Signing Off

You probably thought that we had fallen off the end of the earth as we haven’t blogged for some time...

It has been nearly 10 months since Bryan’s accident, and five months since Bryan has been home from hospital.

There hasn’t been any more change in the feeling and movement in Bryan’s arms, torso and legs since he has come out of hospital, but he is becoming a lot stronger in the shoulders. Bryan does experience nerve pain in his feet, back and buttocks on different days, some days more bearable than others. He describes the pain as a burning feeling or hot needles being poked into him, we only hope that this is a sign of good things to come.

We’ve attended a few fundraising events in the last few months, the Race Day, Jazz concert at the Uni, Shakespeare in the Park (Empire Theatre), Golf Day. It was so good to catch up with family and friends and thank them in person for all the support they are giving us. We also attended Erin’s year 12 formal in March. She even took Bryan out on the dance floor for the father-daughter dance.

Bryan’s new push chair and power chair have arrived so he has been out and about a bit more on his own. Bryan, his brother Edward and a few friends are in the process of designing a powered go-kart which will attach to his push chair. The parts are coming from all over the world to make this unique flyan-mobile.

A couple of weeks ago Bryan had a small day surgery procedure to remove his indwelling catheter and replaced it with a suprapubic catheter which is where they put the catheter through his stomach to the bladder just above his pubic area, he has been calling it the “Free Willy “ operation.

We spent Easter and the following week camping (in a wheelchair friendly cabin) at Mudjimba Caravan Park with some of my family and friends, we had a great time and all went smoothly, so Bryan is thinking we may try and do the real camping next year, by that time I’m sure that it could be achievable. Perhaps in a caravan that is also on the drawing boards.

Most of the reno’s to the house and yard have been finished and looks great, Bryan is now able to do laps around the backyard . I’m back at school three and a half days a week, so Bryan’s carers stay until 12 o’clock on those days. Bryan is keen to get back to work at the Uni even if it is just a couple of hours a week.

This will be our last official blog for the bryanflyanflemming website. Bryan is on facebook now and will be keeping everyone updated on there. The Friends of Bryan website is still thriving and the committee is continuously updating it with events and activities, so keep watching it as well. They are also on facebook!

Well we will sign off here with some words of thanks and some pictures of the family.
Thank you to each and everyone who has followed us over the past 10 months through this journey, we send our love!

Stay in touch,
Bryan, Julie, Rebecca and Erin.

The troops hard at work in the backyard

Bryan in his new push chair

Erin's formal.

The golf day.

Race Day

The Friends of Bryan Race Day was a great success!!

Nearly 400 people came to raise money and have a good time for a good cause. A lot of time and effort went into the planning and preparing for the day which there are many people to thank for.

I have had a couple of people ask me if they could have a copy of my speech so I am going to post it below:

If anyone were to ask me at any point in my life who I look up to, I would say my Dad.

Dad you have been an inspiration to me my whole life. You have always encouraged me to do well in school and uni. You taught me how to keep the balance between work and play. You have inspired me to stay fit, training with me since I was 11 years old. You gave me a passion for fitness and health and a competitive spirit. You have inspired me to be the best person I can be, to be responsible and you have played a crucial role in making me the young woman I am today. You have achieved so much in your life and from the turn out today it seems you have touched so many other peoples lives.

If anyone were to ask me what is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, it was when I walked into the ICU in the Princess Alexandra Hospital and saw my Dad, the person who has been there for me my whole life, my inspiration lying helplessly on that hospital bed. The most energetic and athletic person, the helping hand, the listening ear, the protector, suddenly grinded to a hault.

But since June last year Dad, you have proved to be more of an inspiration to me than ever. The way you have brushed yourself off and moved on. Improving with leaps and bounds everyday of your recovery. Problem solving through the dilemmas. Staying positive even on the tough days. You are still the same Dad I have known my whole life. As you have often said Dad this is just one of the many challenges that life has thrown at you – so keep on fighting!

Mum, I want to say that you are truly amazing! It takes a very special type of person to take this situation in your stride, to keep on keeping on no matter what life brings. I know Dad must thank the heavens every day for sending him an angel to love and look after him.

Erin, you have been so strong through over the last six months. Getting through one of the hardest years of school without your parents at home, you should be proud of yourself. You have accepted Dad’s change of mobility better than anyone else.

I think the last six months Dad, Mum, Erin we have proved that as a family we are unstoppable.

Joey – thank you for being there for me!

I could go on forever thanking each individual who has helped Dad and our family the last six months. It is truly incredible the support we have received, from our family, our friends, friends of friends and people we don’t even know. Some people I must mention are The Friends of Bryan crew as they themselves have also been unstoppable raising money and holding events – such as today’s race day. I cannot express the appreciation for all your efforts and I don’t have words to describe what amazing friends you all are so I am going to use someone elses.

The next quote is from a famous song by Bill Withers – it sums up the strength that a friendship holds.

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow,
but if we are wise, we know that there’s always tomorrow.

Lean on me when your not strong, and ill be your friend, ill help you carry on,
for it wont be long till im guna need somebody to lean on.

We all need somebody to lean on!

Thanks to everyone who came yesterday, I hope you enjoyed it as much as Dad, Mum, Erin and I did.

Please keep watching the Friends of Bryan site for the total money raised by the Race Day and upcoming events.

Goodnight
Rebecca and family xx

Home in Toowoomba!

Hello Bloggers!

It has been a while since our last blog and I know a lot of you have missed it. So its about time for an update.

Dad arrived back home on Christmas Eve to a house full of friends and family to welcome him back. The renos were finished just in time before Dad wheeled in the door. Still a little bit to do but our home has been like heaven to Dad.

Like anything new it takes time to get into a routine and settle back in. Dad has carers that come morning and night to take care of the more personal duties, so Mum can be a Mum and a wife instead of a nurse. They are very lovely ladies and do a good job in caring for Dad.

Since being home Dad has been more himself then ever. Still the Boss! I am always non stop as soon as I walk in the door here in Toowoomba. I don't know how Mum is not more exhausted at the end of the day! We all have stepped up to take over the male duties such as mowing, top-dressing lawn, cleaning shed, washing cars, etc.

Dad has been working a lot on his car transfers - setting a record pace each time we do it - and his pushing. The second has been a little bit harder because the roads and pathways are very rough making it difficult for him to do it on his own. He will have greater mobility and freedom when the power chair arrives - hopefully Feb/Mar - allowing him to negotiate the streets independently.

The chiropractor has been seeing Dad once a week, mainly for the muscles in his shoulders and back. These muscles receive a lot of extra stress when transferring and pushing and therefore are always very tight and sore. My massage skills come in handy here! Hopefully soon Dad will get to the gym to build some strength up in these muscles - but for now just taking gradual steps in his fitness.

Along with an exercise regime Dad will also get an eating plan when he goes to see the nutritionist in a couple of weeks. The aim being to get Dads body back to a fairly normal state with minimal medication.

We are all looking forward to the Race Day in two weekends time. It will be a good chance for us to catch up with family and friends and thank everyone who has given their thoughts and time in Dad's recovery.

Mum plans to go back to work at Tommy Mores next week part time. Dad's also keen to get back into work when he can.

That's all for now!

Rebecca and the Flemming family xo