My lung function program is DONE!!

[Rena705]

Well today was the last day of our lung function program and a few classes ago we were asked to vote for the person in the class that we felt had come the furthest in the program and had the greatest success.  Well the award was handed out today and believe it or not...I got the GOLD MEDAL!!!  It is even more precious because I was chosen for this award by my peers rather than the Respiratory Therapists!

But that wasn't the best part of the day...at the end of the class I was asked to stay behind and they wanted to know if I would be interested in working on a volunteer basis in the Centre for Lung Health helping with the new members and some of the office stuff in exchange for free parking and free workout time in the gym for the next year!  Of course I said yes and I will call them in the new year to see what they have worked out for me!!!  This is just what I need because in turn for me doing volunteer work I will be at the hospital so what is going to stop me from doing my exercises while I am there???  I think this will work out great and I will be looking forward to it for sure!!  I have lost 2" off my waist, 1 1/2" off my upper arms and about 2" off of my thighs already and I want to lose more and build more muscle so that when I have another relapse I will have the muscle there to help me cope.

I have to say to all here that if you get an opportunity to get involved in a good workout out group...go for it cause even though you think you can't exercise due to your MS...there are things that you can do and just getting out and visiting with people and working up a sweat does wonders for your mental health as well and being that I just went through a long period of depression...I will and can attest to the fact that exercise does wonders!!

So...I hope that everyone thinks long and hard about making a choice to go out and find an exercise program that will work for you and get started as soon as possible.  We all have good intentions about working out at home but that takes an amazing amount of will-power that realistically we don't all have...if you join a group you are much more apt to go because others are expecting you to be there.  So go for it people and if you have any doubts...just talk to your doctor and in most cases the doctor will tell you to go for it as well!!

Lots of Healthy Hugs,
Rena

[doublevision1]

that's awesome!  It's great that you got so much out of this program, and that the staff recognize what you have to offer in return.  And free parking and gym time is a terrific perk!  Congrats on all your hard work and dedication.  You should feel quite proud of yoruself.

[Want to feel well!!!]

I just came across this post and I wanted to congratulate you!!  I am so glad you did so well and were asked to volunteer...great perks!  Your enthusiasm will be so helpful to others.  Way to go Rena!

Hope you continue to feel improvement and energy.  

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Wanna :o)

[Lulu54]

Wow!  I am so proud of you winning a gold medal. I was thinking back to your posts about being referred for this program and your hesitation and whining about going.  Now look at you and your attitude - 180 degree difference!  

The volunteer position sounds perfect.  Besides the gym time for free, the other perk is you will be around all those medical people and perhaps your dx will be looked at again in a different light .....  here's hoping that would be an added bonus.

As proud as Michael Phelp's mom for that gold medal,
Lulu

[Sarahsmom46]

Welcome Back Rena!!!!  And, congrats on finishing the program.  You should be proud of yourself for achieving this goal.  You are a model patient :)

Julie

[saveone]

Congrats...it is nice to be needed.,,and it sounds like you earned it.

Merry Christmas
terry

[Sunnytoday]

Ooo.. that is exciting, Rena! I'm so happy for you with the award, and it's so neat that you can continue on there as a vounteer! :) That will be so much fun, and be a great way to motivate you to get going on those days... and free parking is always a great plus! :)
~Sunnytoday~