More Surprises

Hi Everyone,
I've had a few highlights this week. First of all when I was playing my mate Jimmy at the Wii, Mum unexpectedly brought back my Aunty Jan, who is from the Bay of Islands. It was awesome seeing her for the first time in ages. Mum lied to me and said she was going to have coffee with a friend.

The next surprise I had came from Janets good friend Anna Powell. Anna was responsible for the laptop, stereo and internet stick I got from Newstalk ZB. Anna rang me with another big surprise, that she had managed to pull some strings and get me two tickets to ACDC in Auckland!

And since I need a carer, my good mate Brad will be coming. We are so excited, its going to be awesome. A big thanks Anna.

The third incredible highlight was getting back to the pub for the first time since my accident in February, we went to Speights Ale house to celebrate my room mate James birthday. It was great as three friends Cass, Ross and Sonya Baird from Dunedin came too and also amazing being able to enjoy a couple of pints in front of a shield match. And with Mika and Jo-Beth coming on Sunday before Janet leaving, it was a pretty "cher cher bro" weekend.

James birthday celebration at Speights Ale House. James parents Marilyn and Steve are Tim's 'other' Burwood Mum and Dad.

Uni friends Ross, Cass and Sonya Baird

Other than making pikelets and improving my pushing in my manual, not much has changed in the way of rehab. Hopefully I don't run out of news for next week.
Tim

Hospital Hospitality

Tims ambulance driver offered to drive him

back to Burwood from Christchurch Hospital

through the Square for a bit of sightseeing.

He put his bed at the right height for a good view - the first time in six weeks Tims's been able to see where he is going!

Hi Everyone,

I have been on bedrest since my last post, and here's why. On Monday the 17th I was up and about as normal, finishing off the day with a relaxing massage on my ever aching shoulders. I got back to bed to find a slightly grazed natal cleft (a sore bum means bedrest). This was only precautionary, so I would be back up on Wednesday. However Wednesday night I had a raging fever of 38.5 C, with an extremely swollen right thigh and hip. This was picked up by the gym therapists that afternoon. It showed all the worrying signs of a blood clot, so we were off to Christchurch Hospital the following morning for scans.

After spending Thursday being shuffled between departments(ultrasound and CT scans), no conclusions were made to why my side was swollen, but we were relieved to know I did not have a clot or tumour. I did however have plenty of time to think up pranks to play on other patients. I thought it would be funny to park up next to a row of patients with the sheet over my head. I wanted to lay still (this would be easy for me) for a few minutes until I would throw my arms up in the air and scream. Mum wasn't so keen. We were forced to stay the night in Chch Hospital for observation. The next morning my doctor diagnosed me with neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO). This is basically extra bone growing in the deep muscle. This is a much less serious outcome, so I just have to take more drugs for 3 mths and hopefully problem solved.
During this time I've had two great visits from friends in Dunaz. Jimmy took my mind off the horrible hospital environment for a good few hours, on his way to his flight to Sydney to watch a great All Blacks victory. Amy J then popped in yesterday on her way to a party. Great to catch up with them as well as Zeus today for the first time since my accident .

I have been on bedrest until now, and so I'm hoping to be mobilising tomorrow ready for a new week of progress. And my next project is to look into buying an iphone. This will allow me to use a cell phone, mp3 player and digital camera which would be almost impossible otherwise.

Tim

Second day in manual chair. Ongoing changes. Wheels upsized to 25".

Surprises and Goodbyes

Tim, Ben and James.

The eve of Ben's flight back to rehab in home town Melbourne.

Surprise visit from couzies Libs and Steph

Newstalk ZB's Mikes Magic gifts in the background - the Panasonic stereo, MacBook and Vodafone internet stick. Tims TV is also a computer, and using a large mouse he is now able to do his own internet stuff.

Jokes aside - progress amazing

Hey Everyone,
As per usual a lot has happened, and still with no setbacks! First of all I have reached my biggest goal for my time at Burwood, and 2 months earlier than expected. This was to be in a manual wheelchair. It was tough tucker, but once the wheelchair is more suited to me I might be able to make a good 100 mtrs.

Other news although not as exciting but still awesome in its own right, I can now pick up my thermos and drink from it! Also when Mum gave me good incentive, I learned to pick up deshelled pistachio nuts. And once my custom made toilet/shower chair arrives I will be able to wash almost all my body.

I've also started shocking staff and patients with my favourite jokes. "Whats small black and sits at the top of the stairs? A paraplegic after a house fire". After disgusted looks I add, a tetraplegic wouldn't even make it to the stairs! And then I top it off with "whats better than winnning gold at the paralympics? Walking". I figure I liked these jokes before my accident, so why shouldn't I after.

New things are happening almost every day, so don't expect me to remember everything. Be back soon with new updates.
Tim

Making pizzas in the OT kitchen

Robs first visit Fri 7th Aug - in the gym playing 'tennis' on Nintendo Wi. The sensor is strapped to Tims right hand - all in the name of exercise!

Tims bed to the left

Trying out the path across the wetlands, over the road from the spinal unit. Too chilly and too bumpy, so after a short adventure did a 3 point turn on the boardwalk and headed back.

Special Treats for Viv

I want to take this opportunity to say a huge thanks to Andrew and Flight Centre for this wonderful time away. Tim had booked his flights to Canada with Flight Centre.
Since Tim's fall in February, Travelsure (booked through Flight Centre) has also provided excellent daily support, constantly going the extra mile, such as flying Phil as well as me to travel to Canada to support Tim. Thanks to Bec and all the staff there too.

Back to Melbourne. It didn't take me a minute to find a bargain at Witchery!!

Sal and I at a women's conference.

Friends and Fun

Hand Rehab

Hand work with Sam (OT) in the gym. Exercises to get shoulder, elbow and hand working together.

Connect 4: Weekend homework with James.

Tim's CatchUp

Hey Everyone,

Sorry I havent posted in a while, but I'm feeling up to doing alot more these days.

In the last week I have increased my time in the chair from 4 hours to 7 hours per day. Last Wednesday Mum flew to Melbourne to see my sister Sally who now lives there. It was really good for both of us to have a decent break even though we missed each other. And so to replace her, my Dad flew from Hamilton to stay with me. It was really good having him here and training him into a good nurse.

Then on Saturday morning Dad left and the five girls from Dunedin drove 5 hours to see me. It was good seeing them all again finally, since my 21st in April. It felt good because they were all so stoked with how much I'd improved. Also it was good as it motivated me to stay up in my chair longer, so they didn't annoy my room mates! And since Mum has been back I have finally got my PEG removed, as I'm eating my quota, plus some.

Then today I've had my very first trip out of hospital in 6 months. Seven of us went to the Christchurch Museum and gardens. I had my first mince and cheese pie since Nov 08, and went on a wheelchair swing in the playground. Today I stayed up for 7.5 hrs. And just now I've been weighed - 70kgs (80 kgs before accident, and 58 kg after).

The Paua House now at Christchurch Museum

Stayed tuned for more progress.

Tim