Where’s My Razor?
by markm, under Updates by Mon
Hi All,
Just a quick update.
Mike is settling well at Talbot. Disappointing day with his first proper program day being spent mostly in bed with a bit of a pressure sore. He got up for 30 mins in the chair but there is a bit of confusion about whether he needs to wear a hard or soft collar.
The wonderful doctor (Allaedin) came in to have a chat and we should have a clear answer tomorrow or at worst Thursday.
Anyway, Mike spent the morning being a grumpy bear after the freedom and fun of his chair “runs” on the weekend. He decided after having to have a shortened physio session that given how pear-shaped the day was going that he would dedicate the rest of it to eating. Got a bit of a shock yesterday to weigh only 61kg fully dressed so we are trying to fatten him up a bit! You will be pleased to know that once he set his mind to that as his task for the day, he excelled!!!
Although he spent much of the day being a bit of a grump, we did decide that all in all it wasn’t too bad a day:
- we bumped in to the OT rep for Mike and she had a phone he should be OK to use. Very excited about that as it will hopefully help remove the “dead” time he has in the morning. Poor Erin, she has no idea what is about to hit her when she has her session with him tomorrow ….. he wants to read, set up his computer and get the phone sorted! Oh yeah, and he wants to feed himself, shave and brush his teeth too!
- we got agreement that he can wear his soft collar when in the chair so he can see where he is going!
- we had a date together to watch GNW
- he ate heaps of chocolate
- he got approval from the lovely speechie (Ruth) to have Bombay By Night – as long as there is no rice involved and he chews carefully and separates out the meat and sauce.
Also, had a great visit this morning with “the ladies” who have loaded us up with lots of fruit and chocolate!
Mike has decided that he can definitely join us on our next night out ….after all he is already legless so he will fit right in! (His gag, not mine!).
All this on top of scratching his own nose yesterday …. it wasn’t very graceful (and I’m not convinced that he got the right spot!) but he got his finger to his nose! And his newest party-trick of slight movement in his right thumb (we are talking very marginal but he is claiming himself back as a primate!).
Thanks for all your thoughts, support and visits. Hoping for a better day tomorrow and that the pressure sore sorts itself out so he can get some sleep!
Mon
August 6th, 2008 on 1:43 am
Mike,
I don’t know you personally but know your sister and was with her on the day of your accident. I just wanted to send you our best wishes and to say that you really are an inspiration. Trials come to test us and it is how we deal with them which helps define who we are – and you sound like you truly are a hero.
With love to all your family
Tina and family
August 6th, 2008 on 9:10 am
Hi Monica, you can reach me on the cell phone number I emailed earlier in the day……Give me a buzz, we just celebrated (?) Maggie’s 9th aniversary since her injury.
take care, John
August 6th, 2008 on 10:02 am
Hi Mike and Mon
Just a quick hello and a note to let you know we are all thinking of you often and hoping for a speedy recovery. Its inspiring to see how both of you are dealing with the situation and its obvious from reading your website the number of people who are inspired by your courage.
Lots of Love to you and the rest of the family.
Suzy and Chris, Lindy, Lana, Will and Lilly.
August 6th, 2008 on 12:33 pm
Hi Mike,
Every improvement you make, no matter how small, warms the soul. Your not far from the thoughts of all of the running boys… to qualify that, you’re many kilometres from Zac’s thoughts, but only because he’s in France, altitude training with a blind 800m runner who’ll he’ll guide at the Paralympics. If you don’t believe his luck, I can send you a link to the photos! Anth has given us an update on how you’re going and I’ll pop in soon. It sounds like you’re already overloaded in chocolates, so I’ll have to find another inspiration to bring in.
By the way, Mon is doing an amazing job on the web updates!
August 6th, 2008 on 3:14 pm
Hey Forbsey,
Looking forward to coming in and seeing you again soon. Anth gave me the update on his last visit and sounds like you’re making some real progress. All the boys are thinking about you. Great to hear how you’re progressing with your rehab. Keep up the hard work and will see you soon.
Mon, great work on the website.
Woodsy
August 6th, 2008 on 4:10 pm
Was very pleased to read you’re eating lots of choccy… do you think my home made rocky road would be approved??
You are making amazing progress and truly are an inspiration to us all.
Enjoy bombay by night! Savour every mouthful (i’d love something like that as the US doesn’t provide us with the finest cuisine!)
Miss you all and see you soon
Love Jacquie
August 6th, 2008 on 8:23 pm
Hey guys,
Love the great updates, keep them coming. This story is truly inspirational, great to see the determination never wanes. I am keen to come visit soon.
Selim
August 6th, 2008 on 11:06 pm
Les and I left Mike tonight to head for the wedding of his cousin on Saturday and for his grandfather’s funeral on Tuesday. Mike is his oldest grandchild. His grandfather would be so proud of Mike’s determination and patience as he steadily finds pathways to succeed in regaining access to increasing degrees of his independence. Mike felt very much the spirit of his grandfather and his example of making every day a corker. He said if the day begins seeming challenging then you have to make it a corker. We watched him work with his fork in a splint to feed himself at lunchtime on a yummy baked dinner Mon had cooked. Such patience and perseverence. Tears all round.