Week 31 – Even the new year means more exercise

The gremlins have got in again- the server is down so we won’t be able to put this up until Monday.

Another week has passed, we have survived a couple of 40+C days – certainly glad we have both pool and air-conditioning. The smoke has returned with the bushfires closer at Thoona and Greta East. We woke this morning with the smell of smoke through the house. This afternoon when we went to the netball courts for Jill’s exercise the sun was setting and was extremely red through the smoke haze.

Jill had a pleasant surprise this week with her sister Jeannette coming to stay with us for a few days. It must have been a change from having me here all the time. The advantage is that she also has to talk to someone. Her voice gets very tired and croaky by the end of the day. We continue to do the Vocastim exercises and speech exercises. I notice the difference as do other family members, but Jill is still very self conscious about her speech.

Jill has continued her exercises this week, with the high temperature the swimming pool was a source of plenty of activity. Jeannette was encouraging Jill all the time. Chris and Nicole picked up a wheelie walker for Jill on their way home last Monday; it has certainly been easier for Jill to walk at the netball courts using the new walker. Her balance has improved – she is able to use the balance board for up to 2 minutes. She is also continuing to practice walking the parallel bars unaided. Beth has returned from her Christmas break and was impressed with Jill’s improvement.

We have had a problem with the comment section of the Blog site with several spams being left each day. The worst case has been 20. In an attempt to stop it we have added a maths question; to be able to leave a comment you must first answer the maths question – example one and three – answer four. The question changes each time you send a comment. Because most spams are computer generated this may stop them.

Have a go and let us know what you think.

Jessie and Jake are getting on OK. I probably should say, tolerate each other. At the moment as I am writing this Jessie is on one side of me and Jake asleep on the other.

We have been reading Rachel and Gary’s Blog each day and Jill is reliving each stem cell injection. Their experiences remind us of so much.

See you next week in the net .Gremlins allowing.