Wednesday 4th August

Hi all, it's me back again for another go at blogging.

The last couple of days have being an experience for me as I have taken on a whole new role in Bryan's life. I arrive at the hospital around 9.00 of a morning in time to help get Bryan out of bed and into a chair that is used for showering. He is strapped into a canvas like harness and hoisted onto a special chair that is used to shower him then wheeled into a big wet room where he is showered. Bryan really enjoys the shower as he loves his head being washed and massaged ( the saying "I'll give you 10 mins to stop that" is getting a bit old). Part of the shower deal is also the shaving job, which took me about 10mins to do but probably only a 3min job for Bryan, I only drew blood once (no stiches required). Bryan must have thought I did an OK job the first time as he let me back at it again today, this time no blood in sight. After his shower he is hoisted back onto his bed where I help him get dressed then he is hoisted back into a chair then wheeled out onto a verandah where we spent most of the day. My next job is feeding Bryan his lunch and giving him drinks of water. Then there is the beauty treatment - moisturising his face, arms and legs as they are very dry and flakey after all the treatment he has been having. I also get the job of cleaning his teeth, which he will learn to do by himself eventually using the same velcro strap that holds his spoon. All of these things I will happily do forever, the only thing I don't like doing is at the end of the day tucking Bryan in and kissing him goodnight and leaving him at the hospital as its not the same going home to an empty bed which we have shared for nearly 22 years.

Today, at his OT session Bryan was given a modified spoon which is placed in a strap which is then velcroed to his hand so that he can start trying to feed himself. He did have a go using it tonight (which I videoed) but I think it will take a bit of practise.

Bryan being Bryan asked the doctors if he could see the xrays of his neck before and after the operation, he wanted to make sure that everything was lined up before they put the plate and screws in and that the screws were the right size etc. The xray after the operation wasn't very clear so he couldn't tell if it lined up or not, but they are doing another xray next week which will show things a bit clearer, he will just have to wait until then.

The doctor indicated to us today that the swelling in the spinal cord could take up to 6 - 8 weeks to go down, so until then they are not sure to what extent his injury will be. 2 and a half weeks of waiting 4 - 5 weeks to go.

On Saturday Bryan's family are coming to the hospital to spent the day with him. His brother and sister-in-law are arriving from China and some of his neices and nephews are travelling from different parts of Australia, so it will be a big day for him.

Bryan's sessions of a day are OT at 11 - 12 Monday to Friday and his physio is from 2.30 - 3.30 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, this may help with visiting times.

We would like to thank everyone for all your support and prayers , for the flowers and donations it is truly amazing, it does make it easier to go from day to day knowing that we have such great friends and support out there.

Goodnight.

Julie