Hey All,

How time flies as another summer and 2 years post stroke for Angela draws to a close.  Although a busy spring and summer it has been for all of us.  

Throughout the winter, spring and into summer  - Mary and Angela continued on their weekly exercise classes.  At Shakopee Community Center on Tuesday morning it was all about balance and strength.  And again on Thursday morning's it was a cycling class called Peddling for Parkinson's. With many Parkinson patients , both Angela and Mary would peddle on stationary bikes with an instructor visually touring the state.  From around Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles to a colorful adventure around Minnehaha Falls.  From Angela's early days of a tiring 4 miles, she has worked up to a full hour and a blistering 11 miles - BRAVO Angela - I'm tired and sore just thinking about it !!

With that build up of her stamina , Angela has continued to additionally walk at the Rec Center track , around in her neighborhood and now has set her sights on doing a full marathon within a month's time of walking - oh boy - you go girl !!

As June came around, we again had our annual celebration on how Angela continue's to work , work , work and improve on her recovery as she has reached her 2 year anniversary of stroke survival.  Angela says it is really a celebration   " NOT FOR ME " although for all the people that have gone over and above all expectations on helping her recovery.  To all of you, she couldn't be more appreciative of all the support.  As our Angela's Angels wristbands say "  STRENGTH, COURAGE and LOVE "  - it says it all. 

She has continued to get together with her past co - workers from C. H Robinson and those close friends from  high school and college.  From breakfast out , to a " leisure " lunch with all their kids and of course  to enjoying some of those fun nights out with the girls for Happy Hour.  What a remarkable example of all the caring and support she has - truly the meaning of real friendships. 

Her annual family summer vacation at Bryce's aunt and uncle's cabin was full of fun , frolics and a little oops !!  Angela not only joined in on the shallow water swimming with Bryce and the kids, she ventured out onto a tube with Bryce and was pulled around the lake behind the boat.  Another learning experience testing Bryce's strength to hold on to Angela and a tube at the same time  - GOOD JOB !!!  After a fun ride in Ron's convertible camaro  and then out to get ice cream cones with the kids, Angela was walking up the stairs back to the cabin tripped, fell and BROKE her stroke affected left wrist.  A clean straight through break with it thankfully being an undisplaced  fracture and 6 weeks in a custom made wrist support.  Not having feeling in her left wrist, she could not wear a common cast in case a rash or an unexpected incorrect healing process occurred and not know it. Little things like healing pain or discomfort that we take for granted, was just another learning experience in her recovery.

Angela,  really enjoyed planning and putting on a 4 year old's PRINCESS PARTY for Blakely, going to Brook's soccer games on Tuesday nights and / Saturday mornings ( Bryce was the coach ) and when possible spending some time at Mom and Dad's place up north.  Not only does Angela love to drive the golf cart up north with the kids, she convinced DAD ( much to my chagrin and her persistent stubbornness )  to let her drive our SUV on the side roads.  At a maximum of 10 to 15 miles per hour she did superb after not driving for 2 years - and YES,  I was a nervous wreck.  OF COURSE, now she wants to be evaluated at Courage Kenny and try to get her license back to drive again.  Look out Mario Andretti - here she comes !!! 

In addition,  also at Courage Kenny, Angela is scheduled to start some new Occupational Therapy in a once a week 12 week course focusing on ADL ( Activities of Daily Living )  Fine tuning and relearning some of the many skills we all use on a daily basis. 

As she enjoys the start of fall with more volunteering at Brook's school and looking ahead to winter, ( OH YUK )  Angela has  begun doing research on taking a therapeutic horse riding class. With her love of horses,  riding and having a future interest in the possibly of assisting of other disabled patients -  it's a great fit. Yes,  Angela now has another venture to add onto keeping busy over the winter - So stay tuned !!

As always to all of  ANGELA'S ANGELS -  from ANGELA , BRYCE , BROOK'S and BLAKELY - "  A BIG THANK YOU " , be safe and stay healthy !!