Progress in the Flemming Camp

Its been so great to have family and friends visiting to cheer me along and give plenty of encouragement.

I thought I could handle being up all day but unfortunately I was very worn out by the end of Saturday, which hopefully hasn't effected my progress. In saying that it didn't end up being my expended energy entertaining visitors but in fact a medical issue. It turns out my cathater was blocker and I was unable to pass my bodily fluids, which were bloating my tummy. When the new cathater was inserted I expelled 2L of fluid and now have my 6-pack stomach back (pity they are out of the carton).

I finally beat the "longest pee" record currently held by Buck (pilot jet) by peeing from 7pm through till 2am. After that I was feeling a little dehydrated - just like after a night out on the grog. This little episode has reminded me to ask more question about my health...rather than perving on the young nurses looking after me.

Sunday
After another relatively sleepless night, trying to cough up phlegm of my chest and attempting to rehydrate, I did manage to eat my first sandwich. It was sooooo good!!!

I had my first "sitting up" shower in the chair this morning, lifted out of the bed in a hoist. Once sitting in the chair I started to go a little pale and felt a bit faint. The nurse lifted my legs up to stop the blood pooling and I felt much better. I have come to appreciate the sensation of the warm water flowing over my head in the shower.

Feeling much better today and hopefully from now on no more medical issues apart from dealing with the trauma of my spine. I feel much more confident that I will have a speedy recovery.

Julie, Rebecca and Erin were here all day with me, along with my Mum and Dad and brother Ed and then joined by Brett, Many, Dylan and Ashley Ebneter. Mandy being so kind as to give me a professional barber treatment, clipping my hair, eyebrows, sideburns and neck for me. This felt wonderful!! With little sensation in the rest of my body, its amazing how good it feels to be cared for around my head and shoulders. But on the other extreme I'm glad I couldn't feel what my brother was doing to my toenails. All I could see was the debris flying past my face and as a WHSO (Workplace Health and Safety Officer) I suggested we should all wear safety glasses.

My personal carers, Julie, Rebecca and Erin each play a vital role in my progress to recovery. I really extremely appreciate their care!

Tomorrow I start my new training boot camp, I don't think they know what's in store for them when I enter that spinal unit gym. Hopefully they will want to kick me out soon.

For those that didn't understand why I've gone from Flyan to Floater...it is because when I get placed in a chair on my numb lower torso it feels like the top part of my body is floating. It's a weird feeling!

Keep you posted

Floatyn (alias of Floater alias of Flyan Bryan)