10 weeks

Hey everyone,

Its Rebecca here! I'm on uni break as of today and have taken over as chief blogger for tonight.

Today it has been 10 weeks since Dad's accident and, as you all are probably thinking, I cannot believe it! For Dad I know it feels like forever that he has been it that place as one day rolls into the next, without seeing much progression himself. But for me just reflecting over the last two and a half months, I can see just how far he has come in such a short time!

From lying flat on his back, breathing aided by a ventilator, unable to communicate with us...to now when he is whizzing around in his chair, eating and drinking independently, taking leaps and bounds in his recovery. Although there have been a few set backs on the way, I believe Dad was reborn into this new way of life as a challenge..because life is not meant to be easy.

"Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow."

As Mum told you earlier in the week I got a new Subaru Forester. I think Dad was almost as excited as I was! He was so keen that he wanted to get the train with me down to the Gold Coast to pick it up. "As simple as it may sound Dad, its going to take a little more planning than that".

Bryan being the motor-loving man his is was hanging out for me to get back to Brissy on Friday afternoon so he could see it. We took him across to the carpark where he analysed it from every angle possible. The final thing he wished was to go for a test ride...again not an easy process. So overnight Dad came up with a plan...

Dad's friend Shane came to visit today, unexpecting of what Dad has in mind...
Dad: "Are you feeling strong today Shane?"
Shane: "Umm..yeh!!"
Dad's plan was for Shane to lift him from his chair into the car. Shane was up for a challenge and managed to lift Dad, who weighs about 73kg at the moment, from his chair and into the car. We strapped him in and away we went for a drive around the city! What can I say...Dad absolutely loved it!! He was thrilled to get away, if only for 15 minutes. As soon as we got around the corner Dad's first words were "Alright, back to Toowoomba!".

Dad is designing a device that will be able to transfer him from his chair to his car, as Shane won't be able to be Bryan's personal lift.

Bryan has by choice, weaned himself off his Sudafed tablets. He usually takes one in the morning to increase his heart rate and therefore to increase his blood pressure. With these he is able to get up without feeling too dizzy. He has gone 3 days now without them and is doing very well, only on occasions needing to get his feet lifted up to let the blood drain back to his torso.

Until next time!

Love to all

Rebecca and Family xoxo