Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Driving with the Engineer

Wednesday 28th October

Had hydro at 9 this morning, got my self down and in the pool using the steps and started walking around. I was doing laps of the pool at the deep end again with out using the handrail which was working well until my knee started to hurt again. Which then limited me to do doing squats and sitting on the hoist moving my lower legs back and forth against the water for resistance. I then walked back up the steps and had a shower to get the smell of chlorine off my body. Had a quick chat to the Doc about getting some pain meds for the knee as it really starting to hinder my recovery. Its looking like I'll have to get it operated on sooner rather than later. Maybe back in Wagga.

After lunch I had my first driving lesson. The car is a new VE commodore, one of the newest cars I've ever driven I think. I won't be going back to the old VL....sorry mate!! It turned out the instructor is an Ex Qantas engineer, so we had a great chat all the way around for the two hours. We drove around some back streets and then headed straight into multi lane traffic along Victoria Road. Over the Bridge and into Parrammatta and on to Homebush Olympic Park and did a few laps of the place. It was so good to get out of the Hospital and have an interesting conversation with someone about aircraft. I'm really looking forward to my next lesson! We did 2 hours in all, which only leaves 6 hours more to go. He said we will head over to Mascot Airport have a coffee and come back one day for a nice little drive which will be really good.

Didn't have tea at the Hospital tonight. Rob, his parents and I headed to Macquarie for a meal and to watch a new Bruce Willis movie. Once again it was great to get out of the place for a bit.



Tuesday 27th October.

Spend the morning walking around the grounds and then up and down the ramps, followed by a 6 minute walk test where I managed 190 meters. At the end though my knee was really playing up so I had to stop. I then put the FES (electronic muscle stimulation) on my hamstrings and calf to help with the strengthening of the muscles. Tis good also as it does not hurt my knee.
I spent the afternoon with Rob trying to get his petrol remote control car running. We ran into so many problems in the process. Flat batteries everywhere in the starter box and a few other things. When we finally got it going we broke a shock absorber, somehow it had unscrewed itself and the spring was lost. I got my cardio workout then as Rob and I wheeled around the grass out the front trying to find it. Just as we were leaving we spotted it in the grass right in front of where we started looking. Managed to get it back together after about half an hour of mucking around. Am still waiting for my batteries to arrive to get my car up and running as well.

Stu

Monday, October 26, 2009

Monday knee pains

Monday 27th October
Early session with physio, did some more laps outside of the hospital. It's been rather cold here and the cartlige tear in my right knee has really got worse, limiting how much I can walk.
I had OT after lunch, Trish is trying to find things to test me. It's not going very well, we headed down a steep hill where I practiced getting the chair in and out of the car. It was easy!!! Hopefully the driving lessons will come through and I can get them knocked over soon.
The afternoon was spent doing some stretching and then I headed around to Client Ed. It's a learning program for spinal patients to learn how their body works. I did get some interesting and useful information from it. It will run for a few weeks and then it will be all over. Had some left over Thai for dinner, looked a bit better than the slosh I got from the kitchen.

Here is a picture of my new cushion




Weekend 25th/26th October
Saturday Tristan and Meaghan came around after lunch and we had a hit of tennis, I got another tennis chair for Tristan to see how he would go. Its a lot harder than you think. The three of us then headed to Kissings point and watched some boats sail past, it was beautiful day to just lie on the grass.





Sunday I headed around to Tristan and Meaghan's place. Caught a cab from here which didn't cost that much at all. It was pouring down rain so we sat around playing UNO and watched a bit of TV. I caught a cab home so about 6 and ordered some Thai for dinner. Had an early night as I have physio at 9 every day this week.

Stu

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Mobilising independently with crutches

Friday 24th October
I had my regular early physio session. Today I got ticked off (given the OK from the physios to mobilise on my own on crutches) to walk around the hospital using crutches. Which means I'm going to walk to the dining room for every meal and try and walk as much as I can during the day. I'm limited because of the torn cartilage in my right knee but I can still manage a fair slab of walking each day.
I decided to get a cab after lunch and head over to Royal North Shore and catch up with the staff and patients there. It was nice to say hello, they were very interested in the new chair and cushion that I was sitting on. The Physios were pleased with my improvement and my walking really impressed them. Alanna from OT was certain that I was not going to walk again but I proved her wrong. She was so pleased with my progress and the news that I will not need any modifications to a car to drive. This means I can drive any automatic once I have my licence. I hung around talking to a few patients who are coming to Moorong soon. They were heading to Manly with the OT's to lean how to use buses, trains and taxis in their wheelchairs. Brought back memories of my first couple of outings to Chatswood.
I cruised back to Moorong around 5 for dinner, which was not that nice so Rob and I got some Pizza and relaxed for the evening.

Stu

Friday, October 23, 2009

Driving Assessment

Thursday 22nd October
Thursday was my first day that I had a full day of therapies. The morning started with Physio where I did some steps work and a bit of balance skills. I then had my seating clinic where a specialist comes in and checks out how you are sitting in your chair. He trialed me a new cushion which is about 2kgs lighter than the one I was using and is more comfortable. Its made out of 3 layers of honeycomb shaped holes, its rather interesting to look at. I then had OT where Trish and I headed over to the Holden dealership across the road to have a look at some 4wd's to work out if I can manage to get the chair up and into the car. I had no real trouble getting the thing up and in which was good. We made it back up for lunch which I ate rather quickly as I had to head down the hill for my driving assessment.

Trish took me down in the car(from rehab) for the assessment. The assessment consists of a physical check, looking at my eyes, arms and legs to make sure they work well. A few road rule tests, like a learners test you would do on a computer. Finally an awareness/memory test where you were giving 15 photos for 3 seconds and you had to remember what you saw, be it a car driving somewhere or a pedestrian walking across the road. After this the driving assessor and OT had a chat and thought I would be able to drive with both legs. Using my left foot for the brake and the right for the accelerator as normal. Like you would in a go-kart. We drove down the hill towards the river and I was put in the drivers seat. I was a bit sketchy at first but it didn't take long to get the hang of the brakes. Just have to push it slowly. I got my confidence back really quickly so they took me onto some busier roads which tested me a lot. One slight problem was the fact the car was so small and I was sitting on my cushion to make it easier to move my right leg back and forth. Turning my head to look out over my shoulder ended up with me whacking my head on the B-pilar... After the drive the OT and driving assessor both agreed on me having 8 lessons to get the hang of it all again,and then sit my test.You feel like you loose some of your driving skills when you don't drive for a while. Once that's done I'll be able to drive a normal automatic car without having any modification done to the car, which is a big bonus to me. I just have to wear my splint on the right ankle and that's it. I'll be back on the road soon,look out!!! Just have to get my licence

Went to the RSL Club down the road with a few of the other patients for Greg, who was going home tomorrow.

Stu

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Biking and Tennis.

Wednesday 21st October
Not a normal start today, I headed down to the tennis courts to have a go of the hand cycle. It was a three wheel bike that you sit in, using your arms to peddle and you lean to steer. It does need a lot of work to get going again. I'm amazed at the lack of tools on hand here, nothing around to repair a wheelchair. I'll get the tools soon and fix the front wheel and the gears and give it a real go.





I then went and got set up in another tennis chair for the afternoon. It was so much easier with the correct equipment. The hardest part is getting your self into the correct position to hit the ball which will come in time, but I can serve better sitting down than I could standing up.





Trish from OT had me booked in for an hour to practice wheelchair stowing in a car, but unfortunately for her it only took a few minute to get it in to the car. We did try putting it in the boot of the station wagon and then hobbling around to the front of the car which also is an option. Trish also gave me a new shower stool to try out which is easier to move around myself than the big shower chair. Tomorrow we might head to a Holden dealership to try to get into a few other cars plus a bit of a cardio workout on the way there too.

In the evening there was a chit chat with past patients in the rec room, it was good to have a chat with some people who have been through the system and hear how they have made their lives. Especially a high level quad having a 3 year old running around the house, gives you a lot of hope.

Driving assessment tomorrow which I'll be looking forward to, a little bit more independence for me which will be great!

Stu

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Goal Planning Meeting

Tuesday 20th October
Had a morning walk with Viv again, got in early and did some stretching of my legs before hand which helps. We managed 350 meters today up and down ramps and across rough terrain which felt really good to do. It was a lap around the whole building. I then headed down and tried out a new Tennis chair, I have coaching every Wednesday afternoon, its amazing how much easier it is to play in a proper chair. I was able to serve better sitting down than I ever could standing upright which amazed me. I'll give another chair a go tomorrow to see what fits me better ready for the afternoon lesson.
I then had a nap whilst I waited for Mum and Dad to arrive from Wagga Wagga. I've also found out that the second trial chair that I've been waiting for has been approved and heading over to Aus, hopefully be here in 3 weeks. Mum and Dad found me out on the front verandah where we had Pizza for lunch, which was a lot better than what else I had on offer.

The highlight of my day was my the Goal Planning Meeting, the team pretty much said what I already knew about me, but they did say that I should be going home at the end of November! Not much longer now for me. First up is my driving test on Thursday. Will definitely have to change from a manual to an automatic car but hopefully I will not need to make to many modifications to be able to drive independently. I have my VUD on the 19th November, where they look at my bladder capacity, emptying etc. Will help decide on the best routine for me when I go home. I will also do some sessions on bowel management and skin care, learn lots of tips for when I am out of the hospital system. Also got to finish the wheelchair trials, will be good to try the Marvel in a few weeks. It's just really good to finally get a time frame that I can work towards.

My next appointment today was with a psychiatrist, something that all of us here in the spinal unit have to do. It all went well, no problems.
I spent the arvo with Shannon(peer support) who was very interested in the marvel chair coming to Aus, and is keen to jump into it and take her for a spin around. Was keen to show Mum and Dad my remote control car which I got myself for my birthday(a tinkering project). They were suitably impressed.



We had a wheelchair challenge late in the afternoon. Fastest time up the last half of the ramp that comes up from the pool and tennis courts to the gym. Viv and Alison took Shannon and I on. Shannon was the winner in a time of....and I came in second, but check out the size of his guns.






Stu and Janet

Sleepy Monday.

Monday 19th October
The only thing I had planned for today was a physio session in the morning. I didn't sleep to well the previous night, rather sad about loosing a good friend and tired from traveling back to Sydney. Because of this my walking was hindered in the morning with Viv, having to stop a few times due to the spasms. But I still made a lap of the round-a-bout.
As it was my birthday Rob, Ryan and I decided to head to Rhodes for lunch and get out of the hospital for the morning. I had eyes on a remote control car, a little present for myself in a way. And the other boys just wanted to get out of there too. We piled into a cab and headed off. Ryan and Rob in the back of the Hiace, me in the front seat. We got there and found a car that I wanted, also Rob wanted a Bluetooth handsfree as he is a quad and has limited use of his hands. We eventually found a phone shop that actually wanted to help us and let him try a few with his phone. Hard to find good help sometimes... We rolled upstairs and found an Aportos for lunch. Then back to the hospital and played with my new toy, I have to get some batteries and a few other little pieces before she can run, but if I wait for the right stuff it should be good for speeds up to 100Km/H.



Rob, Alison, Paul and I then headed up to the Ex Servicemans club up the hill for a few birthday drinks after dinner. Once again it was nice to get out of the hospital and relax. It has a really nice view over Western Sydney, out to the mountains then across over the Olympic park and right over to the airport. I'll be heading back here again sometime soon.

Stu

Happy Birthday from all of us at home mate, we will see you tomorrow and have a big cake when you get home next. xxxooo

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Weekend in Wagga Wagga

Sunday 18th October
Our day started with a call from Sue to let us know that Luke had passed away late last night. Our thoughts are with Sue, Alex and Matt and family at this time. Stuart and I called around to say hello and exchange hugs. We had spent quite a bit of time together during Stuart's recovery and Luke's treatment in Sydney. A shared journey with very different destinies.
Stuart had lunch at Kauri Pl before flying back to Sydney on the 1.30 Rex flight, they took off during the flying display at the RAAF open day. He had a good trip and was chatting to Serge when I messaged him at 4.30pm. Am pretty sure he had an early night.


Saturday 16th October.
Pancakes with friends on the back verandah, what a great way to start the day it was a bit brisk but the sun was warm. Then back into town to the RTA to get his licence changed over to a learners permit, he was a bit disappointed when they cancelled his motor bike licence as well though. Spent the rest of the morning chilling out with Alex.
Stuart and I went out to Uranquinty to see the riders cross the finish line in the last WWCC road race of the season. Well done Charlie on your win. Stuart was able to touch base with some cycling friends after the race. Iain and Stuart then went back to Quinty for dinner and the presentations at the pub.




Hey boys , look I can stand.

Stuart got a lift back into town about 9pm to catch with Alex and some school friends who were back for the races (gallops). Stu discovered that some venues in Wagga Wagga are not overly wheelchair friendly.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Sleepover in Wagga Wagga

Friday 16th October
Normal start to the morning, had shower the night before so there was not much of a rush. I got my bag packed and caught a cab to the airport which didn't cost as much as I thought. The trial chair has a luggage carriers on the front, two little fold down polls, but they let you put your bag on it and wheel around the airport with out having to carry the it on your lap. The chair rolls really well in the nice polished airport lobbies, too quick for anyone to walk next to me. I managed better on the plane this time too, though it took a bit longer as there were 4 elderly passengers who also wanted the lifter to get on and off the plane. It was one of the most bumpiest flights I've ever been on and I was sure someone was going to spew. Mum was there to meet me at the airport and we cruised home for a nice toastie under the back veranda.
I had an interview with Prime TV after lunch, doing a follow up story on my progress since the long weekend in June. Marcus(physio) came as well, was good to catch up and show him my progress since being back at rehab in Sydney. After a good stretch on the ball I had my first walk at home on canadian crutches. How good is that, felt so good.







Mum and I then went into town for a bit and called in to see my mate Luke, he is back home at the moment with Sue and the family.
Then it was back home for a quite evening with the folks, Maggie and Alex.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Tilight chair

Thursday 15th October
Up early again for physio which is not to bad, my mornings begin with breakfast at around 7:30. First I did some balance practice in the parallel bars trying to touch Viv's hand in various positions, then followed by some boxing. It's amazing how hard it is to keep your balance. Viv and I then managed two laps around the round-a-bout today. I will take some photos and put them up so you can understand how far I'm walking. The new heal wedge really has helps me with my walking, I didn't need as many stops and I went a lot longer before I got tired. I then got to trial a new electro stimulator on my legs to help strengthen my hamstrings and calf muscles, it was cool watching my leg move without me doing anything. After a bit of upperbody weights, Alison, Vivian and I headed down to Putney shops...a massive run down the hill which I was a bit scared to go down in the wheelchair. We had a nice banana smoothie. The push back up was out cardio workout, although Alison did get pushed up the hill for most of it...I made it up with only a few stops. The record is 8 minutes, which knowing that now I'm going to want to try and beet it. I had an early night last night as I'm flying back to Wagga tomorrow.

Stu

Mum's photo of the front of Moorong and most of the round-a-bout

TENNIS
Wednesday 14 October
Didn't quite get my medications early enough this morning before physio but we gave it a fair go none the less, managed a good walk around the courtyard. Vivian then gave me a go on the steps. There is a set of steps built out the back with railings on each side so people can learn how to do them again. Viv got me to first walk over them using both the railings for support, then walk over using one crutch and finally using two crutches which is rather difficult to do. Viv said I can do the single step lift on my right leg to strengthen it on my own now which is good, It means that I can do it when ever I want, not having to wait for a physio or nurse to help me is good. I then went and signed up to Wheelchair Sports Australia, it will be interesting to see what they can get me into. They don't promote many out there/extreme sports more along the lines of basketball and tennis. Speaking of tennis there is a coaching course every Wednesday for an hour with a coach which I was able to have a go at. I haven't played tennis for a long time and was using my old crappy chair for the afternoon but it was still fun to roll around and have a go. Next week I'll get a go in a tennis chair and I should go a lot better. Keven who make prosthetic for patients was there again and wanted to try putting a wedge under my left heal to help with the spasms, we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Nick from Tilight brought around a new trial chair for me, it weighs nothing and pushes forever. I'll have a few more to trial but I like this one a lot!





Stu

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Super walk and new sports.

Tuesday 13 October
A really early start for me today, 8:30 physio session. I got there early enough to get a bit of stretching done before Vivian got me into the walking. We managed a lap around the quad again and it was then back to the plynth and onto the stairs to do some right leg lifts again. every day I come back to do this it gets easier which is a good feeling for me.
I then had a meeting with my doctor and I should be able to self medicate again soon which will be good, she also said it will be fine for me to go home for the weekend which I'm looking forward to. Wheelchair Sports Australia have an office here so I went down and registered with them. They might be able to find something that I enjoy playing. I'll give almost anything a go at the moment.
It was then off to my OT session. I won't be needing many of these a week, as the Royal North Shore Hospital OT's managed to teach me most of the stuff I needed to know for the outside world. Plus I did a bit of real world(on the job) learning of wheelchair skills finding myself in some tricky situations where I had to learn a new way to get out of. We did go through the house mods and a few other things that I still need. When I get a smaller wheelchair Trish will teach me how to put it into the car with me, which will be one of the last things I'll need to learn.

I then went and had a rest before lunch. After lunch I headed into the gym again to do the strength/stretch program that I was given yesterday. I'm going to have to take my ipod in with me next time, its a bit tedious as my upper body is not doing much. Vivian then got me doing to do some more walking in the afternoon, this time heading outside for the first time. Around the roundabout out the front of the center. I'm not sure of how far it is yet but I will measure it tomorrow. It's amazing how tricky uneven surfaces are. But the ramp into the center was not as hard as I thought. I will rest well tonight ready for some more tomorrow! My goal is to be able to walk with crutches without anyone one having to spot me.

I then met up with Shannon, he is a peer support person who comes in every Tuesday. He showed me a link to a website that is right down my ally, it's called Extreme Chairing www.extremechairing.com
Do you think Mum would let me do it????







Stu

Monday, October 12, 2009

Monday gym session

Monday 12th October
Monday morning Vivian and I set up my strength training programme for my lower legs. It will take me about an hour each day working on my legs in various positions to strengthen the muscles. We then walked my longest so far, I made 190 meters before my legs started to get tired.

I had a chat to the recreational therapists. They try to help you with sports and activities that you can do. I'm going to give tennis a go next week sometime, I can also borrow the equipment over the weekend to use with friends when they come up.

My afternoon session I did some standing on the parallel bars for a bit then moved on to the stairs. This was harder than I thought, but a really good workout for my quads and hamstrings on the right leg. I first went up using the railings with both hands, then one crutch and one railing, finally onto two crutches which was really hard to keep my balance. I then did some single leg lifts with my right leg to get it working harder again. Every day it gets easier. Vivian then wanted to do a push test, which involved pushing around a basketball court as many times as you can in 6 minutes, the record is 12. I managed to get 9 laps which was not that bad, I haven't done any aerobic activity for 4 months. I'll give the record a go next time. I went and did some stretching after and found out that I now have some movement in my right foot. I can now raise my foot. This has been something that I've wanted to do for a while and it was a great relief when I did it. Early start at 8:30 tomorrow morning so it won't be a late night for me.

Stu

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Physio Friday

Friday 9th October
Had my earliest start today for physio around 10, which gives me ample chance to do more in the afternoon. Steph got me to do some sit to stands before we did a few laps of the physio. I managed 90 meters today which was not to shabby took 11 minutes though. The spasms are getting better each day as well. Hopefully they will drop even more as I get more movement in my legs. I then went and had lunch in the dinning room with everyone else and it was back to the gym after. I did some stretching and then attacked the weight machine for the afternoon. On a Friday arvo they do a stretch class, and to get people to go they give the patients lollipops, I was a bit annoyed because I go and stretch outside of the class and don't get lollipops. I had a good feed and slept really well after the day in the gym, looking forward to doing more on Monday.

I managed to meet a person today too who has climbed the 3 sisters dragging his wheelchair up there with him. It was good to hear of someone else's achievements, makes me want to go and do it myself. I have to so 1000 chin ups in one do to be able to tackle it...
Stu

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Walking the treadmill.

Thursday 8th October
Early start with a 10am appointment with Trish(OT) to tick Stuart off on his car transfers. He got the tick, only a couple more boxes to go. We are hoping to go out for lunch today before Iain and I head home.
We sat on the verandah for a bit before heading around to physio at 10.30. No rest for the wicked today, Stephanie had Stuart on a treadmill. He was fitted into a harness and started at at a speed of 0.6km/hr(0.2met/sec) and did 50 metres.





They then decided that 300metres would be the challenge for this session. Stuart did another 50 metres at 0.6km/hr and the last 200metres at 0.8km/hr. His legs were starting to spasm a towards the end of his longest walk so far, they will only get longer. Top of the class for Stuart!!!



He got back into his chair and rolled over to a plinth. They were going to try some electro stimulation on his right hamstring with the tens machine. His leg was not responding very much, probably exhausted from the walking. So they called it quits for the day.
We then set about getting the last two boxes on his day release form signed off, found the Dr and got the tick. Bit harder to find a social worker, has his first appointment with them tomorrow. Therefore he signed the day leave pass book and off we went. Stuart and Iain rolled down the rather steep hill to the Putney shops where we had a lovely lunch. Got ourselves a ticket in Saturdays powerball and Stuart got some reading material (magazines). We then had a drive down to the river and to show Stuart where the ferry stops at Kissing Point and generally orientate him to the area.
We returned Stuart safely to Moorong and were on the road home to Wagga Wagga by 2pm. Hard to say good bye, we had been spoilt having him home for the last 4 weeks. But we all know he has to finish his rehab, get his driving licence, scripted for a wheelchair and learn all there is to know about his bladder and bowel care and management. Have our fingers crossed that he will be home before Christmas.

Look I can stand no hands

Wednesday 7th October
Got a call from Stuart at 9.30ish to say he would be in the hydro pool at 10am. When we arrived he was in a corner of the deep end doing some leg exercises. Stephanie then got him up onto the side of the pool. Almost as if you were going to pull yourself up and out of the pool. Had his upper body/ trunk flat on the side of the pool and they had him kicking his legs. There was a little bit of excitment when a lizard about 8" long decided to take a dip in the pool. Iain to the rescue, he got it out with the pool scoop.
Iain and I then went to the games room and Stuart joined us after his shower. We met Kel, who is involved with wheelchair sport and recreation. They had a good chat about shooting, skiing and pushbikes. Kel then unlocked the equipment cupboard and pulled out a hand pedal bike. Weird amazing looking piece of gear, looked heavy but Stuart thought it would be good downhill!!!


Stephanie continued with Stuart's assessment, looking at movement and sensation. Also his perception of where she was touching him and whether she was moving toes, feet and legs(up-centre-down) There was lots of laughter as Stuart got a bit muddled a few times, especially with his little toe on the right foot. Stephanie then looked at his balance, sitting on the edge of the plinth with his feet planted on the floor. He had to move from side to side, backwards, raising his arms etc. She also had a couple of goes at pushing him of balance. Amazing the improvement over the past 4 months. He first sat on the plinth on the 19th of June and played catch with Tristan at RNS.
It was then time to walk again, the goal today was to see how far he could go without with stopping. Stuart did 3 laps(across the gym out the door, down the corridor and in the other door). He did 90metres in total, what an effort mate.



There was no rest though, Stephanie then raised the plinth to 62cm and Stuart had to stand up not using his hands to push off. He did 50, standing sitting and up again, another super effort. But there was still more, he had to see how long he could stand, balance without supporting himself with his hands....managed to hold himself up for 3minutes and 20seconds.



He was rather tired by the time we finished the session, well and truly ready for a rest. He and Iain made a couple of minor adjustments to his backrest. Lucky Stuart took his tool kit with him to Moorong. We left him stretched out on his bed, having a quiet time before getting up for tea.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Walking the Red line

Tuesday 6th October.
Up and about in our motel room early after a pretty restless night, although Stuart says he slept well.
Easy drive down Victoria Rd to Royal Rehab(Moorong). We were greeted by the staff, a bit early for them. They had only just put the mattress on his bed. He is rooming with Vince and Clive and has a window bed. We were taken for a quick tour and then back to the dining room to have Stuart's observations, falls risk and other forms completed. Our next port of call was the front office to meet Maureen who completed Stuart's admission paperwork, they all seem to struggle with the spelling of Wantabadgery and most certainly have no idea where it is. Maureen took us for another tour, part of her job description and gave us another view of Moorong.
It was exciting to see Graham, Alan, Melissa, Allison, Greg, Billah, and Vince, they had all been patients on 7D at RNS with Stuart. They had all made progress with their rehab, many had new electric chairs and were trialling manual chairs.


We helped Stuart unpack and get settled, not a lot of storage space. he will hve a full time job keeping his patch tidy I think.
Stuart went to the dining room for lunch with his fellow rehabers and Iain and I went Putney Shopping centre for our lunch. It is the nearest to Moorong, an easy walk down but a difficult trip back if one is in a wheelchair as the road is quite step.
His first physio session as at 2.30 with Stephanie. She did a full assessment of his level of function, looking at his range of movement, strength and flexibility. There was quite a difference between the left and right legs, as we know. Stephanie then got Stuart up walking with the Canadian crutches, he did really well. Walked up to the yellow box on the floor and then down the red line. the red belt around his waist is called a johnnie belt, gives something for Stephanie to hold if stuart needs help keeping his balance. He then had a go on the 4WW, but did not get so far....the body was pretty tired by now. Very little if any leg spasm today as he was working out. After physio we spent some time in the gym(physio room) chatting with Graham and some of the other patients. Stuart is able to go into the gym anytime and do upper body work on the weights machines. Stuart also got the physios to tick the boxes of his check list form to enable him to have day leave in the near future. The Ot has to tick his car transfer box as well.









Trish one of the OT's caught up with stuart in the gym. They discussed his progress so far and his needs for showering and toileting. Will do a trial run tomorrow morning to see what shower chair and seat he needs.
No "Gloris's" on site for a coffee so we went to the games for a Tim Tam and a coffee. Graeme (ward clerk from 7D) came in to say hello.
While in the games room Stuart was seen by Drs Heriseanu and Slee who will be looking after him while at Moorong. He has his planning meeting, goal setting meeting on the 20th October with the rehab team, driving assessment on the 22nd October and his urodynamics testLooks at bladder capacity and function) at RNS sometime in November.
Iain and I let about 5.30, Stuart was having tea in the dinning room.
The last stage of his rehab has began.

Stormy road trip to Sydney

Monday 5th October
Up and about early at Kauri Pl to get ready for our trip to Sydney.
Alex called up to say good bye and the girls came too. They were able to take home some gear that was not going to make the trip to Sydney with Stuart. Took a while to get everything together, his gear , notes etc and to say good-bye. Needed a large dressing trolley to get everything down to the car, anymore stuff and we would have had to swap cars and come up in the Nisson.
Was hard for Stuart saying farewell to Sue and Luke, we have been on a journey together and again will be separated by distance.



We were on the road by 11.10 and in Yass for lunch, I have never seen the service centre so busy. We seemed to be the only folks eating a packed lunch.
The journey got a bit wild after that , we drove through 3 hailstorms and some very heavy rain. Needless to say the traffic heavy and slow at times. We had an ice cream stop at Pheasants Nest and were at the motel in Ryde about 5.30. Stuart travelled really well, had a good stretch on the bed after we arrived.
We found a pizza shop, had some takeaway and are going to try and watch the cricket from Sth Africa, if we can stay awake. Aussie Aussie Aussie.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Two more sleeps before Moorong.

Sunday 4th October

Lorraine and I woke Stuart at 7.30, he was not impressed as the clocks had gone forward(start of daylight saving) and he had lost an hours sleep, poor boy. We were going home for Sunday pancakes and Ros was coming for birthday pancakes, she had turned 60 on Saturday. Was our first pancakes all together for ages. A lovely morning was had by all.
Amy took Stuart back to Calvary mid morning to do some stretching, a bit of packing before going out for lunch with Alex and her folks.
Stuart came home to Kauri Pl for tea after watching Parramatta (sorry Graham and Peter P) loose the NRL grand final. Was our last curry, meal together before Moorong and the girls going back to Uni. There were 10 for dinner, it was mild so we ate in the courtyard and it was not long before they set the ping pong table up. Stuart had not had a game since the one he had with Alison at physio at RNS on the 26th June. There were lots of laughs and a few wild shots.
Iain and Bec took Stuart back to Calvary about 9.30, one more sleep.



Saturday 3rd October
Stuart was back in 310 for breakfast after a sleepover. Was a dull, overcast sort of morning. Spent the morning sorting through his gear or should I say stuff, had a quite sort of a day.
Got a call from Stuart with late in the afternoon with some sad news. Emma Anderson had sent him a message to say that Olive (one of his room mates on 7D at RNS) had passed away. She was an amazing lady, at 92 yrs of age an inspiration to all. Stuart and Graham enjoyed sharing with her, loved her jokes and the encouragement she gave them. i wnet and picked Stuart up and he came home four a bit before we dropped him at Ryan's for tea. He had a good time catching up with mates they had studied with at Tafe in Sydney( they were in town for the weekend) He was able to show the boys how mch more movement and control he had since being home. There were a few tumbles from his chair as the boys tried to much Stuart's wheelchair skills.
He rolled back onto the ward about 11.30, I was at work and able to tuck him in....only two more sleeps.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Walking again with crutches

Friday 2nd October
Stuart was up and ready when I arrived at 9.30, we were off to join the rest of the Humans at KHS for Maggie's Yr 12 graduation assembly. We caught up with a few friends and then had lunch at Wes's before Stuart's 1.15 physio session.



Teala was keen to get him up on crutches, so after a good stretch he did a circuit of the gym. His had the four point gait working well. Looked rather skinny in his straight leg jeans. Has not put on much weight since being in Wagga Wagga, even with all those home cooked meals.


After walking he did a short balance session on the exercise ball and then onto the plinth for some massage and release work through his shoulders and lower back. Teala managed to stop him talking as well, it was rather painful but he felt good after. The girls arrived to see the end of the session and rolled back up to Calvary with him. Another great day at the office...he was ready for a rest.

"Walking with crutches"

Thursday 1st October
Quiet morning on the ward, Stuart was looking forward to his last physio session with Marcus. Marcus started at 3pm with the usual stretch and then disappeared into a cupboard to return with some crutches. At 3.10 I got a call from Stuart, wanting to know my whereabouts as I was late and they they had something to show me. Stuart had struggled with the traditional crutches so it was back into the cupboard for some Canadian crutches.




I arrived to see a wobbly but in control Stuart on the Canadian crutches. His legs were starting to spasm with the effort by the end. He had the correct gait for crutches, R stick L leg L stick R leg and Marcus was happy with the pattern of his walking, swinging his right leg through. The effort in the pool yesterday was preparation for today.



Marcus and Stuart were both pleased with this achievement....their goal had been to get Stuart up mobilizing with crutches before he returned to rehab in Sydney. All their hard work, effort and pain had paid off. Well done team.



Stuart and I did a couple of jobs on the way home. Stuart then with the help of the girls sorted through the many bags of clothes that were packed when we cleared his flat. His wardrobe selection is now a tad smaller.

He went back to Calvary about 10ish after another family favourite, salmon and chickpea salad. He was a very tired but happy boy.





Wednesday 30th September

"Walking the line in the pool"
Last pool session with Marcus today, Iain went along for a look. Stuart walked into the pool and did a few laps walking up the centre of the pool. Away from the edge, nothing to hang on to, makes him work really hard. He was rather tired by the end and went back to Calvary for a well earned rest.




After lunch he went down town for a hair cut, only his second since the accident. Mind you it is that short he will not be needing one for another 4 months.
I collected him from Morgan St Cycles where he had gone to get a pump and of course talk wheels and bike suspension and stuff. Was approached for the second time since being home in Wagga Wagga to have a go at wheelchair basketball. He is not that keen at the moment, just wants to finish the next stage of his rehab, get driving again and even back to some sort of work.
He had a nap on the couch at home before tea...still tired from the workout in the pool.