Out and About

Rebecca here! Im on the train back to the coast now and before I left Dad told me to do the blog tonight. He is really getting into the whole thing - giving me the orders about what to put on here and what not to.

Firstly, Dad wanted to pass on some messages to a couple of people:

Kath and Pat - Thank you very much for visiting me! I can see that Kath, in her actions has that instinctive nature to care for people. I want to personally thank her for being inquisitive, involved and demostrating excellent personal care. But its a shame that I had to be the excuse for you two to come down to Brissy and have a dirty weekend in a motel.

Warren Suley - What a great mentor you have been to me over the years, in a way like a brother. You have such great leadership qualities and compassion. You know just what to do and what to say. I really enjoyed you company. Thank you! (ps. Thanks heaps for the voice recorder, I think it will take a few practises to get it tuned just right!)

Well today Dad achieved a MASSIVE milestone, which I will continue with a little later. I arrived at the hospital very early this morning. Dad said he had a terrible sleep as his bowels were blocked and making him very nauseated. He hasn't "been" properly in a few days now which is causing him a bit of unwanted stress. They believe its from all the medication and probably a bit of trauma. This will improve with time and he can then establish a "rountine".

The nurses came to give Dad his shower, hoisting him out of bed and into a reclining, wheeling, deck chair sort of thing. Today they gave him some psuedoephydrine - it helps increase heart rate and relieve the initial upset of the blood pooling in the legs. He felt a little bit better than yesterday and will probably feel a little better tomorrow sitting upright. The nurse then asked if I was going to be showering Dad...and as keen as i was (cough)...I thought I might let them do it.

Not long after he came back his new physio Susie dropped in. She told us she would be seeing Dad at 2.30pm on a daily basis for the next few weeks. After this she got Dad up on the hoist again and sitting in a wheelchair for the first time. He loved it! I took him outside for a walk and just for him to be moving and looking around again was amazing, not to mention the sunshine! There was no way I was getting him back inside in any hurry, so we had lunch on the balcony.

I thought Dad was incredible today getting up in a chair but not only that, he stayed up for a good 4 hours! This apparently is a huge feat for his first go. I was so proud, and he was very exhausted.

Dad also has an occupational therapist Emily, that will be helping him adapt to his new mobility over the next few weeks. Dad will be seeing her at 11am daily.

We welcomed some visitors today - Don Murray, Geoff Udy and Peta and Darren Cobby, all of whom Bryan hasn't seen in while. Derek also came down today to hang out with Dad. As Dad is still having a little trouble with his throat, it was difficult for him to really project his voice. Usually I can't stop Dad talking and he is still the same but I think he is enjoying more just listening to people talk. Like tonight before I left Dad, Don and Derek were discussing cars, bikes, old girlfriends, etc. and they were laughing and having a great time. It really lifts his spirits!

Thank you to all those people who have sent flowers. Dad's area is starting to look a little more homey now and it really does brighten the place up a bit.

Goodnight everyone.
xo

A short snippet from a message sent by Bryan's uncle Allan: "God can bring you through situations you think you won't survive, or feel you'll be stuck in forever. He can make you comfortable in the most uncomfortable places, and give you peace in the midst of trauma. Before your life is over you'll live, love, and experience loss."