Unhappily, I got my most unfavourite nurse this morning on the changeover - I personally don't think she's a very good nurse but you have to take what you're given. But as I don't trust her, I watch all she does like a hawk, specially when it comes to my trachie dressing (she's the one who didn't even clean the site before I got a new dressing). But one thing is she's as disinterested in her patients as she is inefficient, so didn't see her again until I was dressed - she never worries about interrupting breakfast and I do hate that but they all do it, even up at the Block - guess it's a chronic nursing habit!
I lay about until 9.00 - had a flying visit from Mark to drop in goodies, lots of packets and Charlie's owl. He flies out tonite and gets to Paris lunchtime tomorrow and will be gone 3 weeks - I'll miss him taking charge, tho am now capable of looking after myself but it was nice to be seen as needing it! Once he left, I delved into fabric and one surprise, the fridge magnets (which were in the packet - but no Xmas cards as yet) turned out really well - great quality so was thrilled with them.
I had some time before OT so went to see Scott to make it official that I was outta here on 21st. They had 15th as a tentative date, so I said I'd work in with them! LOL! There's a case meeting on Tuesday and they'll decide what date but when I saw Dr O'Sullivan this arvo, he seemed to be going for the 15th, yeay! So the end is in sight - oh frabjous day! I kept hugging that to myself as a talisman and kept telling myself "Don't get cocky - focus" as it would break my heart if anything stopped me now like falling over my own 2 feet again.
Had another disinterested morning doing my routine - I guess I at least do it and I worry that at home, time will slip away and I won't, as is my wont. I mean to but all of a sudden the day is gone and nowt has been done. I then got to stay in OT because my cooking day is today. We decided that with only an hour to prepare and cook, we'd stick with the quiche because I'd never cooked it before. They had a spring form pan so that made it easier. It was an easy recipe and with bought pastry, it was a one dish recipe too. It turned out OK tho I might have beaten it, rather than folded it together as the texture was heavy rather than light as quiches usually are but it was quite yummy - and apart from when I try to take too big bites and then talk as well which means I aspirate down the wrong pipe, I had no problems eating it.
I ate on my own because Julie didn't show so she either forgot or Xmas without John sent her mood right down again - I know she has times when it's as fresh as yesterday cos it is only a year since he died. It wasn't a big problem tho I was disappointed. I'd been moving around a lot and also had ventured outside to see if she was coming and walked all the way around agin, so by the time I ate, I sent a message to Physio via Tamsin that I couldn't do physio as my legs were too pooped to pop (and I wasn't joking - all of a sudden it was an effort to put one foot after the other so no second lot of OT either and I wobbled - carefully - upstairs and took to my bed and stayed there. I didn't have tea - still full from my late lunch.
I think I had a snooze for 30 minutes but it wasn't a long one - tho it did mean I was awake late but watched downloaded TV after I played myself out with Lost Treasure of Eldorado. I eventually went to sleep about 1.00 a m so not as late as it could have been.
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Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Rehab - Day 44 (29 Dec 2010)
Actually slept thru till 4.45 a m - yeay - and tho I had to really hustle to get to the loo, my bed was bone dry - double yeay!! Almost totally back to normal now. Really hot, muggy day - overcast but no rain. The forecast is for more but none around here, just made life hard to do exercises cos was so muggy but I did them tho I arranged with Emily that I'd do my OT upstairs (knowing full well I wouldn't - I just didn't want any arguments about it!) Physio wasn't too bad tho still sweating up a storm Alissa had said I was booked in Thursday but not today or Friday, but they've actually managed to find a spot for me all 3 days and even tho I am lazy on my own still, I like to go down to the therapists cos they push my envelope further and I find I can do things I didn't think I could. I wanted to try a lower height today which if I push up from the seat, I can stand from - can't do it pushing on my knees - my usual problem of not leaning forward far enough. But did quite a few sit/stands from the lower height pushing up, so that's progress as well as the ball exercises, walking with the stick (no hands on bars) and stepping up and down off the "stair".
When I got back upstairs, the speechie on duty came to see me (Penny isn't back until Tuesday) and she has to read our files but there's nothing written down on her handover sheet about changes to standard diet. I guess Penny ran out of time on Friday to update the charts. She said she would read thru the charts to see if there was anything but if not, they'd have to stick to standard. I said but if you say poached eggs aren't acceptable (which she did), that means porridge isn't either so there goes breakfast! But I wouldn't starve between now and Tuesday, so that was OK with me. She said she'd get back to me when she'd read the charts. God, this obsession with food bores me - and the inference that we are liars (including Irene) makes me mad! Tho I do know they don't mean it that way really but...
I spent the afternoon playing Eldorado (the new one), wanted to save the "Criminal Minds" episodes until tonite and knew once I started, I'd watch all of them, cos am enjoying them immensely. Out for tea knowing there should be no problems tonite cos the speechie lady had found we were both on "minced and moist" diet and gave me a sheet of what I could have and all my faves are there, so I was happy. Dell wasn't happy with nowt to bitch about but at least she shut up most of the time and ate her tea (vegie burger with mashed spuds and pumpkin. So I got to enjoy mine, Spag Bol with vegies and ate 99% of it. Took the Berry Cheesecake with me - had been social long enough!
Mrs Lamb rang and we had a chat - she sounded so bubbly and has so thoroughly enjoyed her visitors' kids, I wish Steve's daughter was reasonable they could renew their relationship with her 2 kids. Once I got off the phone, I ate my cheesecake (which is actually spongcake with cream topping and berry jam - really rich so I take it slowly!) and watched my TV until all episodes of "Criminal Minds" were watched. Then so ready to sleep,
When I got back upstairs, the speechie on duty came to see me (Penny isn't back until Tuesday) and she has to read our files but there's nothing written down on her handover sheet about changes to standard diet. I guess Penny ran out of time on Friday to update the charts. She said she would read thru the charts to see if there was anything but if not, they'd have to stick to standard. I said but if you say poached eggs aren't acceptable (which she did), that means porridge isn't either so there goes breakfast! But I wouldn't starve between now and Tuesday, so that was OK with me. She said she'd get back to me when she'd read the charts. God, this obsession with food bores me - and the inference that we are liars (including Irene) makes me mad! Tho I do know they don't mean it that way really but...
I spent the afternoon playing Eldorado (the new one), wanted to save the "Criminal Minds" episodes until tonite and knew once I started, I'd watch all of them, cos am enjoying them immensely. Out for tea knowing there should be no problems tonite cos the speechie lady had found we were both on "minced and moist" diet and gave me a sheet of what I could have and all my faves are there, so I was happy. Dell wasn't happy with nowt to bitch about but at least she shut up most of the time and ate her tea (vegie burger with mashed spuds and pumpkin. So I got to enjoy mine, Spag Bol with vegies and ate 99% of it. Took the Berry Cheesecake with me - had been social long enough!
Mrs Lamb rang and we had a chat - she sounded so bubbly and has so thoroughly enjoyed her visitors' kids, I wish Steve's daughter was reasonable they could renew their relationship with her 2 kids. Once I got off the phone, I ate my cheesecake (which is actually spongcake with cream topping and berry jam - really rich so I take it slowly!) and watched my TV until all episodes of "Criminal Minds" were watched. Then so ready to sleep,
Monday, December 27, 2010
Rehab - Days 40-43 (25 to 28 Dec 2010)
Xmas morning showed up rainy, overcast and a bit chilly - what a lovely day or me :oD. I opened Julie's present and it was a pretty supersonic pedometer, to keep me on the straight and narrow - 10,000 steps per day... I had a lovely time playing Cradle of Rome 2 until I felt I really must get up cos didn't know what time Mark was coming.
He got here about 10.00 - and it was great to see his eyes light up when I got up off the bed and gave him a hug on my own 2 feet - I reckon he was thinking, "My job is done!" It must have been a lot of work for the both of them (he and Stacey) to look after me whilst I've been helpless specially when it's been so busy in his section for most of the year. So apart from a friend's feelings for me being better, a lot of relief has got to be in there as well for handing back responsibility for my life, not just my finances. One thing I now know is that I'm not disconnected from the world just because my family has gone - I have all these wonderful friends who care deeply for me and would do just about anything for me. I've learnt lots in the past 7 months (once I woke up!!) and it gives me the courage to look forward and feel safe - or as safe as this modern world can ever be.
We sat and visited for a couple of hours and today I let him talk to me with his news etc *G* - Ian won a scholarship for academic excellence - and think both of them are bursting with pride. Luke is still monosyllabic but really typical of a 15yr old! And Ben gives him quite a bit of amusement I think. He (they?) jet off to Europe on the 30th for 3 weeks which is a break from work he needs - think he's been burning the early morning/late nite oil for the past couple of weeks. He gave me choccies (and I managed to eat a few without mishap - good old swallowing exercises and sucking!) and a book, lovely thick saga novel by an Aussie author, Monica McInerney which looks really interesting and my type of book. He forgot my "huge" packet of mail and stuff so will drop that in before they leave. He offered to have Ian pick me up in his SUV (ha, he's gone all suburban, golfing Dad!!) but I said I'd rather just get a taxi when the time comes - little Miss Independent, me - he's probably glad to see her back!!
Once he left, it was quite a let down to know I had no more visitors today and just Vonnie tomorrow now Chris and Liza probably won't get here: I can't see them getting well in a day from how he was describing their state!! I think I wanted to celebrate this Xmas cos I'm still here and kicking but the best laid plans ...
Because it was a special Xmas lunch, I went out today and joined the few of us who were left behind - my favourite soup (Cheese & Cauliflower) and yummy mango and a glass of Sprite - woohoo!! I'd've love to have got stuck into the prawns but couldn't eat them anyroad, so didn't waste any. Glad to get back to my room tho - the noise today has been phenomonal even with more than half the patients missing, and the way the tables were set up, I was opposite one of the ladies who does not appeal to me at all who talks all the time, usually in a negative way about anything and everything - and Xmas carols playing incessantly in the background whether you want to listen or not - with the door shut, I couldn't hear it anyroad!! I spent the afternoon and half the nite playing Cradle of Rome - I do get obsessed - lol!
Was starting to flag so I settled down and watched a couple of "Castle", went to the loo and went to sleep - Merry Xmas everyone.
He got here about 10.00 - and it was great to see his eyes light up when I got up off the bed and gave him a hug on my own 2 feet - I reckon he was thinking, "My job is done!" It must have been a lot of work for the both of them (he and Stacey) to look after me whilst I've been helpless specially when it's been so busy in his section for most of the year. So apart from a friend's feelings for me being better, a lot of relief has got to be in there as well for handing back responsibility for my life, not just my finances. One thing I now know is that I'm not disconnected from the world just because my family has gone - I have all these wonderful friends who care deeply for me and would do just about anything for me. I've learnt lots in the past 7 months (once I woke up!!) and it gives me the courage to look forward and feel safe - or as safe as this modern world can ever be.
We sat and visited for a couple of hours and today I let him talk to me with his news etc *G* - Ian won a scholarship for academic excellence - and think both of them are bursting with pride. Luke is still monosyllabic but really typical of a 15yr old! And Ben gives him quite a bit of amusement I think. He (they?) jet off to Europe on the 30th for 3 weeks which is a break from work he needs - think he's been burning the early morning/late nite oil for the past couple of weeks. He gave me choccies (and I managed to eat a few without mishap - good old swallowing exercises and sucking!) and a book, lovely thick saga novel by an Aussie author, Monica McInerney which looks really interesting and my type of book. He forgot my "huge" packet of mail and stuff so will drop that in before they leave. He offered to have Ian pick me up in his SUV (ha, he's gone all suburban, golfing Dad!!) but I said I'd rather just get a taxi when the time comes - little Miss Independent, me - he's probably glad to see her back!!
Once he left, it was quite a let down to know I had no more visitors today and just Vonnie tomorrow now Chris and Liza probably won't get here: I can't see them getting well in a day from how he was describing their state!! I think I wanted to celebrate this Xmas cos I'm still here and kicking but the best laid plans ...
Because it was a special Xmas lunch, I went out today and joined the few of us who were left behind - my favourite soup (Cheese & Cauliflower) and yummy mango and a glass of Sprite - woohoo!! I'd've love to have got stuck into the prawns but couldn't eat them anyroad, so didn't waste any. Glad to get back to my room tho - the noise today has been phenomonal even with more than half the patients missing, and the way the tables were set up, I was opposite one of the ladies who does not appeal to me at all who talks all the time, usually in a negative way about anything and everything - and Xmas carols playing incessantly in the background whether you want to listen or not - with the door shut, I couldn't hear it anyroad!! I spent the afternoon and half the nite playing Cradle of Rome - I do get obsessed - lol!
Was starting to flag so I settled down and watched a couple of "Castle", went to the loo and went to sleep - Merry Xmas everyone.
- o - o - o -
Opened my eyes to another rainy day - damn, but I love this weather! Tho with most of the State flooding and getting more rain than ever, I shouldn't be so jubilant I guess, but it does so appeal to me. I stayed in bed an extra hour just to annoy my nurse for the day, Tom, who was all ready to throw me in the shower, weigh me, obs etc before I even finished breakfast - not on, sunshine! But once I did get up, I "sat out" on the big chair in my room (after I'd tidied up bits and pieces around the place) My trachie site was itching like the devil so I ended up pushing, pulling and scratching at it until it came off. And it took until about 11.00 for Tom to notice and redo it. I got weighed too whilst Vonn was here - 95.3 kg today so have put on a kilo - pooh - less Breakas and more walking around the ward I think!! (I only had 4 mini chocolate bars yesterday - and gave the leftover chocs to Vonn for her and Karrl!!) Might have to start a calourie diary again, that seems to be when I can really work out what is what.
Vonn arrived at 10.30 (she'd had to go to 3 service stations before she could find my mineral water so was a bit hot and bothered! oops!) - she had gotten my email so I did get my Macca's strawberry thickshake. Once I'd worked out I had to push up on the seat of the chair, not the arms, I finally got up and hugged her - and we both shed a little tear cos there's another one who can stop worrying!! We had a great visit and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Also we started working out actual dates of when I'm going home - and she will pick me up (she'll take the day off work quite happily - :o\) cos her car is just a slide in/slide out height - not too low and not too high - and she will be there to haul me out if my knees get stagefright again (*G*), so I was pleased to say yes, please. So the day is Friday, 21 January 2011.
We ended up visiting thru the lunch hour, besides after a large Macca's thickshake, what else could I fit in my tummy - was stuffed. Once she went (she'll be back after 3 Jan which is when she comes home from the week up at the Sunshine Coast tho she doesn't start back at work until the 10th), I went back to Cradle of Rome 2 but I ended up sleeping or a couple of hours - didn't mean to and was quite cold not under the covers, but just drifted off and didn't even hear them outside or Denice delivering my Breaka so it was a pretty deep sleep too.
Once I woke myself up properly, it was time for tea so I toddled out for 1½ plates of Potato and Leek Soup and then later on, I got Lei to get me a mango Weis bar so not too calourific tea. I want to start sewing for myself again and to do that, have to be down to 12½ stone (80 kgs) otherwise I just get pissed off with how things look! If the swallowing exercises are working as they seem to be, I should be able to go back to meat and 3 vegies, tho I may never get back to steak and a green salad or Vitawheat with fresh crab and pepper, but can have a Di Bingham special crab salad for my treat!! Once I started thinking about textures and what will go down and what won't, there's still a huge variety I can eat especially if I am careful and focus when I'm eating.
I ended up drifting off again over another new game, Lost Treasures of El Dorado (matching 3 hexagons which can get interesting cos the replacement hex's don't drop straight down on the board, they come in from the side, etc so you never quite know what you're going to end up with) about 9.30, so was still dopey from afternoon sleep - it's been steadily raining all night so that helps lull you too.
- o - o - o -
... unhappily was slept out by 1.30 am so when I woke up for the loo, was awake. I surfed around eQuilter and added a whole stack of things to my wish list and I got an email newsletter from Fictionwise in which there were a couple of interesting new releases, especially a new S H Baker, Marshall's Bayou series. One thing led to another and I finally sorted all the sundry ebooks stored all over the computer so I know what I have and re-downloaded Mobipocket and eReader (Fictionwise who are owned by Barnes&Noble) for some of the expired ebooks from Fictionwise - you really have to keep up with their changes or you waste your money cos you can't read the books anymore!! So I kept myself quite happy until breakfast *EG* - tho I did spend $20 for ebooks.
I got out of bed after breakfast, rather than spend the whole day in bed - sat out in the chair and watched a couple of "Castle" (am nearly up to the satellite episodes of this season, so I hope there is a Season 3: I do enjoy it. Then I spent the rest of the day designing quilts in EQ5 and it just wets my appetite to open all those packages and get in front of the Janome with all that new fabric - LOL!! With Lolly there, it'll be twice as much fun!! I can't even remember what I've got or what. I'm having trouble not going beserk with the US Quilt shop sales - some $3 a yard designer stuff, etc - I want it all!!
I talked Tina into bringing me soup in my room for lunch and then Denice at afternoon tea to bring me a Weis bar, but when I went for my lap around the ward (yes, I did do it today as well as a myriad of sit/stands from the chair so not a total waste), I checked out the menu and I wasn't missing out on tea: Broccoli Soup and Macca Cheese, so I made it out to tea *G* and it was totally yummy and worth toddling out there for!!
I spent the night reading a Temperance Brennan/Seely Booth ebook, Bones, but drifted off about 9.30 - been a long day, tho not a boring one by any means.
P.S. I have finally realised why my face is suddenly so jowl-ly -- like with the radiation, the trachie has swollen my throat and chin. In 2002 I looked like I was Henry VIII at his fattest in the face and it took months to go down -- so there is hope I won't stay this "moonfaced" forever whuch makes me feel a lot better.
Slept out by 12.30 a m so when I woke up for the loo, as you do - or I do - about the same time every nite, was awake although I tried my hardest to relax and go back to sleep. But my mind is way too active although my eyes are tired but I may doze for an hour or so later. Got an email from Jacqui and she was saying she will try to visit this afternoon which would be great so I sent back a burbly "what I've been doing" (tho she is keeping up with my blog - she's a lovely petal - and, yes, that is meant for you, my caring friend) and please try to come, I'd love to see her.
I finished my book and surfed about, spent some money (when don't I??) on eBay (more quilting fabric - this time for backing for 2011 Think Pink quilt for work - very graphic - fuscia/black modern funky flowers/birds/butterflies and know exactly what to do with the front now I have the back - as I say, I cannot wait to get sewing - if Lolly is in a creative mood too as she said, Killeen Street will be humming. I cannot wait!
At 4.00 a m the nurses brought me a cuppa and I updated this blog while I enjoyed that - I never noticed before but the Gateway Bridge at night is strung with blue lights - I can see if through my window - and as I watched then, they went out!! lol - it's 4.45 a m. There was no rain during the nite although it's still overcast so maybe it's on its way elsewhere. We had some sunlight for fully 30 seconds but it went back to heavy skies straight away. I'm now going to start designing my Think Pink quilt because I've had a brainwave *G*
Well, for the last day of the holiday, I really did nowt again tho half heartedly did some leg exercises - didn't sit out in big chair today, just mooched about - read another ebook I already have, watched a couple of TV shows, played Lost Treasure of El Dorado and some Cradle of Rome 2 - and Jacqui and her Mum did make it this arvo, so we had a great visit and talked craft and fabric (of course) cos Jacqui's Mum knits, quilts, sews etc so it made me so impatient to get outta here and get started!! It was Jacqui's Mum who knitted me my mitten/gloves that saved my fingers after the cancer - and also my toes with knitted slippers.
I logged in to Facebook to see what I had missed over the past few days and an advert caught my eye for an email group (also on Facebook) called Stitchtalk. For all hand crafts that are sewn, knitted and crocheted, not just quilting so I joined it - might get me re-motivated for "proper" sewing, ie tops, pants, dresses, home decor (like slipcovers!) - very friendly mob and I was welcomed immediately. So look forward to getting to see what they do, familiarise myself with the site, etc.
Irene, one of the catering staff, popped in to ask me if I minded being swapped to the top table as there'd been a kafoofle in the dining room. I said Yes cos felt I couldn't do anything else and as she said, I don't go out as much as the others. On my first nite out for dinner, there was a kafoofle at the top table! Sheesh, can't even eat in peace! Dell, who is on the same sort of diet as me and as modified by Penny, ran into trouble with the silly Indian nurse and Tina because we are allowed to try anything we feel will go down without problems, you know make some adult decisions about what goes in our gobs!! But they couldn't find that written down anywhere so she couldn't have the omelet, which was all that was on the menu that was vegetarian (trust Dell to be a vegan and cause problems with it) - she kept arguing with the nurses that it was all there was for her to eat but without Penny there, they wouldn't budge and Dell kept arguing - and in the end, I just got up, got my walker and left the dining room - this perpetual, interminable discussing everything or arguing the rights and wrongs drives me mental. I said to Dell that until Penny came in, the nurses weren't going to change their minds, and one night with just soup would not starve either of us, but Dell had to make her points!! *sigh* Was glad to get out of there - please can I go home!!
I managed to stay awake until 9.30 p m but then drifted off - it'd been a long day - fraught with people which I am getting less and less able to deal with politely - am actually glad the holiday is over and it's back to work tomorrow!! People won't have so much time on their hands to be unreasonable!
I got out of bed after breakfast, rather than spend the whole day in bed - sat out in the chair and watched a couple of "Castle" (am nearly up to the satellite episodes of this season, so I hope there is a Season 3: I do enjoy it. Then I spent the rest of the day designing quilts in EQ5 and it just wets my appetite to open all those packages and get in front of the Janome with all that new fabric - LOL!! With Lolly there, it'll be twice as much fun!! I can't even remember what I've got or what. I'm having trouble not going beserk with the US Quilt shop sales - some $3 a yard designer stuff, etc - I want it all!!
I talked Tina into bringing me soup in my room for lunch and then Denice at afternoon tea to bring me a Weis bar, but when I went for my lap around the ward (yes, I did do it today as well as a myriad of sit/stands from the chair so not a total waste), I checked out the menu and I wasn't missing out on tea: Broccoli Soup and Macca Cheese, so I made it out to tea *G* and it was totally yummy and worth toddling out there for!!
I spent the night reading a Temperance Brennan/Seely Booth ebook, Bones, but drifted off about 9.30 - been a long day, tho not a boring one by any means.
P.S. I have finally realised why my face is suddenly so jowl-ly -- like with the radiation, the trachie has swollen my throat and chin. In 2002 I looked like I was Henry VIII at his fattest in the face and it took months to go down -- so there is hope I won't stay this "moonfaced" forever whuch makes me feel a lot better.
- o - o - o -
Slept out by 12.30 a m so when I woke up for the loo, as you do - or I do - about the same time every nite, was awake although I tried my hardest to relax and go back to sleep. But my mind is way too active although my eyes are tired but I may doze for an hour or so later. Got an email from Jacqui and she was saying she will try to visit this afternoon which would be great so I sent back a burbly "what I've been doing" (tho she is keeping up with my blog - she's a lovely petal - and, yes, that is meant for you, my caring friend) and please try to come, I'd love to see her.
I finished my book and surfed about, spent some money (when don't I??) on eBay (more quilting fabric - this time for backing for 2011 Think Pink quilt for work - very graphic - fuscia/black modern funky flowers/birds/butterflies and know exactly what to do with the front now I have the back - as I say, I cannot wait to get sewing - if Lolly is in a creative mood too as she said, Killeen Street will be humming. I cannot wait!
At 4.00 a m the nurses brought me a cuppa and I updated this blog while I enjoyed that - I never noticed before but the Gateway Bridge at night is strung with blue lights - I can see if through my window - and as I watched then, they went out!! lol - it's 4.45 a m. There was no rain during the nite although it's still overcast so maybe it's on its way elsewhere. We had some sunlight for fully 30 seconds but it went back to heavy skies straight away. I'm now going to start designing my Think Pink quilt because I've had a brainwave *G*
Well, for the last day of the holiday, I really did nowt again tho half heartedly did some leg exercises - didn't sit out in big chair today, just mooched about - read another ebook I already have, watched a couple of TV shows, played Lost Treasure of El Dorado and some Cradle of Rome 2 - and Jacqui and her Mum did make it this arvo, so we had a great visit and talked craft and fabric (of course) cos Jacqui's Mum knits, quilts, sews etc so it made me so impatient to get outta here and get started!! It was Jacqui's Mum who knitted me my mitten/gloves that saved my fingers after the cancer - and also my toes with knitted slippers.
I logged in to Facebook to see what I had missed over the past few days and an advert caught my eye for an email group (also on Facebook) called Stitchtalk. For all hand crafts that are sewn, knitted and crocheted, not just quilting so I joined it - might get me re-motivated for "proper" sewing, ie tops, pants, dresses, home decor (like slipcovers!) - very friendly mob and I was welcomed immediately. So look forward to getting to see what they do, familiarise myself with the site, etc.
Irene, one of the catering staff, popped in to ask me if I minded being swapped to the top table as there'd been a kafoofle in the dining room. I said Yes cos felt I couldn't do anything else and as she said, I don't go out as much as the others. On my first nite out for dinner, there was a kafoofle at the top table! Sheesh, can't even eat in peace! Dell, who is on the same sort of diet as me and as modified by Penny, ran into trouble with the silly Indian nurse and Tina because we are allowed to try anything we feel will go down without problems, you know make some adult decisions about what goes in our gobs!! But they couldn't find that written down anywhere so she couldn't have the omelet, which was all that was on the menu that was vegetarian (trust Dell to be a vegan and cause problems with it) - she kept arguing with the nurses that it was all there was for her to eat but without Penny there, they wouldn't budge and Dell kept arguing - and in the end, I just got up, got my walker and left the dining room - this perpetual, interminable discussing everything or arguing the rights and wrongs drives me mental. I said to Dell that until Penny came in, the nurses weren't going to change their minds, and one night with just soup would not starve either of us, but Dell had to make her points!! *sigh* Was glad to get out of there - please can I go home!!
I managed to stay awake until 9.30 p m but then drifted off - it'd been a long day - fraught with people which I am getting less and less able to deal with politely - am actually glad the holiday is over and it's back to work tomorrow!! People won't have so much time on their hands to be unreasonable!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Rehab - Day 39 (24 Dec 2010)
God, I am so sick of the noise around here, people banging into my room at 5.15 and then Peter starts up - the first night I'm home, I'll sleep for 12 hours!! Once I'd woken up, I stayed awake and just played on the computer until Chris rang (the relief office staff is just as rude as the ordinary staff) My main problem is they don't listen to anything I say at any time like I'm a cabbagem just sitting there or something - GRRR!! We had a chat until the Indian nurse (yep, got her again) was hovering and talking while I was on the phone - sheesh!! They don't even say 'sorry' like it's their God-given right to forget the patient might need some privacy, their mission is so much more important. I finally gave up and Chris had to go anyway, her visitors were arriving very soon. All the nurse wanted was obs and to change dressing - which she did -- but I am sure every nurse in this place thinks we're all senile: some of the things they ask or remind you that you have to do ... did you know that oral care is very important and you should clean your teeth and wash your mouth out after meals? DOH? I get really impatient with that sort of thing - they're so hipped on cleaning around here and germs that they wash their hands every 5 seconds (especially with me because I have some bacteria that the hospital gave me anyroad as well as taking cytotoxic drugs) and yet today this stupid nurse who wasn't listening to a word I was saying about how to properly dress my trachie site given that I'm allergic to the covering bandaid thingie they usually use and also the tape they used to use to anchor the gauze properly, but it does need to be occluded so she has to use more than 3 strips of Steristrips (about ½"wide and 3-4" long) otherwise it doesn't cover it - all went over her head - first we put the ointment to help heal right in the middle of the little gauze pad (which goes over the site but the middle is where the dent is, not the areas around the dent where it needs it), then she just whacked the gauze pad on and taped me up - she didn't even clean it out - and it is really important I don't get another infection and there is still a slight opening into my chest cavity - but she couldn't be bothered cos wanted to go outside and gossip on Xmas Eve before she knocked off. I was not impressed.
Off to OT and Physio - it was really hot and oppressively muggy so I not only worked up a sweat, I felt totally wrung out (first time this summer season) but soldiered on to do what I could - I really hope I don't waste the 4 days and just lay in bed and do nowt!! I know that's my inclination but will try really hard not to. I had a go at the steps today - only the first step up - boy it's high, but I got up and down but mainly using my arms. Alissa let me get away with a shorter session today, don't think anyone was feeling much like pushing themselves. Then I had the rest of the day to myself - OT cancelled the afternoon session - yeay!
When I got back up to my room, Sally P was there with her daughter, Emily - for a quick Xmas visit - lovely surprise - Emily is a nice kid and you can tell Sally enjoys the company of her daughters. We all 3 chattered away about Italy (they're going in about 5 days), Florence, Venice and that they had to visit Pompeii, so I hope I talked Sally into it, cos with pollution, lack of world peace, climate change, not to mention Mt Vesuvius always looming, see it when the opportunity arises!!
I had time for quite a long play after they left and before Leigh arrived. Leigh said with the rain, the traffic and the people, it was all chaos out there but she made it by just after 4.00 pm. I got up to greet her and she was really excited - I love the feeling of getting up like a normal person so we got to have a real hug for the first time in 7 months!! She took some photos of me with her phone but will have to wait until she goes back to work and finds out how to download 'em from Mrs Lamb. At least I now have a couple of photos with the walker and being back on my feet. She brought the Weis bars, the Chuka all day suckers and the DVDs from Julie, so got all I asked for :o) - We had a good visit and she only left cos it was tea time and having had no lunch, I was starving. I did have a Weis bar while she was there but will have to eke them out!.
After tea I managed to get up properly again from the table, which was pleasing because I'm never totally confident I am going to do it. Then I went for a walk around the ward - only one but better'n none. My breathing wasn't crash hot today, felt a bit breathless if I made any effort - but that is probably the muggy heat, tho it did cool down later in the night because lots of lovely rain. I wrote Michael a long, rambling email for Xmas cos have been letting my blog catch me up for him. I'm getting so fast at "hunt and peck"typing, maybe I'll type like that permanently *G*.
Sleep quite early and was nice to snuggle down and listen to the rain and drift off ...
Off to OT and Physio - it was really hot and oppressively muggy so I not only worked up a sweat, I felt totally wrung out (first time this summer season) but soldiered on to do what I could - I really hope I don't waste the 4 days and just lay in bed and do nowt!! I know that's my inclination but will try really hard not to. I had a go at the steps today - only the first step up - boy it's high, but I got up and down but mainly using my arms. Alissa let me get away with a shorter session today, don't think anyone was feeling much like pushing themselves. Then I had the rest of the day to myself - OT cancelled the afternoon session - yeay!
When I got back up to my room, Sally P was there with her daughter, Emily - for a quick Xmas visit - lovely surprise - Emily is a nice kid and you can tell Sally enjoys the company of her daughters. We all 3 chattered away about Italy (they're going in about 5 days), Florence, Venice and that they had to visit Pompeii, so I hope I talked Sally into it, cos with pollution, lack of world peace, climate change, not to mention Mt Vesuvius always looming, see it when the opportunity arises!!
I had time for quite a long play after they left and before Leigh arrived. Leigh said with the rain, the traffic and the people, it was all chaos out there but she made it by just after 4.00 pm. I got up to greet her and she was really excited - I love the feeling of getting up like a normal person so we got to have a real hug for the first time in 7 months!! She took some photos of me with her phone but will have to wait until she goes back to work and finds out how to download 'em from Mrs Lamb. At least I now have a couple of photos with the walker and being back on my feet. She brought the Weis bars, the Chuka all day suckers and the DVDs from Julie, so got all I asked for :o) - We had a good visit and she only left cos it was tea time and having had no lunch, I was starving. I did have a Weis bar while she was there but will have to eke them out!.
After tea I managed to get up properly again from the table, which was pleasing because I'm never totally confident I am going to do it. Then I went for a walk around the ward - only one but better'n none. My breathing wasn't crash hot today, felt a bit breathless if I made any effort - but that is probably the muggy heat, tho it did cool down later in the night because lots of lovely rain. I wrote Michael a long, rambling email for Xmas cos have been letting my blog catch me up for him. I'm getting so fast at "hunt and peck"typing, maybe I'll type like that permanently *G*.
Sleep quite early and was nice to snuggle down and listen to the rain and drift off ...
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Rehab - Day 38 (23 Dec 2010)
Up for a pee at 3.00 am and stayed awake but had had 5½ hours so that's enough, it was just so freaking early! Not that Peter was much later than me, could hear him outside so, with the net a bit faster this morning, I drowned him out with a couple of "How to ..." videos by Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs. Seems like last night he threw a giant tantrum and bashed the water cooler (I only heard a blur of loud words and a bang, but trying to ignore him cos still have at least 27 days to go of putting up with it - trying to roll with the noise and not get upset) and Scott, Nurse Supervisor and generally in charge down here, found out who caused the dent and really read him the riot act, he wasn't joking either and said his cigarettes were limited to 3 for today but 3 cigarettes isn't realistic either so there'll be even more whinging, swearing and banging today *sigh* - surprisingly that didn't eventuate at all, only heard him once today and that was after tea - made a nice change.
Nat appeared at the door - she'd come up to tell me to just come in to Physio when ready after OT (Alissa hadn't written it up on the board cos meetings thru the morning) so I called her over and gave her a big hug and apologised for being such a crabby old bag and taking it out on her, so felt better and she seemed to be okay about it.
I really had a busy day today - OT, Physio, lunch hour, Speechies and then OT again!! Tamsin got me to make a cup of coffee for myself - partly to see how I cope in the kitchen - which I did (and enjoyed it too) and suggested I cook a lunch for myself so I picked Asparagus Ham and Leek Quiche and Impossible Pie (which I love) - she will get the ingredients and next Thursday, I'll cook - am looking forward to it immensely (while Julie was visiting today, I invited her for lunch too so she's coming - after tomorrow, no work till 5 Jan, so it'll be easy for her to get away). Tamsin and I discussed my routine too and rather than make many more repetitions to each sub-routine, we went up to a harder aid, eg black Digiflex (for hand strength), 10 x 50g weights with incline slider (neck, shoulders, triceps and biceps), 2kg weights for curls and using all 25 sliders on the shoulder arch (neck, posture, strength) so made it harder work as it was getting too easy (her opinion!). I got thru one lot of the routine only today as with coffee and consultation, not a lot of time left in the morning session. And each time I had to stand up, even this afternoon, I did it on my own.
Physio was just great - and think Alissa was pleased with how I went - I was really pleased! Did more sit/stands "hands free" (getting easier), more stepping up on blocks and down again - there were 4 blocks lined up down the parallel bars so I had to step up, step down, walk a way, step up, step down, etc. Also sat down at each second traverse, up once and back again and then sit, then get up and go again. Then it was some laps with the walking stick. It was a muggy day and by the time I finished that, I was sweating copiously and pooped. I really feel like I improve every session with everything I need to do to survive at home with no people to help me once Lolly goes home. Alissa set me a timetable for the afternoon to do laps(s) around the ward. So far I've done one lap at a time but tomorrow will try for 2 (she let me have Xmas Day and New Years Day off but that's all - lol).
I went back upstairs but no lunch, just wanted to lay on my bed and pant *G* - Pam rang just as Julie arrived a little while later so I'll ring her after Xmas (tho I could tell her I wasn't too far off getting in and out of a car so can visit). Julie and I had a good natter - she was saying that one of the storms that hit the southside tore thru her place and she had no power for 3 days, all her freezer(s) stuff was ruined, as well as broken windows in her bedroom, dented sheds and water features - and general mayhem - the poor dogs were on their own until she came home, so my poor Mitzi wouldn't have been happy as she hates storms, especially violent ones. She brought me a whole stack of mail (some of it soggy from the rain and still wet from Killeen Street! One of the parcels was the koala stuffie from Saffron Craig - it is cute) so sorted that whilst I talked 19 to the dozen about how well I was doing!!
The speechies actually came today tho they were quite late - Ben took me thru a few exercises but that's all we had time for but all of us agreed the strength of my swallow, throat and tongue had improved immensely, so that was pleasing to know. Penny said she'd see me tomorrow - but we'll see - lol.
Down to OT to finish routine which I did, tho skimped a bit on the silly putty - I was all therapied out for today, tho I did promise Alissa I would do a lap of the ward after tea and I did do that - in my bare feet too so was vigilant about where I was stepping. I went out for tea (Savoury Mince and vegies - very nice and ate most of it) and when it came to getting up, no stage fright tonite, did a bit of a rock and then rose to my feet amidst congratulations from my table companions :o), so another hurdle bounded over - yeay!
Spent the nite playing Cradle of Rome 2 except for 15 minutes when Mrs Lamb rang - she'll try to ring me early tomorrow but otherwise, it'll be after Xmas as she has visitors arriving tomorrow for the holidays.
The doctors paid a quick visit this arvo - Dr Patel said he would check that an appointment had been made with Dr Zapala and let me know - and they would like me to keep the appointment with the gastro specialists on 31/1/2011 (got a letter in the mail Julie brought asking me to confirm the appointment and I'd asked them about it as I have no trouble at all with the fistula now I'm mobile and independent again but I'll do what they ask)
Off to sleep about 10.45 pm after I caught up in here.
Nat appeared at the door - she'd come up to tell me to just come in to Physio when ready after OT (Alissa hadn't written it up on the board cos meetings thru the morning) so I called her over and gave her a big hug and apologised for being such a crabby old bag and taking it out on her, so felt better and she seemed to be okay about it.
I really had a busy day today - OT, Physio, lunch hour, Speechies and then OT again!! Tamsin got me to make a cup of coffee for myself - partly to see how I cope in the kitchen - which I did (and enjoyed it too) and suggested I cook a lunch for myself so I picked Asparagus Ham and Leek Quiche and Impossible Pie (which I love) - she will get the ingredients and next Thursday, I'll cook - am looking forward to it immensely (while Julie was visiting today, I invited her for lunch too so she's coming - after tomorrow, no work till 5 Jan, so it'll be easy for her to get away). Tamsin and I discussed my routine too and rather than make many more repetitions to each sub-routine, we went up to a harder aid, eg black Digiflex (for hand strength), 10 x 50g weights with incline slider (neck, shoulders, triceps and biceps), 2kg weights for curls and using all 25 sliders on the shoulder arch (neck, posture, strength) so made it harder work as it was getting too easy (her opinion!). I got thru one lot of the routine only today as with coffee and consultation, not a lot of time left in the morning session. And each time I had to stand up, even this afternoon, I did it on my own.
Physio was just great - and think Alissa was pleased with how I went - I was really pleased! Did more sit/stands "hands free" (getting easier), more stepping up on blocks and down again - there were 4 blocks lined up down the parallel bars so I had to step up, step down, walk a way, step up, step down, etc. Also sat down at each second traverse, up once and back again and then sit, then get up and go again. Then it was some laps with the walking stick. It was a muggy day and by the time I finished that, I was sweating copiously and pooped. I really feel like I improve every session with everything I need to do to survive at home with no people to help me once Lolly goes home. Alissa set me a timetable for the afternoon to do laps(s) around the ward. So far I've done one lap at a time but tomorrow will try for 2 (she let me have Xmas Day and New Years Day off but that's all - lol).
I went back upstairs but no lunch, just wanted to lay on my bed and pant *G* - Pam rang just as Julie arrived a little while later so I'll ring her after Xmas (tho I could tell her I wasn't too far off getting in and out of a car so can visit). Julie and I had a good natter - she was saying that one of the storms that hit the southside tore thru her place and she had no power for 3 days, all her freezer(s) stuff was ruined, as well as broken windows in her bedroom, dented sheds and water features - and general mayhem - the poor dogs were on their own until she came home, so my poor Mitzi wouldn't have been happy as she hates storms, especially violent ones. She brought me a whole stack of mail (some of it soggy from the rain and still wet from Killeen Street! One of the parcels was the koala stuffie from Saffron Craig - it is cute) so sorted that whilst I talked 19 to the dozen about how well I was doing!!
The speechies actually came today tho they were quite late - Ben took me thru a few exercises but that's all we had time for but all of us agreed the strength of my swallow, throat and tongue had improved immensely, so that was pleasing to know. Penny said she'd see me tomorrow - but we'll see - lol.
Down to OT to finish routine which I did, tho skimped a bit on the silly putty - I was all therapied out for today, tho I did promise Alissa I would do a lap of the ward after tea and I did do that - in my bare feet too so was vigilant about where I was stepping. I went out for tea (Savoury Mince and vegies - very nice and ate most of it) and when it came to getting up, no stage fright tonite, did a bit of a rock and then rose to my feet amidst congratulations from my table companions :o), so another hurdle bounded over - yeay!
Spent the nite playing Cradle of Rome 2 except for 15 minutes when Mrs Lamb rang - she'll try to ring me early tomorrow but otherwise, it'll be after Xmas as she has visitors arriving tomorrow for the holidays.
The doctors paid a quick visit this arvo - Dr Patel said he would check that an appointment had been made with Dr Zapala and let me know - and they would like me to keep the appointment with the gastro specialists on 31/1/2011 (got a letter in the mail Julie brought asking me to confirm the appointment and I'd asked them about it as I have no trouble at all with the fistula now I'm mobile and independent again but I'll do what they ask)
Off to sleep about 10.45 pm after I caught up in here.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Rehab - Day 37 (22 Dec 2010)
Woke up at 6.00 for shot and pills - quite muggy this morning. I still feel like doing nowt but got going when I should so was at OT on time. While I was down there, I downloaded a couple of "Human Target" - I now have 7 shows to watch for the Xmas weekend and once the internet is faster, may download a couple more. Tho I also plan to do a jigsaw - not only fun but good for nimbleness of fingers and should be able to spread out a bit because a lot of people are going home - :o) Into Physio after I met Tamsin, the OT person handling my file whilst Tracey is away and she'll also do the home visit with me. It was the best session I've had yet: sit/stands with no hands help, hands on knees - did about 6 or 7 of those before the legs weakened and wouldn't obey the commands, then some on the plinth exercises both arms (working biceps, triceps and laterals) and legs (with the ball again), then over to do stepping up - and today I actually did step up on and step down off the box (rather than just tap the top with my foot). While I was waiting for Alissa (as she was supervising 2 of us at once), I did some sideways stepping between the bars and then some hands free walking - I found out that the bigger my stride, the more natural the walk so small footsteps don't work that much for me.
I found the perfect Xmas present for Vonn in a Deals Direct newsletter - suit my adrenalin junkie daughter to a "T" - a jet boat ride down the Coast - so sent her a tizzy Xmas email with the voucher attached and got an email when I came back from OT/Physio that she loved it and also that she'd be coming on Boxing Day so that will be great. She'll try to find the kids' presents in amongst all the parcels or at least if the delivery cards are in the postbox but if not, will send them on once I get home - as I sent them to Killeen Street, who even knows if they're still there, at the post office or returned!!
When I got back to my room, I decided on not going out again (what they don't understand is I don't care if I eat or not most times) so when I heard one of the nurses say I couldn't expect special treatment, I just called out that I didn't expect it and didn't expect nurses to waitress me (tho if they offer, I won't refuse *G*) - they still forget I can hear every word they say!!
Went down to OT at 2.00 but nobody there (not back from their Xmas lunch yet) - and wasn't allowed to continue session unsupervised, so back upstairs. Later on Natasha (Physio) came up and said Alissa had said to escort me on a long walk around the ward - and I was already pissed off because OT had booked me in and then not shown up and then I was being interfered with again (I was actually trying to rest my legs so's I could get up from the chair at the dining room table cos I knew my little trot of not having to eat with the others realistically had come to an end - such a shame, it's nicer in my room with no company!) but with very bad grace, I flung myself off the bed, grabbed the walker and at great speed, started walking around the ward. Later I was ashamed of myself cos Natasha was only doing as Alissa had asked her to and Alissa is only doing what she knows I want: getting me the stamina to get back to normal life. I could only do one full lap which was 100 metres tho if I hadn't done it at such a rate, I may have been able to do 2 laps and wouldn't have made Nat feel awkward. I also notice that whilst I was flinging myself about making Nat feel bad, I was very careful not to do anything silly and run the risk of falling. So you are not always a nice person as well as being a crabby old bag, Bingham, rehab is what you're here for.
Even though I was pretty sure I'd need help to get up out of the chair, I did go out to tea tonite - and got "real" pumpkin, ie not mashed but 2 pieces - what a blissful texture on my tongue - :o) - and the spaghetti bologneise wasn't half bad either. I took the Berry Cheesecake back to my room to gobble in private - I'd done my bit for the team!! Reg had to give me a hand tho think it could be more my knees getting stage fright cos people watch you in the dining room, whatever, tomorrow I will make it out of that chair on my own!! It's silly to care what other people think when most of them are worse off than I am!!
Peter has been in full cry all bloody day arguing for extra ciggies or to go back in the wheel chair (he was on wheelie walker regime today) and driving me nuts - when he started straight after tea, I just got ready for bed, closed the door and watched 2 of the shows I'd downloaded to drown him out until he went to bed. Thank goodness he won't be here over Xmas, some peace and quiet for a change, though there are a few new patients today so maybe not!
This walking about and hard physio and OT is sure wearing me out - another night of being asleep by 9.30-9.45, it's pretty nice as I hate not being able to sleep.
I found the perfect Xmas present for Vonn in a Deals Direct newsletter - suit my adrenalin junkie daughter to a "T" - a jet boat ride down the Coast - so sent her a tizzy Xmas email with the voucher attached and got an email when I came back from OT/Physio that she loved it and also that she'd be coming on Boxing Day so that will be great. She'll try to find the kids' presents in amongst all the parcels or at least if the delivery cards are in the postbox but if not, will send them on once I get home - as I sent them to Killeen Street, who even knows if they're still there, at the post office or returned!!
When I got back to my room, I decided on not going out again (what they don't understand is I don't care if I eat or not most times) so when I heard one of the nurses say I couldn't expect special treatment, I just called out that I didn't expect it and didn't expect nurses to waitress me (tho if they offer, I won't refuse *G*) - they still forget I can hear every word they say!!
Went down to OT at 2.00 but nobody there (not back from their Xmas lunch yet) - and wasn't allowed to continue session unsupervised, so back upstairs. Later on Natasha (Physio) came up and said Alissa had said to escort me on a long walk around the ward - and I was already pissed off because OT had booked me in and then not shown up and then I was being interfered with again (I was actually trying to rest my legs so's I could get up from the chair at the dining room table cos I knew my little trot of not having to eat with the others realistically had come to an end - such a shame, it's nicer in my room with no company!) but with very bad grace, I flung myself off the bed, grabbed the walker and at great speed, started walking around the ward. Later I was ashamed of myself cos Natasha was only doing as Alissa had asked her to and Alissa is only doing what she knows I want: getting me the stamina to get back to normal life. I could only do one full lap which was 100 metres tho if I hadn't done it at such a rate, I may have been able to do 2 laps and wouldn't have made Nat feel awkward. I also notice that whilst I was flinging myself about making Nat feel bad, I was very careful not to do anything silly and run the risk of falling. So you are not always a nice person as well as being a crabby old bag, Bingham, rehab is what you're here for.
Even though I was pretty sure I'd need help to get up out of the chair, I did go out to tea tonite - and got "real" pumpkin, ie not mashed but 2 pieces - what a blissful texture on my tongue - :o) - and the spaghetti bologneise wasn't half bad either. I took the Berry Cheesecake back to my room to gobble in private - I'd done my bit for the team!! Reg had to give me a hand tho think it could be more my knees getting stage fright cos people watch you in the dining room, whatever, tomorrow I will make it out of that chair on my own!! It's silly to care what other people think when most of them are worse off than I am!!
Peter has been in full cry all bloody day arguing for extra ciggies or to go back in the wheel chair (he was on wheelie walker regime today) and driving me nuts - when he started straight after tea, I just got ready for bed, closed the door and watched 2 of the shows I'd downloaded to drown him out until he went to bed. Thank goodness he won't be here over Xmas, some peace and quiet for a change, though there are a few new patients today so maybe not!
This walking about and hard physio and OT is sure wearing me out - another night of being asleep by 9.30-9.45, it's pretty nice as I hate not being able to sleep.
Rehab - Day 36 (21 Dec 2010)
And, and, and, more good news - I can stand up from the plinth downstair no hands - no pushing up, just standing up - it's all in the leaning forward and over (gives a whole new meaning to "kissing your ass goodbye"!!), so was a great day - and one more big leap and means my legs are getting stronger all the time. Alissa is now concentrating all on bum and legs, so lots of squats and sit/stands. The prone exercises I can do upstairs (more for toning than strengthening anyroad) but today we did some with the exercise ball (the gigantic one) under my feet so some of them were not as easy.
Didn't have lunch at all today - not in the mood and just wanted to rest up - bit pooped actually. I did put my washing on and on my (unsupervised) way to OT in the afternoon, chucked them in the dryer. So domestics are done for Xmas - :o) - I was supposed to have the speechies visit for swallowing exercises but that didn't eventuate cos nobody came - there's a lot of people around here who could benefit from time & motion training much as they are nice - I didn't wait past the time I was supposed to go to OT. I did the full routine in OT between the morning and afternoon visit so I do try even when I don't want to tho Emily had to give me a helping haul up out of the chair when I finished.
Took it slowly back upstairs and went to bed - now very pooped - and warned them I wouldn't be going out for tea tonite, too pooped to pop. So, the nice Indian nurse brought me tea, even got the salad with the quiche so had a lovely time sucking on cold cucumber slices, didn't try to chew or swallow them but did enjoy the taste and texture in my mouth.
I played "Cradle of Rome 2" until 12.20, when I was losing lives cos kept dozing off mid-turn, and then turned everything off and went to sleep
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Rehab - Day 35 (20 Dec 2010)
Peter was in loud voice mode at 5.10 am this morning and woke me out of a beautiful sleep, the sod - and he still didn't get his cigarette so he was vocal for nowt! GRRR! The rain has gone away for now (tho they did say we'd have a rainy Xmas Day - hard to believe it's only 5 days away!) I'd seen an ad in McCalls Quilt Mag for eQuilter and went looking - did some stash shopping as everything was 50% off, even got a book on how to measure and make slip covers -- I know, I said I'd pull my head in but $4 a yard was too hard to resist - *oops*. Got them to get the TV taken away today - $50 for one Harry Potter movie I'd already seen, so total waste of money - rather spend it on iTunes.
Got up and had my shower when I was asked: think Tina was relieved she no longer had a smelly patient - lol - so was all ready for wardie (Robert) when he came to escort me to OT. Not enthused, bit breathless today and listless. But still went thru the motions of my routine with as much gusto as I could muster - will do better this arvo. Alissa came and got me and we went thru to Physio. We did 3-4 half squats holding each for 30 seconds and boy does that wipe out your legs! Then I progressed to half stepping up on a wooden step, not actually getting up on it but tapping it with my foot. In amongst all that, I sat/stood about 5 times, as I did in OT too.
I got a new wheelie walker, taller than the last one, very modern and swish - felt less comfortable even if better for posture and balance - it's amazing to me how quickly you can get used to something, I'd had the other one for 4 or 5 days and was "used" to it. I hunch my shoulders up around my ears (one of the physios said to me 'You don't need a new pair of earrings, relax your shoulders'! Very hard for me to do, relaxed is not a state I know well).
I collapsed gratefully on the bed when I got upstairs and tho I meant to, I never moved for the rest of the afternoon except to go to the loo - I tried to see if I could get up from just the loo, no shower chair - but still too low for the strength of my legs so Lae had to help me - ah, well, it'll come. Alissa said I should do a couple of laps with the walker but that didn't eventuate either - I really did feel wiped out.
Had a lovely tea of Broccoli Soup and Macca Cheese - it was totally yummy - Penny came and did the swallowing test again and with just a weekend of "suck it and see", my number of swallows to get water to go down had lessened so looks like I keep sucking - lol - I requested Pineapple chukas instead of orange!!
I'd downloaded 2 new games from Big Fish, so everyone can guess what I spent the night doing - but only lasted till 9.00 and turned everything off and went straight to sleep! I really was that tired - thought it might be laziness and lack of inclination but ...
Got up and had my shower when I was asked: think Tina was relieved she no longer had a smelly patient - lol - so was all ready for wardie (Robert) when he came to escort me to OT. Not enthused, bit breathless today and listless. But still went thru the motions of my routine with as much gusto as I could muster - will do better this arvo. Alissa came and got me and we went thru to Physio. We did 3-4 half squats holding each for 30 seconds and boy does that wipe out your legs! Then I progressed to half stepping up on a wooden step, not actually getting up on it but tapping it with my foot. In amongst all that, I sat/stood about 5 times, as I did in OT too.
I got a new wheelie walker, taller than the last one, very modern and swish - felt less comfortable even if better for posture and balance - it's amazing to me how quickly you can get used to something, I'd had the other one for 4 or 5 days and was "used" to it. I hunch my shoulders up around my ears (one of the physios said to me 'You don't need a new pair of earrings, relax your shoulders'! Very hard for me to do, relaxed is not a state I know well).
I collapsed gratefully on the bed when I got upstairs and tho I meant to, I never moved for the rest of the afternoon except to go to the loo - I tried to see if I could get up from just the loo, no shower chair - but still too low for the strength of my legs so Lae had to help me - ah, well, it'll come. Alissa said I should do a couple of laps with the walker but that didn't eventuate either - I really did feel wiped out.
Had a lovely tea of Broccoli Soup and Macca Cheese - it was totally yummy - Penny came and did the swallowing test again and with just a weekend of "suck it and see", my number of swallows to get water to go down had lessened so looks like I keep sucking - lol - I requested Pineapple chukas instead of orange!!
I'd downloaded 2 new games from Big Fish, so everyone can guess what I spent the night doing - but only lasted till 9.00 and turned everything off and went straight to sleep! I really was that tired - thought it might be laziness and lack of inclination but ...
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Rehab - Days 33 and 34 (18 & 19 Dec 2010)
Well, I woke up for the loo at 2:10 and stayed awake - just not interested in going back to sleep. I spent the time surfing about the quilt fabric sales but was good (I love to fill up a shopping cart with everything that takes my fancy but then just exit out of IE and don't buy anything *EG*). Then I got into my accounts, such as they are - have made a bit of a welter of spending the last week or two but if I want to get all the stuff done for the house, I'd better pull my head in!!
Spent the morning luxuriating in bed and Tina, my nurse for the day, let me too - interrupted only to give pills, take obs and then just before lunch, to weigh me (94.7kg so still losing and at a reasonable rate). I was a bit bored earlier on and wished for visitors but got over that pretty quickly and played "Montezuma" which I thoroughly enjoy no matter how many times I go thru the levels. Then I watched the last of the TV episodes I had there which passed the time pretty quickly.
Although I had lunch in my room (and had the last of my Weis bars - pooh, they were so nice - wonder if Leigh will get me some more? *G*), I did go out for tea - chicken soup - and tonite I managed to get up off the chair on my own: having lolled in bed all day, so I should've been able to!! It's raining too which always makes me feel good.
I sucked all afternoon on the Chuka as Penny requested and was quite surprised that I liked it (not as good as potato chips tho!) - don't know if the sucking helped my swallowing but it seems to be moving the gunk off my chest, so will continue persevering - it's certainly not a hard ask!!
I kept drifting off while I played Montezuma so about 8.45, I turned everything off and think I was asleep in about a minute tops. After the hard week, it was a beaut day of guilt-free R & R day!!!
Spent the morning luxuriating in bed and Tina, my nurse for the day, let me too - interrupted only to give pills, take obs and then just before lunch, to weigh me (94.7kg so still losing and at a reasonable rate). I was a bit bored earlier on and wished for visitors but got over that pretty quickly and played "Montezuma" which I thoroughly enjoy no matter how many times I go thru the levels. Then I watched the last of the TV episodes I had there which passed the time pretty quickly.
Although I had lunch in my room (and had the last of my Weis bars - pooh, they were so nice - wonder if Leigh will get me some more? *G*), I did go out for tea - chicken soup - and tonite I managed to get up off the chair on my own: having lolled in bed all day, so I should've been able to!! It's raining too which always makes me feel good.
I sucked all afternoon on the Chuka as Penny requested and was quite surprised that I liked it (not as good as potato chips tho!) - don't know if the sucking helped my swallowing but it seems to be moving the gunk off my chest, so will continue persevering - it's certainly not a hard ask!!
I kept drifting off while I played Montezuma so about 8.45, I turned everything off and think I was asleep in about a minute tops. After the hard week, it was a beaut day of guilt-free R & R day!!!
o - o - o - o
I had another guilt-free R & R day today too, tho I did mean to get up and do a bit, but it was too nice in bed so stayed where I was and put earphones in to drown out Peter who has been quite aggro the last couple of days when he asks for a cigarette and gets an argument about how many he's had. I am sooo sick of the continuing saga and I know I can't do anything about it, so have to try to shut him out like I do the others - God, I want to go home away from all this and these people so badly. The nurses were kind and brought me soup in my room so I didn't have to go outside at all.
The internet was so slow today that I didn't bother with it, just watched some downloaded TV and played games. It got faster later on so got a new game, Match 3 as usual - and have now caught up on all my game credits. I played that for an age once it installed, think it's really for kids but I like the graphics, cheerful and cheeky!! Then I got back on to Eldorado and lost about 4 hours, so was 12.30 before I turned out the light.
What a great weekend - haven't changed, given my druthers I am still as lazy as I always was! *G*
The internet was so slow today that I didn't bother with it, just watched some downloaded TV and played games. It got faster later on so got a new game, Match 3 as usual - and have now caught up on all my game credits. I played that for an age once it installed, think it's really for kids but I like the graphics, cheerful and cheeky!! Then I got back on to Eldorado and lost about 4 hours, so was 12.30 before I turned out the light.
What a great weekend - haven't changed, given my druthers I am still as lazy as I always was! *G*
Friday, December 17, 2010
Rehab - Day 32 (17 Dec 2010)
Woke up at 5.30 - had a lovely sleep, didn't wake up once and it felt great. I did some secret Xmas shopping from oo.com.au so was pleased with myself *G* I had to get it delivered to work because unsure about Vonn's movements and I know Julie is planning to visit next week. Very hard to coordinate things from a hospital bed.
Got up when I should and had a shower (Carol replaced the bandage with one Steristrip which was more fitting for the size of the wound - lol) so was ready for my escort to OT (today is the last day for the student nurses so didn't see Ann-Marie this morning and Bree did the dressing herself). This morning I didn't fall or cause any consternation and sat down without mishap and started my routine. I had to move a few times during the course of the hour and managed to sit/stand each time so that was pleasing. Into physio and straight into exercises on the plinth (discovered you have abs in your hips as well as your stomach so we worked on those - helps with the "thigh saddle"), some more foot pedalling (I am having the foot pedaller over the weekend so I can keep exercising to strengthen my legs), then over to the parallel bars to walk, managed about 6 laps before I'd had enough.
Gwen was escorting me upstairs when Penny (speechie) came out bearing gifts - Chuka lollipops to suck on - they had a conference yesterday and they want to see how to improve the muscle that makes my esophagus work because that is the biggest problem, it doesn't work well. That's where that feeling comes from that the food stops just underneath and won't go "over the lip" and down the food tube. Because I have no trouble with Breakas, they want to see if some concentrated sucking and swallowing will help "exercise" the esophagus and help swallow the food down. When Penny was gowned up, she handed me 3 Lavendar doll sachets for my drawers from Denice at Reception - how kind of her - they're super cute, so I took a photo of the angel one :o) - will give one to Lolly and one to Vonn - good idea for Xmas presents for Lolly. Then Tiki (student nurse) brought me in the soup of the day for lunch - Broccoli - so by the time I ate that, time to go down for OT again.
I did another hour and tried not to skimp on things even tho was pouring sweat and was finding it very hard work! Emily had to help me up with a good grasp on my nickers: it makes it so easy for me and it's not too heavy for them. My poor legs were just cactus by the time I got back to my room - very glad to get horizontal again!
I stayed in bed and watched (and had a cry in) "NCIS" (where the Jenny, the Director dies) and also a couple of "Bones" and tried to download another "NCIS" and "Castle" but the connection was super-slow and it kept timing out: am not really enamoured of wi-fi, prefer broadband and when I get home may even try ADSL :o) But I'm still grateful I've got access to the internet, even if sometimes I want to pull my hair out with the slowness! Had tea in bed again and whilst I was rearranging sheets etc, found a Xmas card under the pillow from all the student nurses - I was really touched that they felt I'd been special enough to do that.
Went off to sleep about 10.30 after I finally remembered to send an email to Mark with the latest news re going home, Lolly coming, etc. cos am sure he wouldn't get time to read the blog!!
Got up when I should and had a shower (Carol replaced the bandage with one Steristrip which was more fitting for the size of the wound - lol) so was ready for my escort to OT (today is the last day for the student nurses so didn't see Ann-Marie this morning and Bree did the dressing herself). This morning I didn't fall or cause any consternation and sat down without mishap and started my routine. I had to move a few times during the course of the hour and managed to sit/stand each time so that was pleasing. Into physio and straight into exercises on the plinth (discovered you have abs in your hips as well as your stomach so we worked on those - helps with the "thigh saddle"), some more foot pedalling (I am having the foot pedaller over the weekend so I can keep exercising to strengthen my legs), then over to the parallel bars to walk, managed about 6 laps before I'd had enough.
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| Lavendar angel |
I did another hour and tried not to skimp on things even tho was pouring sweat and was finding it very hard work! Emily had to help me up with a good grasp on my nickers: it makes it so easy for me and it's not too heavy for them. My poor legs were just cactus by the time I got back to my room - very glad to get horizontal again!
I stayed in bed and watched (and had a cry in) "NCIS" (where the Jenny, the Director dies) and also a couple of "Bones" and tried to download another "NCIS" and "Castle" but the connection was super-slow and it kept timing out: am not really enamoured of wi-fi, prefer broadband and when I get home may even try ADSL :o) But I'm still grateful I've got access to the internet, even if sometimes I want to pull my hair out with the slowness! Had tea in bed again and whilst I was rearranging sheets etc, found a Xmas card under the pillow from all the student nurses - I was really touched that they felt I'd been special enough to do that.
Went off to sleep about 10.30 after I finally remembered to send an email to Mark with the latest news re going home, Lolly coming, etc. cos am sure he wouldn't get time to read the blog!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Rehab - Day 31 (16 Dec 2010)
Woke up at 3.30 and was pretty well awake so did some tidying up in emails and generally kept myself occupied - Peter had had a bad night so he was up at the desk at 3:45 asking for a cigarette *sigh* - then got a reprieve later on as his father took him to the RSL - for the whole day, I hope!!
Lolly rang and we had a good yak - she'll come down a week before I'm due home so she can get some things done before, like Mary cleaning, pest control, etc. I said she could let me shout her the train fare, as she was coming to help me out and after some persuasion, she agreed. So that's sorted and will look forward to seeing her for her company as well as my "keeper" *G*.
I lay about thinking I had physio at 11.00 and tbat the 2 times for OT was a mistake, but I was wrong: from now on it's twice a day so the 10.00 appointment stood - sheesh, I wish they would discuss changes with me before the event - it peeves me when they spring things on me, so with bad grace I got up and dressed and wheelie walked myself to the lift but then was joined by a wardie so I had "supervision" to get to OT. I asked Tracey about the twice a day and once she explained, I could see where she was coming from but she didn't like me asking I don't think. But it's because I've progressed so much and she wants me to work hard to get prepared for home visit and home. I got over my mad and worked hard until time for physio and tho I didn't finiah the routine, I have to go back at 1:30.
Although I had stood up from the chair a couple of times, when Tracey was watching me, I couldn't, knees got stage fright. She went off to get Alissa to use her techniques to get me up -- and I tried again and had no real trouble at all -- that's dumb! So I walked around to physio and surprised both Tracey and Alissa. Had another thorough workout - and I hate to admit I love it - Did all the exercises, then we walked with hands hovering over the parallel bars, then she sat me down in a chair only a little elevated which I couldn't get out of tho I tried a few times. In the end, Gwen gave me a lift by the back of my nickers which was just enough to get me bent over enough for my knees to get upright. But was a wee bit fatigued so Jenny "supervised" me upstairs to lunch. After soup, I also needed help out of the chair at the table (tho yesterday I got up with ease). Bree did my dressing and we yakked whilst she did it.
Got an email from Vonnie that she wouldn't be visiting tonite after all as she had a better offer! Seriously, tonite was the only nite she and her friend Coral can get together for Xmas, so guess I can't complain tho was looking forward to seeing her - as I still don't know if she's coming Boxing Day, she seems loth to commit herself, I may not see her till January when she comes back from up the Coast.
Went back downstairs at 1.30 and had no sooner got to my table when I stumbled over the leg of the chair and tho I went down, it was another "controlled sit"and my knees didn't just go to spaghetti, I just couldn't save myself in time. I clocked my chin on the table and took a piece of skin off my lower arm on the edge as I went down, but all in all was quite a mild fall even if the bandage looks like it was major: under all that bandage is a tear about the size of my little fingernail - lol.
It didn't stop me doing the OT routine or Tracey expecting me to do it! We'd been having a lovely rainy, thunderstruck storm while I did it and I wanted to go out in the fresh air, but had to get off the chair first. I managed on the second go so not too bad. Emily didn't realise I needed supervision so just let me go on my way, so - carefully and a bit slower than this morning, I took off for the outside but as I was taking a shortcut thru the Day Hospital, the physiotherapists were walking in so Alissa took me upstairs and no rain watching today - pooh!
I was actually very glad to hop into bed as body feels a bit bruised and wouldn't admit it to anyone but also a little shaky. Had tea in bed too, lazy bugger (soup and Bread and Butter Pudding - yumbo)!! Because no Von tonite and the fact I haven't got a clue where the Xmas cards are so doubt if I'll get them out - don't even know where my address book is - I designed a Xmas card from me and the Puppies and PDF'd it and sent it to everyone that's on email. I rang Gwen in Perth cos email bounced so got to speak to her as well as get the new email address. Good to hear her voice and catch up. I watched a couple of "Criminal Minds" but asleep by 9.45 cos was worn out - too much hard work!!
Lolly rang and we had a good yak - she'll come down a week before I'm due home so she can get some things done before, like Mary cleaning, pest control, etc. I said she could let me shout her the train fare, as she was coming to help me out and after some persuasion, she agreed. So that's sorted and will look forward to seeing her for her company as well as my "keeper" *G*.
I lay about thinking I had physio at 11.00 and tbat the 2 times for OT was a mistake, but I was wrong: from now on it's twice a day so the 10.00 appointment stood - sheesh, I wish they would discuss changes with me before the event - it peeves me when they spring things on me, so with bad grace I got up and dressed and wheelie walked myself to the lift but then was joined by a wardie so I had "supervision" to get to OT. I asked Tracey about the twice a day and once she explained, I could see where she was coming from but she didn't like me asking I don't think. But it's because I've progressed so much and she wants me to work hard to get prepared for home visit and home. I got over my mad and worked hard until time for physio and tho I didn't finiah the routine, I have to go back at 1:30.
Although I had stood up from the chair a couple of times, when Tracey was watching me, I couldn't, knees got stage fright. She went off to get Alissa to use her techniques to get me up -- and I tried again and had no real trouble at all -- that's dumb! So I walked around to physio and surprised both Tracey and Alissa. Had another thorough workout - and I hate to admit I love it - Did all the exercises, then we walked with hands hovering over the parallel bars, then she sat me down in a chair only a little elevated which I couldn't get out of tho I tried a few times. In the end, Gwen gave me a lift by the back of my nickers which was just enough to get me bent over enough for my knees to get upright. But was a wee bit fatigued so Jenny "supervised" me upstairs to lunch. After soup, I also needed help out of the chair at the table (tho yesterday I got up with ease). Bree did my dressing and we yakked whilst she did it.
Got an email from Vonnie that she wouldn't be visiting tonite after all as she had a better offer! Seriously, tonite was the only nite she and her friend Coral can get together for Xmas, so guess I can't complain tho was looking forward to seeing her - as I still don't know if she's coming Boxing Day, she seems loth to commit herself, I may not see her till January when she comes back from up the Coast.
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| I fall down |
It didn't stop me doing the OT routine or Tracey expecting me to do it! We'd been having a lovely rainy, thunderstruck storm while I did it and I wanted to go out in the fresh air, but had to get off the chair first. I managed on the second go so not too bad. Emily didn't realise I needed supervision so just let me go on my way, so - carefully and a bit slower than this morning, I took off for the outside but as I was taking a shortcut thru the Day Hospital, the physiotherapists were walking in so Alissa took me upstairs and no rain watching today - pooh!
I was actually very glad to hop into bed as body feels a bit bruised and wouldn't admit it to anyone but also a little shaky. Had tea in bed too, lazy bugger (soup and Bread and Butter Pudding - yumbo)!! Because no Von tonite and the fact I haven't got a clue where the Xmas cards are so doubt if I'll get them out - don't even know where my address book is - I designed a Xmas card from me and the Puppies and PDF'd it and sent it to everyone that's on email. I rang Gwen in Perth cos email bounced so got to speak to her as well as get the new email address. Good to hear her voice and catch up. I watched a couple of "Criminal Minds" but asleep by 9.45 cos was worn out - too much hard work!!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Rehab - Day 30 (15 Dec 2010)
Peter woke everyone up at 5.00 a.m. by pressing the emergency button instead of nurse call!! So from then on, nurse calls buttons buzzing all over the place - lol - really had the nurses running. At least it's only him now cos Joyce went back to her nursing home, so blessed quiet from Room 6 again.
I got myself up and to the loo - have to keep practisimg to make sure I didn't imagine that I can do this. One thing I can't do is bend down to pick something up off the floor as I found out when I tried to pick up some paper on the floor and sat down rather abruptly back on the shower chair. So, more squats are needed to work those particular muscles.
Email from Chris, at last, he never got my one about the blog or did they want to come for Boxing Day brunch, and he said they have Boxing Day free so wrote him back saying Boxing Day would be great. He enclosed a photo of the girls and Charlie seems old enough for her own "stuffie" so I went back into Saffron Craig site and ordered the Owl "stuffie". I was thinking she was still a babe in arms but I forget how much time has passed.
Had to be down at Physio at 8.30 so when I got down there, asked Alissa could we make it later in the day cos nurses haven't got time between 8.00am meds and 8.30am pick up to do obs, shower and change my dressing. Another good workout too - now it's all about strengthening legs and arms so used the weight rod again and also a set of pedals (thought I was going to get to use this rather swish exercise bike but it's too low for me to get up from, so that will have to wait. Alissa asked me if I wanted to try just using the wheelie walker - and do away with the wheelchair and I said I was game - so the goal is no chair at all by the end of the week, so lots of practice at getting out of an ordinary chair cos still have difficulty with that. So to that end we walked me upstairs with the wheelie walker and I made the whole distance too.
AND Alissa said we are making an end date in January and I said I was planning 20th (which is a Friday) so we agreed on that - yeay for our side. She seems more decisive than Praline so in the space of 2 days, she's assessed me, tested me, made up her mind just what I can handle and put it into practice. She, like Nick, checks how tired I am but gets me to do extra things if she thinks I can manage.
There was an hour before OT so I just played games and Bree supervised my shower and then did dressing and creamed my toes and then I just didn't get to OT, had lost interest - oops. I'm more into physio and exercise right now but will definitely go tomorrow. OT at 10:00 and Physio 11:00 should be a great time. Out to lunch (and found out it was Wednesday not Tuesday like I thought) and today Penny said I could have the fish as was tho negotiated for mashed vegies rather than the whole ones. The fish (Fish Prima Vera) was really nice and no problems eating it so enjoyed that immensely. I also really enjoyed the raspberry Weis bar, so a lovely lunch.
Alissa came up to see me this arvo and we went outside to the dining room to try an ordinary chair bumped up in height and as I managed that OK, she decided the wheelchair was going today, so wheelie walker everywhere except Physio where we'll practice with the walking stick!! WOW! It's all happening. So Tracey will sort out the chair in OT and I'm a normal person again.
Soup in my room cos still pretty stuffed from lunch. Spent the nite catching up on 7 months worth of Fashion Police on EOnline - with slowness of the wi-fi connection, that took till 10.00 - LOL - helps to pass the time! Then easily off to sleep, it's a long time since 2.30am.
I got myself up and to the loo - have to keep practisimg to make sure I didn't imagine that I can do this. One thing I can't do is bend down to pick something up off the floor as I found out when I tried to pick up some paper on the floor and sat down rather abruptly back on the shower chair. So, more squats are needed to work those particular muscles.
Email from Chris, at last, he never got my one about the blog or did they want to come for Boxing Day brunch, and he said they have Boxing Day free so wrote him back saying Boxing Day would be great. He enclosed a photo of the girls and Charlie seems old enough for her own "stuffie" so I went back into Saffron Craig site and ordered the Owl "stuffie". I was thinking she was still a babe in arms but I forget how much time has passed.
Had to be down at Physio at 8.30 so when I got down there, asked Alissa could we make it later in the day cos nurses haven't got time between 8.00am meds and 8.30am pick up to do obs, shower and change my dressing. Another good workout too - now it's all about strengthening legs and arms so used the weight rod again and also a set of pedals (thought I was going to get to use this rather swish exercise bike but it's too low for me to get up from, so that will have to wait. Alissa asked me if I wanted to try just using the wheelie walker - and do away with the wheelchair and I said I was game - so the goal is no chair at all by the end of the week, so lots of practice at getting out of an ordinary chair cos still have difficulty with that. So to that end we walked me upstairs with the wheelie walker and I made the whole distance too.
AND Alissa said we are making an end date in January and I said I was planning 20th (which is a Friday) so we agreed on that - yeay for our side. She seems more decisive than Praline so in the space of 2 days, she's assessed me, tested me, made up her mind just what I can handle and put it into practice. She, like Nick, checks how tired I am but gets me to do extra things if she thinks I can manage.
There was an hour before OT so I just played games and Bree supervised my shower and then did dressing and creamed my toes and then I just didn't get to OT, had lost interest - oops. I'm more into physio and exercise right now but will definitely go tomorrow. OT at 10:00 and Physio 11:00 should be a great time. Out to lunch (and found out it was Wednesday not Tuesday like I thought) and today Penny said I could have the fish as was tho negotiated for mashed vegies rather than the whole ones. The fish (Fish Prima Vera) was really nice and no problems eating it so enjoyed that immensely. I also really enjoyed the raspberry Weis bar, so a lovely lunch.
Alissa came up to see me this arvo and we went outside to the dining room to try an ordinary chair bumped up in height and as I managed that OK, she decided the wheelchair was going today, so wheelie walker everywhere except Physio where we'll practice with the walking stick!! WOW! It's all happening. So Tracey will sort out the chair in OT and I'm a normal person again.
Soup in my room cos still pretty stuffed from lunch. Spent the nite catching up on 7 months worth of Fashion Police on EOnline - with slowness of the wi-fi connection, that took till 10.00 - LOL - helps to pass the time! Then easily off to sleep, it's a long time since 2.30am.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Rehab - Day 29 (14 Dec 2010)
Woke up at 2.30 a.m. absolutely saturated - been dreaming of being on the loo again!! Hospital makes you obsess about bodily functions - LOL! Actually it's not funny cos when I'm home, no hospital or nurses to change and wash sheets - also more than a bit humiliating at my young age! But now I can move so much more easily, I got out of bed so they could remake it easily. I do so love being able to move again with a fair amount of ease - and all in the last 48 hours - unbelievable: guess my mind block is unblocked, thank God - now to just build stamina and I'm outta here!
What else do you do at 2.30 am but surf the net - I knew I wanted to buy a set of weights and Deals Direct had the perfect set: 1kg, 1.5kg and 2kg with stand so got those and a pet bath spray nozzle with shampoo reservoir for the puppies as I will bath them myself from now on (I'll buy a treadmill when I am home - I am determined to get myself back to fitter once I'm home, fitter and healthier - I must have survived this health crisis (seemingly against all odds) for a reason and I am looking on it as bonus time so am going to enjoy my bonus time and make it last as long as I can!!).
I also bought a sampler pack of Saffron Craig fabrics (she's a new Sydney designer of contemporary fabrics: expensive but fresh and love her colours) and a "stuffie" (a really gorgeous koala for Maddy for Xmas) so managed to spend a bit on her site, tho not as much as I would have loved to!!
And ... as the sun came up, found a video of John Farnham singing "It's a Long Way to the Top" - so did have a lovely surf around *G*
Shock, horror, no shower - had to be at Physio by 8.40 and we were on time. Alissa gave me a right royal workout - she was the only one who knew I had finally managed to stand out of the chair and in the end after sit/standing about 9 times (hard work doing it that many times, 2 of them were to show Jenny and Nick my new trick - was really sweating!) then she gave me a weighted rod and I did arm raises, then we walked between the bars then walked outside the bars with the walking stick and then to finish off, we did exercises on one of the "plinths"as they call them - then I got up from a very low height, tho by them I had the knee wobbles - and hate to admit it, but thoroughly enjoyed the whole process, endorphins were fizzing around madly!! In to OT and did my routine.
While I was there, Dr O'Sullivan arrived to see me and one of the guys who sits next to me at table, Tom (reminds me strongly of Uncle Frank or Uncle Blue) - the doctor seemed pleased by my progress but frowned at my independence of putting myself to bed last night without nursing presence. They want you not to be nervous but also don't want you to do anything that smacks of helping yourself!! He also said that Penny had said my diet wasn't going to change so they must be diligent with listening to my chest to make sure I wasn't aspirating anything down the wrong tube! For myself, I've been lax practising my swallowing, so with all the improvements of the past 2 days, will get back on to those tomorrow.
I went out for lunch - had the last of the mango Weis bars so start on the raspberry ones tomorrow. I ended up going to bed cos was so tired and 2.30am was a long time ago but too much noise to sleep - Peter decided to hang around the nurses station and they were all singing loudly and talking even louder - sheesh! I just quietly shut my door which at least drowned some of the noise. I watched an episode of Castle, which drowned it out even further so I was happy enough.
I got an email from Apple about free engraving on any iPod, iPad, etc and as I've been thinking of getting one for my walking regime cos can listen to either music or audio books, I wemt to the site and I ended up getting a red iPod Nano 8GB engraved with "Good Work, Me" on it - my present to myself for working so hard and having finally broken the last hurdle to my full recovery - as long as I am careful and listen to my knees' tiredness meter, it should be downhill all the way now.
...
What else do you do at 2.30 am but surf the net - I knew I wanted to buy a set of weights and Deals Direct had the perfect set: 1kg, 1.5kg and 2kg with stand so got those and a pet bath spray nozzle with shampoo reservoir for the puppies as I will bath them myself from now on (I'll buy a treadmill when I am home - I am determined to get myself back to fitter once I'm home, fitter and healthier - I must have survived this health crisis (seemingly against all odds) for a reason and I am looking on it as bonus time so am going to enjoy my bonus time and make it last as long as I can!!).
I also bought a sampler pack of Saffron Craig fabrics (she's a new Sydney designer of contemporary fabrics: expensive but fresh and love her colours) and a "stuffie" (a really gorgeous koala for Maddy for Xmas) so managed to spend a bit on her site, tho not as much as I would have loved to!!
And ... as the sun came up, found a video of John Farnham singing "It's a Long Way to the Top" - so did have a lovely surf around *G*
Shock, horror, no shower - had to be at Physio by 8.40 and we were on time. Alissa gave me a right royal workout - she was the only one who knew I had finally managed to stand out of the chair and in the end after sit/standing about 9 times (hard work doing it that many times, 2 of them were to show Jenny and Nick my new trick - was really sweating!) then she gave me a weighted rod and I did arm raises, then we walked between the bars then walked outside the bars with the walking stick and then to finish off, we did exercises on one of the "plinths"as they call them - then I got up from a very low height, tho by them I had the knee wobbles - and hate to admit it, but thoroughly enjoyed the whole process, endorphins were fizzing around madly!! In to OT and did my routine.
While I was there, Dr O'Sullivan arrived to see me and one of the guys who sits next to me at table, Tom (reminds me strongly of Uncle Frank or Uncle Blue) - the doctor seemed pleased by my progress but frowned at my independence of putting myself to bed last night without nursing presence. They want you not to be nervous but also don't want you to do anything that smacks of helping yourself!! He also said that Penny had said my diet wasn't going to change so they must be diligent with listening to my chest to make sure I wasn't aspirating anything down the wrong tube! For myself, I've been lax practising my swallowing, so with all the improvements of the past 2 days, will get back on to those tomorrow.
I went out for lunch - had the last of the mango Weis bars so start on the raspberry ones tomorrow. I ended up going to bed cos was so tired and 2.30am was a long time ago but too much noise to sleep - Peter decided to hang around the nurses station and they were all singing loudly and talking even louder - sheesh! I just quietly shut my door which at least drowned some of the noise. I watched an episode of Castle, which drowned it out even further so I was happy enough.
I got an email from Apple about free engraving on any iPod, iPad, etc and as I've been thinking of getting one for my walking regime cos can listen to either music or audio books, I wemt to the site and I ended up getting a red iPod Nano 8GB engraved with "Good Work, Me" on it - my present to myself for working so hard and having finally broken the last hurdle to my full recovery - as long as I am careful and listen to my knees' tiredness meter, it should be downhill all the way now.
...
Monday, December 13, 2010
Rehab - Day 28 (13 Dec 2010)
I got out of bed at 9.30 to get ready for OT so Bree only had time to do obs before Robert arrived to take me downstairs. Really gave myself a workout with my routine - had a new OT person too, Emily, but she was happy to leave me to it. Really worked up a sweat too. Into Physio and met Alissa - she was running late (which made me laugh - shades of Praline) but we eventually got going and she seems to agree that we concentrate on sit/stand practising until I get it to work. Knees got stage fright so didn't work well and on the last one, took both Alissa and Penny to lift me. Was quite disappointed cos had done so well over the weekend but will keep on trying, it has to work at some point.
I didn't stay for lunch as nowt on the menu appealed, so had a Weis Mango Bar as a comfort snack! Bree did my dressing and I was playing Fruits when Julie arrived. The keyboard they sent is a new one and I find I am having trouble touch typing, let alone bending fingers of my right hand! Been "hunt and peck" typing for too long! Julie stayed about an hour (busy at work and one down) but I do enjoy her visits so the time flew. She's also brought me up the new McCalls Quilting that had arrived, so had a flick thru that after she left.
She hadn't long been gone when Jacqui and Danielle arrived for a flying visit (they'd left Pete in the car!) - Jacqui reads this blog so was right up to date with what was happening. They'd bought me a Xmas/birthday present - 2011 Quilter's Calendar, woohoo I love that - then we all talked for about 30 minutes until they decided to take pity on Pete out in the hot car :o). I may see Jacqui and her Mum at Xmas if she can arrange it -- and would love to meet her, she sounds a lot like my Mum.
Well, the next thing, after 4 weeks of trying, after Jacqui and Danielle went, I needed to go to the loo and thought I'd just have another go at standing up from the wheelchair and lo and bloody behold, I did it!!! All on my own, wheelie-walked to the loo, wheelie walked back out and then wheelie walked to the dining room to see what's for tea: Broccoli Soup and Macaroni Cheese, so a double yum for my tum - LOL! I did a video for the blog to announce the breakthrough, I was so bloody chuffed at myself.
Out for tea and it was as nice as I expected: the Macca Cheese was almost as good as mine! Then back in to sit for a while but decided I really would rather lie down cos the pain in my side was giving me gyp and decided to try again to see if getting up was a one hit wonder and it wasn't. I didn't make it on the first try but I did on the second so into my nightie and into bed - I'm waiting for a nurse to realise I am actually in bed and if they will realise none of them helped - YEAY for my knees! At last!!
Mrs Lamb rang and we caught up on her NZ trip - now that she's seen her parents, she's less worried about them I think, tho her Mum is still in hospital. We yakked for about an hour then I watched an episode of "Human Target". The nurses never did realise that none of them put me to bed - hee! Off to sleep about 10.30.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Rehab - Days 26 and 27 (11 & 12 Dec 2010)
Usual bloody noise woke me at 7.15: Peter, Joyce, nurses laughing and shouting out to each other and this morning, the TV as loud as it could go - got Tina to close my door and put on internet radio to drown it all out - I will NOT miss this place at all once I depart for the quiet of my own home. I do so hate all the perpetual noise and Peter's perpetual asking for cigarettes and keeping on arguing and asking when the nurses say No is interminable and is driving me nuts!
I finally got up at 11.00 - lol! Saturday is my day off when I only do what I want to do - so no shower today *G*. I got myself on and off the loo, dressed (standing up without aids too) and outside to be weighed - at least today I had dropped some weight - 95.3kg which is 1.7kg less than last Saturday, so was pleased with that. Didn't go out for lunch, was going to but balked at the last minute and had soup in my room.
I sat in the chair until 2.30 but then couldn't handle the uncomfortable feeling of the "stitch" in my side so got some Penadol and went to bed - as soon as I got horizontal, the stabbing went away - it's not a real pain as in super painful or unbearable or anything but it does grab if I move without thinking. Tina said we didn't need the wardie to get me to bed, we could do it - and lo and behold, I stood up - not easily but the knees did cooperate - I was so chuffed!!
I did go to sleep for a couple of hours which I think I needed cos I went out like a light about 3.00--3.15. Didn't wake up until the nurse came to roust me out of bed for tea. I decided I didn't want tea badly enough to get up and after a bit of persuasion, she gave up trying to get me to go out and "socialise". She was nice enough to get me some soup and I had that while I played "Around the World in 80 Days" for the rest of the nite while I downloaded a couple of episodes of "Castle". Then I watched NCIS I downloaded. Off to sleep about 12.45 am
I finally got up at 11.00 - lol! Saturday is my day off when I only do what I want to do - so no shower today *G*. I got myself on and off the loo, dressed (standing up without aids too) and outside to be weighed - at least today I had dropped some weight - 95.3kg which is 1.7kg less than last Saturday, so was pleased with that. Didn't go out for lunch, was going to but balked at the last minute and had soup in my room.
I sat in the chair until 2.30 but then couldn't handle the uncomfortable feeling of the "stitch" in my side so got some Penadol and went to bed - as soon as I got horizontal, the stabbing went away - it's not a real pain as in super painful or unbearable or anything but it does grab if I move without thinking. Tina said we didn't need the wardie to get me to bed, we could do it - and lo and behold, I stood up - not easily but the knees did cooperate - I was so chuffed!!
I did go to sleep for a couple of hours which I think I needed cos I went out like a light about 3.00--3.15. Didn't wake up until the nurse came to roust me out of bed for tea. I decided I didn't want tea badly enough to get up and after a bit of persuasion, she gave up trying to get me to go out and "socialise". She was nice enough to get me some soup and I had that while I played "Around the World in 80 Days" for the rest of the nite while I downloaded a couple of episodes of "Castle". Then I watched NCIS I downloaded. Off to sleep about 12.45 am
- o - o - o -
Had a nice sleep in until brekkie arrived - scrambled eggs for a nice change - Got up for loo and shower at about 8.45 am so was all done and dusted and in my chair by 9.30. I'm very chuffed with how independent I'm getting: it means I have privacy for private things like showers, drying, getting dressed, etc. The more independent, the quicker I'm out of here!
Am really starting to focus out: home, my darling puppies, quilting, work, etc. Getting impatient to get going with my life again, have so much I want to do - I made my own list today while I was thinking about things and have decided to start divesting of things now rather than poor Mark and John having to do it when I'm dead. I'll let all the Bingham Jrs pick one thing from Grandma's treasures, I think it's time, then sell the rest - I want to give Liza the serving set as she loves cooking and think she'd treasure them and Von will get Great-Grandma's card case. I don't know what to do with Mum's rings - if there's 3 of them, that's one each for AMarie, Janelle and Vonn. Think I should get a valuation done - good idea for insurance anyroad. Things I will keep are the jardinere and the poor battered vase (so much Rowe/Bingham history in both). I hope I have enough money for fixing the house and yard, but best to do it now rather than when I retire - no money much then.
Spent the afternoon watching downloaded TV shows - I got a call from the Fraud Department at Westpac to make sure it was me buying stuff from iTunes on my debit card. It'll only be while I am in here as once I'm home, I have Foxtel to keep me entertained. After yesterday spent in my room - and mainly in bed - I did front out for meals today much to the nurses' delight as they worry if you don't socialise - another reason I don't like it here. I don't like having to socialise with people I have no interest in or just plain dislike cos they invade my space.
Played games tonite while I downloaded a couple more of "Castle" and "Rush" - it downloads faster if I'm not hogging wi-fe bandwidth as well - lol. Off to sleep about 12:30.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Rehab - Day 25
Opened my baby blues at 5.00 am - and Peter had already started asking for a cigarette and Joyce yelling for help *sigh*, so listened to Farnham to drown 'em both out!! Had my brekkie and my pills and promised the student nurse I'd get up and have my shower this morning like a good girl as haven't for 2 days (shock/horror!) at 9.00, cos OT/physio at 10.00 today.
So when she came back I didn't argue, just did what I had to - lol - then the next student did the dressing by which time it was off to OT. Did the full workout which took me about 90 minutes so I was right on time for physio even tho I knew Praline was running lots late! We didn't do a lot tho I did a circuit with the walking stick so Praline could see how I coped (and as I brought the stick upstairs with me, I guess I convinced her I coped well!) and Gwen and I did laps of the parallel bars and also some sit/stands with just a wee bit of help from Gwen, so this weekend I'm going to practice more sit ups in the chair and see if I can get that last little bit. Praline's on 6 weeks' holiday from today so I will have a new physio for the last month as of Monday (name is Alisa). Hopefully the new lady will be a punctuality freak!!
Had soup for lunch and then a Weis iceblock for dessert (I'd forgotten how messy you can get: I was melted mango ice from top of fingers to my arms where it dripped :) but I did enjoy every mouthful).
Spent the arvio just playing at things: games, games and more games - was actually bored but not bored enough to get up and walk or do exercises or anything - I just hate calling for help to get out of the wheelchair and then have them follow me about in case I fall!! So I don't do it at all. Out for tea and was vegetable lasagna tonite so had that and then back to my room - the people probably think I'm a rude old besom but they just don't interest me enough to make the effort.
I remembered to get on to Jetstar's site and book Viv's tickets - return only cost $139 + $7 for the use of a card (they get you coming and going!!) - I also booked a hotel room for the nite as the plane lands at the Gold Coast and doesn't arrive until 9:20pm, the room was cheap too - $109 all up which included a hot buffet brekkie, so bargains all round!! I caught up in the blog and then to bed - the stitch or whatever it is behind my ribs was really annoying me today: it grabs every time I move when I'm in the chair and is most uncomfortable! So was glad to get horizontal and stretch myself out. I for one will be really happy when I can have a couple of visits to the chiropractor and sort out back/neck and shoulders! I did a countdown today and there are 39 days until 20 Jan 2011 and I am counting every last one of them!!
I watched some episodes of "Criminal Minds" and also downloaded an episode of Law & Order Criminal Intent for tomorrow. I was going to watch my Iron Man 2 movie but by the time I got airline booking, etc sorted, PDF'd and emailed to Viv, I was just happy to watch TV shows! Off to sleep about 11.30pm and that was it!
So when she came back I didn't argue, just did what I had to - lol - then the next student did the dressing by which time it was off to OT. Did the full workout which took me about 90 minutes so I was right on time for physio even tho I knew Praline was running lots late! We didn't do a lot tho I did a circuit with the walking stick so Praline could see how I coped (and as I brought the stick upstairs with me, I guess I convinced her I coped well!) and Gwen and I did laps of the parallel bars and also some sit/stands with just a wee bit of help from Gwen, so this weekend I'm going to practice more sit ups in the chair and see if I can get that last little bit. Praline's on 6 weeks' holiday from today so I will have a new physio for the last month as of Monday (name is Alisa). Hopefully the new lady will be a punctuality freak!!
Had soup for lunch and then a Weis iceblock for dessert (I'd forgotten how messy you can get: I was melted mango ice from top of fingers to my arms where it dripped :) but I did enjoy every mouthful).
Spent the arvio just playing at things: games, games and more games - was actually bored but not bored enough to get up and walk or do exercises or anything - I just hate calling for help to get out of the wheelchair and then have them follow me about in case I fall!! So I don't do it at all. Out for tea and was vegetable lasagna tonite so had that and then back to my room - the people probably think I'm a rude old besom but they just don't interest me enough to make the effort.
I remembered to get on to Jetstar's site and book Viv's tickets - return only cost $139 + $7 for the use of a card (they get you coming and going!!) - I also booked a hotel room for the nite as the plane lands at the Gold Coast and doesn't arrive until 9:20pm, the room was cheap too - $109 all up which included a hot buffet brekkie, so bargains all round!! I caught up in the blog and then to bed - the stitch or whatever it is behind my ribs was really annoying me today: it grabs every time I move when I'm in the chair and is most uncomfortable! So was glad to get horizontal and stretch myself out. I for one will be really happy when I can have a couple of visits to the chiropractor and sort out back/neck and shoulders! I did a countdown today and there are 39 days until 20 Jan 2011 and I am counting every last one of them!!
I watched some episodes of "Criminal Minds" and also downloaded an episode of Law & Order Criminal Intent for tomorrow. I was going to watch my Iron Man 2 movie but by the time I got airline booking, etc sorted, PDF'd and emailed to Viv, I was just happy to watch TV shows! Off to sleep about 11.30pm and that was it!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Rehab - Day 24
Going to sleep late meant I slept until 6.00 injection so if it was noisy, I didn't hear it :o) Had my breakfast and then fixing Michael's site: I found out why it seemed blank even tho it was all there in the web editor, so fixed that and lo and behold, an updated website, or at least a new theme on the website.
I was actually no better than yesterday mood-wise but had resigned myself to having to face the world today and at least no physio until 2.30 pm - wrong!! Message from Nick that they had a cancellation and they wanted me down there now and I just flatly refused to go - I hate that!! I hadn't had my pills, had my bath, had anything! I got away with it I thought but 15 minutes later, another message to come down as soon as possible - this time I threw a tanty (not a big one, just flung myself about a bit and threw the box of tissues - I know: totally childish but, bloody hell, am sick of being regimented and just expected to jump to it when they change their mind!!) But I did get out of bed, into my clothes and got Wayne (the wardie) to take me down. I was very monosyllabic when I got down there but once I was there, worked as hard as I could. No point in cutting off my nose to spite my face! Nick did try me on the walking stick once we'd done about 6 one handed laps of the parallel bars and then he got me to walk around to OT with just the stick (tho Gwen was bringing up the rear with the wheelchair). I also did 2 sit/stands today (with what they swear was minimal help) that they were pleased with - as was I because one of them was from a chair even lower than the wheelchair. Nick said I am almost there with the wheelchair - I hope so cos the bliss of independence in my room is what I'm really hankering for!
I sat and did my routine at OT once Tracey had gone up and gotten the hand brace (I forgot it and my water in the melee of the moment - ha!) and actually worked for an hour solid. Was quite tired when I got back upstairs - and the stitch in my side was making itself felt quite insistently but no sleep or bed partly because the designated student did my dressing before lunch - and today I went out to lunch in the dining room - yummy Potato and Leek Soup so had 2 bowls of that because I didn't want the goulash & veg. At least having done both lots of therapy I didn't have to go back down again.
I recharged the mobile so I could ring Julie to see if work would loan me a keyboard to practice my typing with the hand brace on (on the laptop, I ' hunt and peck' two fingered because of the laptop keyboard itself and the fact that the laptop is too high on the bedside table). Leigh coming up for a visit this arvo so she'll bring it with her.
Leigh arrived about 3.45 and we spent the next hour yakking our heads off. She also brought me up some Weis icecream bars (been around since Adam was a pup - very much a special treat in the Bingham household as kids as were more expensive being made with real fruit and cream!) So I'll enjoy them!! In the event Richmond hadn't brought up the keyboard before Leigh left so Julie will probably bring it Monday when she visits or if she can't make it, get it couriered.
On the way out to tea, Penny stopped me - and for a change, it was good news! Sarah (who ran the test) had checked the results against the first test I had and there is a marked improvement in swallowing and also with the movement of the tongue against my throat muscles - so the exercises paid off - and nowt changes - yeay!! Penny will find some new exercises to help but my job is to remember to take small mouthfuls, hold my breath and then swallow - and I don't have to do the cought after clear fluids, I am managing those quite well.
Had tea (chicken/asparagus quiche - yummy) and then I went to bed, played Simfarm and watched some downloaded TV, and was quite happy to go off to sleep about 11.00. Penny's news did cheer me up quite a bit, as did walking with the stick and getting up from the lower chair more easily.
I was actually no better than yesterday mood-wise but had resigned myself to having to face the world today and at least no physio until 2.30 pm - wrong!! Message from Nick that they had a cancellation and they wanted me down there now and I just flatly refused to go - I hate that!! I hadn't had my pills, had my bath, had anything! I got away with it I thought but 15 minutes later, another message to come down as soon as possible - this time I threw a tanty (not a big one, just flung myself about a bit and threw the box of tissues - I know: totally childish but, bloody hell, am sick of being regimented and just expected to jump to it when they change their mind!!) But I did get out of bed, into my clothes and got Wayne (the wardie) to take me down. I was very monosyllabic when I got down there but once I was there, worked as hard as I could. No point in cutting off my nose to spite my face! Nick did try me on the walking stick once we'd done about 6 one handed laps of the parallel bars and then he got me to walk around to OT with just the stick (tho Gwen was bringing up the rear with the wheelchair). I also did 2 sit/stands today (with what they swear was minimal help) that they were pleased with - as was I because one of them was from a chair even lower than the wheelchair. Nick said I am almost there with the wheelchair - I hope so cos the bliss of independence in my room is what I'm really hankering for!
I sat and did my routine at OT once Tracey had gone up and gotten the hand brace (I forgot it and my water in the melee of the moment - ha!) and actually worked for an hour solid. Was quite tired when I got back upstairs - and the stitch in my side was making itself felt quite insistently but no sleep or bed partly because the designated student did my dressing before lunch - and today I went out to lunch in the dining room - yummy Potato and Leek Soup so had 2 bowls of that because I didn't want the goulash & veg. At least having done both lots of therapy I didn't have to go back down again.
I recharged the mobile so I could ring Julie to see if work would loan me a keyboard to practice my typing with the hand brace on (on the laptop, I ' hunt and peck' two fingered because of the laptop keyboard itself and the fact that the laptop is too high on the bedside table). Leigh coming up for a visit this arvo so she'll bring it with her.
Leigh arrived about 3.45 and we spent the next hour yakking our heads off. She also brought me up some Weis icecream bars (been around since Adam was a pup - very much a special treat in the Bingham household as kids as were more expensive being made with real fruit and cream!) So I'll enjoy them!! In the event Richmond hadn't brought up the keyboard before Leigh left so Julie will probably bring it Monday when she visits or if she can't make it, get it couriered.
On the way out to tea, Penny stopped me - and for a change, it was good news! Sarah (who ran the test) had checked the results against the first test I had and there is a marked improvement in swallowing and also with the movement of the tongue against my throat muscles - so the exercises paid off - and nowt changes - yeay!! Penny will find some new exercises to help but my job is to remember to take small mouthfuls, hold my breath and then swallow - and I don't have to do the cought after clear fluids, I am managing those quite well.
Had tea (chicken/asparagus quiche - yummy) and then I went to bed, played Simfarm and watched some downloaded TV, and was quite happy to go off to sleep about 11.00. Penny's news did cheer me up quite a bit, as did walking with the stick and getting up from the lower chair more easily.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Rehab - Day 23
Actually got woken up by the sun streaming in this morning - a not very welcome change! At 6.00 am the nurse came with injection and I asked her to shut the sun out!! They came bustling in with pills while I was having breakfast and I was certainly not enthused about facing the world today so put off getting up for shower and then later, put off getting up at all - fell down in a heap about the usual things: miss my puppies, my home, will I get better, ya da ya da -- and also think I was more upset about the results of the test yesterday than I thought.
Had a total mental health day - no physio, no OT and didn't get out of bed all day - this has just gone on sooo long and tho the end is supposedly in sight, it doesn't seem that way, it just seems neverending to me today. Let's face it, mid-January is the earliest I can expect to be out of here -- that isn't to say, I will be out of here then. I'm just so totally dependent on other people's decisions and makes me feel totally helpless.
I started on the re-design of Michael's site today which kept me occupied quite happily - still a way to go but at least have started and it meant I didn't just waste my day getting even more depressed. When I uploaded it, I got a blank site, so who knows what I did - LOL - and when I tried to find out, I kept being interrupted so couldn't think - decided to return to it tomorrow when perhaps people wouldn't keep popping in to visit poor depressed Di!! Poor depressed Di could have sent them all to perdition *EG*
Praline popped in to tell me she'd booked me in with Nick for 2.30pm tomorrow - and we would be trying walking stick/s. I'm more worried about sit/standing from the wheelchair still: walking isn't a problem even if stamina still is. But got over-ruled as usual, so tomorrow will be walking stick/s *sigh*. Then Penny came to see me about the test yesterday and she said nowt will change until she has a chance to see the xrays of the barium test for herself. After all our hard work (here and at the hospital), she's having a hard time believing I would regress rather than progress, as I did. How can you be aspirating into your lungs when you don't cough and have no sign of infection or any other symptom?? So I will wait on her decision - I would be happy to go back to how I was before 7 months in hospital (without the 3 Magnums per day!!) but too many variables have changed: trachie, feeding tube, muscles unused for so long etc, so probably couldn't anyroad. *double sigh* - why is everything so hard!
I spent the night after tea (spaghetti bolognese - very slow, careful meal, lol) playing Sim Farm and listening to the nurses fight with Peter if he could have a last cigarette that he insisted Scott (Nurse Supervisor/Administrator) had said he could have tho of course, Scott had gone home. It escalated into bad temper and swearing which made the nurses even more determined to withhold that bloody cigarette and sending him to bed. God, I get so bored with the interminable arguments about whether he's been a "good boy" so he can have a cigarette. I had to laugh later cos to show them, he peed on the floor and Mary and Charlotte had to clean it up - hee!!
I ended up not going to sleep until 1.00 a.m. cos was enjoying myself too much with Sim Farm but once I settled, went out like a light.
Had a total mental health day - no physio, no OT and didn't get out of bed all day - this has just gone on sooo long and tho the end is supposedly in sight, it doesn't seem that way, it just seems neverending to me today. Let's face it, mid-January is the earliest I can expect to be out of here -- that isn't to say, I will be out of here then. I'm just so totally dependent on other people's decisions and makes me feel totally helpless.
I started on the re-design of Michael's site today which kept me occupied quite happily - still a way to go but at least have started and it meant I didn't just waste my day getting even more depressed. When I uploaded it, I got a blank site, so who knows what I did - LOL - and when I tried to find out, I kept being interrupted so couldn't think - decided to return to it tomorrow when perhaps people wouldn't keep popping in to visit poor depressed Di!! Poor depressed Di could have sent them all to perdition *EG*
Praline popped in to tell me she'd booked me in with Nick for 2.30pm tomorrow - and we would be trying walking stick/s. I'm more worried about sit/standing from the wheelchair still: walking isn't a problem even if stamina still is. But got over-ruled as usual, so tomorrow will be walking stick/s *sigh*. Then Penny came to see me about the test yesterday and she said nowt will change until she has a chance to see the xrays of the barium test for herself. After all our hard work (here and at the hospital), she's having a hard time believing I would regress rather than progress, as I did. How can you be aspirating into your lungs when you don't cough and have no sign of infection or any other symptom?? So I will wait on her decision - I would be happy to go back to how I was before 7 months in hospital (without the 3 Magnums per day!!) but too many variables have changed: trachie, feeding tube, muscles unused for so long etc, so probably couldn't anyroad. *double sigh* - why is everything so hard!
I spent the night after tea (spaghetti bolognese - very slow, careful meal, lol) playing Sim Farm and listening to the nurses fight with Peter if he could have a last cigarette that he insisted Scott (Nurse Supervisor/Administrator) had said he could have tho of course, Scott had gone home. It escalated into bad temper and swearing which made the nurses even more determined to withhold that bloody cigarette and sending him to bed. God, I get so bored with the interminable arguments about whether he's been a "good boy" so he can have a cigarette. I had to laugh later cos to show them, he peed on the floor and Mary and Charlotte had to clean it up - hee!!
I ended up not going to sleep until 1.00 a.m. cos was enjoying myself too much with Sim Farm but once I settled, went out like a light.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Rehab - Day 22
Well, both Peter and Joyce were awake with the sparrows so consequently so was I - the Irish night nurse also got me going at 6.00 once I had early pill and injection: I was out of bed, on the loo and in the shower while she made the bed!! Only one problem: she forgot me in the shower and tho I buzzed, nobody came, so got myself out, dried, dressed, out of the shower chair (and nobody there to help even with a steadying hand) and very carefully walked around to sit in the wheelchair - woohoo!! How about them apples! Good work, me!
Joyce was particularly vocal this morning and was driving me nuts - even when there's a nurse or wardie in there, she yells louder and louder for help until I'm in tears of frustration - for an old, helpless lady, there is nowt wrong with her vocal chords! Nobody can help her, she's just lonely and unhappy but do I have to pay too??
I got the 9.20 shuttle down to the hospital and 5 hours later I got the 2.20pm shuttle back to GARU - sheesh, what a morning/arvo - first I waited for 90 minutes for the speechies to come and get me for the test - the test was just as boring as last time and barium still tastes like Milk of Magnesia (chalky- yech!) and I knew I hadn't done real well - not even as well as last time which didn't surprise me tho was disappointing. I got to the Transit Lounge which was totally chaotic: ambulance paramedics with stretchers, people arriving from all over for outpatient visits, people waiting for transport back and them running out of room - after the second time I'd been shifted out of the way, I moved out into the entry foyer - just no let up to the flow of humanity! With the mayhem, I think they forgot to ring GARU to say we (Peter was down there for a doctor's appt) were waiting to be picked up until I asked about it, so waited 2 hours for Adam to arrive back with the shuttle bus - I spent the time practising backstitch for my stitchery. They handed out coffee and sandwiches (which of course I can't eat but I was pretty sure Peter could and lunch never happened for either of us - tho think Peter was quite happy cos he could smoke to heart's content and wander about without the perpetual 'Where's Peter?' - and he was quite happy to munch on them).
When we got back, I went to the loo and then to bed - absolutely wrecked and the wheelchair seemed particularly uncomfortable today with the stitch in my side - I think from the diverticulitis - constantly nagging: not sore as such, just uncomfortable. It was so nice to be horizontal, I'm going to stay here for the night.
Vonnie arrived at 5.30 and we sat and yakked until 7.30 pm - lovely to see her - she was saying she dropped all my packages in at home this morning. I think there's only one to go which is the USB turntable ($50) to transfer 45s and 78s to CD. It's going to be like Xmas when I go home LOL. Whilst we talked, I ate my soup (they'd brought it in for me) for tea, still a bit pooped tho the "stitch" has settled down somewhat now I'm not sitting bolt upright.
Joyce was particularly vocal this morning and was driving me nuts - even when there's a nurse or wardie in there, she yells louder and louder for help until I'm in tears of frustration - for an old, helpless lady, there is nowt wrong with her vocal chords! Nobody can help her, she's just lonely and unhappy but do I have to pay too??
I got the 9.20 shuttle down to the hospital and 5 hours later I got the 2.20pm shuttle back to GARU - sheesh, what a morning/arvo - first I waited for 90 minutes for the speechies to come and get me for the test - the test was just as boring as last time and barium still tastes like Milk of Magnesia (chalky- yech!) and I knew I hadn't done real well - not even as well as last time which didn't surprise me tho was disappointing. I got to the Transit Lounge which was totally chaotic: ambulance paramedics with stretchers, people arriving from all over for outpatient visits, people waiting for transport back and them running out of room - after the second time I'd been shifted out of the way, I moved out into the entry foyer - just no let up to the flow of humanity! With the mayhem, I think they forgot to ring GARU to say we (Peter was down there for a doctor's appt) were waiting to be picked up until I asked about it, so waited 2 hours for Adam to arrive back with the shuttle bus - I spent the time practising backstitch for my stitchery. They handed out coffee and sandwiches (which of course I can't eat but I was pretty sure Peter could and lunch never happened for either of us - tho think Peter was quite happy cos he could smoke to heart's content and wander about without the perpetual 'Where's Peter?' - and he was quite happy to munch on them).
When we got back, I went to the loo and then to bed - absolutely wrecked and the wheelchair seemed particularly uncomfortable today with the stitch in my side - I think from the diverticulitis - constantly nagging: not sore as such, just uncomfortable. It was so nice to be horizontal, I'm going to stay here for the night.
Vonnie arrived at 5.30 and we sat and yakked until 7.30 pm - lovely to see her - she was saying she dropped all my packages in at home this morning. I think there's only one to go which is the USB turntable ($50) to transfer 45s and 78s to CD. It's going to be like Xmas when I go home LOL. Whilst we talked, I ate my soup (they'd brought it in for me) for tea, still a bit pooped tho the "stitch" has settled down somewhat now I'm not sitting bolt upright.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Rehab - Day 21
Woke up to the sun which was a bit disappointing for me tho not for most people, I guess. It's going to be a busy day, tho no Physio time as yet. OT is 10.00 so have my wrist splint on and my silly putty ready *G* - I'm clean, tidy, dressed and dressing changed so ready to go - this arvo it's off to "The Block" (the hospital) via shuttle ambulance to have the barium test. I am not optimistic about being bumped up to a (what I class as a better) different diet as I had trouble with pills going down this morning, but will give it a go which is all I can do.
Depending on which nurse I have is how independent I am of a morning. This morning, I got myself out of bed, on to the wheelie walker, on to the loo, into the shower, showered myself, off the shower chair on to the wheelie walker by myself - tho nurses present. So that's progress!
Down to OT and Rosemary left me to work thru and cos I knew by then I had physio at 10.30, I concentrated on the ones Tracey classes as "most important". Penny came to talk to me and she is coming down to the test (it's the nose scope look-see this arvo and I gather the barium test is on too). Penny said we could take some food I wanted to try with us so we agreed we'd take some egg sangers if they were on the menu at lunch - now that would make a big difference, just bread with the soup and sangers for lunch, so hope I pass that one!!
I was 10 mins late for physio but Praline wasn't ready for me (as I knew she wouldn't be - hee) so no harm done. She took me thru my paces - am standing up with her assistance really easily now and we don't need a second person so that is pleasing (but I want to do it by myself). I walked for 4 laps of parallel bars with only the one hand on the rail and could have done more but she had other plans - did the foot weights that Nick showed me on Friday and also some more arm/tricep exercises and finished off with a 60m walk, so quite a workout.
I take myself back upstairs but got waylaid at the lift by the rain - was all cloudy again and just starting to come down pretty heavily. I sat outside in blissful contemplation for the 30 minutes before lunch - :) - was really raining with that lovely cool breeze storms bring with the occasional flurry spraying me: I did so enjoy it and I was on my own like an adult person! I felt like I'd been let off the leash for the first time.
Back up to lunch on time - got the egg sangers - mushroom soup today so I had that and then back to my room until time to get the shuttle.
After quite a wait in ENT - the registrar got called to surgery - she came back up to get the test started. I managed to handle the scope going down this time around (in hospital, I couldn't stand it for long at all) and also the whole time they were trying things: the sangers were no good: too soft and gluggy for me to swallow - awww! Handled the diced peaches okay tho it took about 5 really hard swallows to get rid of most of it but I was still not swallwing all of it. The blue milk (the blue is the barium they use so they can see where it's going) was the worst because I aspirated a small bit of it - so all in all I didn't so really well at all - it was the speechies who said all was not lost, it is very hard with the nose scope in to swallow properly or use the "process" to make the food go where you want it to but they wanted to have a real good look around if they could so they were quite happy. The barium test is tomorrow and I don't aspirate anything with that, so they'll decide tomorrow about bread, toast, sandwiches (NOT egg!) -- but I can keep trying all sorts of things if I think I can handle them, even roast chicken - woohoo!
Didn't get back up here until 4.10 pm - long afternoon - probably be quicker tomorrow from past experience - email from Vonnie: Karrl's birthday on Wednesday, so she'll be here tomorrow nite instead. She didn't say anything about Boxing Day so don't know if I'm having brunch/lunch with anyone or not!! Was wiped out - and weepy - from scope test so I had a bowl of soup in my room and, I'm told, missed out on Macaroni Cheese - pooh.
Off to bed about 7.30 - lovely chilly, rainy night - so I have the WP Girls' pyjama jacket on - so am a purple spotted vision!!
Depending on which nurse I have is how independent I am of a morning. This morning, I got myself out of bed, on to the wheelie walker, on to the loo, into the shower, showered myself, off the shower chair on to the wheelie walker by myself - tho nurses present. So that's progress!
Down to OT and Rosemary left me to work thru and cos I knew by then I had physio at 10.30, I concentrated on the ones Tracey classes as "most important". Penny came to talk to me and she is coming down to the test (it's the nose scope look-see this arvo and I gather the barium test is on too). Penny said we could take some food I wanted to try with us so we agreed we'd take some egg sangers if they were on the menu at lunch - now that would make a big difference, just bread with the soup and sangers for lunch, so hope I pass that one!!
I was 10 mins late for physio but Praline wasn't ready for me (as I knew she wouldn't be - hee) so no harm done. She took me thru my paces - am standing up with her assistance really easily now and we don't need a second person so that is pleasing (but I want to do it by myself). I walked for 4 laps of parallel bars with only the one hand on the rail and could have done more but she had other plans - did the foot weights that Nick showed me on Friday and also some more arm/tricep exercises and finished off with a 60m walk, so quite a workout.
I take myself back upstairs but got waylaid at the lift by the rain - was all cloudy again and just starting to come down pretty heavily. I sat outside in blissful contemplation for the 30 minutes before lunch - :) - was really raining with that lovely cool breeze storms bring with the occasional flurry spraying me: I did so enjoy it and I was on my own like an adult person! I felt like I'd been let off the leash for the first time.
Back up to lunch on time - got the egg sangers - mushroom soup today so I had that and then back to my room until time to get the shuttle.
After quite a wait in ENT - the registrar got called to surgery - she came back up to get the test started. I managed to handle the scope going down this time around (in hospital, I couldn't stand it for long at all) and also the whole time they were trying things: the sangers were no good: too soft and gluggy for me to swallow - awww! Handled the diced peaches okay tho it took about 5 really hard swallows to get rid of most of it but I was still not swallwing all of it. The blue milk (the blue is the barium they use so they can see where it's going) was the worst because I aspirated a small bit of it - so all in all I didn't so really well at all - it was the speechies who said all was not lost, it is very hard with the nose scope in to swallow properly or use the "process" to make the food go where you want it to but they wanted to have a real good look around if they could so they were quite happy. The barium test is tomorrow and I don't aspirate anything with that, so they'll decide tomorrow about bread, toast, sandwiches (NOT egg!) -- but I can keep trying all sorts of things if I think I can handle them, even roast chicken - woohoo!
Didn't get back up here until 4.10 pm - long afternoon - probably be quicker tomorrow from past experience - email from Vonnie: Karrl's birthday on Wednesday, so she'll be here tomorrow nite instead. She didn't say anything about Boxing Day so don't know if I'm having brunch/lunch with anyone or not!! Was wiped out - and weepy - from scope test so I had a bowl of soup in my room and, I'm told, missed out on Macaroni Cheese - pooh.Off to bed about 7.30 - lovely chilly, rainy night - so I have the WP Girls' pyjama jacket on - so am a purple spotted vision!!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Rehab - Days 19 and 20
Woke up at 4.00 a.m. - too early, so back to sleep until 6.30 - LOL - too lazy to get out of bed so Fiona (my nurse for the day) let me lie in and then gave me a wash instead of a shower - such luxury!! I fell for a bargain set of funky bright fabric from Craftlovers for $90 + a circle/curvy ruler as a free gift - if I don't get out of here, I'll have spent my savings!! Sheer boredom from being locked up for so long - I can't even sew the bloody stuff up until I get home: will sew up a storm then - have so many I want to do and I'm stuck here - getting very impatient with my legs/ knees not working now - until I can sit/stand from any height of chair, home is out of the question and they (my knees) will not cooperate, or my mind won't cooperate, I just can't/won't go that bit further and stand up - GRRRRR!
Lovely rain again today - even tho it's a bit muggy when the rain turns off, I prefer the windy blowing rain and low skies to bright sunlight any day! We had some really wild heavy downpours too - lovely! Once I'd had lunch, decided not to waste the afternoon as well, so got out the heart blocks I had in sewing "basket" cos have decided to finish them and send them to the lady in New Zealand co-ordinating blocks for quilts for the New Zealand miners' families which will be one way to help, so got 2 finished whilst I listened to my Miss Silver audio book. The narrator, Diana Bishop, has that lovely "To the Manor Born" English accent so I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Have about 6 hearts to go and can send them off. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not the fastest handsewer in the world so that actually took me until tea time! At least it means I focus on something outside my own small (in the scheme of the world)selfish worries and makes me feel better.
After tea, I went to bed and played Mahjong and Sim Farm (using DOS Box which means you can play DOS games in Windows Vista - using it for Railroad Tycoon too, tho the laptop doesn't have the diagonal cursor keys so can't build off shoots to the track - LOL) - While I was playing, downloaded more episodes of TV shows. Then went off to sleep quite easily - nurses weren't making lots of noise tonite!!
Lovely rain again today - even tho it's a bit muggy when the rain turns off, I prefer the windy blowing rain and low skies to bright sunlight any day! We had some really wild heavy downpours too - lovely! Once I'd had lunch, decided not to waste the afternoon as well, so got out the heart blocks I had in sewing "basket" cos have decided to finish them and send them to the lady in New Zealand co-ordinating blocks for quilts for the New Zealand miners' families which will be one way to help, so got 2 finished whilst I listened to my Miss Silver audio book. The narrator, Diana Bishop, has that lovely "To the Manor Born" English accent so I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Have about 6 hearts to go and can send them off. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not the fastest handsewer in the world so that actually took me until tea time! At least it means I focus on something outside my own small (in the scheme of the world)selfish worries and makes me feel better.
After tea, I went to bed and played Mahjong and Sim Farm (using DOS Box which means you can play DOS games in Windows Vista - using it for Railroad Tycoon too, tho the laptop doesn't have the diagonal cursor keys so can't build off shoots to the track - LOL) - While I was playing, downloaded more episodes of TV shows. Then went off to sleep quite easily - nurses weren't making lots of noise tonite!!
* - * - * - *
Woken up at 5.05 a.m. - it's a good thing I don't really mind as I don't have any choice - tho Joyce was quiet this morning, thank goodness!! (I had a bit of a spak last nite to Mary, one of the nurses cos Joyce had only just been taken back to her room and she was caterwauling for HELP!) - beeyootiful rainy morning, set in like yesterday too - I must go downstairs today to sew and drink in the air, tho it's also nice to watch from the comfort of my bed! Charlotte wasn't letting me be a lie-a-bed this morning: it was up and at 'em at 8.00 and by 9.00, was toileted, showered and had obs taken.
My efforts this morning included leg exercises, no assistance off the bed and no assistance off the shower chair to stand up at the wheelie walker. Charlotte has promised to come back later to take me for a walk as I'm not allowed go on my own and on the way, we'll put my washing on. Well, the "coming back" didn't eventuate before lunch so I took my own washing to the washing machine. But she did take me for a walk on te wheelie walker later on so I got that in at least.
I didn't go out for lunch, too busy tidying up Outlook files and housekeeping -- and I do so hate sitting out there with all at our table (except Doug, 80 at least, with a sparkle in his eye and flirting with every female)! Realised later I once again missed the Lemon Sago - pooh! My bad ...
Mark arrived for a visit about 2.30 and I burbled at him until tea time - I do let him get a word in edgeways every so often, but mainly it's my tongue that's clapping. As I said to him, I've never been lonely before in my life, but at the hospital and here, I am which is why I "burble" to my visitors. Nowt to be done about it so just have to suck it up like everything else happening to me! He said he'll visit on Xmas morning for a cuppa which will be really nice - the kids are at Judy's until lunch so he'll be on his own so no problem.
After tea I spent the nite playing Sim Farm - always did enjoy that game - and the time just flew away.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Rehab - Day 18
Nurse Peter came in with a pan at 4:50 am (I had called him - so at least I woke up!!) and he decided to give me injection and early-a.m. pills earlier than normal, so by the time we did that, I was awake and stayed awake. I watched a downloaded TV show "Human Target" which I'd never even heard of - action/adventure - which I enjoyed enough to download the second episode.
I was hurried out of bed and into shower after obs, Bree in a bit of a hurry but that was OK cos OT was 10.00, not 11.00 like I thought Tracey had said. Before we could go, Penny (speechie) arrived for the visit she's been trying to have for 3 days - which was to say that it's probably time to give me another barium test to see if she can bump me up to a full "soft diet" - hope I pass, pureed greens and carrot will be gone and bread and butter added - they also want to do another scope exam and Im willing to try tho they are going to use a gel to smooth it past my gag reflex - I hope so or it'll end up like last time! So that'll be on Monday (last for the year). She also said that Xmas lunch was a bit special with prawns and mango, etc, so I'll be able to eat the mango at least.
I forgot my hand brace and my silly putty so couldn't do those particular exercises but did everything else on the list which still took 40 minutes, so on time for Physio. It was Nick again today (which I don't mind cos he works me harder than Praline cos he doesn't get as interrupted). He really gave me a workout too - the sit/stand was as good as yesterday (once I didn't try to stand straight up) and then we did all bar one lap of the parallel bars with one hand, so that was about 7 of those, then 15 squats, marching on the spot and a new one, standing up on my toes which actually worked my calf muscles. Was pooped when we finished.
Back up for lunch - broccoli soup - so had that and then came back to my room. Bree came in to see if I needed anything and I said I'd like a wardie so I could go to bed for a while (starting to sag) but she came back with a message from one of the nurses that it wasn't good for me to go to bed so soon after a meal and I'd have to wait for 30 mins at least (I wasn't going swimming, just getting horizontal for pity's sake!!). I just started to laugh: either that's a power trip or she didn't want to interrupt the lunchtime process of nurses and wardies watching everybody eat, then take them back to rooms. God, I'll be so glad to get out of here!!
In the event, when I went to the loo, I got them to put me to bed - about 2.20pm - slept a couple of hours then awake for tea and watched another episode of Human Target and Castle. Had tea (pumpkin soup this time) in bed, just still too sleepy to make the effort! I was asleep again by 11.30pm and apart from waking up for a bedpan, slept all nite -- so I was worn out!!
I was hurried out of bed and into shower after obs, Bree in a bit of a hurry but that was OK cos OT was 10.00, not 11.00 like I thought Tracey had said. Before we could go, Penny (speechie) arrived for the visit she's been trying to have for 3 days - which was to say that it's probably time to give me another barium test to see if she can bump me up to a full "soft diet" - hope I pass, pureed greens and carrot will be gone and bread and butter added - they also want to do another scope exam and Im willing to try tho they are going to use a gel to smooth it past my gag reflex - I hope so or it'll end up like last time! So that'll be on Monday (last for the year). She also said that Xmas lunch was a bit special with prawns and mango, etc, so I'll be able to eat the mango at least.
I forgot my hand brace and my silly putty so couldn't do those particular exercises but did everything else on the list which still took 40 minutes, so on time for Physio. It was Nick again today (which I don't mind cos he works me harder than Praline cos he doesn't get as interrupted). He really gave me a workout too - the sit/stand was as good as yesterday (once I didn't try to stand straight up) and then we did all bar one lap of the parallel bars with one hand, so that was about 7 of those, then 15 squats, marching on the spot and a new one, standing up on my toes which actually worked my calf muscles. Was pooped when we finished.
Back up for lunch - broccoli soup - so had that and then came back to my room. Bree came in to see if I needed anything and I said I'd like a wardie so I could go to bed for a while (starting to sag) but she came back with a message from one of the nurses that it wasn't good for me to go to bed so soon after a meal and I'd have to wait for 30 mins at least (I wasn't going swimming, just getting horizontal for pity's sake!!). I just started to laugh: either that's a power trip or she didn't want to interrupt the lunchtime process of nurses and wardies watching everybody eat, then take them back to rooms. God, I'll be so glad to get out of here!!
In the event, when I went to the loo, I got them to put me to bed - about 2.20pm - slept a couple of hours then awake for tea and watched another episode of Human Target and Castle. Had tea (pumpkin soup this time) in bed, just still too sleepy to make the effort! I was asleep again by 11.30pm and apart from waking up for a bedpan, slept all nite -- so I was worn out!!
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