Ron's POZ Blog

I am still as giddy as a kid with a new toy! I have been driving around and doing my own errands the past 10 days and have been loving every minute of it. I also have been going on mini road trips on those days that I have no errand to run so that I practice my driving and get used to the mini-van. I am such a stickler to be good at driving. So, I have to make sure all my turns, my curves, my brakes and accelerations are smooth before I am comfortable with passengers. I really would like to be good!

I did get to a local Mall here and did window shopping along with a few buys at Macy’s and a local chocolatier (yeah, I needed it!)

I managed to go to a Wal-mart, a K-mart and a supermarket too! Nothing of any note; just odds and ends.

I even went to church with my father. I met him there. I am not a big fan of any organized religion and the entire experience made me not wish to return any time soon – again. I am a firm believer in the personal needs of an individual’s spiritual health mean very much more than going to a building full of once-a-week hypocrites. I tried; for my father’s sake. If anything, we discuss it now.

I did get to a few drive-thrus – Burger King, Mc Donald’s and Dunkin Donuts (a frozen strawberry/ citrus drink – no donuts!) too. I am not going to go crazy on fast food; definitely not every day – I promise! Salads and yogurt at home to compensate for any food indiscretion. I figure, once a week when I go shopping on Tuesdays.

I have re-worked my weekly schedule to accommodate a day of shopping (my sister, Janet, is a shopping maven and has told me what day is best!) on Tuesday.

EXERCISE SCHEDULE AS OF JULY 2007

I start my day at 5:45 am, ready things for my shower, shave and then coffee and by 6:00, I read aloud 4 to 6 pages before I shower. After which, I have a second cup of coffee with breakfast and then do my handwriting practice by 7:15 (one day – Spanish; next day – French), so then by 8 am, I can do my stationary bike for 3 miles (M-W-F) and 4 (on Sa- Su-Tu-Th). On M-W-F, I do the Ab Lounger following the bike for 150 reps. I finish by 9:30. But still, by 11:00 on M-W-Th-F-Sa, I do my balancing and free-walking with the parallel bars for at least 30 to 45 minutes.

LUNCH

At 1:00 pm, I do 100 to 200 feet with my rolling walker where 90% of the time – I do not use the brakes so my stroll is much smoother and natural. I keep my weight on my hips and legs without relying so much on my arms. I also am very aware of “rolling” my feet as I walk. Between 15 and 20 minutes.

Then by 2:00 – I do my calisthenics and Pilates for about 45 minutes.

At 4:00, I do the free-weight dumb bells for 20 minutes for my arms and wrists.

DINNER

And then I am totally free to go for a drive or do errands until 8 or so…

Between 9:30 and 11:00 am and from about 11:45 am to 1:00 pm; from about 1:30 pm to 2:00 and 2:45 to 4:00 – are my free times and I decided to do more of the household chores during then, my writing or drawing, play with dogs, etc.

Tuesday will be my shopping day with only my reading, handwriting and the bike BEFORE 9:00 am – so I can go.

Sunday, again, will be another Tuesday with early morning therapies and that’s it for the day, so it’s my free day to do what I please.

I go in Friday, 7/27, to the rehab center near here to sign up for water therapy. It is a great help for my balance with walking so I am looking forward to it.

It’s just SO nice to pick up and go whenever I feel like it again. Tomorrow, 7/24, is my first full day of shopping for groceries and odds and ends and I think; I am going to love it!

And, by the way, in case a virgin of HIV reads this – this IS because of HIV/ AIDS/ PML –my struggle, my daily therapies and exercises (which I MUST do) and my recent victory….