Since the last blog there has been a lot of scrabble action with Val, Martin, and Sam last week (I got to play eunuchs and bitching against Sam). This week I attended another scrabble tournament at the hotel Norman which was very enjoyable even though I only won one game out of six. Alistair Richards showed me how i could have won two more games, strategies I wish I had thought of at the time :-)
On Monday I faced up to another cortisone injection in my right shoulder which I spent the time up to the injection crying and the time after it sleeping, hopefully it will work again this time.
My driving has improved markedly but sadly the chair still wants to kill pedestrians perhaps this is a subconscious desire on my part. On a more serious note I have been venturing further afield in the chair. Darrell and I went to the Boggo Rd markets last week end. The markets were further away than I thought as I used a "shortcut". The sour cherry Danish and bargain seafood were worth it.
Last week at hydrotherapy I managed to lift my left knee partly out of the water, sadly the pool was fully booked this week,. I will keep you updated on my progress.
In OT I have successfully opened a sliding door and a handle door with relatively little damage to the door.
Plans for the Dalgety unit are progressing and I am still hopeful that the mods will be complete by Christmas
Apologies to all for the lack of posts and the brevity of this one but there is so little time and so much to do. My scribe is weary and my two finger typing is too slow.
Friday, 28 September 2012
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Like sand in the hourglass, with apologies to Days of Our Lives
Stardate Friday 7 September
Val and I had a very good game of scrabble final scores me 523 Val 399. This did not deter her from taking me on again on Sunday :-) . On Saturday Val Karen Sanders and I went to Chelsea at the barracks for lunch we shared a surprisingly dry bottle of NZ sav blanc. I had the ricotta gnocchi with peas and asparagus which was delicious. It was great to catch up with Karen before Val and I dashed off to the movies to see The Sapphires, it was a very funny movie I give it 4 stars.
On Monday we went to the Buranda shopping centre and got vegetables to steam for dinner. The carrots were cutt julienne style for quick cooking but alas the shape does not facilitate self feeding as the bits slide all round the plate trying to elude my fork, something they must have learned from the beans
Sore shoulders on Tuesday from 30 minutes and 5.5 km on the arm bike. This was relieved by the nice lady at the Chinese massage place.
Norm went to Tamworth on wednesday and I managed very well on my own ( well on my own with visits from Karen and Paul Richards, Martin and Sam). I won four out of five games of scrabble and had a lovely dinner courtesy of Sam
Yesterday I did 45 minutes on the leg bike which was a bit of a cop out as it pedals for you. But I did 400 arm stretches in the afternoon which necessitated heat packs on the shoulder to relieve the pain. Chunky food for dinner which was good as I was able to search and stab every chunk without assistance, even the grape. I rewarded myself with a chocolate before cleaning my teeth. Norm left to watch Inspector Morse but fell asleep before it finished so doesn't know who the culprit was so I guess he will have to wait for a rerun.
Friday I had my first hydrotherapy session I just wish it could have been longer. Hopefully another next week if not I will complaining to anyone who will listen to me and many who won't
Val and I had a very good game of scrabble final scores me 523 Val 399. This did not deter her from taking me on again on Sunday :-) . On Saturday Val Karen Sanders and I went to Chelsea at the barracks for lunch we shared a surprisingly dry bottle of NZ sav blanc. I had the ricotta gnocchi with peas and asparagus which was delicious. It was great to catch up with Karen before Val and I dashed off to the movies to see The Sapphires, it was a very funny movie I give it 4 stars.
On Monday we went to the Buranda shopping centre and got vegetables to steam for dinner. The carrots were cutt julienne style for quick cooking but alas the shape does not facilitate self feeding as the bits slide all round the plate trying to elude my fork, something they must have learned from the beans
Sore shoulders on Tuesday from 30 minutes and 5.5 km on the arm bike. This was relieved by the nice lady at the Chinese massage place.
Norm went to Tamworth on wednesday and I managed very well on my own ( well on my own with visits from Karen and Paul Richards, Martin and Sam). I won four out of five games of scrabble and had a lovely dinner courtesy of Sam
Yesterday I did 45 minutes on the leg bike which was a bit of a cop out as it pedals for you. But I did 400 arm stretches in the afternoon which necessitated heat packs on the shoulder to relieve the pain. Chunky food for dinner which was good as I was able to search and stab every chunk without assistance, even the grape. I rewarded myself with a chocolate before cleaning my teeth. Norm left to watch Inspector Morse but fell asleep before it finished so doesn't know who the culprit was so I guess he will have to wait for a rerun.
Friday I had my first hydrotherapy session I just wish it could have been longer. Hopefully another next week if not I will complaining to anyone who will listen to me and many who won't
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
05/09/12
Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated...i was
actually allowed out today into the general public in the right hand drive
chair!
The other exciting news is that I have booked to go on the scrabble cruise in July 2013. Darrel is coming and looking forward to trawling for mackerel from the balcony on P & O Dawn...
Darrel arrive Saturday morning with his BBQ face on and
made us a delicious lunch of BBQ garlic butter crayfish and salad. We had a fairly quiet weekend as I can't
drive far without taking a little nana nap but it was lovely sitting in the sun
and reading the weekend papers together.
Poor Darrel had to leave on the red eye flight on Monday morning to get
back to work. He was very lucky to make
it as two burly security guards pulled him aside at the hand luggage X-ray and asked
him if he was carrying any weapons. He
said "no" but then had some serious explaining to do when they found
the meat clever in his backpack! He had
forgotten to return it to the cutlery drawer in the apartment after chopping
the crayfish for lunch;)
On Sunday we discovered some new movement in my left
hand, the index finger and very useful rude middle finger. Very happy about that!
I have had a lovely few days with Kylie. On Tuesday night we had hot smoked salmon,
baby potatoes and beans which I was able to eat with the modified fork. There may still be a bit of salmon left in
the carpet and the beans outwitted me by disguising themselves in slippery
butter but all in all it was a success.
On Wednesday we went to Sono in the city where I managed a three point
turn in the lift only to be greeted by two huge steps. The restaurant manager bought out a portable
ramp which was fairly scary and defeated my driving skills. She then offered to have "a boy"
lift the chair (150kg plus me). We
settled for about 8 people pushing my chair up the ramp...lunch was worth
it. Go there!
The other exciting news is that I have booked to go on the scrabble cruise in July 2013. Darrel is coming and looking forward to trawling for mackerel from the balcony on P & O Dawn...
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Lost in (cyber) space
Stardate Thursday yesterday's blog ended suddenly as all the hard work vanished into cyberspace before we could finish it. Fortunately Norm was able to find it and publish it this morning.
The big news is I am in a new Permobil C300 electric wheelchair with front wheel drive and right hand controls. Unfortunately I will have to pass another driving test before I am allowed to leave the hospital precincts. So there is a real incentive to practice and improve.
The right hand drive will make me use my right arm and the practice should build up strength and control. There will be a bit more paint off the door frames in the SIU until I am proficient.
A belated thankyou to the Collesels for the Roses chocolates
:-) CYA Julie
The big news is I am in a new Permobil C300 electric wheelchair with front wheel drive and right hand controls. Unfortunately I will have to pass another driving test before I am allowed to leave the hospital precincts. So there is a real incentive to practice and improve.
The right hand drive will make me use my right arm and the practice should build up strength and control. There will be a bit more paint off the door frames in the SIU until I am proficient.
A belated thankyou to the Collesels for the Roses chocolates
:-) CYA Julie
What a lot of blog
As you can see from the previously posted photos I have been making progress, drinking wine and picking up small pieces of kindling. It was great to see Margie and Ralph, the day after we went to Riverside we decided to go to the Powerhouse on Sunday for lunch at Watt. The scallops were the pick of the day. Jacqui arrived late Sunday so we commandeered the visitors waiting room aka the visitor's waiting room. On Monday Val Jacqui, Margie and Ralph attended my physio session which turned into a extended game of balloon tennis, although I treated it more like soccer with all the headers that I made.
It was great to catch up with everyone.
On Wednesday I made it to the Norman Hotel by 11:15 a mere fifteen minutes for the scrabble tournament. Sixteen of us played six games I lost all my games in the morning had a schooner of James Boags apple cider and won all three afternoon games. The tournament was such a success that we are planning more in September and October.
Darrel arrived late on Friday night so I didn't get to see him until Saturday. Darrel's mum and stepdad Joan and Col had made the trek form Pt Augusta with their caravan and joined us for a barbecue lunch on the veranda. As always Darrel outdid himself and we feasted on mackerel, salmon sausages, prawn Popsicles. There was so much food i simply didnt have room to open the 1.1 kilo box of Whitmans chocolates (a gift from Joan and Col). We also received unexpected visits from Brendan Duffy and Shane and Celeste. I hadn't seen Brendan since per 2004, it was great to catch up on all his news.
On Sunday we took Joan and Col to the Norman for lunch we left them at the pub for an hour and snuck off to say hello to everyone at the Queensland scrabble championships a block away from the pub. I think overall between the pokies and ponies Joan and Col came out ahead. A great day was had by all. When Darrel and I got back to PAH we sat on the veranda until the sun went down it w so relaxing that I fell asleep. Darrel had to come and wake me up as my loud snoring was disturbing the other inmates and visitors.
Om Monday it was back to the regular routine . Darrel was due to fly out on Tuesday and Joan and Col head back to SA so we shared a farewell lunch at Cafe Essence.
Wednesday was a jam packed day. I was actually out of bed at 9:45 which was a miracle. So I went down to the physio gym and persuaded the staff to set me up on the leg bike for 40 minutes. The bike pedals itself but at least it gets your muscles moving. After that they got me on one of the beds to practice some forward bends and hamstring stretches, I managed to get my head to my knees and then between my knees and then had to call for help to get up. After that we practised sitting with my arms behind propping me. I lasted half an hour before my right arm gave way a landing me in a tearfu.l heap, fortunately no lasting damage other than to my pride.
After all that I felt I deserved a coffee so Norm and I went to the cafe for a coffee we made it to the veranda just as Karen and Alistair Richards arrived. Alistair acted as my hands and s also kind enough to point out my mistakes :-). Martin arri.ved slightly later and I managed two games with him as well all done by quarter to four.
As it was so early Norm and I went to Buranda shopping centre for supplies and a manicu,re and pedicure. The nurses can feel safer walking near my feet :-). We were also able to get my glasses adjusted at the optometrist. Then it s back to the tv room for the circulation booster hand ranging and a visit from Sam bearing huge quantity of prepared meals to stave off any malnutrition. The foot section of the booster worked worked so ll I could actually feel my calf muscles being worked in BOTH legs, a first.
A repast of Darrel's crayfish lasagne followed by a punnet of raspberries and some large strawberries topped off a very satisfying day.
It was great to catch up with everyone.
On Wednesday I made it to the Norman Hotel by 11:15 a mere fifteen minutes for the scrabble tournament. Sixteen of us played six games I lost all my games in the morning had a schooner of James Boags apple cider and won all three afternoon games. The tournament was such a success that we are planning more in September and October.
Darrel arrived late on Friday night so I didn't get to see him until Saturday. Darrel's mum and stepdad Joan and Col had made the trek form Pt Augusta with their caravan and joined us for a barbecue lunch on the veranda. As always Darrel outdid himself and we feasted on mackerel, salmon sausages, prawn Popsicles. There was so much food i simply didnt have room to open the 1.1 kilo box of Whitmans chocolates (a gift from Joan and Col). We also received unexpected visits from Brendan Duffy and Shane and Celeste. I hadn't seen Brendan since per 2004, it was great to catch up on all his news.
On Sunday we took Joan and Col to the Norman for lunch we left them at the pub for an hour and snuck off to say hello to everyone at the Queensland scrabble championships a block away from the pub. I think overall between the pokies and ponies Joan and Col came out ahead. A great day was had by all. When Darrel and I got back to PAH we sat on the veranda until the sun went down it w so relaxing that I fell asleep. Darrel had to come and wake me up as my loud snoring was disturbing the other inmates and visitors.
Om Monday it was back to the regular routine . Darrel was due to fly out on Tuesday and Joan and Col head back to SA so we shared a farewell lunch at Cafe Essence.
Wednesday was a jam packed day. I was actually out of bed at 9:45 which was a miracle. So I went down to the physio gym and persuaded the staff to set me up on the leg bike for 40 minutes. The bike pedals itself but at least it gets your muscles moving. After that they got me on one of the beds to practice some forward bends and hamstring stretches, I managed to get my head to my knees and then between my knees and then had to call for help to get up. After that we practised sitting with my arms behind propping me. I lasted half an hour before my right arm gave way a landing me in a tearfu.l heap, fortunately no lasting damage other than to my pride.
After all that I felt I deserved a coffee so Norm and I went to the cafe for a coffee we made it to the veranda just as Karen and Alistair Richards arrived. Alistair acted as my hands and s also kind enough to point out my mistakes :-). Martin arri.ved slightly later and I managed two games with him as well all done by quarter to four.
As it was so early Norm and I went to Buranda shopping centre for supplies and a manicu,re and pedicure. The nurses can feel safer walking near my feet :-). We were also able to get my glasses adjusted at the optometrist. Then it s back to the tv room for the circulation booster hand ranging and a visit from Sam bearing huge quantity of prepared meals to stave off any malnutrition. The foot section of the booster worked worked so ll I could actually feel my calf muscles being worked in BOTH legs, a first.
A repast of Darrel's crayfish lasagne followed by a punnet of raspberries and some large strawberries topped off a very satisfying day.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Blockwork
Lucky I am an engineer and not a block layer :-).
Seriously though I am very proud that my left thumb was able to accomplish this
feat without any help from the fingers!
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