Ward 5 SIU

Oops found it again phew. Now settled into ward 5 a four bed unit with three other ladies. Monday was a milestone as I was able to go upstairs to the Public Cafe for my coffee. Val was wheeling me as Norm got out of a taxi and met us on the way. This was my first trip outside the ICU and SIU other than the verandas since my arrival at PAH on March 8, it felt good! I am now on regular OT and Physio for an hour each per day on weekdays except Wednesdays. The OT is to work my arms for feeding myself. It is bloody hard work as the brain, nerve and muscle interaction has to be relearnt. My left arm has improved but lack of control tends to result in the odd smack in the face with a strawberry. The improvements are incremental but progress is definite and positive. My right arm has not had the same degree of work out due to the nerve pain in my shoulder, but this has improved and we are doing some work with it. I think is is about 3-4 weeks behind my left arm. After OT on Monday the physios measured me for a new wheelchair, the old one is uncomfortable. After measurement some arm exercises and passive frog poses flat out on the mattress then back into the chair. Tuesday it is really a slow start in the mornings one bathroom is out of action being refurbished, and they are understaffed, as a result I am not out of bed and showered until after noon. I am trying to get some priority for an earlier start on the weekends. Another trip to the Public Cafe for coffee followed by OT and physio to try the new wheelchair but it needs more adjustment the backrest is uncomfortable and the footrests are too high so my knees are under my chin. So back into the old chair, at this rate the new chair may not ready before I get my electric chair, not the one used for executions in the US, but a power operated one that will give me more independence once I learn to drive it. Be afraid, very afraid. More adventure down to the Buranda shopping centre in the chair to book a manicure and facial. Unfortunately the path into the beautician was too narrow for the chair. The manicurist was booked for 4:30 tomorrow. Then back to the SIU. It was good to leave the hospital precincts Wednesday same old same old slow start Norm went to a meeting at the Gold Coast and Olga came for scrabble. She had to pick my tiles and put them on my rack, they were in no particular order and some upside down. Despite this challenge I beat her by convincingly. Nice tile selection Olga! After Olga left we went to the Public Cafe for a latte and cake. Then it was off to she shopping centre to get some new tracky daks and the manicure. Candy apple red they look very smart. What to have for dinner check out Woollies decide scrambled eggs with tomato, chives, chilli and Parmesan cheese cooked in the hospital microwave yummy. Visits from Sam (Searle) and Sonia with a 45 min chat with Larissa and Tracey (yoga). All this followed by meds teeth cleaning then bye bye to Norm