They Call Me Galvez

Had a great session in Physical Therapy today!  We realized today that  I’m not spending enough time on my L LE  in the stance phase of gait.  My L LE has not been bearing much weight when ambulating.  Consequently, my L hip does not shift correctly laterally to the L.  The movement is very slight.  This is something that can be addressed through practice.  Practicing to walk with out an assistive device seems much more productive than before!  We are focusing on loading the L hip when walking instead of my typical quick R foot placement with little L LE weight bearing!  This pretty much makes the reciprocal movements of both legs feel more natural.  I can’t believe that I never really thought much about lateral hip movement/weight bearing because it is such a minimal movement in normal gait!  It made a HUGE difference.  I suspected something was up with my hips: Hip Control 2/7/12, The Hippy hippy shake 1/12/12, Rehab update 11/16/11, Hip Strategy 5/17/11.  I have so much going on that is hard to focus on just one aspect of my gait cycle. Everything points back to the Hip, Knee, and Ankle strategies.  It is starting to make more sense to work on the proximal joints then worry about the distal joints later.  I do have better control of the distal joints than one year ago, so Hip Strategy is now the top priority.   Things are going to get interesting…

Yesterday, I tried tandem paragliding for the first time.  I have done some pretty crazy stuff since getting diagnosed with a very dangerous brain tumor.  I’ve written 2 books, started a nonprofit organization, traveled the United States speaking about “tumor thrivership”, walked 5Ks, attempted surfing multiple times, tried white water kayaking, and now I can add tandem paragliding to that list.  I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself and pushing my limits.  I like to think that I have stepped up to ALL the challenges that the brain tumor set up for me.   Now it’s my turn to show that tumor “Who’s the Boss.”  Paragliding was never even a thought in my mind, but when the opportunity arose… I was one of the first people eager to try it!  The people at Torrey Pines Gliderport have been very supportive of the plight of  survivors.  By offering FREE flights for the survivors, it gave us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the world from a unique and different perspective.  Being in the air was a calming escape from all the worries beneath us.  The silence in the sky was disturbed by only the wind in the sails (and in my flight, probably the annoying/geeky questions I kept asking the pilot. hee hee)  I wish I could have stayed in the air longer, but it was a well needed escape from my reality.  I’m sure some of the other riders felt the same way.  Here are some of their experiences.  We recorded them right after their flight!  I think the next session is in June.  I encourage all survivors to partake in this unique experience.  This is a great opportunity to experience life in a new way!  Consider it your “initiation” into becoming a “mAss Kicker!”  HAHAHA!

1. in high school i was a champion athlete with aspirations to wrestle in college.
2. in college i discovered my filipino-american roots, joined an asian american fraternity, and joined an a capella singing group.
3. i went to grad school and i became a book nerd.
4. after grad school, i became a CA licensed physical therapist and a certified strength and conditioning specialist.
5. i then became a young adult brain tumor patient/survivor.
6. 2 years later, i became an author traveling the country speaking at health care education programs and hospitals.
7. i am now becoming a nonprofit executive.

it should be interesting to see what happens next!

there were different catalysts for each transformation:

• discovered beer
• wanted to directly help people and become a physical therapist
• needed to become a professional
• got diagnosed with a golf-ball sized brain tumor
• realized there is a need to educate healthcare professionals about brain tumor survivorship
• realized newly diagnosed tumor/cancer patients and ALL our loved ones need to UNITE and FIGHT these horrible diseases…

It has been a busy few weeks!  I went to MI and Canada last weekend.  I flew into Michigan for my cousin’s wedding in Toronto.  I had a very busy trip.  While in Michigan, I set up dinner with my old fraternity (Lambda Phi Epsilon), dinner with my old a capella group (58 Greene), and dessert with the Filipino American Student Association.  I also had a meeting at Google Ann Arbor.  To top it off I did a lecture at my old Physical Therapy School, University of Michigan-Flint.  I’m proud to announce that I have been asked to be a speaker at the Hooding Ceremony for the 2012 Doctor of Physical Therapy Class!  From Flint, my brother and I drove to Toronto for my Cousin’s wedding.  That same weekend mAss Kickers Foundation was represented at the OMG! Cancer Summit for Young Adults in Las Vegas and Cancer Treatment Centers of America Blogger Retreat in Arizona.  Things are getting very busy!  That meningioma brain tumor hit me pretty hard.  It knocked me down, but it didn’t knock me out.  HEY TUMORS and CANCER!  I’m building up my counter-attack.  Prepare for a STRONG RESPONSE!!! hee hee hee… Anyways, It was great to see my family in Toronto!  We don’t see each other too much, but when we do, it’s always a good time!  I’m finally getting caught up on stuff!  Next up finishing my taxes…