29th July 2009
As Bec is back at Uni and Erin is also back at school it has been left to me to keep you updated, it won't be as good as Bec's but I'll give it a go.
We had a very exciting day today as Bryan had the ventilation tube removed this morning. When I was able to go in to see Bryan for the first time today I could see the relief on his face and he had a smile from ear to ear. It is such a relief to be over the fist hurdle, even though there will be many more to come. Bryan was able to talk to me even though his voice was a bit croaky which is to be expected after having the tube down his throat for a week. One of the first things he said was "I'm going to design a new ventilation machine/tube as well as a new system for communicating when you are unable to speak, the list went on. Now that he is talking he has been giving the staff a bit of cheek and they said that if he keeps it up they will put the tube back in (only jokingly). It is good to see Bryan in such high spirits.
The physio came to work on Bryan a few times during the day to try and clear his chest. I'm sure when Shane (from Southtown Service Centre) came to visit today he did'nt know he was going to be a physio assistant, I don't think he will change his job from working on cars to working on people as cars don't complain when you work on them. Stacey also visited today and was able to help out by massaging Bryan's arms which was very much appreciated.
I've been reading the blog comments to Bryan over the last couple of days and he is so blown away by it all. He was like me in the beginning and asked "What is a Blog?". I'm sure once he is able, he will be posting his own stories on here.
I took some photos today and at some stage will put them on the blog but I think I will leave that up to Bec or Erin when they are back at the weekend.
Bryan had a big day today and when I left the hospital he was very tired so I'm sure he will sleep well tonight.
Thank you all for your prayers and positive thoughts it is very comforting to know there are so many people out there who care.
Goodnight,
Julie
Hi Bryan and family, been following your progress and been thinking of you. Take care x x x
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, thanks for the blog, you did very well without the girls there. Great news, great reading some positive posts. Had to laugh about those tubes going back in if Bryan does not behave, you know there will be no stopping him now he has to make up for lost time, lots of ideas, pretty nurses to stir up, he will be on a real roll now.
ReplyDeleteHello and Love to you both
Jen
Hi Bryan and family, we have been following your progress every day. Your girls are doing a wonderful job of keeping us all informed. We wish you all the best with your recovery and know that you are a determined man who will overcome the odds! Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. From the Artsworx team.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear Bryan's tube has being removed, hasn't stopped talking i hear. They said he wouldn't be able to talk for a few days well they don't know our Bryan do they. Keep up the great work. Keep some of the energy for Erin, Ann and Me (Ellen) tomorrow we are coming to visit. See you then
ReplyDeleteIt was good to be able to visit yesterday. I kind of knew what to expect in ICU after Mark's dad was in there for weeks after his motorcycle accident. But I still saw Bryan lying there and didn't know what to do or say. I put my arms around him and gave him a hug. Julie was checking him all over asking 'can you feel this, this, this', to see if there had been any changes. He was talking in a soft raspy grumbly voice. He said he had been awake since 3am and had written down some 'secrets'. We worked out that the nurse had taped a nikko pen to Bryan's hand and he had written in big black childlike writing on paper on a clipboard. I thought - oh no, a romantic moment where Bryan has written how much he loved Julie & the girls, I was thinking, should I go and give them a 'moment' and that if i saw what he'd written,I'd probably cry. But alas, I 'needn't have worried. He had written down his ideas for improving patient comfort while in hospital.(alas I"m sworn to secrecy!) But it goes to show, he is determined and inspired to get on with things.
ReplyDeleteAt one stage, the nurse (this one was "KEITH" not pretty kate)was looking under the edge of the blankets in front of where I was standing, to take a blood sample from the IV line, Bryan grunts 'OI - careful, Ive got no clothes on under here!.' Modesty is not one of his usual traits.
Michael Flannery also came in and mockingly asked Bryan if he would be right for work next week. Bryan said he might need a few extra days off, so I asked if he had a medical certificate to cover that. Michael then said he needed to put 3 fellows on to do what Bryan would normally do, so I suggested that when Bryan did return to work, that he should be paid 3 times as much - Michael didn't like my maths on that one tho!! So a sense of humour is a good thing.
Bryan was wanting his teeth cleaned and complained when Keith came back with colgate toothpaste. Bryan wanted OralB. So yes, he had plenty to say and I bet he is still gasbagging today.
At one stage, it was just Bryan and I. He looked tired and kept closing his eyes. I was just standing beside him, rubbing his arms. I said 'you can go to sleep, I'll stay here and just keep doing this'. But he wasn't tired, as he was tilted to one side and his neck was aching from holding his head up. So I propped up the corner of the pillow with a towel so he could relax his neck into the pillow. Then he started chatting again!.
Another nurse came in and said that he wouldn't be able to have anything to eat or drink until the morning (the food tube was out). He said - 'so, i've got to starve for the night? what time will you be here in the morning then?' She replied around 8.30. He then started joking that he would have to eat the next person that came near him's arm off. He had us all giggling at his comments, then when everyone suggested they'd be staying well away from him if that was his intention, he said ok well i'll just eat my own arm off then.
So I needn't have worried about what to say or do. Just be yourself, and enjoy Bryan's company as you always have.
So glad to hear that things are going well!! Take care, we are missing you Julie! Xxx
ReplyDeleteG'day Bryanee
ReplyDeleteWe have only heard the news today (Thursday 30th). Mum had heard from Marg Coleman and contacted us today. Marg gave us the address and we have been reading all the posts and information about your progress.
It sounds like a pretty extreme way to get out of work boy......I think I better come down and give you a sharp whack on the pee pee to get you up and going.
It has taken me (and Natalie) some time to come to terms with the shock, and our love and thoughts are surely with you and Julie and the girls and your family, as I'm sure you have all been through more than can be imagined. Even though we don't see each other, you have always been a special little brother to me (you and that Poulton kid - remember May 28 beats August 23, and June 30) and I love you dearly no matter what happens. I also believe in you and know that however you work with this, you will succeed. Give some thought to how I can help now and in the coming months, because that is what brothers of '63 are for.
All our love always
Don, Natalie and Calen
Hi Guys, It was so good to see Bryan on Tuesday.Grant and I got a few good laughs happening. Fantastic to see that mongrel tube gone from the throat, it was absolutely annoying Bryan to the max. I'll have to visit again now that Bryan can talk, to find out some of the stuff he was trying to convey to us. Great to see good progress with hand movements etc. Keep up the great work Bryan! See you soon mate.
ReplyDeleteJulie, you've done a great job on the blog!!
ReplyDelete( you certainly had big boot to fill as 'bec did a great job to start)
Each evening we gather round the computer to log onto the blog site to see whats been going on....its really a wonderful idea & tool to keep every one in the know....(this is our first blog site ever!)
The tenacity of the Flwmming family is truely inspirational ...and to be admired.
It is fantastic to read that each day Bryan is moving forward. We expect that this will continue on in true Flyan fashion. After all he is not a bloke that will do things by halves!
How exciting it must have been to see Byrans smiling face on your arrival today! there is something very reassuring hearing that Bryan is busy working out ideas/ways to improve the ventalation tube & better ways of communicating!! Go you good thing!
Its also terrific to hear that he also has his sense of humour intact, and enjoying the company and antics of friends & staff.
Has Bryan mentioned again if he has had anymore "ELECTRIC" sensations in his leg/s as he did spell out for 'becca one day/evening?? Sounds interesting.....?promising?
Im guessing it wont be too long before the nurses lose their favorite patient to the spinal ward....wonder if there is anyone on that ward who is as interesting? as "Kate". She seems to get a fair bit of mentioning...we will have to wait & see.
We send our love & look forward to seeing you soon. love Kel Russ & Amber xxx
ps: Bryan, try out some visualization! Im sure you know about it (you may well already be doing it!). love kel
Hi Bryan,Julie and Girls
ReplyDeleteHave been following the bloggs. Great to hear the tube is now out. Jarrod sends his best from London, we sent him the link and he is following the blogg. Also, Loki & Leah are thinking of you all. Bryan you might like to know also that Harry and Mavis Castle wish you all the best & they have all at St Albans Church praying for you. Fair bit of power on your side there mate. We will come down & see you soon. I'll contact you before we come down Julie. All the very best guys. Cheers Russell & Narelle xxx
P.S. Let us know if you need a hand with anything over at the house. Cheers Russell