Day 12

The move is on. after a shower, breakfast and a short session with the ward physio, nursing staff get me to put everything on my bed and just wheeled the whole lot, including me, down to Rehab.

By the time I unpacked it was close to lunch which can be had in your room or jointly in a communal dining room, I opted the latter and went to meet some of the other inmates.

Around 2 PM I had my 1st assessment and session for about 3/4 of an hour focusing on;
The direction of my feet when walking and standing. 
Keeping a wider stance and distribution of my weight.
Don't pop my non-weight bearing hip forward when just talking.
Isometric exercises for Gluts and Quads.
Being conscious of my straightness when sitting down and getting up, a mirror in front of me is very handy for this because I can see myself drift and favour one side!

So this my room from the doorway. 

And the bathroom 

 This was dinner tonight.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One! 

Taz

Day 10 and 11.

The best description of these is,

I inhabited a twin room on an orthopaedic ward. While there, I was seen briefly by the ward physio who did a cursory assessment (I won't be staying here under is care).

Gave me some clues to improving my general rehabilitation, SLOW DOWN, take SMALLER STEPS all things that I was over doing and pointed me in the right direction with physio contact in Temora for when I return home.

And that is it, there were no major developments, just me killing time until I get into the rehab unit.
 

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 9

Goodbye Sydney.

This morning when 0400 obs had a purpose (alarm clock) to get ready for my alleged 0530 collection nobody came!
Never mind as an active operational officer I self woke at 0405. Shower, shave (been practising so they went without a hitch) and by now a head has popped in and asked if I would like a couple pieces of toast.

0515 The crew turn up, Tayla and I didn't catch the other's name. They're from Ryde and I'm their last job for the shift. Apart from being from the station at which my friend and classmate is the Duty Operations Manager, Tayla is a UTAS graduate (I tutored for them, before her time.) she is also from Devonport, Tasmania.

A couple of familiar faces at Mascot asking the same thing, why am I here and why on a Stryker stretcher? Meet the other patient and her husband on my flight, they're returning to Young and after one delay of being bumped for an urgent retrieval we are ready to get going.

What was really a cocked up picture turns out to be a little arty!

Before the others get on and I can't take a photo. They could, but because I'm an employee it would be breaking confidentiality.

Now if I was clever I would add the soundtrack from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Frank's last song, 'I'm Going Home'! but I'm not so I didn't.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 8

Pretty much the same start as yesterday except I didn't wash and condition the hair just wet it before throwing in a braid. The long acting analgesia hasn't really shown it's worth yet but that's not unusual.

Tracy arrives we have a coffee and then do the halls again  together with the exercises and I had shorts on today rather than the track pant of yesterday and it was easier for Tracy to correct posture and dropped pelvis which the best was to describe how I walked. I have even started to try walking without a single crutch to but that is just pushing a little to far right now.

The compression socks were not on yesterday but I got her to put them on me before all this today because my leg is still swollen and after this it could be seen to have continued. I decided to walk her down to her car when she was ready to leave the hospital and Sydney but that turned out to be wishful thinking and I only made it far as the paying station.

Apart from lunch, a few DS9 episodes and a nana nap, it's been an icebag and elevation.


Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 7

Significant progress today, well I thought so.

Pain control was a problem from before dawn. Paracetamol at 0400 Endone later around 0600.
Breakfast done then a shower. Without assistance, standing, wash and condition the hair and shave with the ol' safety razor. Completed without having to pause or sit in the shower chair, altered stance to left leg and nearly successful at putting full weight on it and straighten it.

Went for a stroll do the corridors and did the exercises before returning to my room and breifly waited for Tracy to arrive.

Mid-morning we strolled down to the visitors lounge and watched TV while sitting together on a couch.

Returned to the room for lunch and afterwards another hall walk with exercises. Mid-afternoon I left the ward for the main foyer and the cafe where Tracy and I enjoyed an Ice Coffee each before returning to the room and dinner.

After dinner we did the hall walk again and the exercises which sometimes are  easier and others not. A conversation with this afternoons RN about my concerns with the inadequacies of dose and frequency saw her arrange for me to go onto Targin 10/5. We'll give that a try and I'm giving the wound and knee a real workin' over with the ice bag.

Dr Boyle dropped by before Tracy left so I gave him a show. He's happy.
   

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 6

Got a late call from the receiving rehab hospital they won't have a bed for another three days so really I just linger here, do my exercises work on the pain and flown out on Friday.

So I alternate the crutch movement, sometimes both when the left leg is down, sometimes the opposing crutch to leg. Right arm with left leg, left arm with right leg.
I have some side stepping exercises while facing a wall, I'm pretty much not holding on to the handrail. Then there are toe lifts with both feet and on the other side of that short squats.

 
So it's wet and raining outside, Tracy is not going to drive solo home today and has been able to arrange a single bed room at the Greenwich Inn.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 5

Well I seem to be impressing on the Tallboy walker, why don't I have a crack on Canada crutches.
Well lucky for me I spent months learning years ago.

Last of my Oxycontin today and I need to manage the pain with Endone alone. I only get it every 6-8 hr and it's lasting only for the 1st 3 hrs ,,,,hmmmmmm.

Everything is now an inch crooked and twisted. The replacement of  an arthritic hip generally returns the patient to normal, I however have not been in this shape since 1975 and it's going to take a very long time to change what has been normal for me over the last 43 years 

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz