Great to get all your positive comments for Mike. I can see that the Hutt Valley has a bit of an image crisis! It sure felt a wonderful place to us as we drove Mike around for the first time. The small things in life take on such a new meaning. We were armed with clean up gear because brain injured people often get car sick, but not Mike.
Each day Mike gets a little bit better co-ordinated and a tiny bit stronger. It is hard to describe unless you see it close up and notice the micro changes. Where even a week ago he was so shaky I had to get help to transfer him from the wheelchair to his bed, now he is good enough to manage with only me. But they think it will still be six weeks till he is really freely walking on his own.
The fatigue is an on-going issue and we're all still learning about it. Even just Mike lying in bed listening to music or reading tires him. Even having us read to him is not restful enough - he doesn't lose energy, but he doesn't gain it either. So its quite a challenge, particularly for a guy who all his life has been either full on or sound asleep! Any suggestions for ways to rest are welcome! I've been teaching him yoga breathing. I plan to seek out someone to teach him meditation when he has more stamina, but it would have to be someone really willing to adapt their technique to brain injury.
One good thing from his goals though - by July apparently Mike will be doing his own washing and they will have taught him to cook. At that point, we will all move into Cavit with him and he can look after us.
Mike is really enjoying his visitors. Thank you so much to the regulars and the casuals. Just call me if you're planning to visit so I can keep things co-ordinated.
Lee
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8 comments:
Good morning guys,
Good to hear your getting out and about a bit Mike. It would be great to try out some of your famous Beef stock stew when we come down, but we may be too early, late june.
See ya, Paul C.
Still with you all in thought if not in fact.
Very encouraging to see your milestones being passed one by one Mike. Even for ironman it was one step at a time. Now although the steps are smaller the milestone achievements are much greater.
It might be worthwhile investigating Tai Chi. For starters the advancement can be as fast or slow as you wish or can manage and it is now being used for olds to help with balance and reduce falling. Modified forms are also being practiced sitting in a chair. Worth following up. ACC is also in favour I believe.
K & J
hi mike, anneke here!
I just wanted to say as someone also on a long road of recovery your progress is inspiring!
Im finally driving, a huge step in independence for me, after being unable to due to severe anxiety, and then my seizure!
I also undersatnd the fatigue issues! I also suffer greatly, for me therapy can knock me out for a week, as with simply going out with friends for coffee I can be in bed for the next few days afterwards, can be very frustrating!
Oh now that I can drive(I LOVE being able to say that like you wouldn't believe!)I can come out to see you... I wanted to bring chloe to see you, mum used to bring her when I was in hospital and it just lit up my day, just get your ma to let natty know when, kay???
Ok keep up the great work
Anneke
Hello Lee, re teaching Mike to meditate, this would be a wonderful thing. I've been doing it (specifically Transendental Meditation) for 15 years, twice a day, and it does provide profound rest in a way that nothing else does. David and I are so glad to see that Mike is on the mend. Please remind him that we are thinking of him always.
Love, Patricia
Hi Lee, I am not sure I have the hang of this. I am trying to catch up with you again. I am following Mike's wonderful progress with great interest. I want to check out if I am reading the info correctly and Mike would like a visit, even from an "old"?
And I am still interested in having some time out with you, if you can spare the time.
Gail
Hey Mike,
Great to have you writing comments on the blog now too!
Neat to hear about your adventures around the hutt....'wife or two' road hadn't changed then aye!
Did you get my pressie? Thought the 'not for girls' stock of chocolate might hit the spot!
See ya...Kylie
Mike,
It was wonderful to see you on Sunday and see the awesome progress you have made since I last saw you.
We will have to see what we can do about getting some Burger Fuel to you but in the mean time I am sure that Burger Wisconsin is a good alternative!!! Will have to have a coffee with you the next time I am in Wellington. Take care, and keep up the great work.
Wilkinson family. Great to see you over the weekend, you are a truly wonderful family.
Kim McArthur :)
Great to be with you last Thursday Mike. I noticed the improvements you had made in the two weeks since I had previously visited. Speech a bit clearer, eating a bit easier were a couple of things.
You continue to impress me with your persistent pushing the boundaries of your recovery. I really like the way you and Mum and TJ interact to contribute towards your next stage of recovery development with the staff at CAVIT. Regards from me. Uncle William
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