We All Need Some Cheering up at Some Stage!
by mikef, under Update by Mike
Well Monica, Ashley and I returned from holidays late last week and I began my rehabilitation routine for 2010. It has been great to have a break from the routine but I discovered that my body needs regular manipulation and movement in order to not rust and be thrown in the scrapheap! By the end of the holiday my shoulders were basically seized up and could barely move.
There were however some great achievements from our holidays from my perspective. It was wonderful to revisit the wonderful holiday home of my parents-in-law who worked for months to modify the home so I could stay and they did an amazing job. In addition to this they worked tirelessly to help me have a break from my regular care routine and be surrounded just by family. The best addition to their home was a custom-designed set of stairs which was about 40 cm deep and 10 cm high a step. This allowed me to walk from the ground level to the upstairs portion of the home almost independently using my sticks. It really was invigorating! In addition to this, with help from my brother-in-law Simon in particular we had regular trips to the beach where I walked on the sand and sat in a camp chair to watch the kids play in the water for hours upon hours. I even had a dip in the water myself on the odd occasion. This was not at all graceful but very pleasant nonetheless. A far cry from the long ocean swims and body surfing that I’m used to but I can’t complain.
The worst part of the holiday and the reason we need some cheering up is my poor wife Monica has come down with a severe case of pneomonia which she contracted just prior to Christmas. The truth is it has been coming on for some time because she has worked so tirelessly since my accident. We are doing whatever we can to help her get back on her feet so please feel free to send your best wishes to her. She is getting better and is certainly through the worst of it but needs to be careful for the next month at least. Trying to tie Monica down is probably the greatest challenge that I have ever had so please help me! If you see her out and about trying to knock off one of the 20 things she puts on her list every day please send her straight home. My mother is down with us at the moment which is fabulous.
On a lighter note please find a video clip below. With close friends of ours who have a daughter the same age we have a competition each year to buy each other the noisiest present. This year was hilarious as we both bought exactly the same thing for each other… a drum kit! Here is Ashley strutting her stuff and I think there is a real future there. Listen in particular for the crescendo!
Keep well,
Mike.
January 19th, 2010 on 3:26 pm
Mike, Moni and Ash,
It was great to catch up and share time together up at the beach.
We also loved being with the families watching all the kids at the circus and sharing early New Year’s Eve dinner together on our deck to the sounds of the double DJ’s next door!
Our steps are not so friendly but up and down Mike went, in no time.
Mike makes it all sound so easy, but his sense of humour and determination are amazing.
“A walk on the sand” is not as simple as Mike makes it, let alone walking backwards to his chair out of the wind. Absolutely brilliant work.
Enjoy the exercises again Mike.
Glad to hear that Moni is slooooowed down and on the mend.
See you next time.
The Congdons
January 24th, 2010 on 3:26 pm
Hello Mike,Mon,Ash
Have just read your update for the 18th JAN 2010.I hope Mon is still improving with her health,and I wish you all a great 2010.I found happiness in your report,but also I shed a tear, when you said your shoulders had seized up,Mike you will never Rust with your Spirit and your Support Team,I think of rusting sometimes,but they tell me it is only my age.I spent a few days down at Byron with Pete,Lorian and your parents,I can assure you,I didn’t rust as the red wine was a great lubricant,and the walk from the camp to the lighthouse right around back to the camp was a challenge for me,I tried to have a few stops,but I had a daughter saying keep going, and don’t blame your age Mum.Thanks to Leslie and Bruce it was a nice break.
Cheers for now Mike.God Bless.
Lorna G. Rockhampton.
The Beef Capital of Australia
January 25th, 2010 on 7:56 am
Dear Mike, Mon and Ash,
Happy New Year and wishing you all the very best for 2010. So pleased you had a fabulous holiday and from all reports, had some wonderful family times together. Sorry to hear you weren’t well Moni and I hope you have a chance to rest up a bit and recharge the batteries. A mutual friend always talked about crepe bandanges to tie people down….maybe that would work! We look forward to many more inspiring posts in 2010. We are with you all the way and look forward to catching up with Vanya and Tim soon.
February 9th, 2010 on 9:51 pm
Hello lovely Forbes family! I hope Mon is on the mend now and school life is a treat for Ash. Forbsey, Blues Vs Swans this season, book it in.
Thinking of you all
Julie and family
xx
February 11th, 2010 on 10:12 pm
Well done. It’s human to have a holiday from rehab. Best wishes. Incideentally I’ve got a 12yo daughter who does drum lessons – good fun, and it’s brought us closer to the neighbours, hee ho. KB
February 14th, 2010 on 3:13 pm
Thrilled to see the new website up and running, Mike. We look forward to you fitting in updating the sections in your busy rehab program. Keep well and happy
love
Mum
February 17th, 2010 on 8:55 pm
Love the new website Mike – looking forward to seeing the difference you are going to make to a lot of lives So proud of my old school friend’s boy.
Please don’t tell her I said old OK?