I was released from hospital on Monday after 250 days of incarceration. My new abode is a TRP house on the corner of Newmarket Rd and Victoria St in Windsor. I have already checked out the locla restaurants on Google and found a few likely prospects to try. Cafe Conti and Rhubarb Rhubarb look the best.
Everything is going smoothly with the carers and the house is quite comfortable. I also had not my best nights sleep last night, nine and a half hours unbroken by banging of trolleys, mobile phones, the nurse call audio, snoring patients and nurses shining torches in my eyes to see if I was asleep.
I am not in a routine of physio as yet but am planning to visit the sporting Wheelies Gym this afternoon for a work out. The workout may be focussed on my left leg which has regained some movement. My feet have always moved when I yawn and last Sunday week both Norm and I were delighted that I could consciously move my foot without yawning. Those of you who believe I am OCD will not be surprised that I have been obsessed with it ever since.
Last week in hospital was very social as Margie and Ralph flew in from Cairns to visit. They arrived on Tuesday afternoon, as did cousin Allison from Perth. We all went to dinnerat Asian Spice which is across the road from the Dockside apartment where Val, Margie and Ralph were staying. As the hospital has no physio or OT on Wednesday afternoons we took the opportunity to lunch at Il Centro Margie and I had their famous sandcrab lasagne which was great but not as good as Norm's or Darrells lobster lasagne. I think Margie and Ralph are keen for a return visit. :-)
On Thursday night Russ and Col arrived to visit and we all decided that a final trip to the Norman was in order. It was the first "distance" expedition on Ipswich Road for the new chair (the odometer is showing 30km as I type this today).
Unfortunately SIA were unable to arrange carers for last weekend so Darrel and I spent most of the weekend at the Dockside apartment watching the lightning and hail. The gods were considerate and the storm passed before I had to return to PAH. the downside was that Darrel's flight was delayed and he didn't get back home until 1:30 AM.
I have just looked at some pics of the mods in my new abode in the Dalgety building and it looks as though the works are progressing well. So I still hope to be home by Christmas. All keep your fingers crossed for me.
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Saturday, 10 November 2012
A busy week + TRP
I forgot to give you the diagnosis of the MRI, apparently I have an enchondroma see http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00085 on the end of my thighbone. The recommended course of treatment is to do nothing, which I am very good at. They have also given me a new type of anti inflamatory Celebrex http://www.drugs.com/celebrex.html it is certainly preferably to opening up the knee and chiseling it off.
Much of thre PT and OT time this week has been spent trialing things, this included a lifting belt similar to those worn by weightlifters in case people try to pick me up, and a sliding board to help transfer me from the wheelchair into a standard car. This was frankly terrifying and uncomfortable. A convertible with an overhead hoist would be preferable. Train travel and cruises are looking very attractive.
We also tested portable ramps the longer the ramp the heavier it is so ot is a real balancing act to decide which one is the best. After nearly falling out of my chair on the downward slope of the shortest/steepest ramp, I decided to opt for the heavier one :-)
I have been testing a new air mattress overlay http://www.nationalseniors.com.au/icms_docs/118318_2012_CommGrantsEquipmentList.pdf see item 3 on page 2 which is more comfortable than others I have tried. So I was very surprised to learn that it had given me pressure marks on my shoulders. Further investigation determined that there was a new policy that bolsters for extendable beds were to be placed at the head of the bed instead of the foot as some patients were getting pressure marks on their heels. The bolster was repositioned to the foot of the bed and the pressure areas are disappearing. Hopefully the mattress can now be ordered next week
On Wednesday I commenced carer training with Emma from SIA she will come to Townsville with me for my first week back at home to train the cares that are allocated tov me in Townsville. She is very nice and capable which is reassuring.
Wednesday was a milestone when we visited the newly renovated TRP house at 18 Newmarket Rd Windsor. It is a 4 bedroom house but currently two of the back bedrooms are locked off for storage. I will be spending next weekend there with Darrell and if all goes well will only return to the hospital to complete discharge procedures. I will include photos in a later post.
Work is scheduled to commence on the modifications to my new apartment on Monday and there will be a big push to complete them for my return on 17 December.
Norm went to Tamworth on Thursaday but I had many other visitors both expected and unexpected. Mitch and Chrissy and daughter Zara stopped by to see me at lunch time, they are moving back to Tpwnsville after 11 years in Germany. It will be great to have them back. Thursday evening Sam, Russell, Colin and Jen Cook turned up to my living room aka patients visiting room where we polished off the rest of the fruit cake. Sam and I had a game of Scrabble, Russell was very good at picking out the right letters to ensure that I prevailed.
Despite my aim of having no more goal planning meetings we had another on Friday morning, complete with OTs, PTs, nurses, and social workers, hopefully this will be the last before my discharge.
The new chair is going well I have driven 16 kilometers already. The chairman is coming by tomorrow to fit the new armrests, backrest, headrest and to fine tune the programming. I should be able to control the TV and sound system at the TRP house through the chair's computer. Kylie has arranged the registration of the chair with Queensland Transport and Val is bringing the licence plates tomorrow, he should fit these too. The lights and indicators are very impressive.
The Motomed Viva 2 Lite arm and leg bike which was partly funded by generous contributions from the Scrabble community will be delivered to Townsville on Monday. Thank you again to everyone who donated.
Had a lazy weekend at the Kangaroo Pt apartment loafing about reading the paper, watching TV and watching the world go by through the window. I will need to get a telescope like James Stewart in Rear Window to check if any of the neighbours are murdering their wives and burying them in the garden.
Well it is time to get back to the Weekend Australian, hopefully my next post will be from the TRP house.
Much of thre PT and OT time this week has been spent trialing things, this included a lifting belt similar to those worn by weightlifters in case people try to pick me up, and a sliding board to help transfer me from the wheelchair into a standard car. This was frankly terrifying and uncomfortable. A convertible with an overhead hoist would be preferable. Train travel and cruises are looking very attractive.
We also tested portable ramps the longer the ramp the heavier it is so ot is a real balancing act to decide which one is the best. After nearly falling out of my chair on the downward slope of the shortest/steepest ramp, I decided to opt for the heavier one :-)
I have been testing a new air mattress overlay http://www.nationalseniors.com.au/icms_docs/118318_2012_CommGrantsEquipmentList.pdf see item 3 on page 2 which is more comfortable than others I have tried. So I was very surprised to learn that it had given me pressure marks on my shoulders. Further investigation determined that there was a new policy that bolsters for extendable beds were to be placed at the head of the bed instead of the foot as some patients were getting pressure marks on their heels. The bolster was repositioned to the foot of the bed and the pressure areas are disappearing. Hopefully the mattress can now be ordered next week
On Wednesday I commenced carer training with Emma from SIA she will come to Townsville with me for my first week back at home to train the cares that are allocated tov me in Townsville. She is very nice and capable which is reassuring.
Wednesday was a milestone when we visited the newly renovated TRP house at 18 Newmarket Rd Windsor. It is a 4 bedroom house but currently two of the back bedrooms are locked off for storage. I will be spending next weekend there with Darrell and if all goes well will only return to the hospital to complete discharge procedures. I will include photos in a later post.
Work is scheduled to commence on the modifications to my new apartment on Monday and there will be a big push to complete them for my return on 17 December.
Norm went to Tamworth on Thursaday but I had many other visitors both expected and unexpected. Mitch and Chrissy and daughter Zara stopped by to see me at lunch time, they are moving back to Tpwnsville after 11 years in Germany. It will be great to have them back. Thursday evening Sam, Russell, Colin and Jen Cook turned up to my living room aka patients visiting room where we polished off the rest of the fruit cake. Sam and I had a game of Scrabble, Russell was very good at picking out the right letters to ensure that I prevailed.
Despite my aim of having no more goal planning meetings we had another on Friday morning, complete with OTs, PTs, nurses, and social workers, hopefully this will be the last before my discharge.
The new chair is going well I have driven 16 kilometers already. The chairman is coming by tomorrow to fit the new armrests, backrest, headrest and to fine tune the programming. I should be able to control the TV and sound system at the TRP house through the chair's computer. Kylie has arranged the registration of the chair with Queensland Transport and Val is bringing the licence plates tomorrow, he should fit these too. The lights and indicators are very impressive.
The Motomed Viva 2 Lite arm and leg bike which was partly funded by generous contributions from the Scrabble community will be delivered to Townsville on Monday. Thank you again to everyone who donated.
Had a lazy weekend at the Kangaroo Pt apartment loafing about reading the paper, watching TV and watching the world go by through the window. I will need to get a telescope like James Stewart in Rear Window to check if any of the neighbours are murdering their wives and burying them in the garden.
Well it is time to get back to the Weekend Australian, hopefully my next post will be from the TRP house.
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Long overdue
Sorry it has been so long since the last blog entry. Trust me it has been on the list everyday it's just that we haven't gotten around to it. Highlights over the last 3 weeks include going out at...NIGHTTIME!!!! In a formal dress no less! Thanks very much to Karen Sanders for inviting Val and me to the NAWIC awards dinner and thanks to Val for letting me have a 3rd glass of wine even if she drank half of it ;) It was a great evening but I would suggest that next time that they don't allow any politicians to give any speeches whatsoever although the pronunciation of Bechtel was funny (Beshtell).
My new pimped up ride (aka electric chair) has arrived, it has shiny red hubcaps to make it go faster:-) Unfortunately it isn't finished yet, it needs new arm rests and more programming plus I have to get it registered...lots of fun with department of transport.
Ron came down from Townsville to come to a consultation at LifeTec with Val and me. He said it was like being with "Q" from James Bond as far as all the gadgets went, most of them talk to each other in a language I certainly don't understand.
Norm and I took a Taxi to the QUT testing labs to see a new roof profile design prototype get tested to destruction. I love seeing things tested to destruction I think they should test this hospital sometimes.
I had a lovely visit from Peter and Vicki Junk who deserve an award for being the first people to bring me wine as a get well present. The tv waiting room is becoming more like home every day!
I hate the new room I am in and cannot wait to get out of this place so I can get a decent night sleep. The guy across from me is a very loud snorer and only wakes up for meals, possibly this is because he sounds like he is swallowing his own tongue half the time. He has been quite ill lately and my first thoughts were that his wife had poisoned him to keep him in here so she could sleep at night! The guy next to me maybe partially deaf...either that or no one has shown him where the volume switch is on his phone. I think he plays Angry Birds most of the day. The guy diagonally across from me likes rap music but he at least owns headphones and seems like a nice fellow. In addition to this the nurses need to be scheduled for a tutorial in earplug insertion, seriously! Luckily they have sleeping pills sometimes they even let me have some. I have asked to be moved to another room but no joy, maybe they are trying to get me out of here...
I thought we had things planned out for TRP (half-way house) but it seems I was mistaken. If we get funding approval for home modifications this week I will move into the house next Monday otherwise it is likely to be 26 November. Physio and OT have been pretty dull lately a lot of time has been spent organizing backrests etc. I am still hoping to be home by Christmas, those of you that prey please put in a good word for me and remind your God/ess that I haven't murdered the snoring man.
Tomorrow is Melbourne Cup and they are having wheelchair races which should be fun. Good luck with your bets!
JB
My new pimped up ride (aka electric chair) has arrived, it has shiny red hubcaps to make it go faster:-) Unfortunately it isn't finished yet, it needs new arm rests and more programming plus I have to get it registered...lots of fun with department of transport.
Ron came down from Townsville to come to a consultation at LifeTec with Val and me. He said it was like being with "Q" from James Bond as far as all the gadgets went, most of them talk to each other in a language I certainly don't understand.
Norm and I took a Taxi to the QUT testing labs to see a new roof profile design prototype get tested to destruction. I love seeing things tested to destruction I think they should test this hospital sometimes.
I had a lovely visit from Peter and Vicki Junk who deserve an award for being the first people to bring me wine as a get well present. The tv waiting room is becoming more like home every day!
I hate the new room I am in and cannot wait to get out of this place so I can get a decent night sleep. The guy across from me is a very loud snorer and only wakes up for meals, possibly this is because he sounds like he is swallowing his own tongue half the time. He has been quite ill lately and my first thoughts were that his wife had poisoned him to keep him in here so she could sleep at night! The guy next to me maybe partially deaf...either that or no one has shown him where the volume switch is on his phone. I think he plays Angry Birds most of the day. The guy diagonally across from me likes rap music but he at least owns headphones and seems like a nice fellow. In addition to this the nurses need to be scheduled for a tutorial in earplug insertion, seriously! Luckily they have sleeping pills sometimes they even let me have some. I have asked to be moved to another room but no joy, maybe they are trying to get me out of here...
I thought we had things planned out for TRP (half-way house) but it seems I was mistaken. If we get funding approval for home modifications this week I will move into the house next Monday otherwise it is likely to be 26 November. Physio and OT have been pretty dull lately a lot of time has been spent organizing backrests etc. I am still hoping to be home by Christmas, those of you that prey please put in a good word for me and remind your God/ess that I haven't murdered the snoring man.
Tomorrow is Melbourne Cup and they are having wheelchair races which should be fun. Good luck with your bets!
JB
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