So now Mike is fairly settled in Cavit. They are taking great care of him and he seems comfortable. It's a much more comfortable feeling for us knowing that the staff know a heap more than we do about what care he needs. If we aren't at the bedside, they have someone always there, even through the night.
We're gradually learning some of the issues involved in tiredness for Mike. A severe brain injury causes immense fatigue and Mike's bad chest infection increases that tiredness. The Cavit people say that when a brain injured person gets over-tired the brain shuts down for a while and will often lose what it has learnt in the last few days. For example, the nurses got him in a wheelchair and I wheeled him out to a quiet sheltered courtyard where we sat in the sun for about 15 minutes. After even that short time, Mike was exhausted and needed to sleep for about an hour. A complicating factor is that often when the patient is agitated and moving a lot, this is because they are very tired. It's so hard to adjust to when he has always been such a high energy person.
On the bright side, Mike is getting a bit more muscle control and when he is alert he seems to follow more. Mike seems to really like all your messages, so we tell him who has commented on the blog and we read him all your cards and e-mails. When it is from someone we don't know, usually Mike seems to recognise the name. The plus of having a friend with short term memory loss is that your one message must appear new to him, even if we've repeated it lots. Mike also seems to like looking at the cards too. We are not sure if he is reading anything and anyway fatigue would make it hard to concentrate for long on reading. But Mike's Uncle Stuart gave him a book to look at it and he appeared to read the title of it on the title page: "Over My Head". At least he nodded yes when asked if he could read it, and shook his head when asked if the words were "Three Blind Mice".
Mike also took a few steps today while being supported by the physio and a nurse. He is able to hold his head up when standing, but seems only to do so if you stand in front of him and ask him to look at you. Still a long way to go before he can consider Ironman training, but good progress.
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6 comments:
Slowly but surely it seems. You are all doing a fantastic job of both supporting Mike and keeping us all informed. Glad to read Mike is back at Cavitt. All the best
Pauline, Warren and family
Hey Mike and Wilkinson Family,
Am still following your progress daily Mike, and sounds like you are doing a fantastic job! As is your wonderful family.
I've changed my flights to now fly out on 12th so getting rather excited with bags packed and committing maps to memory. (Well trying to).
The first few weeks involves trekking and staying with hill tribes, riding elephants and bamboon rafting. I'll be sure to take lotsa photos for you Mike- I'll make it a goal for them to match to your expectations of "adventure travel".
Keep up the fantastic work.
Lou :-)
Hi, Mum told us about the accident and the website. One very sad but the other a wonderful way to follow progress.
Wonderful to hear that progress is being made, and as mentioned before, willpower is the main ingredient.
Good luck,
Monica Powell
hey Mike
This is Fred Sautet here. We don't know each other but we have heard of each other through Bryce and Tracy. Your father once told me that one of his son was interested in Austrian economics. I now know that it is you and I just wanted to say that next time I am in NZ, it would be great to have a chat about AE (and other things too). I am very impressed with your progress and I wish you the best in your recovery.
A bientot
frederic
Am still following your progress Mike. I am sure your ability to communicate your understanding as a result of reading and listening is both reassuring to your family and yourself. Great to hear that you were up on your feet and taking those first steps. Congratulations.
This blog will certainly provide a valuable diary record for you all and may be so helpful to anyone else who may have a similar experience.
Keep up the great work you Wilkinsons. Brenda H.
Mike,
Its 38 degrees in Abu Dhabi today .Weve leapt over spring straight into summer .We are all sweltering !!! The pool is being put to good useby the westerners but the little Indian and Afghani construction workers erecting the new building next door to us ,work straight through the day !!!!In the middle of summer they tend to fall off the top when they collapse in the heat !!!
Im in my air conditioning I marvel at them . How about aiming for an ironman here ? Susi
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