Troids Surgery

Trip from recovery back to the spinal unit 10.2.10

Can't fit in the door, so we went outside (9pm!) and through the larger door from the courtyard.

9 days like this

Over 3 days his arms are lowered to his sides

Tims loving spinal unit cat Alfie on his bed!

Day 10 post op, last dressings are removed, arms washed and

physio picks up pace.

Hi Everyone,

I arrived at Burwood on the 8th ready to have surgery on the 10th of this month. I enjoyed socialising with Chris and Kate (Gilmore-ish) in my last moments of freedom before my surgery.

I've been here for 14 days and everythings going well. For my surgery they surgically separated my posterior deltoid and tied it to my paralysed tricep with part of my hamstring. I was in the crucifix position for 9 days. Now my arms are still completely straight, but are by my side, meaning I can mobilise in my motorchair.

Its hard getting reused to being SO dependent on everyone elses help, for things such as scratching, eating, grooming and all computer work. I now know what it must be like to be paralysed from the neck down (C2) - not cool. Its been pretty painful so far but the longterm rewards are going to be awesome.

On Monday they will bend my arms by 15 degrees and will continue to do so weekly for the following 7 weeks up until 90 degrees, at which point the splints will be taken off. I've already briefly felt the effects of my triceps and being able to extend my elbow again is beyond incredible.

I will continue to rehab here for another 4 weeks till the start of November to make full use of my arms. My end goals will be to relieve pressure from my bum independently and transfer myself from chair to bed / car / rugby chair as independently as possible. This troid surgery will also be very beneficial for things like reaching, dressing and punching. I still need more tendon transfer surgery early next year, to develop my right wrist and thumbs.

I'm in here with another C5 friend Guy, with the same surgery a month down the track. Its motivating seeing the improvements he's making.

Its been awesome having Rettykins and Georgyina visit two days after my surgery, Cassinova and Rosco with chocolate fish flowers and thai. I appreciate their diligence holding a bowl under my chin, while I was trying to chuck - from pain relief side effects.

Thanks for all your messages. Sorry I haven't been able to reply to many. Good to receive them anyway.

Bye for now

Tim

Wheelchair Rugby

July 2010 Update

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd give you an update on how things have been going

just ahead of surgery. A short time after the last post I celebrated my 21st

for the 4th time. It was pretty sweet because this time I wasn't left out of the drinking. Also apparently some of my friends have morals and decided speaking ill of the dead has some similarity to speaking ill of a person on a ventilator in ICU. So this time there were a few more ruthless tales that surfaced.

Since then I've been to every home game on my season pass, and I've completed another 300 level psych paper. I got the mark I was looking for which has opened up the possibility of future study.

In May the olds and Robert flew to Dunaz for my graduation. I made the front page of the ODT (Otago Daily Times) and as a result found myself

involved in conversations with more strangers than I'm used to.

On Tuesday 10th August I'm going back to Burwood in order to receive surgery that will hopefully give me triceps function in both arms. I will be in for 10 weeks, heading back to Hamilton late October. So wish me luck and see you on the other side.

Tim

Funds raised from Golf Tournament

Hi Everyone,

We now have the news you've been waiting for - the total funds raised from the Golf Tournament on the 31st January was $9925.99. Just soooo fantastic. The money has been banked into Tims Trust account and will be used for sports activities such as wheelchair rugby, as ACC doesn't cover sport related costs.



Once again massive thanks to Mark and Lorena and their team at Anglesea Motel, Gary and Michelle Dillistone, and Julian and Michelle Barnsdale for making it all happen and succeeding in creating a very fun day for about 100 family, friends and supporters. Thanks too to all the sponsors and participants. The raffle was won by Ben, a keen 15 yr old golfer from Kerikeri.



Love to all

Viv and Tim

Tournament Moments

The Day After the Tournament

H Everyone,

Many happy thoughts of yesterday, albeit for the weather. My last blog had stated clearly gentle clouds and rain banned - but someone was not listening! Nevertheless an incredibly successful event for all. Tim was confined to the clubhouse due the rain, with a small group of special friends for company, and a jug or two to await the return of the masses. He caught sight of the players in nearby bunkers!

The hours and hours of preparation by Mark, Lorena, Gary and Michelle Dillistone and Julian and Michelle Barnsdale paid off big time. We called it a day half way through due the thunderclouds competing for attention with Parachute music in the next field. Then it cleared for a bit. The 'real golfers' were feeling abit shortchanged and would have happily continued. The other 50% were feeling like drowned rats and the word "one more hole to go" bought happy faces to many. By the time we'd all settled in the club house, with a complimentary drink and platter of food, Marks secret raindance (for more rain so no one would feel sad), had paid off and it was nothing short of torrential. No doubt in anyones mind the timing was right.

Our favourite auctioneer Andrew (Tims high school friend) relished in his temporary role persuading us to take advantage of great bargains. I will bring you the final results when we've had a tally up. Amazing prizes followed, some for golfing achievements, and most drawn out of a box for each team. A list of sponsors will follow. No one missed out and the prizes were incredible.

The raffle was last - we shook a container of balls and Tim read out three numbers 077. It was Ben Luke from Kerikeri who won the Golf Cart. He was at Parachute and his phone was flat, so he doesnt know yet! The Luke family are close friends of my sister Janet. Their sons are very keen golfers. So exciting.

I asked Lorena, Mark, Julian, Michelle, Gary and Michelle up the front at the end of the prize giving to say thankyou. However i lost the plot emotionally (whats new) and couldn't find any words. From Tim and all our family, heartfelt thanks for your scheming and plotting last year "what can we do for Tim" while he was in ICU and then rehab. And for actually making it happen. Many hours freely given, for enlisting support from local businesses, family and friends, for setting up and selling raffle tickets, transporting BBQ's onto the course, cooking BBQ's, organising registrations and teams, for collating the sponsors names and logos, and auction list, generally excellent management. And for every raffle buyer, volunteer to help onthe day, those who registered and turned up and played in such horrible conditions and every sponsor.

Finally special thanks to Anglesea Motel for the use of their resources and staff along the way.

Now as Tim would say THE END. Photos and sponsors names will follow.

Cheers Viv

2 days to go till Tims Tournament

Hi Everyone,
How exciting. Not long now till the big day. The registrations and prizes continue to come in . Such creative and generous ideas.
And everyone is posting raffle butts back to Anglesea Motel in time for the big draw on Sunday.
Thanks massively to you all for the hard work.
All we need is the sun shining - or maybe gentle clouds, but rain is banned.
See you all there at 1pm to tee off. And still alittle room left if you still want to play.
Love Viv, Tim and family, And the team at Anglesea - Mark, Lorena, and Nicole.