I also bought books, had a physical therapy appointment, and went to a bike shop.

Before my physical therapy appointment I bought books at Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park. Kepler’s Books is the bookstore I’ve mainly been going to when I’m staying at the Ronald McDonald House. I bought “The Empress” by S.J. Kincaid. I wanted to continue from the first book, “The Diabolic”, in her series because I liked how cunning the main & secondary character is and reading about the plot of toppling a powerful dictatorship. I also bought “The Testing” by Joelle Charbonneau because it combined The Hunger Games and the college application.

After buying books, I went to physical therapy. I talked to my physical therapist about how I was walking 20 minutes a day on the treadmill. I started walking 10 minutes, but then I gradually went to 20 minutes. I walk on 3.0 speed. I talked to her about running on the treadmill, and she told me if I was to run, I should do it on 4.0 speed. Moreover, I should be careful when running.

Last year I was sent to the hospital for leg cramps. My leg cramps were in my right and left calves, but they hurt devilishly awful. The doctors predicted that my blood thinning medication, Coumadin, interacted with my arrhythmia medication, Amiodarone, and caused swelling in my calves. Turns out amiodarone has a ton of side effects, so that sucks. After I was released from the hospital I was homeschooled for a month and a half before I could return. In site of not taking the medication anymore, my calves are still sensitive and will cramp after exercise.

My physical therapist asked how I was doing with my stretches. Before I left the hospital, they gave me a list of stretches to do everyday. I told her I was doing well with them, since I continue to follow their stretch everyday.

After my physical therapy appointment, I went swimming (see same post today). After swimming I went to a bike shop. My mom bought my bike from my house in Pleasanton to the Ronald McDonald House. I’ve outgrown that bike so we went to the bike shop to have it altered. At the bike shop they adjusted it, but my mom asked me if I wanted a new bike instead of my old bike. With a new bike I could bike faster and easier.

I told her no because I won’t be biking much in the Ronald McDonald House. I appreciate her offering though, a new bike is a lot of money! Since I want to focus on swimming and running, I don’t want to add the burden of biking. When I go home, I can start biking.