1st Days of Treatment... And Dr. Camilleri

So I got to Mayo on Sunday afternoon (only took a little of 5 hours straight driving) from home... Treatment started Monday AM... I was going to be working with Pat (physical / biofeedback therapist) 2 times a day for a week...



Since I don't really go into details with regards to the treatment, I'll just say that Pat was happy and encouraged by my dedication to the treatments and it was showing in our sessions... There were still some muscles we still need to continue to re-train and strengthen, but progress indeed... We have accelerated my treatments to a higher level now and things are getting better each session... I just need to continue to really push myself and remember what my focus is each time I'm working with Pat... I also had the opportunity this past Tuesday with Mark (occupational therapist)... We did some more relaxation and breathing biofeedback and then I actually got to play a driving game with a steering wheel and gas and brake pedals on the computer and have him monitor my levels of stress and breathing patterns... It really was an awesome exercise and so interesting to talk about these things and learn what the results really mean... Mark is great at explaining how to use these things in daily life and has helped me tremendously with learning to breathe and let things go that bother me... I am very appreciative that I had the chance to work with him again and for him to also see progress from our last sessions almost 4 weeks ago...



Each day after I've been done with my treatments, I've gone and tried to hit some golf balls and continue to work on my game... It's been a nice closing to each day of hard work... I found this waitress from last time I was here 4 weeks ago for the initial treatment at the best restaurant in Rochester (300 First) and the Redwood Room jazz club downstairs... So she has been taking care of me each night for dinner which has been great...



So I decided 2day that I was gonna go to Hazeltine Golf Course (PGA Championship) for the 2nd round of the tournament on Friday before I leave town... I have 1 treatment on Friday AM that will be done by 10:30am and then I'll drive up straight from there and be there by 12ish and go see the full afternoon session... TIGER tees off at 1:45pm so I'm planning to follow him most of the day as much as possible and then spend the night in Minneapolis and drive home Saturday... I wasn't able to see BWade, but may crash at his place Friday nite while he is in Indy for the 1st pre-season (so maybe I'll catch him at 2am when he gets home)... Then I'll drive home Saturday from Minneapolis...



Just talked to someone who really knows what Im going thru... They, too, are really really strong and have some health issues of their own... They took the time to read all 39 postings to date... I appreciate others who have taken the time to do the same... I admire this others strengths as much as they share their admiration for my strength as well... It's a truly tough thing to have empathy for people unless they are in similar situations and for that I'm grateful to have this person back in my life (since it's been a few years since we've seen each other or talked but recently re-connected)... Thanks for sharing and I'm here for you all the time...

Lastly, I met with Dr. Camilleri today to check-in and share my progress... We discussed what has happened over the past 4 weeks, and he was very ecstatic with the results so far... He credits those to my hard work and dedication to fighting thru this and getting control of the situation... I can't thank him enough for all he's done and his level of care (and thanks to his nurse Deb who is truly there for the patient at all times)... I'll finish strong these last 3 treatments here and then continue them for another 8 weeks 2 times / day and then from that point just a few times per week to continue to keep the muscles strong and trained properly... So dedication, focus and a desire will continue to prevail...

THanks to all who have been there 4 me... I get thru these days with that support in mind...

SHARK

P.S. I hope TIGER shoots a ridiculous course record on Friday... So pumped to see the master up front and center (then again at the BMW since Sammy G works for NBC and is gonna hook me up with good tix)... FORE!!!

It's Been 2 Long...

So I apologize to those of you who have been looking for updates these past few weeks... I've been slacking on my blogging and working more on my golf game and working out... Also, been doing some work from home to get back into the swing of things in the world of copper wire...

The tube came out a few weeks ago... I've been eating normal and supplementing with some Whey Protein shakes twice a day to help put on some weight... I actually gained 4 pounds in the past 2 weeks of working out and using the Whey Protein... Trainer is very happy with the progress and is working me out like I'm training for a heavyweight bout with Tyson... But feel great and definitely much needed exercise... Tipping the scales @ 123.5 right now...

Golf game is improving... Feels good to get swinging again... Been 3 summers so feels great to just be able to do things that I like again...

Workout program has been great... 3 times a week at 5am... These trainers are great and have gotten me in great shape so far... Others have noticed a difference already in my shoulders, chest and arms...

Continuing to do treatments 2-3 times per day... Leave for MAYO for a 1-week refresher course and meeting w/ DR @ the midway point of the treatment on Sunday... Will be there all next week... Hopefully will be able to get out to Mankato to VIKINGS mini-camp and see BWade, Berrian and the rest of the VIKINGS crew...

So things are coming together nicely... I can't complain and just keep sticking with the program...

Haven't felt this good in years... So positive energy all around...

Thanks for all support!!!

SHARK

P.S. I'll try and be more on top of the blog later this week and while @ MAYO next week since I'll have plenty of time on my hands...

First Full Week @ Home...

So this week has been my 1st full week at home since returning from Mayo so I figured it was time to share something...

This week has been a difficult week emotionally and therapy-wise. I had a hard time coming home since I am an emotional person and the relationships that I had built with Pat and Mark and Gabriella were all very strong that it has been hard to sort through those feelings and separation. I've had some dialogue with Pat regarding returning to Mayo the week of August 9th to 15th for a 1-week re-training course with her so that she can check my progress and help me work through any struggles I maybe having on my own with the the therapy. Also, I hope to be able to work with Mark to do some more of the relaxation biofeedback. As for Gab, we've continued to keep in touch and help each other get thru some hurdles with the therapy and pick each other up when things aren't going our way...

One thing that I've been thinking a lot about as well is trying to work with the Mayo Clinic in a way in which they could create some online network for people who are going thru similar types of diseases or treatments, so they could have a forum to communicate questions or problems or simply have others to talk about issues with. So, I am actually gonna hope to talk to someone when I go up there in August and see if I can't get something started for them. I want to definitely help others thru tragedy or trauma or hardships and really show them that you can overcome almost anything through hard work and with a great support staff...

Went to a 95-year olds birthday and took my grandma out for 1st time in a while... What a crew that was... I brought the median age down by about 40 years...

3 more weeks at home then Mayo again for a week... Hard work continues...

SHARK

TUBE IS OUT!!!

So I took a huge step today... I saw the surgeon and we concluded that it was safe to remove the J-Tube permanently... Although we thought that the first time, now that we are sure of the diagnosis and treatment, it is a nice relief to not have that tube anymore...

I've been struggling with the therapy so far at home... I've found it much more difficult than I anticipated coming home... I've given thought and will consult with my rehab therapist next week to see where I am at, and if we both feel I could use a little more help, I would go back to MAYO Aug 9th to 15th for a 1-week re-training (2 sessions / day)... So I'll just keep battling each session and hoping to see some progress in the days to come... I have to keep reminding myself that this is a process and is not supposed to be easy...

TUBE IS GONE! Couldn't be happier. Either could Dr. Nagle and Dr. Roth (who I got to see at the hospital for like an hour and talk about everything). Moving on...

DONE and DONE...

So today I finished my 2 week treatment program at Mayo... This consisted as I've explained before of both physical and occupational rehab... I had my last sessions today and now I am in a position to move forward and hopefully progress on my own over the next 3 months... There are goals for the rehab portion of the program to which I need to work towards (I'm about 1/6 of the way thru the program)... So, i'll continue to work hard on my own 2 - 3 times per day and hopefully continue to make progression towards the finish line... If in fact I find it difficult over the next few weeks or so and we don't see the progression they'd like to see on my own, I will return to the Mayo Clinic for 3-5 days for another session of treatments with my therapist here... So I'll be keeping busy with both the physical and occupational therapy programs that are available for me at home and hopefully in 3 months we can see the finish line...

As for my visit with Dr. Camilleri yesterday, things went very well... Although I maybe a little behind schedule in terms of the progress of the rehab, I have been able to make huge strides in terms of re-introducing oral nutrition again and stopping the feedings thru the tube all together... I have certain hydration and nutritional goals that I have to meet each day and if I can maintain those over the next 3 weeks or so, then he feels comfortable with my feeding tube being removed permanently... So I will be very conscientious of what types of calories, proteins and liquids I'm eating on a daily basis (I actually bought a program for my computer which will allow me to track all this activity)... My goals are about 1800 calories, 60-70 grams of Proteins, and then about 60 oz of liquids for hydration (additionally I will be on a nutritional supplement that is like a box juice that each have 250 cals and 9g of Proteins that I will drink 2-3 times per day as well)...

Emotionally this has definitely been a roller coaster ride... There are highs and lows in life and the key to success is being able to work through the lows and get back to the highs... My hope is that thru the tools that Mayo has provided, and my work with my therapist at home, over time this all will fit together and be able to be put behind me forever... I am excited to come home and re-associate myself with some sense of normalcy to life, but also know that change doesn't happen overnight so patience will play a big part in my success... Also, I'll continue to keep in touch with Gabriella and be able to share stories (both good and bad) and be able to work together towards our finish line of sorts... It is therapeutic for us both to be able to share this experience that was unlike any other, and until you've really lived it, it's hard to make that connection...

The people that I have had the opportunity to work with over these past 2 weeks have been an amazing part of my life that I will remember forever (and see again I'm sure in the next few months)... Their dedication to helping me achieve my goals, as well as my dedication to trying to achieve those goals, was extremely instrumental in getting me to where I am now just after 2 weeks... I look forward to continuing to keep them updated with my progress reports and know that they are simply a phone call or email away from helping when/if I hit a speed bump of any kind... THANK YOU PAT and MARK and KAREN!!!

I look forward to seeing everyone at home and beginning to feel better... It's all a work in progress and I won't stop until I know that everything has been achieved... But for the 1st time in now nearly 18 months, I can see a finish line that I know is achievable and which will lead me to a much healthier, safer way of life...

Thanks again to all who have followed this blog to this point, and I look forward to continuing to share my stories as I work on all these things at home.... Every one's support has been a tremendous inspiration and I can't thank you enough... To know there are that many people who truly care about me has been my rock...

I actually hope to join some support groups when I get home to help work thru and talk thru some of the issues that still linger... Also, I have a deep desire to try and do some motivational speaking with regards to helping people get thru tragedy in their lives... I've learned so much about myself that I only hope I can share that with others...

To a new chapter of my life... Here we go!!!

SHARK.

Here We Go...

Today will definitely be the longest of the days at the clinic thus far... Starting at 730am, ending at 5...

Seeing Dr. Camilleri this afternoon to discuss the future...

I've forgotten about yesterday... Focused on getting the most I possibly can from today...

2 more days to go here... I can do it!!!

SHARK

Today is Forgotten... 2morrow the Fight Continues

So I just went and had dinner... Enjoyed myself... Was able to think about today and reflect...

I (with support from someone who will remain nameless) have forgotten today, and am ready to continue to fight 2morrow...

6 more sessions...

SHARK