"Man bag"

Last night I managed to get a great nights sleep, from 12mn to 6am without being woken for anything.

Mum and I then went to gym where we had some visitors, Luke and Sue Garlan which was really nice. They sat with Mum and had a chat while I did some upper body work. Sue then sat with me on the plinth while I did some stretching. She was most impressed with the size of my butt, feels I need to work on it just a little!!!
We then hung around after lunch having a chat and a laugh with Graham and his daughters as I had to self catheterize at 2.



It was then off to Chatswood Mall on the train in search of a 'man' bag as mum is now calling it. The bag is to put all my gear in rather than just sitting on/in my lap. I don't trust people having a back pack just slung off the back of the chair. It was a successful trip with the purchase of a bag and no mechanical problems with my chair. However I did forgot to take my neuropathic pain medication at 2pm, it helps knock out all the pins and needles that I get in my legs. I'm not going to forget them again, as its quite painful and it made the last part of my venture to Chatswood rather uncomfortable. It was good to get back to 7D and into bed, it was only when the girls asked me if I had taken my 2 o'clock meds that I realized why my left foot was so painful.


Stuart in front of the old original RNS hospital with the "man bag"

One metre man

Today was another earlish start for Stuart, Tris and I met him and Dave in the carpark to try some car transfers into the Mitsubishi Lancer. This was not so easy, the passenger seat is quite low and Stuart's lanky limbs had trouble fitting in. After many attempts he finally managed to do the transfer in a way that Dave was happy with. Have to be very careful with to not put to much pressure on ones shoulders and protect your skin(bottom and back) as you slide across. Especially as you may be doing this a few times a day for many years to come. We also had a lesson on folding to chair so that we can put it in the car. Bit tricky to get this one in the boot of Tristan's car, had to go behind the drivers seat.







We then wandered back inside and ran into Tony Turner who was in town for a meeting. He had a spare hour and thought he would call in on Stuart, so he came to physio with us. Stuart once again spent sometime on the plinth working on his legs in the sling, even getting onto his right hip to work the left leg, trying to work his butt as well. He then got onto the cycle and managed to peddle /push 1 meter himself before the auto part kicked in. 1 metre by Stuart 600 by machine. He loves the feeling of spinning his legs, getting the circulation and muscles pumping. Tris continued with the fine tuning of THE wheelchair, this time working on the footplate. Alex was laughing, never before had someone worked on their chair so much.





Tris, Stuart and I then shared the leftover curries from Tuesday night, it was very nice even the second time around.
We then headed off in a taxi to the dentist in Mosman. Nick did some root canal work with some pretty funky equipment, put in a dressing and fitted a "fuji" temporary crown/cap. Stuart goes back next week to continue treatment. He was a bit concerned that the root of Stuart's tooth had shrunk a bit , did not go as far up into his gum as the other front tooth. Something called phagoctes, which are the white blood cells that protect the body by ingesting (phagocytosing) harmful foreign particles, bacteria and dead or dying cells have been active in the root after injury. Hopefully there will be no long term damage to the remains of the tooth. Stuart was most impressed as when we rolled in as Nick had "Elbow" playing, they are going to swap some music next visit.
Back to RNS in the taxi, had an enjoyable hour before tea chatting and generally being silly with Graham and the girls. Stuart also did some work on his chair, adjusting the backrest. So glad he is putting the toolkit that I brought back from Wagga Wagga to good use.



Stuart has had another good day with the self catheterization and is going to go 6 hours from midnight to 6am, he is hoping to get a bit more sleep. He is also allowed to increase his oral intake tomorrow to 150mls every hour, dropping back to 100mls at midday. So that he does not put to much pressure on his bladder overnight while he still has no real sensation and is learning the tricks of the trade.
Tonight after he got back into bed he did some stretches, working the most on his hamstrings and hip flexors. I am thinking that tight hamstrings may be hereditary as the rest of the Humans need to stretch regularly as well. Stuart is also starting to get a few spasms in his legs, especially the right one. As we understand this is quite common and hopefully they may settle in time.Will keep our fingers crossed.



As I left Stuart was getting ready to watch the second test from Lords and looking forward to 6 hours sleep.

Go the Blues

Wednesday 15th July
Usual start to the day, continuing on with the self catheterizing and all going well. Lucy is happy with Stuart's progress and sometime tomorrow they will increase the time to 6 hours between the self caths.
Triston arrived at 11 and went off to physio with Stuart, he spent much of the session working on his legs in the sling.
We then were a bit naughty and escaped outdoors and had lunch down at The Forum but not for long as we had an OT session with Dave at 2pm. I left Stuart and Triston to downhill ramps and caught up with them a little later to get a little more instruction on going down steep ramps as you enter a pedestrian crossing. Stuart managed to scrap his foot plate and almost stop his chair coming down onto the crossing on our way back last night. The sudden stop as the footplate grounds really throws his upper body forward. It was good for Tris and I to see the correct technique for such situations.









We then went to Gloria's for a coffee, Stuart had banana bread only as he is on the fluid restriction. It was then back up stairs to have our meeting with the area co- ordinator of life time care and support. We completed all the paperwork and should hear back in 10 working days. If successful this will help with some of Stuart's expenses in the future.
I came away tonight leaving him eating his tea and looking forward to the state of origin, GO THE BLUES.

Dinning Out in Style

Tuesday 14th July
This morning began with the indwelling catheter being removed, it was such a great feeling to be finally free of it. The intermittent self catheterizing is much more comfortable, and a makes mobility that much easier. I am on a fluid restriction of 100mls per hour for a few days and have to catheterize every 4 hrs. Was managing to do this pretty well by the end of the day.

Today at Physio whilst dong the weights session I had a visit from a joint surgeon. He wanted to look at my right knee, where there is cartilage damage(from the MRI they know I have a tear) This involved me getting onto a bed and laying on my back where he moved my knee until it hurt, and my oath it did. I think he though I could not feel anything but Alex assured him I could. He want's to leave the knee and see if it is getting in the way of me during my daily movements and rehab. Alex said to him that I will eventually be weight bearing and should have it sniped and cleaned up. Two different views, it will be interesting to see the outcome. I just want the knee so it dose not hurt when I bend it.

Came back for dinner, and then downstairs with Dad to say good buy as he flew back to Wagga Wagga this afternoon. Then headed back to OT with Dave where I managed to get the run up a low gutter down pat. Yippee.





Mum arrived back in town tonight with Judy and Val(from Canberra). Tristan also called in after work, so we all headed down the road to a nearby Indian restaurant. It was my first real meal outside the hospital, manged to get the chair under the table so I could eat comfortably and the meal was brilliant. It was also fun to put some of my wheelchair skills into use again and to show Judy what I have learn't. Tristan finds the roll of spotter almost as stressful as Mum did at first. They just have to learn to trust me when I am rolling down the hill on the back wheels as I now have the necessary skills and strength to correct my self if I over balance.....I won't fall back and hurt myself!!

Hey there mum, here we go woo!

Today once again started like most week days with bowel care and showering. My doctor came in to have a chat and to see how I'm going with my rehab and asked to see the movement in my leg, to both of our surprise I had movement in my quads, and hip ad-ductors in my left leg. I couldn't move these when I went to bed the night before, every little bit of extra movement has an amazing effect on your body now.

I was up and dressed myself today with no help from any of the nurses, another little plus for me. Then off to Physio to work on my leg, I bumped into Dad on the way there. I Jumped onto the plinth to allow Dad to fix my wheelchair for hopefully the final time! He did an amazing job and it rolls along so much better now. I slid across do do some work on on my new found muscles by taking gravity away, then next step after these muscles get better is to start moving them with the gravity. After this I did a few vertical transfers and I've nearly got the knack of it. These vertical transfers will allow me to get into my chair from the ground(helpful if I do happen to fall out) and also out of a swimming pool etc.

Dad and I came back for lunch where we met up with Graham in his new electric chair, bit more freedom for him and he looked so happy. Dad and I trundled down stairs to get a coffee and fill out the Aust. Post redirection form and a bit of a chat away from everything before we went to OT. Alanna has now got to the point where she can't teach me any more wheelchair skills so now its just practice on what she has taught me. We first tried some up and down ramps and uphill techniques. Which involves leaning as far forward as possible and then using your body weight to propel yourself forward up the hill. Downhill is running down on the back wheels, which I've managed to get the hang of really well now. We then went to hit the gutters again, getting down is now a subconscious movement. Up is still a tricky one, which I was able to manage on the low gutter, but the high one still is toubling me, I'll get it one day.

The day ended with a chat with Lucy the CNS, who taught Dad and I all about self catheterization. This will all begin at 8 tomorrow morning, where I'll have my indwelling catheter removed and then self catheterize every 4 hours. I will be on a fluid restriction, only allowed 100mls per hour and have to keep a accurate record of my oral intake. The surgical dressers will help me with the catheter bit until I get the hang of it. These guys help with my bowel care each day as well. It will be great to be able to shower, do my transfers and go to Physio etc and not have to worry about pulling or disconnecting the catheter and loose the bag strapped to my leg. Just great to get rid of it!

The choices for dinner tonight were a bit limited so Dad and I were going to get fish and chips from the cafeteria downstairs. Early night as the cricket(first test) is over and its a rest day in the cycling. Will see what tomorrow brings.

Stuart

Lazy Sunday

Today I managed to have my first real sleep in, 9am it was not much but it was good to break the routine a little bit. From then I had plans to have a very lazy Sunday. Second cousin Emma Powell came to visit me at around 11 and I was still in bed. Not long after this Shane and Belinda came, I went to Tafe with Shane and I haven't seen him since then, pity the circumstances couldn't be better for out meet.



I had lunch in bed, still running on my lazy weekend. Dad pestering me to eat quicker, nothing changes eh! But I am a slow eater. I then managed to knock off my temporary crown on my front tooth which was a bit frustrating, back to eating through one side again. The nursing staff, well Amy and Allison were giving me a hard time about still being in bed, so up I got. I always do what I am told. Emma, Dad and I then headed down for a coffee. I didn't want to venture to far as Dad and I were not able to find a spanner to fix the wheels on my chair. Emma and I were pondering on how we were actually related, this sparked Dad to start a impromptu family tree scribbled on a Gloria Jeans napkin.We had to call Mum once to check some finer details. It was good to sit down for an hour trying to nut it out and working out where everyone fits in. Took our minds out of the hospital for a bit.



My evening once again was going to be a bit lazy one, watching the cricket highlights, then the cycling followed by more of the cricket. But I got a surprise visit from Katia Fisher and her Mum, they came with gifts, more chocolates and magazines. When the days get slower it will be great to have all the reading material. They stayed for a while having a chat and a laugh, and now I'm back to watching the cricket, come on Australia. All in all it was good to have a slightly normal day, with no Physio or OT or worrying about public transport.

Short and sweet, not much about recovering or rehab but hey, having a nice slow day is always helpful to a healthy recovery eh.
Stuart

Long Day in the Saddle

Today Stu's visitors started early. Ros flew in from Wagga Wagga at 9:30, she was in Sydney for the State age netball and dropped in on the way through. When she turned up the nurses said Stu your wife is here! Stuart was showered and siting on the bed like Buddha drying his feet.Iain turned up at about 10 and met Ron and Lisa (school friends from Wagga Wagga) coming out of the lift. They had tavelled up from Nowra on the train a 5:00 start for them.



At 11:00 we set off for Chatswood by train. Stuart finds the train easier to get on and off at this stage.The trip initially was check out a replacement for his sick unwell mobile, but seeing it had come back to life Friday evening he just checked out his options. Does one buy a new phone or change over to a new plan and pay the breach of contract fee.....food for thought and no rush now as the old one is working.
While Stu was maneuvering around on the train (a learning experience for Iain, Ron and Lisa) he discovered that the left hand axle was loose. We will need another large spanner to fix it.Seems that when the wheels were shifted to sort out the chair's balance point the axles were not put back in quite the same place. That sort of curtailed the outing to a coffee and doughnut. Movie next time maybe.



Got a call from Janet, who was in Wagga to say that Jill Tainsh(Deniliquin) was at the hospital to see Stu. We jumped on the train back to St Leonards to catch up with Jill and Finn her grandson at the Forum food court. She gave us all the Denilquin gossip while having lunch (more MacDonald's grease for Stu). Jill and Finn caught a taxi back to Botany and Stu and Iain rolled back to the Hospital at about 3:30. Long day in the saddle for Stuart. He hopped back into bed and did some hamstring, leg and back stretching.
Dini came in and explained the ins and outs of his centerlink application,all too
complicated for the average bear,but Stu has a grip on it. After a long day I left Stuart tucked in bed watching the Tour de France highlights. Wandering who and what Sunday will bring on 7D.

Puncture Repair

Change of plans today, Dave from OT came to see if Stuart was up for some wheelchair gutter training at 10 o'clock. So into the shower and up in the chair quick smart. They spent the hour downstairs going up and down and up!! the downs are brilliant, but still having some trouble with the ups. Dave thought that if they move the rear wheels back it might help Stuart with the lift and the forward motion. Stuart had to then push the demo chair back to the ward, helps develop chair control with one hand.



So while Stuart was in physio showing Alex the art of removing and repairing the inner tube, Dave made some adjustments to the wheelchair. Stuart and Alex's first attempt failed. (the patch leaked) So Stuart retired to the plinth to do some stretches which are important especially when you are in that sitting position and pushing through your arms and shoulders. Tis good to get onto his stomach and stretch, he really does enjoy it. Alex and I then had another go at the puncture repair with success GIRLS RULE, but I do have to admit that we needed his help to get the last 6" of tyre onto the rim.








We then pumped up the tyres and Stuart put them back on the chair.



We then went back to 7D and had lunch together in the sitting room. Stuart was in demand, had an MRI of his R knee at 2pm and Lucy(CNS) was keen to do some education on catheterization. It was all go, so Stuart put the session with Lucy until next week.

So Maggie and I went down in the lift with him on his way to MRI (he had go back into bed for this as the Xray table is to high to transfer to from the chair) We then went back to Mosman prior to heading back to Wagga Wagga tonight. Iain headed back to physio to do some more adjustments to the chair. He swapped the front wheels so that they swivel more freely and changed his brakes to scissor brakes which gives Stuart the ability to push on and through the wheel. They fit under the frame and out of the way when not in use.

Stuart's day was derailed by the dropping of his phone off the plinth in physio. It no longer works, well not very well. Very frustrating as it's one thing that keeps him sane and in touch with all his mates. Hopefully he will get to Chatswood tomorrow and get a replacement.

News flash. I got a call from Stuart at 8.45pm on his mobile, yes it was working.

Trainer wheels off !!!!!!

When I arrived at 11am there was great excitement in the room as Graham was up in the wheelchair, it was a big moment for everyone but especially Emma and Leah his daughters. Many photographs were taken.



We then rolled around to physio as Stuart had a thumb tack in his tyre and he wanted to patch or change the tube, but alas there were patches but no tyre leavers. So he changed wheels and made a quick call to Iain to get him to bring some from the shed. Stuart is going to give a demo and workshop for the girls(physios) tomorrow on repairing punctures. Am thinking he could earn some cash on the side doing chair maintenance.

After lunch it was off to physio as usual. Stuart did a warm up on the passive leg cycle machine, some dips on the parallel bars....this exercise is hard work. He then did some work on his abductors in the traction. We then had a visit from Melissa who also up in a chair for the first time today. She looked great and loved seeing what Stuart was doing at physio. Damien then got him into another quickie, a green machine this time....it took some time and needed some delicate modifications with a rubber mallet. Say no more!!!!!





We then went outside for half an hour of gutter jumping. Alanna has allowed Stuart to take the tippy wheels(trainers) off the back of his chair. He has great skills for going down the gutters but still needs to work on the ups. Will still need a spotter, person behind when going up gutters and ramps etc. Maggie and Iain arrived in time for this session. Iain could see a huge improvement from the first session that he and Stuart did on outdoor wheelchair skills.





Over the last couple of weeks we have been clearing Stuart's flat as Tristan his flat mate has a transfer to Sydney and Stuart will move back home after rehab. Maybe he takes after his Mother cause boy does he have some stuff. Amy's room has become the storeroom

The Purple Quickie

Up and showered early (and dressed himself with just a little help), as we were going to The Forum for an early lunch. But first we rolled around to physio to swap wheelchairs. Greg another patient needed a chair with flip up footplates(as he can stand with support and weight bear) and Stuart was very happy to have the chair with the fixed foot plate.





We then headed down to The Forum(train station) to meet Rodney, Mary and Jeremy. Stuart and I practiced our wheelchair skills on the way. It was great to catch up and be outdoors. they then walked back with us, Jeremy helping Stuart just a little to get up the hill so that we would get to physio on time. Stuart was extremely happy with the purple quickie chair, it felt more sturdy, rolled easier especially on the carpet and rough concrete. The angle of the back rest can be adjusted to help Stuart get a better position for pushing uphill.

Physio was extremely tough for Stuart today with some serious hamstring stretches on the plinth followed by some vertical lifts. This are an important skill one needs to get into the wheelchair from the ground or floor, for example to get into your chair if you fall out of your chair or want to say sit on the grass.


It was then off to OT where we spent the session today chatting to Alanna about Stuart's next goals and other things we can start working on prior to heading to Moorong. Things like undressing in the chair, getting a commode to suit his needs and body shape,getting into a car on a slope and continuing to work on the wheelchair skills. Also looking at modifications that will need to be made to 1 Kauri Pl for Stuart to return home after rehabilitation.
We then headed back to the ward, Stuart went to catch up with Melissa an ex room-mate and then had his lunch(at 4.30pm) and then his tea at 5.30. Hoping he can put some weight on!!! Stuart was able to get himself into bed, undressed and connect his urine leg bag to the overnight bag.




The other exciting event today was seeing Graham sitting up in his bed, the physio's sat him up gradually to 55 degrees and turned his bed around so that he could see the sky and the view from the window. It the first time in a few months that he has not been flat on his back, tomorrow he is hoping to get into a highback tilt chair.



All in all another satisfactory day at the office.

The Three C's

Commode car and coffee.



Stuart slept in until 9am this morning, tired after yesterday and oblivious of the ward noises with his new head phones. He was in the shower when I arrived.Got a good look at his suture line this morning and decided to share it with you all.


Alanna then came to show Stuart how to transfer from the shower Chair/ Commode to the bed and back. Tis quite different from the wheelchair as the seat is padded and it is less stable??
He then had a couple of hours in bed prior to heading to physio where today he worked his upper body/ arms on the cable weights.
It was then off to the carpool carpark to have a go at Car transfers with Alanna. He managed to get himself into the passenger seat of a Holden Astra. Looked tricky and a little awkward but he did it twice. He also had a go a getting a wheel off the chair, something that has to be done to get the chair in the car. When he gets the next chair once the wheels are off, the chair will fold up and he will then put it on the back seat. The car transfers were quite strenuous and Stuart and I headed off for a Coffee. Another good day at the office.
Stuart and I dined together tonight watching the tour highlights on SBS. Another tasty meal brought in for us by Meaghan.

Train/Bus/Taxi and Dentist

Janet's blog
What a big day! Stuart was dressed and in his wheelchair at 10.15 when Chandanni and I arrived. We headed off to Chatswood walking down the hill to St Leonards Station.

Suddenly the camber of the footpath and the gradient are of importance. A bit like on the bike, a slight increase in the gradient means a big increase in the effort needed to climb it(chair or bike) the train trip was good, the station staff getting the ramp that allowed Stuart and John to get onto the train. We used the the lifts to get to and from the platforms.





Once we got to Chatswood we were allowed to explore on our own, check out the floor plan, where the lifts were etc. Stuart did some shopping and Chandanni and I tagged along. We caught up with Alanna and the rest of the gang in the food court for lunch, Stuart had a McDonalds burger....shame on him!!! The return journey was by bus, perhaps not quite as easy as the train. But certainly easier for Stuart in the manual chair, was much harder for John to park the electric chair in the allocated space and keep out of the way of other passengers.



We arrived back in time for Stuart to attend the 2pm physio session.....he enjoyed some time on the plinth laying on his back and then his tummy prior to us heading off to the Dentist. We then said good-bye to Chandanni and got the taxi to To Mosman for our appointment. Stuart enjoyed the trip in the taxi today, seemed to feel more secure and relaxed, plus the taxi driver and Stuart talked about rabbits,crows and shooting.
The Dentist was fantastic, Stuart can now smile-he removed the broken part of the tooth and a temporary cap/filling has been formed over the exposed nerve and what remains of the tooth. We have another appointment later next week.
Jess and Tom caught up with us along Military Road, we did a spot of shopping for Stuart's new room mate who is from Coffs Harbour and then caught a cab back to RNS.
I left Stuart tucked up in bed eating his evening meal and checking out Jess and Tom's photos from New Zealand.

Stuart's blog
Today was a bit hectic in the morning as we had to be ready to go at 10:30 to Chatswood. It was so good to be outside again, and Alanna took the tippy bars off so I free to do as many wheelies as I liked! We headed down the hill to the train station in St Leonards, where I learnt how to inform the guards that I need a ramp and to make sure they know where I'm going so they can be ready with the ramp at the other end. Otherwise I'm stuck on the train until it reaches the end of the line...

Once off the train it was a nice downhill run to the Westsfield where Mum, Chandanni and I were let loose on the mall. We headed Myer where I bought a nice set of Bose headphones which will knock out all the outside sounds in the ward and I'll be right to sleep now. It was good to learn how to navigate around the mall, having to dodge signs and other people and trying to get sales staff to see me. We then headed to the food court where I felt the urge for McDonalds for some strange reason. One thing I found difficult to get my head around was not being able to see anyone. Going from being 6 ft tall to about 5 makes it really hard! We then headed back up to learn how to use the bus as a mode of transport. Whilst waiting for the bus a man rolled past in a very flash looking wheelchair. I watched him get into the bus, he just lifted his front wheels up then grabbed the handles inside the door and just pulled himself into the bus. Bring on the time I'm able to do that, I think I need to lift a few more weights to get there. The bus ride was as you would expect, like riding on a bus, just that I brought my own chair.



When we got back to the hospital I headed around to the gym for physio. Alex rigged me up on the plinth so I could do some more work on my leg muscles. She asked me if I could move any more muscles, when asked to move my toes they responded! It was such a relief, unfortunately I was not able to get them to move for mum when she came back. But they moved so I can move them again. After physio I had a dental appointment, another taxi ride, this time I knew what to expect and rather enjoyed rocking around in the back of the van. The dentist was so good, really helpful for me in the wheelchair, much better than I expected. He pulled out the chipped section of my front tooth, he said the tooth was still intact in my gum, which is good news. All I'll need is some route canal therapy and then a crown, much better than a bridge or a plate. He also covered my tooth so I can now eat food without having to cut it up into little bits which is such a relief.



Jess and Tom met Mum and I up towards Spit road where we did a bit of lolly shopping for me and mum got some toiletries for Nathan, a new bloke who only came in at 10:30 last night from Coffs and had nothing with him, bit like me when I first came to RNS. Jess and Tom stayed for a bit at the hospital showing me the photos of their trip to NZ snowboarding.