Wednesday, December 9, 2009

A Marvel-lous trip to Sydney

Monday 7th -Wednesday 9th December


Wednesday

Bit of a mix up with the address the taxi driver was given, so Stuart and I rolled down the hill towards the Putney shops. After a couple of phone calls we found each other and were on our way to RNS.

Took ourselves up to 7D to see of we could leave our luggage there and said hello to some of the staff. We then went around to OT to find Alanna and Dave. Alas Dave was sick and Alanna on the ward. We would have to wait til lunchtime to show her the chair. The gang in physio were pretty impressed with the chair. All of them having a go, with Damien even making a step that he could try the suspension on. Don't think Jayne and Alex were that game.
I went downstairs with the physio team for smoko and Stuart went to X-ray for his test.
All went well and he can continue to pass urine as he needs and catheterize once or twice a day. It is good for him to go to bed with an empty bladder.

Found Alanna in OT and yes she to had a go in the new chair, lots of the other staff had a look as well. Am thinking the chair has been pulled apart at least 4 times already this morning. Stuart got a new pair of gloves of Alanna before we headed down the hill to catch the train from St Leonards into the city.

Stuart walked up the steps into the plane for our return trip to Wagga Wagga. There were plenty of Rex staff around to give him loads of encouragement. Well done mate.







He also walked down the steps onto the tarmac-for the first time in over 6 months and once again the Rex team were there to cheer him on.Rob even having a sit in the chair, being a mountain bike rider he was interested in the suspension. He is continuing to amaze us all with his determined progress.





Tuesday

Got a lift up the hill to Moorong at 9 with Alison's Mum. We were sitting out the front chatting when Ray arrived with the Marvel.





Took them a while to get it put together( to much talking and looking) before Stuart pushed it into the gym to fit /set the chair up for him. The width and length of the seat were changed to suit Stuart's current cushion. The height and angle of the backrest can also be changed with the turn of an alan key. The suspension can be turned on and off with the flick of a button. Am sure Stuart will be making many more fine adjustments over the next few weeks.
There was lots of interest and Stuart was itching to get in it and get outside to try the chair in the rough, test the suspension.









Took the chair outside with Viv and Ray to try the suspension on a gutter and some rough pavement.




Had our lunch on the verandah with Melissa and Serg.
Stuart then was told there was a spot at RNS tomorrow at 10 for him to have his bladder ultrasound and since we were not flying home until tomorrow evening we could do it. Yippee that means one less trip to Sydney. Stuart had a have a ward urinalysis test to make sure he had no urinary tract infection prior to tomorrows test. Result was negative so no antibiotic cover was needed.

Spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with the others still at Moorong and of course Stuart showing the chair to as many as he could. Shannon and Bill(peer support) were pretty impressed. Had some afternoon tea with Graham.



We were then picked up by Linda old friend(from living in the UK) and went across to Croydon for tea. We had not seen each other for about 4 years. They have only just returned from Qatar where Butch had been driving a crane. He also has a couple of old motor bikes that he is working on, he and Stuart spent sometime in the SHED.

Monday

Physio before lunch today, got a morning appointment as we were flying to Sydney later today.

Stuart and I caught the 1.30 Rex flight to Sydney. Good trip, just a little rough as we came in to land. Was a hot day in Sydney. Took as a while to get off the tarmac as a few of his Sydney based workmates came over to say hello.

Dropped Stuart at the Putney shops and I went up the hill to check into the Village(RRCS Accom) and then walked down to hill to meet Stuart and get some milk etc for our breakfasts. Not allowed to use toasters so just cereal and fruit for breakfast. It was quite a long push back up the hill. We were both rather hot and sweaty by the time we got to the top...I had been pushing as well!!
Spent the evening with Tristan and Meaghan.

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