Wiggle Me Outta Here
by markm, under Updates by Mon
Not such a great couple of days – so thanks for the messages of support, they mean a lot and keep us sane.
Mike made a start on the promised message but some pretty vicious stomach cramps and body spasms meant it didn’t get finished off today…. oh, and my technical incompetence with getting video clips and photos from his camera might also have contributed! I promise it will be worth the wait!
Hopefully a good night’s sleep tonight and tomorrow will be a better day so we will get to complete the message and post it later in the day.
We have a fundraising meeting tomorrow so hopefully some more details will be available soon as I know lots of people are asking me for details.
On the positive front (btw, that particular front is a bit thin on the ground at the moment), Mike managed to do a bit of one-finger (well really one-splint) typing today which was pretty cool to see and we have some good physio goals to try to cover off in the next 6 weeks. We have also managed to convince the nursing staff that we are OK to be out in one of the units for a couple of nights for Mike’s birthday at the end of the month. Even though they are only a few metres from the ward and there will still be nursing staff in and out all day and night, it will be so nice to finally have some time where it is just the three of us and a shut door for a couple of hours! Apparently there are all sorts of checklists that we have to “pass” before we are allowed out of the centre but if there any important dates coming up please let me know so that we can add them to our escape (i mean, day leave) list. Apparently there is also a whole lot of education stuff that we need to get t!
hru – hopefully someone will start doing this soon so we can get another tick! I think Mike is pretty keen to just wheel himself out to the boathouse cafe and forget to come back!
OT are coming out to the house next week to see what mods we have to get done so will try to knock that off the discharge list asap too.
We had our ‘goal planning’ meeting yesterday which was a bit dis-spiriting. They ‘reckon that Mike needs to be at Talbot for 6 months. They have given a suggested discharge date of 11th Feb – we said no way and gave a suggested date pre-Christmas. At a minimum we are taking a leave day to get Ash to the Wiggles concert and I plan on at least spending Christmas day at home! No chance that summer will be wasted there – besides, it will cost me about a million dollars in petrol to drive there everyday between now and then, plus I need to get back to work! Obviously they have not taken the ‘Forbes-factor’ in to consideration when establishing that date. I guess it is good that they think they can teach Mike stuff for that long — although surely a compressed version would suffice (not that I am impatient or anything)??? Will see how Mike is progressing and what the program is looking like to see what other gains can be reached vs getting home before Ash turns 4. In the mean-tim!
e, we’ll keep feeding him good food and keep him as fit and healthy as we can.
Thanks to Michelle, Cam and the girls who keep coming in with food and for dinner and just hanging out. Also to Jack, Daina and the girls who are our Wednesday night dinner companions. Finally to all the visitors – many who bring yummy and nutrious food – thanks for keeping our spirits up and keeping us up to date with the outside world. Oh, and to my mum for cleaning the house today – thanks mum!
August 14th, 2008 on 9:22 am
Hi Mike,Mon and Ash,
I have kept up to date with Mike’s progress via your website and it is great to see how far he has come. Sometimes progress doesn’t come as fast as we think it should, but keep your spirits up. All the thoughts and prayers of fellow triathletes and friends are right behind you!
Looking forward to seeing the video!
All the best,
Debbie
August 14th, 2008 on 9:36 am
A few of us from the club were talking about Michael’s accident recently. It is something that fills us all with sadness at the thought of it. We don’t personally know Michael, but we understand how easily this could happen to anyone of us. Please pass on our best wishes for a speedie recovery and hope everything goes very well for Michael.
Good luck Michael and family – from everyone at Xtreme Tri Club.
Regards,
Stewart (on behalf of everyone at XTC)
August 14th, 2008 on 10:44 am
Dear Mon, Mike and Ash,
I love the catchy titles to the updates. Mon, have you thought of going into journalism!! There have been some pretty clever ones in the SMH of late and you are right up there.
These postings just show the courage and resilience you all have (family included). You are amongst the greats Mike. Take care of each other and I know you know that eating that elephant is one piece at time (thanks to previous author).
All our love,
The Underwoods
August 14th, 2008 on 10:57 am
Dear Mike,
I’ve been following your progress via the web site and just wanted to wish you a continued speedy recovery in this challenging time. I admire your will and determination!
Give my love to all of the family.
My best wishes from here in the Olympic Village.
Kirk Palmer
August 14th, 2008 on 12:10 pm
Looking forward to the birthday celebrations when we return – missing the weekly visits to you and to see how you are progressing. Thank goodness for this website to keep up to date. I’m out of work at the moment Mike, so if you need any help with your typing I come highly recommended as a Secretary/PA (references on request). Pre-christmas drinkies at the “blue house” sound good – you can do it Mike…!!! Thinking of you, Mon & Ash – as always – Jo xx (please give that little angel a big hug for me)
August 14th, 2008 on 4:23 pm
Its great to see the progress that Mike is making. He continues to be in our thoughts and our prayers. Thanks also for the updates on the website. Its fantastic to read and great to see that Mike and everyone are staying positive.
Regards, Deanna and Steve.
August 15th, 2008 on 11:02 am
Hi Mike.
Nothing like participating in your own Olympics and this is following Le Tour de France. The third leg will be the athletics, but upon talking to Peter Lawler yesterday he has little optimism for the higher order achievements in this field of sport… but I bet they give it their best shot! The breadth of the comments posted certainly reflects the diversity of sports, activities and careers in which you have been involved.
It was great to see Kirk’s post…. how proud he must be to have achieved a bronze medal… it has been an incredible pathway from the 11 year old from West Gosford via Forrester’s Beach, Gosford and Barker Pools to the AIS and now Beijing.
Glad you like your new fes. You always wanted to try out the latest gear. Your Mum keeps the information flowing in between the curbing of her excitement at the Olympic performances. You might have to give her a turn on your new implement. It is a long time since she has rolled the arm over at the Aquatic Centre. You should remind her that nervous tension is not a recommended training/fitness pursuit.
Barker CRA has a trivia night organised for Sept 20th. with funds being directed toward your cause. It will even go ahead without me as we attend yet another niece’s wedding. Will need to contemplate whether to organise another electronic appearance. What do you think?
There’s just so many with support to offer.
Keep on the mend. That’s my boy!
Love you heaps.
Dad