said it was really hard, because--while he was trying to capture the whole thing in the small lens of the camera--all he really wanted to do was just WATCH! My mother has told me, when I was a baby and ready to take my first steps, I didn't start out haltingly or teeter and totter at all. She said, I just stood up for the first time, and took off. Like biking is memory; WALKING is memory. Its all right there; and it's comin' back. And you know I'm definitely gonna take off..... ;-)

For the first time ever, I left Project Walk HUGELY tired (but also hugely hungry, so pretty much the only thing on my mind was food! ;-) Actually, something else was going through my mind. You know the saying: 'Be careful what you ask for; you just might get it?' Well, I asked for it, was even expecting it, and you BET I got it. Even though it was by far my most difficult day at Project Walk, it was also, hands down and in spades, today at Project Walk was my BEST.

I am so horrifyingly late in getting this post up, it's embarrassing. I remember saying to Jay, while coming home from Project Walk this last Tuesday, that I was going to have to be SURE to post immediately, because the day was so incredible. Both of us thought it was the best day ever. I remember I worked with Elena and Jeremy Tuesday. I had just finished with Elena, and I was feeling pretty good, so the next hour, when Jeremy had me using the total gym, and while he had me working my legs, he said that what we were doing in particular was going to help me stand. So I said, "Then lets do it." So then he had me go use one of their most primitive standing frames, meaning it was pretty much all me. He had me do semi squats before standing again; I think he and Elena were probably twins who were separated at birth. Thursday I worked with Jeremy again, and then I worked with Will. And working with Will was VERY intriguing. He had me on the table doing leg exercises, and was instructing me to either push or pull while he applied manual pressure. The intriguing thing was he was VERY impressed. Even complimentary; he had me doing the same movement over and over, and was really surprised. He would exclaim and compliment me after I performed the movement he wanted, and I would kinda just shrug it off like it was no big deal. He would then say, "Peggy, you're not remembering. You could hardly do ANY of these movements when you first started coming to Project Walk. And you and I have not worked together for a while. This is a VERY big deal." I've felt really tired today, even though I got to bed at a decent hour and slept the entire night through. Earlier tonight, I told Jay I couldn't figure out I was still so tired, and asked him what he thought it may be. He looked at me like I was crazy (which, come to think of it, is the same look he often gives me;-) and said, "You're forgetting you went to Project Walk yesterday." Oh yeah, right; Project Walk! So, it's Elena's fault! No, I didn't work out with her Thursday; it's JEREMY'S fault! Nah, not Jeremy, he's too sweet; it was WILLL'S fault! As usual... ;-)

Blame the turkey. Blame the turkey. I BLAME the turkey. Although...maybe the blame would be with Jay's sister Carrie, who MADE the turkey. Yeah, that's right; it was DEFINITELY Carrie's fault, because I don't even LIKE turkey! Never have and can't imagine I ever will but, this Thanksgiving, I ate a ton of it. So I guess you could say the reason why I felt more out of it than usual this Tuesday at Project Walk is because still I had too much tryptophan in my body. Tryptophan, of course is an essential amino acid the body gets from food, which then helps the body produce niacin. And Niacin, in turn, helps the body produce serotonin, which plays a key role in producing sleep (and the thigh bone's connected to the hip bone, the hip bone's connected to the sleepy bone, the sleepy bone's connected to the...;-) And do NOT tell me the sleepy bone is connected to the 'I can't sing' bone! I ABSOLUTELY can sing really well in a huge, loud crowd, and I also refuse to believe anyone who tells me that Thanksgiving was almost a week ago, so it shouldn't be affecting me anymore. Hey, I'M the writer; you're the reader, and...I CAN'T HEAR YOUI! Hah! How's that for the trump card? ;-)

So sleepy Tuesday I did core work with Elena and...this was tough. Sleepy, typtophan kind of tough. Then the second hour I worked with Will. I used the new adductor machine they recently got at Project Walk, mostly for stability. But it was very cool. We did core work, too, and, yeah, we played another rousing game of catch. Rousing for me, that is, but sadly losing again and--as usual--for Will...;-)

Actually the trump card is the new video Jay uploaded just this morning; which is absolutely gonna make YOU say: hallelujah! It's truly smashing... check it out ;-)

Greetings everyone. I have posted a new video on the Videos section of our site. This video shows Peggy working out and making progress over the last 4 months since she started at Project Walk. She has progressed to using the flywheel bicycle (which uses her own power) and is free standing with assistance - quite remarkable - be sure to check it out!

Also on the Videos section of our site (at the bottom) is a new link to a YouTube video featuring other clients at Project Walk. It is definitely worth checking out and is very inspirational.

Happy Holidays,
Jay

Today was a wild day. One of the reasons why it was wild is because it took me FOREVER to wake up this morning and, for the first time ever, I really didn't want to go to Project Walk. I thought my performance there was going to show how I felt. However, this is where I was mistaken, for when I got to Project Walk is when it really DID get wild. The first hour I worked with Elena, who had me using the Fly wheel bike for the first half hour. Before I started using it she prefaced our workout by saying, "I don't know if you're going to be up to this, but lets give it a try." And...she was impressed! As was I...I truly don't know how I was able to do it, but I was doing the pedaling myself. She would help me get started, but then I would just really tune in and really focus to make it happen. And 'making it happen,' meant I would really PEDAL. REALLY pedal. The fly wheel bike, unlike the FES bike, is NOT electrical. More than a few times Elena would stand back, look at me with her eyes wide and say, "I don't know if you realize it, but this is all you, Peggy." It was not easy but it was not super hard, either. But of course, as it goes at Project Walk, the fun was just beginning...

Elena THEN had me go use one of the standing frames. And this was one of the frames that doesn't have a lot of support to it, not much of a 'frame'. This is where it got interesting; she would have me concentrate on pulling my core in, then slightly bend, like I was going to sit. Bu, no rest for the weary (or is that wicked? Hmmm... I wasn't really weary and wicked depends on the time of month and since I'm not on the moon...I think Elena was just being mean;-) because then she'd have me stand as straight as I could again! She had me do this over and over (and over) and THEN, just when I thought she'd maybe show a little kindness and set me free, she...had me go use the gait trainer! This, too, was intriguing. Because for whatever reason I felt stronger, and my right leg wasn't bending out to the right as it's been doing since I began using it. After I finished up with that and was FINALLY set free, Elena told me she'd never seen me looking so good, and felt it was my best day ever.

After the first hour was through I worked with Will, who had me doing leg and balance work. He also had me doing coordination exercises with my hands; some new, some old. And yes, we had another rousing game of catch. But he was had me throw differently (I think this was just a 'man thing', as he is probably getting embarrassed that I publicize kicking his butt every time I do it. And I do; over and over and over...;-) But, get this; he actually complimented me! He said I was doing WAY better than he had ever seen me do before (but I think he was just saying that so I'll stop publicly humiliating him. But, nah, that's never gonna happen ;-). So, all in all, having the queen of mean herself compliment me then also having Will compliment me and then, after the compliment, having sooo much fun messing with him by kicking his butt at catch, I would say it was a hugely positive day! I can't wait to go back...

It was another great day. A bit unusual, however. Elena had me using the total body gym the first hour and, wow, now I know WHY it's called a 'total body' gym; I never realized it could be used in the ways Elena had me using it. She had me on my STOMACH, working my upper body and, yikes; it was tough! It has never been this difficult. I felt good; had good energy and made sure I ate well before I got there, but; ouch. I didn't hurt per sec. and I don't like to sound like such a wimp but, again, this time was REALLY hard. The second hour I did table work with Jeremy. He had me doing some VERY unusual stretches the first half hour, and then had me finish up using the gait trainer. Then, finally, my two hours of torture were OVER. It felt fabulous to go outside and take deep, deep breaths of the fall air, but...the fun was just beginning. I grabbed a quick bite to eat, and then went to my naturopath to have chelation and a colonic (which is oh-so-refreshing ;-). UGH! Everything went really, really well but, wow; doing both the same day is not something I would recommend, to anyone. It was cool to see my naturopath, though; she was VERY complimentary. She was complimentary on how I looked since she last saw me, and told me she thought I was doing really well in general to kick that nasty systemic yeast infection. But she was REALLY complimentary about... this site! She said it inspired her so much, she actually made a donation! Which is way cool because I need all the help I can get.(I'm going to have to figure out way to raise money if I want to keep going to Project Walk, because I'm hurtin' :-(. She's a really great lady; I'm lucky to have her as a doctor. A HUGE workout a Project Walk, plus chelation plus an oh-so-refreshing colonic means...I'm definitely going to sleep the night through! DEFINITELY. So, until we click again...

Today was a most unusual day. This was literally the toughest day I've had so far at Project Walk. I worked with Jared for the first hour; which was amazing, as usual; that guy really knows what he's doing. It's really something because he's so young (24). He's just very, very intuitive and knows how to read a person's body; he's truly gifted. Jared started me doing leg work on the table; he of course had me pretty much doing all the work, so it was quite fatiguing. I was REALLY surprised when he told me we were going to try doing some standing work in the next room. He started me out saying we were just going to try something new; and it WAS new; it was a lot harder. I could tell he was surprised when I was doing what he wanted when we began; I myself was HUGELY surprised, but I was able to do everything he asked! The bar was lower, so I wasn't leaning on it; Jared just had his hand near on my lower back, so wasn't supporting me; it truly was all me. It's hard to explain; Jay was taping this, so I hope you'll be able to see how it was different. And, again, it was FATIGUING; I really was exhausted by the second hour.

I felt I was going to drop but I was set up to train with the dominatrix herself (otherwise known as Elena). So, probably needless to say, NO pity or kindness of any kind was extended to me. She started me doing floor work, but it was amazing, seeing how tired I was; I surprised myself. The previous weeks we had done the same floor work and I was barely able to do it at all; today I just did everything she wanted, with barely the blink of an eye! Okay maybe there was SOME blinking; it was tough, but I was able to do it. I was surprised, and SHE was surprised, too; she even asked me if I'd been practicing doing these moves at home! I haven't been practicing these moves; I told her the truth; all I do is stretch, and use my standing frame (for hours and hours at a time). I think what was responsible for the fact I was able to do what she wanted me to do is sheer memory. My body already KNOWS how to do all the stuff the trainers have me doing at Project Walk; it's just out of practice. And my body IS going to get it all back, and sooner than later, mark my words...

Now, I'm going to do what I've been needing to do ever since I got home. Adios, amigos. Off to see the sandman! ;-)

I have to apologize for taking SO long to post! This is going to be a long post because it's been three months that I've been going to Project Walk. My experience thus far is pretty easy to summarize. And, if you're looking to expand your vocabulary, you probably don't want to hang around me because, once again, all it really takes is that ONE consonant (repeated) and ONE vowel: WOW! I have ALWAYS known I am going to heal and walk again; going to Project Walk and working with their incredibly knowledgeable athletic trainers has sped my progress ahead exorbitantly. One of the things that is HUGE and that is directly correlated to the workouts I've been doing at Project Walk is that I am sleeping the ENTIRE night through, and not getting up to pee until early morning. Not even ONCE! This is truly amazing; it's something that may sound like no big deal, but to someone with Lyme disease, this is a VERY big deal. My doctor has told me many times the first thing the spirochete responsible for Lyme attaches itself to, is the bladder itself. And then for whatever reason it sets up housekeeping in the bladder, thus is very hard to eradicate. I'm not saying my bladder is completely healed because it's definitely not, but, after I was infected with Lyme and before I got the correct diagnosis, it was not unusual for me to get up as much as three times a night, sometimes more! It was NOT good because, as I was not sleeping well, I also had zero energy during the day. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. But now, not only am I happy, I'm also not...camping! (What can I say; once a hedonist, always a hedonist...;-)

Another really cool 'side effect' of going to Project Walk and working with the athletic trainers there is that I'm starting to be able to control any spasms I may experience in my legs. It may sound odd, but something the trainers at Project Walk actually look for and encourage IS spasms. My fiancé Jay had a really good metaphor for it; he said to think in terms of an old fashioned radio tuner. Today radios are mostly digital; you choose the station you want, push a button and you're there. With old fashioned radios you would choose your station, then TURN the dial and go through a lot of static until you get to the station you wanted. He said for me to view any spasms I may be experiencing as static. The reason the trainers like to see spasms or static at Project Walk is that is what proves to them is that your body DOES have energy. Spasms or static to them is just that; ENERGY. The station you want is somewhere on the radio, you just have to move through the static until you find it. And I'm doing really, really well with this; pretty cool, no? Please, please, everyone...hold your applause... ;-)

I also got a really cool email the other day from a woman who saw my site and said she was inspired to rethink and question her physical therapists, who she felt were not doing things to help her improve; just to FUNCTION. She then told me she sent both the article and my website on two alternative MS/Lyme websites she frequents. How cool is that? I am NOT saying that physical therapists in general are not qualified and do not provide a useful and needed service; they most certainly do. What I'm saying is that it's like any other endeavor you're unfortunately required to do if you're on the 'receiving' end in the health care field: you have to look into what person/clinic will best suit your needs. Then try and fail, try and fail; sometimes many, many times with differing people. Trust me, I know it's a HUGE drag, especially if you're not feeling well to do this. And then you have to consider insurance, location, cost issues; and it seems the list goes on and on. In my (oh-so-humble ;-) opinion, however, the most important piece to consider is the CARE you're supposedly receiving. IS it caring? And, if not, is it worth it? If the only supposed 'care' you're receiving consists of patronization, I think it's not worth it. And I KNOW I'm treading on thin ice here. It's easy for someone to say, 'It's hard for me because not only am I sick; I'm tired' and then just give in. And, unfortunately, I feel this is the general state of our health care system today; people ARE sick and tired, and they're paying for something they're not getting. They're getting only marginal 'care', usually devoid of any 'health' attached. I do NOT mean to sound disrespectful to doctors or therapists, or even patients who may find this condescending; forgive me. From much personal experience I know being on the 'receiving' end of the health matrix is a hugely complex, confounding puzzle; I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Unfortunately, how a person confronts and somehow manages to find their way through it has to do with many factors, many of which are out of their control. What IS in your control is your belief. The only thing I can tell ANYONE who is facing any sort of health issue or any supposedly insurmountable challenges is very simple. And, believe it or not, I can even condense it into one word: RESPECT. Respect YOURSELF. And accept nothing else from your doctors, your therapists, and even your friends! Then just be...

The lotus blossom! This is my favorite metaphor. Lotus blossoms are these beautiful, fragrant flowers you'll see in a pond or shallow lake somewhere. But these beautiful, fragrant flowers can, and will ONLY grow if they're rooted in the mud. The environs may seem dirty and messy and downright ugly, but view your circumstance as the mud. It may not look like it, but since you're rooted in it, trust you ARE growing. And it definitely may not seem like it, but you're learning from all your travails, even through all the mess. Trust you ARE going to rise above and blossom because this is true; you are. BELIEVE it, WILL it; make it happen! You may think it's sounds crazy, but you'll be surprised what trust and belief will do. Nothing truly incredible or 'unbelievable' has ever happened without it...

I'd like to close by sharing something I saw in an email I received the other day. And this is a FACT. Remember this to trust and believe, whenever you believe you can do something others feel and tell you can't be done.

On Oct. 9, 1903, the New York Times wrote:

"The flying machine which will really fly might be evolved by the combined and continuous efforts of mathematicians and mechanicians in from one million to ten million years."

On the same day, on Kill Devil Hill, N.C., in his diary, a bicycle mechanic named Orville Wright wrote:

"We unpacked rest of goods for new machine."

One to ten million years before we'll see a machine that can fly, huh? I can tell you one thing for certain; it's not going to be one to ten years before you're going to see me walk, that's for sure. You'll see me walking more around this same time next year. Actually, probably in the next six months. Mark my words...;-)

Today was another fantastic day. I felt it was not one of my best, because I'm STILL battling this horrid systemic yeast infection. Last week I thought I had kicked it but, no, I still have it. Anyway, the first hour I worked with Jared (he's that really pesky 'Y', remember?) Jared is supposedly their top trainer (so may be he's not so pesky after all. But no, he is;-). Jared is the trainer Jay heard telling another trainer, after he sorta felt me out and assessed what my abilities were the first day I went to Project Walk, that I was DEFINITELY going to walk again. And, again, this was my first day! Anyway, this (marginally) pesky Y guy started me out doing table work, which was intriguing. He was REALLY working my feet and ankles in particular, then had me move to the total body gym. This was NOT easy, but I felt I was controlling my movements better. And so did Jared... WOW; it was very, very cool. The second hour I worked with Jeremy. He had me using the total body gym as well, just had me focus on using different muscles; my quads and hamstrings in particular. I then finished up using the gait trainer. It felt very, very good...I can't wait until I go back Thursday! Until we meet again...