Yesterday (Friday 9th September), a bit under seven months since the accident, I was discharged from Cavit. Although I will still have to go in for physiotherapy as an outpatient, my discharge was a nice milestone to achieve.
I will probably go out with my family over the next few days to celebrate the discharge. The change of scene will be nice but the battle won’t end, though. I’ll still have to do my best in my recovery from here on in.
The next step in my recovery is the process of getting back to work and contributing to the economy again rather than being so lazy. First though, I get to live off the fatted calf at Mum and Dad's and do nothing while I work out what deficits I have and what strategies I can use for them for about six weeks.
It's a bit hard for me to remember, though it is probably easier for others and I have received reminders from people, what I was like and how much help I needed and how far I’ve come. The days when I couldn’t talk or get around like I can now seem like ages ago, though. Like another lifetime.
My recovery is possibly a bit weird for permanent residents at Cavit. They see a guy come in who is initially worse than them, slowly improves and then is eventually discharged while they’re still there. They’re good guys, though, and I’ll do my best to stay in touch.
This will be my last post on the blog although my parents might well put a final post on. The blog has been a fantastic way of letting people know how things are going. Before the accident I think I knew what a blog was, but not how useful they could be. I offer my thanks to my sister whose idea it was. Without it my family and I would have had to repeat ourselves a hell of a lot more.
My final post seems like a good time to start another round of more complete thanks yous. My thanks go to my immediate and extended families. This journey would have been a lot harder without your support. My thanks also go to all the medical staff involved with my recovery. The guidance that you were able to provide was awesome. Thanks for keeping me alive even though I did my best to check out there a couple of times. It’s fortunate that I can say I think that checking out was something I could have been better at it. My thanks also go to my co-accidentee, Ben Schurr. That must have been a very tough call to make to my Dad telling my parents about the accident. It is a credit to you that you coped with everything and still completed a very good Ironman two weeks later.
I have heard about people who face some sort of ostracisation after accidents similar to mine. My post card covered wall at Cavit would have attested to the fact that that hasn’t been a problem for me. The support from everyone, including from people all over the world, has been amazing.
I understand quite a few people read this blog who haven’t even met me. If you’re one of those people I hope you didn’t find my musings too weird. I also hope to meet you all at some stage. To everyone else I hope to meet you again sometime in the not too distant future.
Cheers for keeping track of me,
Mike
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk
Since the last two posts were very philosophical, I thought we had better talk about something more normal in this post. The last 7 days involved the passing of a few walking milestones. Over last weekend, I had a go at walking down and up the path behind Parliament, using my stick, that I will use to get to work. I got a bit puffed going up it, but what was physiologically more difficult was getting down it. I had trouble regulating my speed and had to come to a complete stop pretty regularly to make sure I didn't go too fast. Apparently, that is due to difficulties for the quads in paying out properly.
On Tuesday, I walked, with my stick, to the Epuni shops, which are a bit under a km from the hospital, with my physio, Sue. I got about 200m back when my core muscles gave up and my hips started moving in odd directions. It is a bit of a strange thing when your core muscles get tired. It's like you know how your muscles should move to allow you to stay balanced, but even concentrating on making them move that way doesn't fix your difficulties. Fortunately, Sue was pushing my wheelchair so I was able to use that.
On Thurday, I walked, again using the stick, down to Janus Café, the local café and the reason that David Haines lost his bet about cafes in the Hutt not having couches. Finally, on Friday, I walked to within about 100m of the main hospital café, which also has couches, without using my stick. Again, my core muscles gave up with that short distance left and I had to use my stick, which my speech and language therapist was carrying. I might be able to talk the talk ok, but I can only walk the walk for so long.
My muscle fatigue underlines the fact that there will not be a day when I suddenly can walk and run normally. Everything will have to be fought for and earnt. It is only comparatively recently, say over the last few months, that this has become apparent to me, even though it is probably exceedingly obvious to most people. We'd like to recover immediately, but good things take time, I guess.
Cheers,
Mike
On Tuesday, I walked, with my stick, to the Epuni shops, which are a bit under a km from the hospital, with my physio, Sue. I got about 200m back when my core muscles gave up and my hips started moving in odd directions. It is a bit of a strange thing when your core muscles get tired. It's like you know how your muscles should move to allow you to stay balanced, but even concentrating on making them move that way doesn't fix your difficulties. Fortunately, Sue was pushing my wheelchair so I was able to use that.
On Thurday, I walked, again using the stick, down to Janus Café, the local café and the reason that David Haines lost his bet about cafes in the Hutt not having couches. Finally, on Friday, I walked to within about 100m of the main hospital café, which also has couches, without using my stick. Again, my core muscles gave up with that short distance left and I had to use my stick, which my speech and language therapist was carrying. I might be able to talk the talk ok, but I can only walk the walk for so long.
My muscle fatigue underlines the fact that there will not be a day when I suddenly can walk and run normally. Everything will have to be fought for and earnt. It is only comparatively recently, say over the last few months, that this has become apparent to me, even though it is probably exceedingly obvious to most people. We'd like to recover immediately, but good things take time, I guess.
Cheers,
Mike
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Am I Going Bonkers?
This post like last week's post is about my thinking rather than any particular event, but some news first. A friend sent me a quote after last week's post that I liked so much I decided to put it on the blog. It is from former Israeli prime minister, Golda Meir, who said "Don't be humble. You're not that great."
My second bit of news is that during the week my physio said it was ok for me to get around places with predictable terrain like Cavit without my stick. She had a good look at my walk before she said that. One of my problems that will, hopefully, pass with time is that, occasionally, I try and transfer my weight on to the foot in the air before it is on the ground. That causes the foot to come down too early. My physio thinks that I should stop doing that in time, but, in the mean time, the stick should make me think about it more and be more useful when the terrain isn't flat or predictable.
The main reason for this post and the reason for the strange title is to tell you about what I am thinking what life will be like post-discharge. I have managed to avoid the common head injury patient desire to get back home earlier than is sensible. However, I don't seem to have avoided the common head injury patient belief that help won't be needed after discharge. I do accept that I will need some physiotherapy after I'm discharged, but it's sort of hard to ignore the issue when you have trouble walking. I don't, however, believe that I will need much more therapy like occupational therapy.
The issue has arisen recently in a meeting between me, my Mum, the clinical leader and the occupational therapist who is most likely to give me help (if I need it :-) after discharge. It has also been an issue in thinking about going away for a trip post-discharge.
This belief creates an interesting situation for me because I am aware that it is so common for head injury patients to believe what they believe despite the common need for help post-discharge. I spend a bit of time wondering if my thinking actually is irrational and if maybe I'm going bonkers.
Still, I might be right (hopefully) and my physio says the difference with me is that I'm willing to listen to what people have to say, but this doesn't stop me wondering if I might be thinking irrationally. How do you ever know if you're going crazy, I guess?
Cheers,
Mike
My second bit of news is that during the week my physio said it was ok for me to get around places with predictable terrain like Cavit without my stick. She had a good look at my walk before she said that. One of my problems that will, hopefully, pass with time is that, occasionally, I try and transfer my weight on to the foot in the air before it is on the ground. That causes the foot to come down too early. My physio thinks that I should stop doing that in time, but, in the mean time, the stick should make me think about it more and be more useful when the terrain isn't flat or predictable.
The main reason for this post and the reason for the strange title is to tell you about what I am thinking what life will be like post-discharge. I have managed to avoid the common head injury patient desire to get back home earlier than is sensible. However, I don't seem to have avoided the common head injury patient belief that help won't be needed after discharge. I do accept that I will need some physiotherapy after I'm discharged, but it's sort of hard to ignore the issue when you have trouble walking. I don't, however, believe that I will need much more therapy like occupational therapy.
The issue has arisen recently in a meeting between me, my Mum, the clinical leader and the occupational therapist who is most likely to give me help (if I need it :-) after discharge. It has also been an issue in thinking about going away for a trip post-discharge.
This belief creates an interesting situation for me because I am aware that it is so common for head injury patients to believe what they believe despite the common need for help post-discharge. I spend a bit of time wondering if my thinking actually is irrational and if maybe I'm going bonkers.
Still, I might be right (hopefully) and my physio says the difference with me is that I'm willing to listen to what people have to say, but this doesn't stop me wondering if I might be thinking irrationally. How do you ever know if you're going crazy, I guess?
Cheers,
Mike
Saturday, August 20, 2005
My 'Miraculous' Recovery
This post is more about my thinking rather than any particular event. I mentioned what I thought about my 'miraculous' recovery and how it didn't feel miraculous a few posts ago in regard to writing a book about my experiences but I have been doing some more thinking about it this week so you have to put up with a more complete post about it.
Nearly everyone I meet, if I know them, wants to tell me how amazing or miraculous (or some other similar superlative) my recovery is. It doesn't really matter but I don't like talking about it because generally I can think of better things to talk about. The main thing, however, is that I don't like talking about it because it feels immodest because it implies that my efforts are amazing or miraculous when it's probably all a matter of luck or something else outside of my control.
This probably seems like a funny thing to think about, but people bring it up so often that if you are at all uncomfortable about it you are forced to deal with it.
My parents point out that I can't remember how bad I was when I was in hospital and that it probably seems amazing or miraculous to those who can. While this might be true (I have remembered some more pre-accident stuff but early April is still my earliest memory post-accident) it doesn't change the fact that I feel slightly uncomfortable about it.
My Dad was telling a close family friend and a former chemistry buddy of his about things shortly after my accident and they hoped that the "variance would be my friend." By that, they mean that my recovery would, hopefully, be above average. Indeed, it seems the variance has been my friend and there is lots to remind me of how easily things could have been so much worse. Again though, I feel uncomfortable that my recovery could be attributed to much more than good luck or some other outside force.
My thinking this week was based around what to say when people start talking about it. I discussed the issue with family, Cavit staff and a few unfortunate close friends. The best idea came from my physio, Sue, who said that if people try and tell me my recovery is miraculous I should change the subject by saying that miracles are for French peasants.
It seems inevitable that people are going to say whatever comes to mind though, so I thought the problem is probably with my definition of immodesty rather than with other people. Perhaps, it's not immodest to accept but not endorse such comments. So, now I'm going to accept such comments but offer none of my own views on them.
This probably seems like an awfully long thought process to arrive at a simple conclusion, but that's the price of doing my best to keep my modesty, I guess.
Cheers,
Mike
Nearly everyone I meet, if I know them, wants to tell me how amazing or miraculous (or some other similar superlative) my recovery is. It doesn't really matter but I don't like talking about it because generally I can think of better things to talk about. The main thing, however, is that I don't like talking about it because it feels immodest because it implies that my efforts are amazing or miraculous when it's probably all a matter of luck or something else outside of my control.
This probably seems like a funny thing to think about, but people bring it up so often that if you are at all uncomfortable about it you are forced to deal with it.
My parents point out that I can't remember how bad I was when I was in hospital and that it probably seems amazing or miraculous to those who can. While this might be true (I have remembered some more pre-accident stuff but early April is still my earliest memory post-accident) it doesn't change the fact that I feel slightly uncomfortable about it.
My Dad was telling a close family friend and a former chemistry buddy of his about things shortly after my accident and they hoped that the "variance would be my friend." By that, they mean that my recovery would, hopefully, be above average. Indeed, it seems the variance has been my friend and there is lots to remind me of how easily things could have been so much worse. Again though, I feel uncomfortable that my recovery could be attributed to much more than good luck or some other outside force.
My thinking this week was based around what to say when people start talking about it. I discussed the issue with family, Cavit staff and a few unfortunate close friends. The best idea came from my physio, Sue, who said that if people try and tell me my recovery is miraculous I should change the subject by saying that miracles are for French peasants.
It seems inevitable that people are going to say whatever comes to mind though, so I thought the problem is probably with my definition of immodesty rather than with other people. Perhaps, it's not immodest to accept but not endorse such comments. So, now I'm going to accept such comments but offer none of my own views on them.
This probably seems like an awfully long thought process to arrive at a simple conclusion, but that's the price of doing my best to keep my modesty, I guess.
Cheers,
Mike
Friday, August 12, 2005
Painting the Town Red
On Tuesday (9th August) night, I went to the Business Roundtable's 2005 Sir Ron Trotter lecture. The event, held at Te Papa, was very flash and it was the first time I had worn a suit since the accident. I was using my walking stick to get around and, apparently, if I twirled it and put on a top hat I would have looked something like Fred Astaire.
The evening passed pretty much ok except near the start I had a drink of orange juice in my hand when someone lightly bumped in to me. Before the accident it wouldn't have mattered, but this time I managed to spill quite a bit of orange juice. Not the safest pair of hands now, I guess.
The lecture itself was good. It was given by a US academic economist, Tyler Cowen, and was on globalisation and culture. I found I needed to make more of a conscious effort to concentrate during some parts of the speech. For instance, I found that I couldn't remember what the question was that was asked as Prof. Cowen answered it.
My concentration also cropped up as an issue at other times. At one stage, a man on one side of me was talking to a man seated two away on the other side of me. While the man seated two away from me was speaking I thought there was no way the other bloke could have heard, given he was further away than me. I must have been concentrating less, though, than the other bloke, because he answered straight away without clarification.
All in all, I enjoyed the lecture, though, and my fatigue allowed me to stay on a bit afterwards. Who would have thought an economics lecture could be so exciting?
Cheers,
Mike
The evening passed pretty much ok except near the start I had a drink of orange juice in my hand when someone lightly bumped in to me. Before the accident it wouldn't have mattered, but this time I managed to spill quite a bit of orange juice. Not the safest pair of hands now, I guess.
The lecture itself was good. It was given by a US academic economist, Tyler Cowen, and was on globalisation and culture. I found I needed to make more of a conscious effort to concentrate during some parts of the speech. For instance, I found that I couldn't remember what the question was that was asked as Prof. Cowen answered it.
My concentration also cropped up as an issue at other times. At one stage, a man on one side of me was talking to a man seated two away on the other side of me. While the man seated two away from me was speaking I thought there was no way the other bloke could have heard, given he was further away than me. I must have been concentrating less, though, than the other bloke, because he answered straight away without clarification.
All in all, I enjoyed the lecture, though, and my fatigue allowed me to stay on a bit afterwards. Who would have thought an economics lecture could be so exciting?
Cheers,
Mike
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Computer Geek
This is one of those posts where one subject on its own isn't enough to write a post about but collectively the subjects can turn into something substantial enough.
Firstly, some slightly bad news. I had another chat with my physio during the week about a leaving date and when, previously, she had said that they could think about discharging me sometime in August I realised I should have interpreted her literally and that this didn't mean they would be likely to discharge me until September,
On the face of it, getting discharged a month later than I thought might be a bit of a bad step, but I didn't think I would have been ready to be discharged by the end of August. A discharge sometime in September gives me more time to exceed expectations.
To be well enough to be discharged I have to be able to walk without it mattering if I get distracted (by people talking, for instance) and do things like look over my shoulder while walking. I'm getting closer but I'm not there yet. My latest milestone is that I am now able to walk without an aid between my physio gym and the dining room which is a distance of about 50m thee times. My hips start moving in the wrong way towards the end of the third go, which is apparently a result of muscle fatigue, but it's not enough to stop me finishing off the walk.
My Mum has also put me on to a website that offers programmes for people to practice using their brain power. If you click on the link (My Brain Trainer) or type www.mybraintrainer.com into your address line you will be taken to the site. It is actually designed for normal people (those without brain injuries) and if you click on Take the Challenge you can try an exercise for free. The score to beat is about 127-128, which was set by my brother on his first go.
As predicted by the medical staff, my reaction speed is significantly below average but improving. It seems a bit geeky to rely on my computer for some of my recovery, but what can you do? Before you have a go at the challenge could you pass me my pocket protector?
Cheers,
Mike
Firstly, some slightly bad news. I had another chat with my physio during the week about a leaving date and when, previously, she had said that they could think about discharging me sometime in August I realised I should have interpreted her literally and that this didn't mean they would be likely to discharge me until September,
On the face of it, getting discharged a month later than I thought might be a bit of a bad step, but I didn't think I would have been ready to be discharged by the end of August. A discharge sometime in September gives me more time to exceed expectations.
To be well enough to be discharged I have to be able to walk without it mattering if I get distracted (by people talking, for instance) and do things like look over my shoulder while walking. I'm getting closer but I'm not there yet. My latest milestone is that I am now able to walk without an aid between my physio gym and the dining room which is a distance of about 50m thee times. My hips start moving in the wrong way towards the end of the third go, which is apparently a result of muscle fatigue, but it's not enough to stop me finishing off the walk.
My Mum has also put me on to a website that offers programmes for people to practice using their brain power. If you click on the link (My Brain Trainer) or type www.mybraintrainer.com into your address line you will be taken to the site. It is actually designed for normal people (those without brain injuries) and if you click on Take the Challenge you can try an exercise for free. The score to beat is about 127-128, which was set by my brother on his first go.
As predicted by the medical staff, my reaction speed is significantly below average but improving. It seems a bit geeky to rely on my computer for some of my recovery, but what can you do? Before you have a go at the challenge could you pass me my pocket protector?
Cheers,
Mike
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Training Day(s)
I thought I'd talk about something I'd already mentioned like I did for the walking in this post so you have to put up with me talking about my training. Back on 4th July I had my first session on an exercycle. I think I wrote on the blog at the time that the exercycle was the idea of a friend's sister who was seriously injured in a car versus pedestrian accident a few year ago but now is extremely fit.
I have been on the exercycle a few times since and it's great to be active again. If, in the future, I appear to be taking the ability to get fit for granted I am giving permission to people to tell me off. I haven't been too often because my physio feels responsible for me and wants to come too, but it still feels great. My physio wanting to come too creates quite a big problem for me because I would rather do balance exercises with her than train. Hopefully, I will get discharged soon and I can get an exercycle to use at home. The quality of the exercycles at the hospital makes me a bit fussy. I will probably get my old pedals from Paraparaumu and buy some new clips and shoes (my old ones were never returned). I am a bit of an exercise snob after all.
The exercycle has a number of advantages over other forms of exercise. I can’t run or swim normally yet and I am meant to stay off the road while riding for a bit. Also, the more observant of you might have noticed that the article written about me recently mentioned I had some double vision. In certain directions I find I have two images, which is the result of my eyes pointing very slightly in different directions. Apparently, this will have been caused by fragile nerves between my eyes and brain getting shaken up in the accident and will come right either in time or by operation. The double vision would also prevent me from riding on the road.
The exercycling will be more helpful if I am able to ride again in the future. This is not guaranteed, because my balance while riding may be a bit of a problem. I haven't done anything to make me think it will be a problem yet, but I guess we won't find out for sure until I get enough truck strength to try riding again.
If I can't ride I will probably just take up running or something. Even if I devote myself to running full time I still don't think I'll be as quick as my ironman training mate and co-accidentee, Ben 'The Hammer' Schurr. There are plenty of sports to try, though, even if we can't be good at all of them.
Cheers,
Mike
I have been on the exercycle a few times since and it's great to be active again. If, in the future, I appear to be taking the ability to get fit for granted I am giving permission to people to tell me off. I haven't been too often because my physio feels responsible for me and wants to come too, but it still feels great. My physio wanting to come too creates quite a big problem for me because I would rather do balance exercises with her than train. Hopefully, I will get discharged soon and I can get an exercycle to use at home. The quality of the exercycles at the hospital makes me a bit fussy. I will probably get my old pedals from Paraparaumu and buy some new clips and shoes (my old ones were never returned). I am a bit of an exercise snob after all.
The exercycle has a number of advantages over other forms of exercise. I can’t run or swim normally yet and I am meant to stay off the road while riding for a bit. Also, the more observant of you might have noticed that the article written about me recently mentioned I had some double vision. In certain directions I find I have two images, which is the result of my eyes pointing very slightly in different directions. Apparently, this will have been caused by fragile nerves between my eyes and brain getting shaken up in the accident and will come right either in time or by operation. The double vision would also prevent me from riding on the road.
The exercycling will be more helpful if I am able to ride again in the future. This is not guaranteed, because my balance while riding may be a bit of a problem. I haven't done anything to make me think it will be a problem yet, but I guess we won't find out for sure until I get enough truck strength to try riding again.
If I can't ride I will probably just take up running or something. Even if I devote myself to running full time I still don't think I'll be as quick as my ironman training mate and co-accidentee, Ben 'The Hammer' Schurr. There are plenty of sports to try, though, even if we can't be good at all of them.
Cheers,
Mike
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Where To From Here?
So, where to from here? Well, the next major step is getting discharged from Cavit. There are a few stepping stones towards that, the principle of which is getting walking independently full time again.
My physio, Sue, has a new piece of equipment to help with my truck strength and therefore my balance, ominously called the Reformer, that she says arrived at an ideal time for me. The Reformer is designed principally for pilates exercises and she can get me to do exercises and see what exactly is going wrong. Normally, I do exercises on the Reformer once a day. Sue, who teaches pilates herself, thinks that pilates is the one form of exercise that brings all other forms of exercises together. Assuming my diet of pilates goes OK, the Cavit staff think they'll be able to discharge me sometime in August.
After I get discharged I will probably come and live with Mum and Dad in Thorndon and after a bit of time at home make the slow transition back to work from there. The main limiting factor is likely to be my fatigue. It is normal to only start back at work for a few hours a day and build up from there.
There is a similar slow transition back to living without help. After living easy at Mum and Dad's for a while, and assuming that everything is OK, I'll move in to a flat or something.
The head injury apparently is likely to have affected my reaction speed so I'm not likely to be licensed to drive for about a year from the date of my accident. I'm also meant to stay away from road biking for about a similar length of time so there'll be no quick return to triathlon.
A friend jokingly asked me if I had started writing book about my miraculous recovery. My current defence is that I wasn't a good writer before the accident and don't expect to be one now. Also I've heard plenty of people describe my recovery as miraculous but it doesn't feel miraculous. Some of it, like not being killed outright or put in to a vegetative state, was out of my hands. In regard to the other stuff, I just living how I normally live. That is, I figure out what I could be better at and then set about doing my best to improve at it.
So there is the road map. It involves quite a few factors, and depends on quite a few things, but I'll do my best (same as always) to exceed expectations.
Cheers,
Mike
My physio, Sue, has a new piece of equipment to help with my truck strength and therefore my balance, ominously called the Reformer, that she says arrived at an ideal time for me. The Reformer is designed principally for pilates exercises and she can get me to do exercises and see what exactly is going wrong. Normally, I do exercises on the Reformer once a day. Sue, who teaches pilates herself, thinks that pilates is the one form of exercise that brings all other forms of exercises together. Assuming my diet of pilates goes OK, the Cavit staff think they'll be able to discharge me sometime in August.
After I get discharged I will probably come and live with Mum and Dad in Thorndon and after a bit of time at home make the slow transition back to work from there. The main limiting factor is likely to be my fatigue. It is normal to only start back at work for a few hours a day and build up from there.
There is a similar slow transition back to living without help. After living easy at Mum and Dad's for a while, and assuming that everything is OK, I'll move in to a flat or something.
The head injury apparently is likely to have affected my reaction speed so I'm not likely to be licensed to drive for about a year from the date of my accident. I'm also meant to stay away from road biking for about a similar length of time so there'll be no quick return to triathlon.
A friend jokingly asked me if I had started writing book about my miraculous recovery. My current defence is that I wasn't a good writer before the accident and don't expect to be one now. Also I've heard plenty of people describe my recovery as miraculous but it doesn't feel miraculous. Some of it, like not being killed outright or put in to a vegetative state, was out of my hands. In regard to the other stuff, I just living how I normally live. That is, I figure out what I could be better at and then set about doing my best to improve at it.
So there is the road map. It involves quite a few factors, and depends on quite a few things, but I'll do my best (same as always) to exceed expectations.
Cheers,
Mike
Monday, July 18, 2005
Steak Out
Hi again. Lee here after quite a silence. I thought it was time I clocked in and added the parental perspective.
We now collect Mike on a Friday night and keep him till Monday morning. Last Friday night, brother-in-law Andrew decided he should check out Mike's computer game skills. He and Mike had a happy evening racing cars on the screen. While the noise and movement was far too exhausting for the middle aged brains present, Mike didn't seem to turn a hair. His stamina is better now and when he does have to rest, it doesn't seem to take as long to recharge his batteries.
Mike decided this weekend that it was time he practiced his new found eating technique ona good steak. Who better than little bro and Chef Extraordinaire - Phil as the inaugural chef. What a superb steak and Mike coped with it just fine, so thats another PB ( or SB - Steak Best)
The rest of the weekend, Bryce and I navigate our way through a wonderful range of old and young friends, all coming to visit Mike. It means so much to Mike to have this on-going support. Some push him in the wheelchair to seek out a coffee at a local cafe. We've decided that the proximity of our apartment to town is going to work well when Mike comes home full time. Although we don't have a vast amount of space, people can visit so easily and he will be able to get out to the city and its events easily. We'd thought we might havc to rent out in the suburbs for a few months, but have decided staying here will work really well.
Our kitchen turns out to be quite well set up for someone who can't walk well. It has benches on all sides, so Mike can be put to work on various tasks, propping himself up on the benches and edging his way around like a spider. Pity to waste accessible labour.
The walking is progressing but still has a way to go. As well as balance, Mike's having to develop a sense of direction. At the moment the hapless support person keeps getting driven into the wall. The physio uses Pilates a lot for Mike's exercise regime and I find it very interesting watching how it relates to yoga. She has a wonderful machine that goes by the ominous name of THE REFORMER. It does all sorts of great exercises that can relate to very specific weaknesses in the brain-body message system. At the same time it can provide the specific support Mike needs to be able to actually do each exercise.
So enough from me. Bye.
Lee
P.S. Mike here. Sorry, we haven't done a good job of coordinating our posts this week. If you haven't looked at the blog for a few days don't miss the post below.
We now collect Mike on a Friday night and keep him till Monday morning. Last Friday night, brother-in-law Andrew decided he should check out Mike's computer game skills. He and Mike had a happy evening racing cars on the screen. While the noise and movement was far too exhausting for the middle aged brains present, Mike didn't seem to turn a hair. His stamina is better now and when he does have to rest, it doesn't seem to take as long to recharge his batteries.
Mike decided this weekend that it was time he practiced his new found eating technique ona good steak. Who better than little bro and Chef Extraordinaire - Phil as the inaugural chef. What a superb steak and Mike coped with it just fine, so thats another PB ( or SB - Steak Best)
The rest of the weekend, Bryce and I navigate our way through a wonderful range of old and young friends, all coming to visit Mike. It means so much to Mike to have this on-going support. Some push him in the wheelchair to seek out a coffee at a local cafe. We've decided that the proximity of our apartment to town is going to work well when Mike comes home full time. Although we don't have a vast amount of space, people can visit so easily and he will be able to get out to the city and its events easily. We'd thought we might havc to rent out in the suburbs for a few months, but have decided staying here will work really well.
Our kitchen turns out to be quite well set up for someone who can't walk well. It has benches on all sides, so Mike can be put to work on various tasks, propping himself up on the benches and edging his way around like a spider. Pity to waste accessible labour.
The walking is progressing but still has a way to go. As well as balance, Mike's having to develop a sense of direction. At the moment the hapless support person keeps getting driven into the wall. The physio uses Pilates a lot for Mike's exercise regime and I find it very interesting watching how it relates to yoga. She has a wonderful machine that goes by the ominous name of THE REFORMER. It does all sorts of great exercises that can relate to very specific weaknesses in the brain-body message system. At the same time it can provide the specific support Mike needs to be able to actually do each exercise.
So enough from me. Bye.
Lee
P.S. Mike here. Sorry, we haven't done a good job of coordinating our posts this week. If you haven't looked at the blog for a few days don't miss the post below.
Read All About It!
Why come up with my own writings for this blog when I can free ride off someone else’s? Either click on the link on the right of the screen or you can type or copy the address in the brackets into your address line (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/0,2106,3345414a6016,00.html) and it will take you to a newspaper article about my recovery along with a sexy photo. The article appeared on the front page of the Eastern Bays Couiers last week.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Live Man Walking
I thought that walking unassisted required more than just a bare mention in my last blog so I'll write a bit more this time. On Monday (4th July, rather fittingly, as my physio, Sue, pointed out, Independence Day) I took my first walk unassisted with Sue watching. I didn't walk very far, but it was an important milestone.
Like eating early on, walking requires quite a lot of concentration and things go to hell (with legs going in the wrong place) anytime something distracts me (like talking to someone). No doubt things will become more automatic, though, as time wears on.
To give you an idea of what it feels like, it as if you are walking on a tightrope. You know that at any moment you could fall and you have to use your concentration to reduce the chance of that happening.
Stopping or changing direction does increase the risk of me falling. As does reaching for a hand hold. Although having a hand hold is more comforting focusing on it distracts me and stopping or changing directions places more demands on my balance.
It was over four months since the accident and so much of my physiotherapy has been focussed on walking again that it was a nice milestone to reach. Still, the physiotherapy doesn't end there because I'm still a bit shaky and Sue has to chose where to stand carefully in case things go wrong and I start to fall. There is still more work to be done on increasing my strength in my trunk and therefore my balance.
Hopefully, that gives you an idea on what it feels like.
Cheers,
Mike
Like eating early on, walking requires quite a lot of concentration and things go to hell (with legs going in the wrong place) anytime something distracts me (like talking to someone). No doubt things will become more automatic, though, as time wears on.
To give you an idea of what it feels like, it as if you are walking on a tightrope. You know that at any moment you could fall and you have to use your concentration to reduce the chance of that happening.
Stopping or changing direction does increase the risk of me falling. As does reaching for a hand hold. Although having a hand hold is more comforting focusing on it distracts me and stopping or changing directions places more demands on my balance.
It was over four months since the accident and so much of my physiotherapy has been focussed on walking again that it was a nice milestone to reach. Still, the physiotherapy doesn't end there because I'm still a bit shaky and Sue has to chose where to stand carefully in case things go wrong and I start to fall. There is still more work to be done on increasing my strength in my trunk and therefore my balance.
Hopefully, that gives you an idea on what it feels like.
Cheers,
Mike
Monday, July 04, 2005
Beach Boy
Late on Friday (1st July) afternoon, my Mum picked me up and we went up the coast to Mum and Dad’s place in Paraparaumu. As usual, it was nice to be out of Cavit even for just the weekend, but the trip was different for three reasons.
Mum and Dad have a lot more room out there than in town so most of my stuff is out there. I had a look at my bike for the first time. Its frame was broken in two places and both wheels were buckled. I was quite surprised that I had collided with enough force to brake the frame but, as my sister said, the more energy my bike absorbed the less my head absorbed.
Saturday was quite calm (unusual, given how close Paraparaumu is to Wellington) and clear so my Mum and I went for a walk on the beach. I walked with my Zimmer frame and did my best not to look too old. I was a bit slower than I was before but we did close to a kilometre all up. I got tired with about 100m to go so we had to stop and sit on a log for a few minutes. That just gave us time to pick holes in the posture of other people walking by.
On Saturday we watched the All Blacks’ game with my Great Uncle Jack. For those of you who don’t know my Uncle Jack, he likes supporting the team he thinks will most upset the people there. He also doesn’t like supporting New Zealand. The Lions were an obvious team to support for him but it was good fun as he went quieter and quieter as the game wore on. The game was so enjoyable that I couldn’t leave and managed to last the whole thing without a rest.
Two more things happened before I wrote this that are worth writing about. I biked on an exer-cycle for the first time. The exer-cycle was the suggestion of a friend’s sister who came away with serious injuries in a car vs pedestrian accident a few years ago but is now extremely fit. I only did 10 minutes because I had to save energy to walk back and it was a far cry from my situation before the accident (I’ve lost all the fitness I ever had) but it was the start of the road back to fitness.
After I got back from the gym, I had my first unassisted walk with my physio, Sue, watching. It wasn’t very far but it was an important milestone. As my brother wrote in a text to me afterwards, bring on the next Ironman.
Cheers,
Mike
Mum and Dad have a lot more room out there than in town so most of my stuff is out there. I had a look at my bike for the first time. Its frame was broken in two places and both wheels were buckled. I was quite surprised that I had collided with enough force to brake the frame but, as my sister said, the more energy my bike absorbed the less my head absorbed.
Saturday was quite calm (unusual, given how close Paraparaumu is to Wellington) and clear so my Mum and I went for a walk on the beach. I walked with my Zimmer frame and did my best not to look too old. I was a bit slower than I was before but we did close to a kilometre all up. I got tired with about 100m to go so we had to stop and sit on a log for a few minutes. That just gave us time to pick holes in the posture of other people walking by.
On Saturday we watched the All Blacks’ game with my Great Uncle Jack. For those of you who don’t know my Uncle Jack, he likes supporting the team he thinks will most upset the people there. He also doesn’t like supporting New Zealand. The Lions were an obvious team to support for him but it was good fun as he went quieter and quieter as the game wore on. The game was so enjoyable that I couldn’t leave and managed to last the whole thing without a rest.
Two more things happened before I wrote this that are worth writing about. I biked on an exer-cycle for the first time. The exer-cycle was the suggestion of a friend’s sister who came away with serious injuries in a car vs pedestrian accident a few years ago but is now extremely fit. I only did 10 minutes because I had to save energy to walk back and it was a far cry from my situation before the accident (I’ve lost all the fitness I ever had) but it was the start of the road back to fitness.
After I got back from the gym, I had my first unassisted walk with my physio, Sue, watching. It wasn’t very far but it was an important milestone. As my brother wrote in a text to me afterwards, bring on the next Ironman.
Cheers,
Mike
Monday, June 27, 2005
Home Again
Hi everyone,
Lee again after quite a silence. Mike reckoned there were no new PBs. I felt it is all one great PB, so here's my interpretation of last week's progress:
Each event was small in itself but each builds into a lot more independence and interaction. I think the major difference is that Mike has so much more energy now. He can last longer in activity and it doesn't seem to take so long to rebuild his energy. That enables him to work at things a bit longer. Also, as he does manage a new challenge, it seems to build his confidence that he can cope with the next one.
One bit of progress was that Mike got a new wheelchair - one that he can wheel himself and that is easier for us to manage too. He doesn't have enough energy to wheel very far, but it is a great feeling of independence. With it, the walking frame and the trolley he can organise his day to suit himself without having to wait for anyone else.
Now that Mike is up for longer, he needs more clothes so Bryce and I wheeled him into Lambton Quay. We bought some more clothes and even met some friends of Mike's in the shop. Of course Bryce so loves shopping it was a real thrill for him!
Yesterday Mike and I wheeled our way into the World Press Photo exhibition. It was very crowded but we discovered that everyone makes way for us to be able to see the photos. The only time I've parted the crowds before was when I was with a nun friend who wears the full nun regalia. We'd recommend the exhibition,if it comes your way - the photos I mean, not the nuns.
All the domestic activity has a good effect on Mike's skills. Its like second time around of training up your kids! I've been putting him to work washing dishes and peeling vegetables. Tracy started a new job last week. She and Andrew moved out of our apartment and into a place within walking distance. Phil, Bryce and I were helping them move into their flat and Mike got caught up in that too. It all requires a lot of work from Mike, to prop himself up against things, manoeuvre around furniture, and to develop small scale movements such as usng a vegetable peeler.
Plus of course last weekend required the crucial cultural skills connected with watching the All Black Lions Test. Mike lasted the whole game with just a half time rest.
Plus Bryce has even got Mike working on that blasted addictive Sudoku maths puzzle stuff.
On a smaller scale, Mike can now eat unsupervised, so we're expecting further weight gains. He can also shower when he wants to. Sounds trivial but it means he doesn't need to wait until the nurses are free to keep an eye on him. His swimming is progressing. Mostly the hydrotherapy focuses on trunk flexibility and walking action, but in his short attempts at freestyle, his legs are sinking less. Plus on Sunday night he discovered that he can still do press ups! He did two easily. I had a go and struggled with one. The walking is going okay and Mike is now walking with one crutch with someone to help. The physio expects that in another three weeks he will be able to walk entirely on his own. Mike's non-physical project this week is to carry out a bit of work/economics analysis and he is really looking forward to getting into that.
Cavit are now talking about Mike coming home to live within the next couple of months, so things are falling into place. Now Tracy and Andrew have moved out we will be able to set up the spare bedroom for Mike to be there for a while. I presume he will continue to go out to Cavit for therapy some days and gradually start to integrate into ordinary life.
You can see that Mike's life each day makes further progress towards normal living. The amazing thing is how normal it is becoming when we were facing disaster such a short time ago.
Back to Mike again next time.
Lee
Lee again after quite a silence. Mike reckoned there were no new PBs. I felt it is all one great PB, so here's my interpretation of last week's progress:
Each event was small in itself but each builds into a lot more independence and interaction. I think the major difference is that Mike has so much more energy now. He can last longer in activity and it doesn't seem to take so long to rebuild his energy. That enables him to work at things a bit longer. Also, as he does manage a new challenge, it seems to build his confidence that he can cope with the next one.
One bit of progress was that Mike got a new wheelchair - one that he can wheel himself and that is easier for us to manage too. He doesn't have enough energy to wheel very far, but it is a great feeling of independence. With it, the walking frame and the trolley he can organise his day to suit himself without having to wait for anyone else.
Now that Mike is up for longer, he needs more clothes so Bryce and I wheeled him into Lambton Quay. We bought some more clothes and even met some friends of Mike's in the shop. Of course Bryce so loves shopping it was a real thrill for him!
Yesterday Mike and I wheeled our way into the World Press Photo exhibition. It was very crowded but we discovered that everyone makes way for us to be able to see the photos. The only time I've parted the crowds before was when I was with a nun friend who wears the full nun regalia. We'd recommend the exhibition,if it comes your way - the photos I mean, not the nuns.
All the domestic activity has a good effect on Mike's skills. Its like second time around of training up your kids! I've been putting him to work washing dishes and peeling vegetables. Tracy started a new job last week. She and Andrew moved out of our apartment and into a place within walking distance. Phil, Bryce and I were helping them move into their flat and Mike got caught up in that too. It all requires a lot of work from Mike, to prop himself up against things, manoeuvre around furniture, and to develop small scale movements such as usng a vegetable peeler.
Plus of course last weekend required the crucial cultural skills connected with watching the All Black Lions Test. Mike lasted the whole game with just a half time rest.
Plus Bryce has even got Mike working on that blasted addictive Sudoku maths puzzle stuff.
On a smaller scale, Mike can now eat unsupervised, so we're expecting further weight gains. He can also shower when he wants to. Sounds trivial but it means he doesn't need to wait until the nurses are free to keep an eye on him. His swimming is progressing. Mostly the hydrotherapy focuses on trunk flexibility and walking action, but in his short attempts at freestyle, his legs are sinking less. Plus on Sunday night he discovered that he can still do press ups! He did two easily. I had a go and struggled with one. The walking is going okay and Mike is now walking with one crutch with someone to help. The physio expects that in another three weeks he will be able to walk entirely on his own. Mike's non-physical project this week is to carry out a bit of work/economics analysis and he is really looking forward to getting into that.
Cavit are now talking about Mike coming home to live within the next couple of months, so things are falling into place. Now Tracy and Andrew have moved out we will be able to set up the spare bedroom for Mike to be there for a while. I presume he will continue to go out to Cavit for therapy some days and gradually start to integrate into ordinary life.
You can see that Mike's life each day makes further progress towards normal living. The amazing thing is how normal it is becoming when we were facing disaster such a short time ago.
Back to Mike again next time.
Lee
Monday, June 20, 2005
Home Is Where The Head Injured Patient Is
Wednesday’s run of good luck continued and on Friday (17th June) one of the Cavit staff came and asked me if I would like to spend a night at home that weekend. It was much to my family’s and my surprise because none of us expected that opportunity to arise until I could get around better.
The next morning my Mum and Dad came and picked me up and we started the quick journey home to Mum and Dad’s place in Thorndon. It was nearly 4 months since the accident occurred and around 6 months since I’d last been home but it was fine. A few issues presented themselves like sloping access, but once I was aware of them they weren’t a problem.
The main issue of moving around inside was a flight of stairs to the living area on the second level. But these didn’t slow me down too much and apparently I got better with them as time went on.
Quite a few relatives turned up on Sunday for a visit, but that was fine. Whenever I got tired I just popped downstairs to a bedroom for a rest.
Later on I went down to the Wellington waterfront with Mum, Dad and a family friend. It was the first time I’d been in a wheelchair in a crowded place. People’s reactions to me were quite different to what they would have been normally. It was as if they wanted to look but thought that they shouldn’t. I myself would probably have reacted that way before the accident, but will force myself to react normally now.
Then it was back to Cavit on Sunday night for another week’s therapy. May there be many more visits home.
Mike
The next morning my Mum and Dad came and picked me up and we started the quick journey home to Mum and Dad’s place in Thorndon. It was nearly 4 months since the accident occurred and around 6 months since I’d last been home but it was fine. A few issues presented themselves like sloping access, but once I was aware of them they weren’t a problem.
The main issue of moving around inside was a flight of stairs to the living area on the second level. But these didn’t slow me down too much and apparently I got better with them as time went on.
Quite a few relatives turned up on Sunday for a visit, but that was fine. Whenever I got tired I just popped downstairs to a bedroom for a rest.
Later on I went down to the Wellington waterfront with Mum, Dad and a family friend. It was the first time I’d been in a wheelchair in a crowded place. People’s reactions to me were quite different to what they would have been normally. It was as if they wanted to look but thought that they shouldn’t. I myself would probably have reacted that way before the accident, but will force myself to react normally now.
Then it was back to Cavit on Sunday night for another week’s therapy. May there be many more visits home.
Mike
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Fat Bastard
(For those of you are unsure about the title Fat Bastard was a heavily overweight yet amusing character played by a presumably padded Mike Myers in a couple of recent movies.)
Wednesday (15 June) represented a particularly good day for me. Firstly, I had enough weight to be taken off drinking a protein drink called Fortisip. I was somewhere around 65 kg before the accident and at my lightest measurement I came in at 52 kg. That represents a weight loss of around 20%. If I figured out some way of converting this head injury into something that could be taken I could make a lot of money.
On Tuesday I weighed in at 62 kg. While this represents a big weight gain I tried on a pair of my old trousers over the weekend. The trousers used to fit comfortably. Now, I wouldn’t say they were falling off me, but there is substantially more room than there was before.
I am close enough to my previous weight and my ideal weight that they decided to take me off Fortisip. While I didn’t think Fortisip tasted bad, depending on which flavour you had, the high protein content disrupted my skin and gave me more red rashes and more pimples than normal.
Secondly, and in keeping with the weight thing, I got a trolley on Wednesday. While this represents a minor step in the scheme of things it allows me to cook breakfast for myself and is the first time I’ve been independent in this.
Right. Happy eating.
Kind regards,
Mike
Wednesday (15 June) represented a particularly good day for me. Firstly, I had enough weight to be taken off drinking a protein drink called Fortisip. I was somewhere around 65 kg before the accident and at my lightest measurement I came in at 52 kg. That represents a weight loss of around 20%. If I figured out some way of converting this head injury into something that could be taken I could make a lot of money.
On Tuesday I weighed in at 62 kg. While this represents a big weight gain I tried on a pair of my old trousers over the weekend. The trousers used to fit comfortably. Now, I wouldn’t say they were falling off me, but there is substantially more room than there was before.
I am close enough to my previous weight and my ideal weight that they decided to take me off Fortisip. While I didn’t think Fortisip tasted bad, depending on which flavour you had, the high protein content disrupted my skin and gave me more red rashes and more pimples than normal.
Secondly, and in keeping with the weight thing, I got a trolley on Wednesday. While this represents a minor step in the scheme of things it allows me to cook breakfast for myself and is the first time I’ve been independent in this.
Right. Happy eating.
Kind regards,
Mike
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
15th June: Mike and the success factors
Hi again. Lee again.
Those of you who were there at the beginning of Mike's long saga will remember the factors we were told that would give Mike a better chance of comingn out of the accident ok. The factors were high intelligence; good interpersonal skills; strong family support; good physical fitness and a previous optimistic attitude to life. This week I have clearly been seeing two in action -previous physical fitness and interpersonal skills.
I was watching Mike's progress at Physio today and talking with his physio. Mike accident has affected him greatly physically, but he is making such good progress. I can see that he understands muscle groups and what muscles are where. The physio can explain what she needs him to do and Mike knows what is involved, even if the muscle messages are weak. He also really concentrates on what is required. I am sure it is because this physical focus is familiar territory to him.
On Monday Mike started having breakfast in the day room and attending the half hour current events session afterwards. For various reasons this time of day brings much more interaction. Up till now Mike has related a lot to people visiting and not much to other patients. In that three days I have seen him really increase his involvement in the group and show much more awareness of the other patients needs and difficulties. Presumably this is like an old behviour that is warming up too. Some of it must be due to increased exposure to the other patients, some due to his improved energy and some the old Mike reappearing.
It is very interesting to see some of those factors mentioned right near the start actually coming into play in microcosm.
Regards
Lee
Those of you who were there at the beginning of Mike's long saga will remember the factors we were told that would give Mike a better chance of comingn out of the accident ok. The factors were high intelligence; good interpersonal skills; strong family support; good physical fitness and a previous optimistic attitude to life. This week I have clearly been seeing two in action -previous physical fitness and interpersonal skills.
I was watching Mike's progress at Physio today and talking with his physio. Mike accident has affected him greatly physically, but he is making such good progress. I can see that he understands muscle groups and what muscles are where. The physio can explain what she needs him to do and Mike knows what is involved, even if the muscle messages are weak. He also really concentrates on what is required. I am sure it is because this physical focus is familiar territory to him.
On Monday Mike started having breakfast in the day room and attending the half hour current events session afterwards. For various reasons this time of day brings much more interaction. Up till now Mike has related a lot to people visiting and not much to other patients. In that three days I have seen him really increase his involvement in the group and show much more awareness of the other patients needs and difficulties. Presumably this is like an old behviour that is warming up too. Some of it must be due to increased exposure to the other patients, some due to his improved energy and some the old Mike reappearing.
It is very interesting to see some of those factors mentioned right near the start actually coming into play in microcosm.
Regards
Lee
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
June14: He's big, he's bad and he's still an economist
Hi there Everyone
It was a real progress today. Mike was asked to talk briefly about the write-off of Third World Debt to the morning orientation session at the Rehab Unit. what a request. Little did they know the threat of being subjected to hours of economics. Little did they know all the literature Bryce immediately down-loaded as a contribution. I was amazed. BUT that old economics brain was still there chugging away. Sometimes there was a bit of a wait for the next idea, but the interconnections, the mindset, the familiar old increasing complexity ..still all there. I would have burst into tears, except that people might have thought it was in sorrow at still being stuck with an economist after all that shaking around of the grey matter. Those of you who saw Mike comatose in Auckland Hospital will understand how exciting the progress is, even if it does all lead to more economics.
Other progress. Mike is now having breakfast out in the day room and is able to sit in a chair. This brings him into more social interaction with the other people at Cavitt. He and I think his energy levels are improving. He can last longer in activities and it does not take as long for him to recharge his batteries.
We got a general report today on Mike's Occupational Therapy testing and he had done better than either of us had expected. It looks like most of his abilities are still there, just the time taken to do thing is a bit slow at present. Some of the exercises we think he would have done about the same level pre-accident. One was the sort of skill required to rummage around in a handbag and find things like a mobile phone or a comb. Just as well it's not a blokey activity.
It was a real progress today. Mike was asked to talk briefly about the write-off of Third World Debt to the morning orientation session at the Rehab Unit. what a request. Little did they know the threat of being subjected to hours of economics. Little did they know all the literature Bryce immediately down-loaded as a contribution. I was amazed. BUT that old economics brain was still there chugging away. Sometimes there was a bit of a wait for the next idea, but the interconnections, the mindset, the familiar old increasing complexity ..still all there. I would have burst into tears, except that people might have thought it was in sorrow at still being stuck with an economist after all that shaking around of the grey matter. Those of you who saw Mike comatose in Auckland Hospital will understand how exciting the progress is, even if it does all lead to more economics.
Other progress. Mike is now having breakfast out in the day room and is able to sit in a chair. This brings him into more social interaction with the other people at Cavitt. He and I think his energy levels are improving. He can last longer in activities and it does not take as long for him to recharge his batteries.
We got a general report today on Mike's Occupational Therapy testing and he had done better than either of us had expected. It looks like most of his abilities are still there, just the time taken to do thing is a bit slow at present. Some of the exercises we think he would have done about the same level pre-accident. One was the sort of skill required to rummage around in a handbag and find things like a mobile phone or a comb. Just as well it's not a blokey activity.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
9th June: Inching towards independence
Hi. Lee here again. Bryce and Andrew are tacking their way ever closer to setting Mike up with a computer and then there will be no holding him back. At the moment, Mike is off line and in the meantime there's just me.
Mike has shifted rooms, in with two other guys. This means that there's someone sicker than him, which I guess is progress. For those of you who visit, he's now in a room on the other side of the unit, down the end nearest Pilmuir Street. He's decided to sack me as his personal secretary and take over running his social life. Which is great.
Mike's new room is closer to the toilet, so he is able to walk there with a walking frame and just a nurse to watch his walking. And this morning he ate his breakfast sitting up on the side of his bed, which makes eating a lot easier. Each of these developments seem small but involve a lot of work on muscle control and strength.
The latest O2Max magazine has an inspirational article in it about a young woman who was badly hurt in a road accident and has trained her way back into being one of NZ's top surf lifesavers. This was great reading for MIke, especially when he realised she'd had a brain injury as well as extensive other injuries. I guess we all are inspired by such stories but we just never think that life will make sucha demand on someone close to us. The day in day out requiremnent for determination, patience and courage is very difficult to communicate.
On that profound note,good night!
Lee
Mike has shifted rooms, in with two other guys. This means that there's someone sicker than him, which I guess is progress. For those of you who visit, he's now in a room on the other side of the unit, down the end nearest Pilmuir Street. He's decided to sack me as his personal secretary and take over running his social life. Which is great.
Mike's new room is closer to the toilet, so he is able to walk there with a walking frame and just a nurse to watch his walking. And this morning he ate his breakfast sitting up on the side of his bed, which makes eating a lot easier. Each of these developments seem small but involve a lot of work on muscle control and strength.
The latest O2Max magazine has an inspirational article in it about a young woman who was badly hurt in a road accident and has trained her way back into being one of NZ's top surf lifesavers. This was great reading for MIke, especially when he realised she'd had a brain injury as well as extensive other injuries. I guess we all are inspired by such stories but we just never think that life will make sucha demand on someone close to us. The day in day out requiremnent for determination, patience and courage is very difficult to communicate.
On that profound note,good night!
Lee
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Can't beat Wellington on a cold day
Hi Everyone,
Yesterday Bryce and I took Mike for another car ride. A bit further afield this time and he coped really well. We came into Wellington, bought an icecream and a coffee and sat looking at the new beach at Oriental Bay,feeling that all things considered Life was pretty good. There's a great icecream place on the Bay there called soemthing like Cafe Eis. We also did a smal tour around Phil's new place of work and the location of his new flat - all those changes had happened while Mike was out to it. After that, Mike was pretty tired, so we went home. The apartment was tantalisingly visible, but until he can walk a visit home is not really feasible.
Mike's cycling friend Nicky was down from Auckland and it was great for us all to see her. Nicky's visit reminded Mike of his great circle of friends back there and I think her visit gave him new determination about races etc. When I tentatively suggested aiming for a 10km walk as a starting goal (thinking, hey I could do that too!) I got scorn poured upon it.
Meanwhile it's back to walking practice for Mike and a torso that does not yet obey mental commands yet. But there's definitely progress everyday.
Lee
Mike's
Yesterday Bryce and I took Mike for another car ride. A bit further afield this time and he coped really well. We came into Wellington, bought an icecream and a coffee and sat looking at the new beach at Oriental Bay,feeling that all things considered Life was pretty good. There's a great icecream place on the Bay there called soemthing like Cafe Eis. We also did a smal tour around Phil's new place of work and the location of his new flat - all those changes had happened while Mike was out to it. After that, Mike was pretty tired, so we went home. The apartment was tantalisingly visible, but until he can walk a visit home is not really feasible.
Mike's cycling friend Nicky was down from Auckland and it was great for us all to see her. Nicky's visit reminded Mike of his great circle of friends back there and I think her visit gave him new determination about races etc. When I tentatively suggested aiming for a 10km walk as a starting goal (thinking, hey I could do that too!) I got scorn poured upon it.
Meanwhile it's back to walking practice for Mike and a torso that does not yet obey mental commands yet. But there's definitely progress everyday.
Lee
Mike's
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Back to my element
Hi guys,
Friday (3rd June) ended two difficult yet successful days of Physiotherapy. On both days my Physio, Sue, was pleased with how things went.
On Thursday, I successfully negotiated some stairs. Going down stairs can ordinarily make recovering patients dizzy. They made my Dad dizzy during his recovery after he decided to throw himself off a bridge during a mountain biking trip when I was 13 resulting in a broken pelvis amongst other injuries. Fortunately, there was no dizziness for me and I managed to get 16 in before I tired.
On Friday, much to Haydn's (my former swimming coach) presumed pleasure I had my first swim. The swim can make patients throw up, but that wasn't an issue for me. It was good to be in the water again. After a number of seasons of water polo in secondary school and swimming training prior to my decision to get into triathlon (plus the fact my brother and I were known as water babies growing up) made swimming easily my best triathlon discipline. The only problem this time was that due to a lack of trunk strength my bottom half wouldn't float like it used to so I had trouble kicking when I tried a few strokes. Still the tiredness didn't kick in as much as it could have and the walking (the real reason we came swimming) went well.
All in all, it was a rewarding couple of days.
Kind regards,
Mike
P.S. David Haines, I don't mean to talk up the Hutt but you owe me a flat white [check what he promised]. Janus café has two couches.
Friday (3rd June) ended two difficult yet successful days of Physiotherapy. On both days my Physio, Sue, was pleased with how things went.
On Thursday, I successfully negotiated some stairs. Going down stairs can ordinarily make recovering patients dizzy. They made my Dad dizzy during his recovery after he decided to throw himself off a bridge during a mountain biking trip when I was 13 resulting in a broken pelvis amongst other injuries. Fortunately, there was no dizziness for me and I managed to get 16 in before I tired.
On Friday, much to Haydn's (my former swimming coach) presumed pleasure I had my first swim. The swim can make patients throw up, but that wasn't an issue for me. It was good to be in the water again. After a number of seasons of water polo in secondary school and swimming training prior to my decision to get into triathlon (plus the fact my brother and I were known as water babies growing up) made swimming easily my best triathlon discipline. The only problem this time was that due to a lack of trunk strength my bottom half wouldn't float like it used to so I had trouble kicking when I tried a few strokes. Still the tiredness didn't kick in as much as it could have and the walking (the real reason we came swimming) went well.
All in all, it was a rewarding couple of days.
Kind regards,
Mike
P.S. David Haines, I don't mean to talk up the Hutt but you owe me a flat white [check what he promised]. Janus café has two couches.
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