The ruins of Ashford's Mill.
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 10:29 AM
0 comments
Friday, February 25, 2005
Kathryn and Sue at Ashford's Mill. Desert Gold in the background!
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 10:28 AM
0 comments
Back from "The Valley"
We got back from our trip to Death Valley on Sunday and have been busy with family, Girl Scouts, PTA newsletter, etc. I’ve posted the latest e-mails by Airasa, Linda and Graham. I’m encouraged on Graham’s progress. I’m glad he is getting to know other patients at Pinderfields. We are hoping and praying for you ol’ comrade and your recovery!
I’ll post some pictures of our family trip. We had a wonderful time visiting the Valley. It was raining and slow getting out of Orange County. The freeway was dreadful. Once we passed the Cajon Pass the traffic was light. We had rain on and off until we drove down into Death Valley. Badwater (elevation –292 feet below sea level) had some water and looked much like a lake. There was some snow on Telescope Peak (elevation 11,000 feet above sea level!). We drove to Ashford Mill, an abandoned gold mill. The wildflowers were fantastic! The girls ran around and had a blast visiting the ruins.
The latest from Cassini is Saturn's rings have ice water! The latest on Mars is out of 250 scientists, 75% believed there was life on Mars, the other 25% believe life is there right now! ESA wants to send antoher probe to Mars next year to collect samples. Power to them!
SITP!
FL Sue
I’ll post some pictures of our family trip. We had a wonderful time visiting the Valley. It was raining and slow getting out of Orange County. The freeway was dreadful. Once we passed the Cajon Pass the traffic was light. We had rain on and off until we drove down into Death Valley. Badwater (elevation –292 feet below sea level) had some water and looked much like a lake. There was some snow on Telescope Peak (elevation 11,000 feet above sea level!). We drove to Ashford Mill, an abandoned gold mill. The wildflowers were fantastic! The girls ran around and had a blast visiting the ruins.
The latest from Cassini is Saturn's rings have ice water! The latest on Mars is out of 250 scientists, 75% believed there was life on Mars, the other 25% believe life is there right now! ESA wants to send antoher probe to Mars next year to collect samples. Power to them!
SITP!
FL Sue
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 9:17 AM
0 comments
Linda's Latest news
Dear all,
I will write a little (!) update for you all now. First, however, I do apologise for the lack of emails coming your way the past few days. I have been busy I guess is my only excuse. I can't really blame the one inch of local snow as that has actually kept me inside more than going out and being busy. But I am personally in the middle of moving to a new flat and selling my house (preparing it for sale actually) as well as moving my office (and visiting Graham, too!) so I have had a few things to do regarding the paperwork as well as preparations around the mountain of junk I have accumulated and must downsize! So far I am only making lists, but I have found that helps in the long run. Doing it in my head first, then on paper, and then in reality. It is a big job to downsize!
OK, about Graham...he seems to be mentally doing pretty well all things considered. He is seeing the ward psychologist today, for the first time I believe. This is good as he needs to discuss all the ins and outs of possible long-term paralysis. I think he is currently termed to be 'tetraplegic' and though he has some use of his arms, he still has no use of his hands to speak of. He can feel us touching his hands, however.
It is interesting to watch him while we are chatting now that he can sit up in the wheelchair for his visits, as he does use his arms to gesture when he speaks. I believe he has been seeing the hospital Chaplain every day which I know brings him comfort.
The occupational and physiotherapy is really doing him a lot of good, as well as the weekly group talk sessions where patients learn all the information they need over a series of subjects for giving facts and then answering questions. They also learn the stories of other patients -- how they got their spinal injuries and how they are improving slowly. It is a wonderful asset that he has a very well honed brain and intellectual capacity. He seems to be taking in what is being told to him, though we just don't yet have some of the answers needed about the future possibilities yet.
There is a lot yet to explore about care in the future and even about moving where he lives, the kind of care he might need, how he would get it, where would be best for that and so forth. It is still early days, but we do need information so if any of you know anything at all you think might be useful, please don't hesitate to tell us!
Meanwhile, I took him to the cafeteria on my last visit and we sat and it seemed quite civilised having a cuppa together. I read him some emails and showed him a photo I had printed out. It seemed like a very nice way to visit. Being away from the ward some of the time must make him feel better.
I think he is keeping his spirits up remarkably well, though I know he can feel down some of the time. That is normal for anyone anyway. He asks that we stop for a chat with others in the ward as we are going to the cafeteria, and I find that quite endearing -- how he encourages them. He knows many of their stories and how long they have been there, how they are doing, and tells me about each person. He also seems to know the names and life histories of every one who takes care of him -- and tells me some of their tales of woe even. He has a mind like a trap! It is very good to see how kind the staff are and how much they care for the patients on the ward.
Physically I think he feels he is making progress with the therapies and that is good. I think he looks forward to them and misses them on the weekends.
We will be having a meeting with doctors and others in a couple of weeks once it is set up to discuss more long-term prognosis. If he is not going to get much better than he is now, and that is not certain but is the basis on which they approach things, then he has to learn to do whatever he can for himself and then we have to figure out what kind of care he will need to do the rest of the things to keep him going. We feel sure he could eventually use voice software with a computer as that is pretty advanced stuff. He should be able to use an electric wheel chair to get around and might even be able to use one that is not electric some of the time. Moving it just one inch the other day was a big leap forward. He will have to learn how to feed himself using whatever mobility he has in his arms along with various aids that can be attached. It is a long-term process of learning and we are all keeping our spirits up as we watch others who have learned these things.
No one knows what the future will bring, of course. That is true for all of us. We can only do the best we can with what we have at the moment we are in. I know that your emails to him really help him to keep his spirits up. He needs things to think about that are not associated with his level of injury and how much he might be able to do in the future. AS they treat him as if he won't get any better than he is now, it can be a tad bit depressing for all of us. But we all have to be realistic as well.
Lately when I have arrived he has been sitting in his chair looking out the glass doors and listening to a CD. I know he will be glad when the new ones arrive. I keep hoping he will get interested in talking books, but perhaps for now that is not yet what he needs to be doing. He is working hard to help himself mentally and I know he is working hard to keep his condition moving in the right direction. I can see how a person's attitude can make a huge difference.
Not to make comparisons in one sense, but it helps in another -- at least he is not needing any help to breathe. There are quite a few on the ward with some kind of breathing apparatus and they are really less likely to improve over time than those who can breathe on their own.
Well we have had quite a lot of snow here -- though not in our personal streets, the areas around. My route to the hospital by country roads was closed off for 4 inches of snow -- ok not a lot in one sense, but it was enough to close the roads. There was a foot of snow just a bit north of here too. It had been snowing every night and leaving an inch, but it didn't do this last night. We are predicted to have snow again on the weekend or Monday however. It seems like the weather is going a bit mad many places -- lots of rain there in California and a drought in Oregon and Washington...
Airasa has continued her frequent almost daily visits to Graham in spite of inclement weather and her incredibly busy life teaching and so forth. She is now having the odd day off visiting to do yoga or go swimming -- she must keep up her own health!! And, on top of everything else, she has parent meetings coming up next week to prepare for. Ian has also had his work stuff to do but also finds time to visit Graham a few times a week. Each of us is supporting the other as well. We are lucky to have each other and know that our visits to Graham are vital to his well being, too, not just for the news we bring from you all!
OK, gang, that is enough from me. I think we are all doing well here -- ups and downs of course, but that is normal. My birthday is coming up on the 4th of March so my kids will all be getting together and that is always such a positive moment for me and I believe for them. I know Airasa and Ian are looking forward to a little celebratory moment with me. We all need to focus on other things some of the time! And we will take photos to show Graham so that will include him a little bit as well.
Your news and photos to him about your families is always welcome, as well as anecdotes from work or news about local weather or sports. It is the regularity of contact, not the depth, that seems to help a lot. Thank you all for your continuing support. We are especially grateful that the income taxes are going to be done over there!!!
Kind regards,
Linda
I will write a little (!) update for you all now. First, however, I do apologise for the lack of emails coming your way the past few days. I have been busy I guess is my only excuse. I can't really blame the one inch of local snow as that has actually kept me inside more than going out and being busy. But I am personally in the middle of moving to a new flat and selling my house (preparing it for sale actually) as well as moving my office (and visiting Graham, too!) so I have had a few things to do regarding the paperwork as well as preparations around the mountain of junk I have accumulated and must downsize! So far I am only making lists, but I have found that helps in the long run. Doing it in my head first, then on paper, and then in reality. It is a big job to downsize!
OK, about Graham...he seems to be mentally doing pretty well all things considered. He is seeing the ward psychologist today, for the first time I believe. This is good as he needs to discuss all the ins and outs of possible long-term paralysis. I think he is currently termed to be 'tetraplegic' and though he has some use of his arms, he still has no use of his hands to speak of. He can feel us touching his hands, however.
It is interesting to watch him while we are chatting now that he can sit up in the wheelchair for his visits, as he does use his arms to gesture when he speaks. I believe he has been seeing the hospital Chaplain every day which I know brings him comfort.
The occupational and physiotherapy is really doing him a lot of good, as well as the weekly group talk sessions where patients learn all the information they need over a series of subjects for giving facts and then answering questions. They also learn the stories of other patients -- how they got their spinal injuries and how they are improving slowly. It is a wonderful asset that he has a very well honed brain and intellectual capacity. He seems to be taking in what is being told to him, though we just don't yet have some of the answers needed about the future possibilities yet.
There is a lot yet to explore about care in the future and even about moving where he lives, the kind of care he might need, how he would get it, where would be best for that and so forth. It is still early days, but we do need information so if any of you know anything at all you think might be useful, please don't hesitate to tell us!
Meanwhile, I took him to the cafeteria on my last visit and we sat and it seemed quite civilised having a cuppa together. I read him some emails and showed him a photo I had printed out. It seemed like a very nice way to visit. Being away from the ward some of the time must make him feel better.
I think he is keeping his spirits up remarkably well, though I know he can feel down some of the time. That is normal for anyone anyway. He asks that we stop for a chat with others in the ward as we are going to the cafeteria, and I find that quite endearing -- how he encourages them. He knows many of their stories and how long they have been there, how they are doing, and tells me about each person. He also seems to know the names and life histories of every one who takes care of him -- and tells me some of their tales of woe even. He has a mind like a trap! It is very good to see how kind the staff are and how much they care for the patients on the ward.
Physically I think he feels he is making progress with the therapies and that is good. I think he looks forward to them and misses them on the weekends.
We will be having a meeting with doctors and others in a couple of weeks once it is set up to discuss more long-term prognosis. If he is not going to get much better than he is now, and that is not certain but is the basis on which they approach things, then he has to learn to do whatever he can for himself and then we have to figure out what kind of care he will need to do the rest of the things to keep him going. We feel sure he could eventually use voice software with a computer as that is pretty advanced stuff. He should be able to use an electric wheel chair to get around and might even be able to use one that is not electric some of the time. Moving it just one inch the other day was a big leap forward. He will have to learn how to feed himself using whatever mobility he has in his arms along with various aids that can be attached. It is a long-term process of learning and we are all keeping our spirits up as we watch others who have learned these things.
No one knows what the future will bring, of course. That is true for all of us. We can only do the best we can with what we have at the moment we are in. I know that your emails to him really help him to keep his spirits up. He needs things to think about that are not associated with his level of injury and how much he might be able to do in the future. AS they treat him as if he won't get any better than he is now, it can be a tad bit depressing for all of us. But we all have to be realistic as well.
Lately when I have arrived he has been sitting in his chair looking out the glass doors and listening to a CD. I know he will be glad when the new ones arrive. I keep hoping he will get interested in talking books, but perhaps for now that is not yet what he needs to be doing. He is working hard to help himself mentally and I know he is working hard to keep his condition moving in the right direction. I can see how a person's attitude can make a huge difference.
Not to make comparisons in one sense, but it helps in another -- at least he is not needing any help to breathe. There are quite a few on the ward with some kind of breathing apparatus and they are really less likely to improve over time than those who can breathe on their own.
Well we have had quite a lot of snow here -- though not in our personal streets, the areas around. My route to the hospital by country roads was closed off for 4 inches of snow -- ok not a lot in one sense, but it was enough to close the roads. There was a foot of snow just a bit north of here too. It had been snowing every night and leaving an inch, but it didn't do this last night. We are predicted to have snow again on the weekend or Monday however. It seems like the weather is going a bit mad many places -- lots of rain there in California and a drought in Oregon and Washington...
Airasa has continued her frequent almost daily visits to Graham in spite of inclement weather and her incredibly busy life teaching and so forth. She is now having the odd day off visiting to do yoga or go swimming -- she must keep up her own health!! And, on top of everything else, she has parent meetings coming up next week to prepare for. Ian has also had his work stuff to do but also finds time to visit Graham a few times a week. Each of us is supporting the other as well. We are lucky to have each other and know that our visits to Graham are vital to his well being, too, not just for the news we bring from you all!
OK, gang, that is enough from me. I think we are all doing well here -- ups and downs of course, but that is normal. My birthday is coming up on the 4th of March so my kids will all be getting together and that is always such a positive moment for me and I believe for them. I know Airasa and Ian are looking forward to a little celebratory moment with me. We all need to focus on other things some of the time! And we will take photos to show Graham so that will include him a little bit as well.
Your news and photos to him about your families is always welcome, as well as anecdotes from work or news about local weather or sports. It is the regularity of contact, not the depth, that seems to help a lot. Thank you all for your continuing support. We are especially grateful that the income taxes are going to be done over there!!!
Kind regards,
Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 9:15 AM
0 comments
FL Graham's Message
Hi All,
Here is another update from the man himself. Much thanks to my mum for typing this up so quickly!
Love,
Airasa
Dearest friends, family, brothers and sisters in Christ, and other loved ones wherever you are,
Hi!
Airasa tells me it has been a while since I have sent you all an update from my perspective. My memory is sufficiently erratic these days, given so much that is on my mind (and so many drugs I'm taking) that it would be foolish to doubt her. So here goes.
Perhaps the best way is to give an overview of what I'm doing now, interpolations of random occurrences or thoughts, that I think you don't know. I'm now finishing my second week of regular physio- and occupational therapy. Physio is in the morning and lately I've been working on strengthening my triceps and my ability to straighten my arms out completely. Sometimes on a machine with weights, although so far they have shown mercy on me by having very little or none at all. Until recently, my left arm was stronger than my right, but now, on some tasks/exercises, my right arm is stronger than my left. Occupational therapy has provided me with special gloves to roll my wheelchair, but I've only tried it once. The actual wheelchair moving is a physio responsibility and my one effort resulted in only a few inches movement, with much effort. I think, in fact, this is why they are working on my triceps so much. While it's the biceps that actually move you forward, it's the triceps that you use to reach back far enough to grip the wheels, which clearly I could not do. Nonetheless, I feel I am making progress, though the last exercise I did today, which happened to be focused on my triceps, I did 7 sets of 10 repetitions. When the physio team member responsible for me today heard this report, she was visibly and vocally impressed!
Occupational therapy I have in the afternoon. It has been focused on developing increased function in my hands. I still cannot grip, or otherwise employ fine motor control of my fingers, but they say I am improving in the various exercises they have me do. Today most of the session was devoted to testing my sensory sensitivity in my hands. We were only able to do partially my left hand (some on the back and some on the palm) so I expect Monday (there's no OT on Friday) we will finish my left hand and try to do a complete testing of my right hand.
I guess it happens to all spinal injuries patients at one time or another, but this week has been my time to go through psychological emotional crisis. I think it had to do with my realization that my helplessness and dependency is complete, not only for my physical needs and desires (e.g., turning the volume up and down on my CD player), but also is even more so for trying to keep things together, financially and otherwise, back home. There is so much uncertainly, so much detail, and so much bureaucratic red tape, that if I think very much on it I find myself on the edge of despair.
Airasa, Ian, and Linda go to great efforts to reassure me that things will work out, and that there's no point in worrying and speculating about all the things that can go wrong, but I confess that 58 years of catastrophic thinking is a huge impediment to their loving efforts. Curiously, one of the components of this 'back home dependency despair' is all the loving and supporting communications from all of you. I want to respond individually so badly, but cannot possibly, because it can only be done, basically, through Airasa and Ian, which would simply overwhelm them, if not drive them mad. THIS IS NOT AN APPEAL FOR LESS COMMUNICATION!! It's simply a prelude to a profound apology that I cannot respond in the way that you all deserve. I've been to my second patient education class (on the prevention of 'pressure sores') and my commitment to attend these sessions was again strongly reinforced. For the religious among you, I have been seeing a pastor, not necessarily the same one each time, and taking communion, one to one, regularly. This has been a tremendous aid in keeping myself more or less together. I'm going to be seeing a staff psychologist (as most spinal injury patients do) in the near future to help solidify my pieces.
Airasa must leave in a few minutes and it's time to close this long letter anyway. Please keep me up to date with your doings and thinkings.
Much love,
Graham
PS I now have permission to be wheeled about the hospital by visitors and have done so a couple of times. What a feeling of liberty!!
Here is another update from the man himself. Much thanks to my mum for typing this up so quickly!
Love,
Airasa
Dearest friends, family, brothers and sisters in Christ, and other loved ones wherever you are,
Hi!
Airasa tells me it has been a while since I have sent you all an update from my perspective. My memory is sufficiently erratic these days, given so much that is on my mind (and so many drugs I'm taking) that it would be foolish to doubt her. So here goes.
Perhaps the best way is to give an overview of what I'm doing now, interpolations of random occurrences or thoughts, that I think you don't know. I'm now finishing my second week of regular physio- and occupational therapy. Physio is in the morning and lately I've been working on strengthening my triceps and my ability to straighten my arms out completely. Sometimes on a machine with weights, although so far they have shown mercy on me by having very little or none at all. Until recently, my left arm was stronger than my right, but now, on some tasks/exercises, my right arm is stronger than my left. Occupational therapy has provided me with special gloves to roll my wheelchair, but I've only tried it once. The actual wheelchair moving is a physio responsibility and my one effort resulted in only a few inches movement, with much effort. I think, in fact, this is why they are working on my triceps so much. While it's the biceps that actually move you forward, it's the triceps that you use to reach back far enough to grip the wheels, which clearly I could not do. Nonetheless, I feel I am making progress, though the last exercise I did today, which happened to be focused on my triceps, I did 7 sets of 10 repetitions. When the physio team member responsible for me today heard this report, she was visibly and vocally impressed!
Occupational therapy I have in the afternoon. It has been focused on developing increased function in my hands. I still cannot grip, or otherwise employ fine motor control of my fingers, but they say I am improving in the various exercises they have me do. Today most of the session was devoted to testing my sensory sensitivity in my hands. We were only able to do partially my left hand (some on the back and some on the palm) so I expect Monday (there's no OT on Friday) we will finish my left hand and try to do a complete testing of my right hand.
I guess it happens to all spinal injuries patients at one time or another, but this week has been my time to go through psychological emotional crisis. I think it had to do with my realization that my helplessness and dependency is complete, not only for my physical needs and desires (e.g., turning the volume up and down on my CD player), but also is even more so for trying to keep things together, financially and otherwise, back home. There is so much uncertainly, so much detail, and so much bureaucratic red tape, that if I think very much on it I find myself on the edge of despair.
Airasa, Ian, and Linda go to great efforts to reassure me that things will work out, and that there's no point in worrying and speculating about all the things that can go wrong, but I confess that 58 years of catastrophic thinking is a huge impediment to their loving efforts. Curiously, one of the components of this 'back home dependency despair' is all the loving and supporting communications from all of you. I want to respond individually so badly, but cannot possibly, because it can only be done, basically, through Airasa and Ian, which would simply overwhelm them, if not drive them mad. THIS IS NOT AN APPEAL FOR LESS COMMUNICATION!! It's simply a prelude to a profound apology that I cannot respond in the way that you all deserve. I've been to my second patient education class (on the prevention of 'pressure sores') and my commitment to attend these sessions was again strongly reinforced. For the religious among you, I have been seeing a pastor, not necessarily the same one each time, and taking communion, one to one, regularly. This has been a tremendous aid in keeping myself more or less together. I'm going to be seeing a staff psychologist (as most spinal injury patients do) in the near future to help solidify my pieces.
Airasa must leave in a few minutes and it's time to close this long letter anyway. Please keep me up to date with your doings and thinkings.
Much love,
Graham
PS I now have permission to be wheeled about the hospital by visitors and have done so a couple of times. What a feeling of liberty!!
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 9:13 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Italy and other matters!
Hello all,
I've had my first full night's sleep without coughing last night and so I'm feeling refreshed and ready to tell my tales of Italy. We went for a total of 5 nights, 3 in Bologna and 2 in Venice. It was a 30th birthday celebration for me, Ian, and some friends of mine from school, Claire and Jo, and Claire's husband Rob. Jo's fiancé Ian came too, although he had his 30th birthday a few years ago. Jo and Ian picked Ian and I up from our house on Tuesday and we went to the airport. We flew to Venice Marco Polo airport and then took a train from the airport to Bologna. Bologna is a very beautiful city with wide arched walkways and grand buildings. The region is home to many of Italy's most famous foods, Parma ham, parmesan cheese, and tortellini, bolognaise sauce and lasagna.
Of course we had to sample them! Bologna is known as 'la grasse' - the fat, with good reason. We really did indulge ourselves! The weather was cold, but clear and sunny and we spent the next 2 days exploring the city. Bologna is home to Europe's oldest university (established in 1088 AD) and the due torri - two medieval towers, one of which you can climb, which we did. Very scary! It is 93 meters tall and you have to climb many wooden steps, which probably aren't, but feel rickety! The view was well worth the effort! We also went to an anatomical waxworks museum, full of strange wax models of the brain, muscles and all kinds of 'abnormalities' such as smallpox, conjoined twins and tumors. There were some skeletons displayed with the waxworks and it made for the weirdest museum I have ever been to. Needless to say, it is somewhat off the tourist trail and the curators opened the museum especially for us. The waxworks were used as teaching aids in the 18th and 19th centuries and were an important element of medical training.
On Friday we went to the train station to get our 11.42am train. No train listed, very busy station, Jo went to every window and eventually found someone to talk to, only to find out the train wasn't going because of the 'estoppa' - STRIKE! Argghhh. Jo was cursing us and Italian transport so we went to the bus station - no bus to Venice until the next day. Much more cursing and gnashing of teeth. So we went to Avis and hired a car - Jo's Ian drove, we ate sandwiches and chocolate, and all was right in the world. A mere 2 hours later we were in Venice, we dropped our car off next to the largest car park in Europe, and lo and behold there was our hotel - the hotel Santa Chiara. It was on the car park for the bus station. On NO! Then we saw a big sign with windows behind it and said - knowing our luck that will be our room - and it was! There we were in Venice with a brilliant view of a car park, the back of a sign and a bus station. Lovely. But never mind, the hotel was on the grand canal and we got on a vaporetto and went into Venice. It is truly the most beautiful city. We walked to St Mark's square, went in the Basilica, went out for dinner and waited for Claire and Rob to arrive. Ryan air was late, which meant they were, but we got wine and food for them and they had no trouble finding the hotel from the bus station! And then there were 6, we ate, we drank, we laughed, we joked, we looked at beautiful buildings. It was truly fantastic. We did nothing worthy and everything was worthwhile.
So then it was back home and back to work. My dad has had a good couple of weeks. After a settling in period he is now on a full therapy schedule. 1 1/2 hours of physiotherapy a day and 1 1/2 hours of occupational therapy Monday - Thursday. On Fridays there is no occupational therapy but an extra session of physiotherapy. He is beginning to settle in to the routine, meet other patients and is extremely pleased to be out and about. On Friday he actually pushed his wheelchair a little bit! He has made some goals for treatment with the OTs - move himself around in his wheelchair, feed himself, and learn to use a computer. All worthy goals - some he feels are more possible than others but he really likes and respects the OTs and the PTs and wants to get better. On Thursday afternoons, after his OT session, there is a patient education class. This week the topic was 'dealing with spinal chord injury'. Very pertinent. My dad is constantly being inspired by the patients around him, who were as paralyzed as he is and are now close to walking. He's received so much love and support from everyone, he's been overwhelmed at times, but it will be the key to his recovery! Please keep in touch. Much love,
Airasa
I've had my first full night's sleep without coughing last night and so I'm feeling refreshed and ready to tell my tales of Italy. We went for a total of 5 nights, 3 in Bologna and 2 in Venice. It was a 30th birthday celebration for me, Ian, and some friends of mine from school, Claire and Jo, and Claire's husband Rob. Jo's fiancé Ian came too, although he had his 30th birthday a few years ago. Jo and Ian picked Ian and I up from our house on Tuesday and we went to the airport. We flew to Venice Marco Polo airport and then took a train from the airport to Bologna. Bologna is a very beautiful city with wide arched walkways and grand buildings. The region is home to many of Italy's most famous foods, Parma ham, parmesan cheese, and tortellini, bolognaise sauce and lasagna.
Of course we had to sample them! Bologna is known as 'la grasse' - the fat, with good reason. We really did indulge ourselves! The weather was cold, but clear and sunny and we spent the next 2 days exploring the city. Bologna is home to Europe's oldest university (established in 1088 AD) and the due torri - two medieval towers, one of which you can climb, which we did. Very scary! It is 93 meters tall and you have to climb many wooden steps, which probably aren't, but feel rickety! The view was well worth the effort! We also went to an anatomical waxworks museum, full of strange wax models of the brain, muscles and all kinds of 'abnormalities' such as smallpox, conjoined twins and tumors. There were some skeletons displayed with the waxworks and it made for the weirdest museum I have ever been to. Needless to say, it is somewhat off the tourist trail and the curators opened the museum especially for us. The waxworks were used as teaching aids in the 18th and 19th centuries and were an important element of medical training.
On Friday we went to the train station to get our 11.42am train. No train listed, very busy station, Jo went to every window and eventually found someone to talk to, only to find out the train wasn't going because of the 'estoppa' - STRIKE! Argghhh. Jo was cursing us and Italian transport so we went to the bus station - no bus to Venice until the next day. Much more cursing and gnashing of teeth. So we went to Avis and hired a car - Jo's Ian drove, we ate sandwiches and chocolate, and all was right in the world. A mere 2 hours later we were in Venice, we dropped our car off next to the largest car park in Europe, and lo and behold there was our hotel - the hotel Santa Chiara. It was on the car park for the bus station. On NO! Then we saw a big sign with windows behind it and said - knowing our luck that will be our room - and it was! There we were in Venice with a brilliant view of a car park, the back of a sign and a bus station. Lovely. But never mind, the hotel was on the grand canal and we got on a vaporetto and went into Venice. It is truly the most beautiful city. We walked to St Mark's square, went in the Basilica, went out for dinner and waited for Claire and Rob to arrive. Ryan air was late, which meant they were, but we got wine and food for them and they had no trouble finding the hotel from the bus station! And then there were 6, we ate, we drank, we laughed, we joked, we looked at beautiful buildings. It was truly fantastic. We did nothing worthy and everything was worthwhile.
So then it was back home and back to work. My dad has had a good couple of weeks. After a settling in period he is now on a full therapy schedule. 1 1/2 hours of physiotherapy a day and 1 1/2 hours of occupational therapy Monday - Thursday. On Fridays there is no occupational therapy but an extra session of physiotherapy. He is beginning to settle in to the routine, meet other patients and is extremely pleased to be out and about. On Friday he actually pushed his wheelchair a little bit! He has made some goals for treatment with the OTs - move himself around in his wheelchair, feed himself, and learn to use a computer. All worthy goals - some he feels are more possible than others but he really likes and respects the OTs and the PTs and wants to get better. On Thursday afternoons, after his OT session, there is a patient education class. This week the topic was 'dealing with spinal chord injury'. Very pertinent. My dad is constantly being inspired by the patients around him, who were as paralyzed as he is and are now close to walking. He's received so much love and support from everyone, he's been overwhelmed at times, but it will be the key to his recovery! Please keep in touch. Much love,
Airasa
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 8:25 PM
0 comments
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Sunday-Monday Feb 20-21
Well I have seen Graham on Sunday for 2 hours and yesterday (Monday) for 4 hours. That is a lot of time! But it did open the door for him to tell me a lot more than just a quick visit does. Of course we go back a long way (met in 1972) and thus he feels he can confide in me in ways perhaps he can't do with anyone else. He told me how much love he is feeling from everyone there and how important it has been to him. Keep up the good work, folks!!
He has been doing really well in so many areas and I will attach a photo from yesterday showing him sitting up in his wheel chair. He has been out of the bed the past few visits and sitting up looking out the glass doors looking at the scenery listening to his CDs when I arrived.
He has learned about most of the other people there, what their stories are, how they were injured, how they have been making progress. There are some young lasses there who he clearly finds intriguing as they go dashing about in their wheelchairs! Good for his spirits to see people improving, I can tell you that. He also sees people who may not be fighting the good fight and comments on how they need to get with the program to improve.
The physiotherapy and occupational therapy has been helping him quite a lot. On Sunday he said he really hurt in his shoulders from the Friday workouts, but yesterday he said he found out that was actually good as it meant he had done some harder work and thus was improving in that sense. He finds he can do things a little better each day. So his spirits can be quite up about that.
Unfortunately, sometimes a bit of negative kicks in. The doctors and other staff say things around him that start to worry him about his condition and whether they will 'ship him back' to California to some unit there in Palo Alto which is so far from anyone he knows. We don't believe they will do that, but he focuses on that sometimes and so I told him firmly he is going to walk again and return to his job there and all his friends who are sending him such good loving vibes all the time. Keep those up, folks, they have a real effect on him.
Phone calls really help too, so if you can manage one or two of those, please consider doing it...you have the number.
He was thrilled to get a phone call from the church minister the other day. He felt very happy to talk with him. Also cards from other folks from the church sent directly to the hospital have arrived and the letter from Vera. I read them to him yesterday as I had no emails to read. You can see his face light up when he looks at the cards and photos that are sent. Thank you for those. He still gets quite emotional when thinking about and looking at the booklet of people from his work that was created for him. These moments make a huge difference in the life of someone who is so restricted in other ways. He needs these very positive things to think about to chase away the shadows of worries that come to him in the night.
There are at least another 6 weeks of having his halo on and then seeing how his spine has improved with a new MRI. I am hoping that the improvement will be easily seen and he will understand how the time factor is to be seen as very long indeed. There are 4 people who are being discharged from the ward this week who came in months ago with similar injuries so that gives him hope. He was talking about how their stories encourage him.
He does seem to go from hope to despair on a bit of a cycle, so he will benefit from encouragement about being able to come back to his job. He is worried because of it being on the second floor, but if he is walking that will not matter. He is worried that it won't be there for him and that all the financial stuff will not be sorted out. Airasa and Ian are doing a gargantuan job trying to sort out his income tax, his insurance, his financial matters, etc. but as it is 'foreign' it is not so easy from so many miles away. I think the income tax is a real eye opener as we don't have any such things to worry about here unless we are self employed!
The encouragement and love coming from California and his Washington family is a great help in his recuperation. We are a small group here, visiting him regularly, but friends are a very different matter. You are 'his' friends rather than Airasa's friends. I know he is looking forward to his mother's upcoming visit and she is just waiting for the passport to come through before she can travel over here. Having emails to read him regularly really helps us as well.
We are all busy people and the hospital is now much further away for visitors to travel to but Airasa is doing a wonderful job of seeing him almost every day -- now she is taking the odd day off so she can look after herself and that is so very important.
We have snow today and that at least gives him something new to see outside! WE, of course, have to contend with driving in it!!
OK, folks, that's the lot. I will attach the photo and get this off.
Kind regards,
Linda
He has been doing really well in so many areas and I will attach a photo from yesterday showing him sitting up in his wheel chair. He has been out of the bed the past few visits and sitting up looking out the glass doors looking at the scenery listening to his CDs when I arrived.
He has learned about most of the other people there, what their stories are, how they were injured, how they have been making progress. There are some young lasses there who he clearly finds intriguing as they go dashing about in their wheelchairs! Good for his spirits to see people improving, I can tell you that. He also sees people who may not be fighting the good fight and comments on how they need to get with the program to improve.
The physiotherapy and occupational therapy has been helping him quite a lot. On Sunday he said he really hurt in his shoulders from the Friday workouts, but yesterday he said he found out that was actually good as it meant he had done some harder work and thus was improving in that sense. He finds he can do things a little better each day. So his spirits can be quite up about that.
Unfortunately, sometimes a bit of negative kicks in. The doctors and other staff say things around him that start to worry him about his condition and whether they will 'ship him back' to California to some unit there in Palo Alto which is so far from anyone he knows. We don't believe they will do that, but he focuses on that sometimes and so I told him firmly he is going to walk again and return to his job there and all his friends who are sending him such good loving vibes all the time. Keep those up, folks, they have a real effect on him.
Phone calls really help too, so if you can manage one or two of those, please consider doing it...you have the number.
He was thrilled to get a phone call from the church minister the other day. He felt very happy to talk with him. Also cards from other folks from the church sent directly to the hospital have arrived and the letter from Vera. I read them to him yesterday as I had no emails to read. You can see his face light up when he looks at the cards and photos that are sent. Thank you for those. He still gets quite emotional when thinking about and looking at the booklet of people from his work that was created for him. These moments make a huge difference in the life of someone who is so restricted in other ways. He needs these very positive things to think about to chase away the shadows of worries that come to him in the night.
There are at least another 6 weeks of having his halo on and then seeing how his spine has improved with a new MRI. I am hoping that the improvement will be easily seen and he will understand how the time factor is to be seen as very long indeed. There are 4 people who are being discharged from the ward this week who came in months ago with similar injuries so that gives him hope. He was talking about how their stories encourage him.
He does seem to go from hope to despair on a bit of a cycle, so he will benefit from encouragement about being able to come back to his job. He is worried because of it being on the second floor, but if he is walking that will not matter. He is worried that it won't be there for him and that all the financial stuff will not be sorted out. Airasa and Ian are doing a gargantuan job trying to sort out his income tax, his insurance, his financial matters, etc. but as it is 'foreign' it is not so easy from so many miles away. I think the income tax is a real eye opener as we don't have any such things to worry about here unless we are self employed!
The encouragement and love coming from California and his Washington family is a great help in his recuperation. We are a small group here, visiting him regularly, but friends are a very different matter. You are 'his' friends rather than Airasa's friends. I know he is looking forward to his mother's upcoming visit and she is just waiting for the passport to come through before she can travel over here. Having emails to read him regularly really helps us as well.
We are all busy people and the hospital is now much further away for visitors to travel to but Airasa is doing a wonderful job of seeing him almost every day -- now she is taking the odd day off so she can look after herself and that is so very important.
We have snow today and that at least gives him something new to see outside! WE, of course, have to contend with driving in it!!
OK, folks, that's the lot. I will attach the photo and get this off.
Kind regards,
Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 9:48 AM
0 comments
Friday, February 18, 2005
Death Valley Days
We all need a vacation now and again. My family and I are going on a road trip to Death Valley this President’s weekend. With all the rain California has gotten this winter, the desert wildflowers are in full bloom. We are driving to Ridgecrest, CA. to spend the night in a motel. We plan to visit the Navy Museum on the China Lake Naval Weapons base (Yes, we’ll be looking at Tomahawks and Sidewinder missiles.) Also we will visit the Maturango Museum, a center for Cultural and Natural History of the Upper Mojave Desert. They have hands on children’s area where the girls can go and have lots of fun. Kathryn who just turned 8 years is very interested in wildflowers and American Indian culture. She is very excited in visiting the desert.
Saturday we will drive around Death Valley National Park looking at the sites and wildflowers. We’ll take digitals and post to the blog site. I’m looking forward to spending time with nature and site seeing with my family! We’ll pick up a souvenir for Graham.
Space is the Place!
FL Sue
Saturday we will drive around Death Valley National Park looking at the sites and wildflowers. We’ll take digitals and post to the blog site. I’m looking forward to spending time with nature and site seeing with my family! We’ll pick up a souvenir for Graham.
Space is the Place!
FL Sue
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 9:24 AM
1 comments
Linda's Update 2/17/2005
Hello all,
I apologise for not writing this yesterday but I have been up to my ears in other stuff and just haven't had the time. I will let you know my impressions from my visit on Wednesday.
Graham is definitely in better spirits. We all think the routine is going to help him as he has something to look forward to and knows what is happening when and next. The physiotherapy sessions on the bicycle and with the arm mover, seem to be giving him some strength and better motion ability with his arms. The occupational therapy is doing the same. I had not seen him since Saturday and I was really thrilled to see how much more control he has over his arms, and particularly I believe he is doing some movement that is 'below the break' as the consultant 6 weeks ago said (wow, 6 weeks already). He has refined his arm movements and can both pull in and extend his arms now with some control. I think this is marvellous and I told him so.
I had a really long visit this time -- over 3 hours -- I felt it important that I not rush in and out. I wanted to give him plenty of time to say what he wanted to say and talk about whatever he wanted to talk about. I also had time to read all the emails from everyone who had written them to me and he was glad to hear from all of you who wrote. It really cheers him up.
He has had special, very special indeed, communications from people. I looked at the incredible book from all you work mates and all the things you wrote and the fab pictures and was brought to tears myself with all the that you had to say about missing various aspects of Graham at work. It was even impressive what the booklet was sent in, a star and moon and sun studded bubble envelope which we have carefully preserved. He had me take off the sealing tab and put that strip (cut into two pieces) in the back of the booklet and we have managed to preserve the whole of the envelope with the gorgeous paper on it for his memory book that is being constructed as we go along. All his cards, emails, photos, etc. are being put into plastic sheets in a ring binder and it will be something to behold after his recovery.
I am feeling so very positive about him recovering. I am as certain as I can be that one day he will have his hands back. This is the most important thing -- he will be able to take care of himself if he ends up with only his lower half paralysed. This will be very important also for reading and feeding and so forth. I still also hold out positive hope that he will walk again one day.
he is visualising getting better and you all can help too. Where the damage to his spine is, you can see on the MRI scan that there is an enlarged bit of the spinal cord and then two white lines that are on either side where it is not enlarged, but not where it is enlarged. We are seeing this heal molecule by molecule because it is indeed a very very slow process and we are not looking for some overnight miracle (we would take it of course!!) but are working to see it fixed one tiny little part at a time. If you think of a filled cylinder with the sides missing and then imagine that the inners of the cylinder getting smaller (the swelling going down) and then the cylinder being reconstructed around that, it is the best image I can give you to use.
He is really almost enjoying things these days and I did read him these shameless California jokes I will send on to you all now:
So as not to be outdone by all the redneck, hillbilly, and Texan jokes, you know you're from California if:
1. Your co-worker has 8 body piercing's and none are visible.
2. You make over $300,000 and still can't afford a house.
3. You take a bus and are shocked at two people carrying on a conversation in English.
4. Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Flower.
5. You can't remember . . . . is pot illegal?
6. You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor.
7. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown, and you can taste the difference between Sumatran and Ethiopian.
8. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
9. A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.
10. Gas costs $1.00 per gallon more than anywhere else in the U.S.
11. Unlike back home, the guy at 8:30 am at Starbucks wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney really IS George Clooney.
12. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.
13. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
14. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH."
15. You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cells or pagers.
16. It's barely sprinkling rain outside, so you leave for work an hour early to avoid all the weather-related accidents.
17. HEY!!!! Is pot illegal????
18. Both you AND your dog have therapists.
19. The Terminator is your governor.
20. If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one.
He really did smile and then even laugh at some of these, which was great to witness.
He has a lot of determination to get better now. He was concerned when he heard some of the staff talking about the California spinal injury facility being in Palo Alto and thought they were considering moving him there in the near future. I reassured him they will not send him anywhere until the halo is off, so we have another 6 weeks at the very minimum before that happens. They said originally it would be on for at least 3 months. We are only halfway there ...
When the halo is off they will be able to do another MRI scan and we will hopefully see a big difference in the area that was damaged. If the damage is being slowly healed then it will be more rehabilitation and therapy to help that continue.
All your prayers and good wishes, good vibes and healing thoughts are getting through to him. He can feel your love as it flies across continents and oceans.
It is great to see him dressed on top of the bed rather than under the covers. He looks like he is improving! He IS improving. We sorted out his cupboards and his plants got watered and he talked about different people who have sent him things. He was particularly thrilled, for example, at the card sent by the children of Lorraine and Craig. He has enjoyed the photos of the grandson of Elaine. He has enjoyed every single email and card, relishing it and taking it into his heart. You are all very very supportive and your support helps us as well.
I shall take my camera next time and photograph him in his clothes. You will see how nice it is to see him that way. He is hoping for an electric wheelchair and they are already preparing special gloves for him to wear so he can operate a joy stick. He does like being able to sit up and be taken to the gym for his exercises. He has had the odd better meal (the chicken and veg he had when I was there went down really well) and he saves goodies to eat later sometimes. He had some carrot cake from lunch saved for his dinner and got ice cream and had that for his dessert. They call it 'pudding' here and we had a good old American laugh at that and at other English oddities.
I told him I would not visit him quite so often but stay longer when I am there. I will see him about twice a week now. I will try to go for about 3 hours. I will go on days Airasa cannot go and said we would always try to have either Airasa or me in every day. I know we are probably his biggest strength as well. I have, after all, known him since 1972 and been through all the politics, space, relationship and parenting there is to have had with him! I know some of you from when I was in California in the 70s. It is, I believe, good to have 'old friends' who know us warts and all! (But not too much emphasis on the 'old'!!!)
It has been very crisp here in the mornings, with frost on the roof of my garage. But it is sunny in the days and it is getting warmer. The daffodils are sprouting and the crocus and snow drops are already showing lots of colours along our roadways. Leeds is particularly beautiful in the spring as the roadsides and virtually any other open spaces are lined profusely with these spring flowers that come up every year. The spring flowering trees will burst forth next month and it will be wonderful to drive to the hospital and see the beauty of the earth.
May you all be blessed with the light of love and peace and joy.
And keeps those cards and letters coming, folks, every one represents healing energy to Graham and to all of us.
Love,
Linda
I apologise for not writing this yesterday but I have been up to my ears in other stuff and just haven't had the time. I will let you know my impressions from my visit on Wednesday.
Graham is definitely in better spirits. We all think the routine is going to help him as he has something to look forward to and knows what is happening when and next. The physiotherapy sessions on the bicycle and with the arm mover, seem to be giving him some strength and better motion ability with his arms. The occupational therapy is doing the same. I had not seen him since Saturday and I was really thrilled to see how much more control he has over his arms, and particularly I believe he is doing some movement that is 'below the break' as the consultant 6 weeks ago said (wow, 6 weeks already). He has refined his arm movements and can both pull in and extend his arms now with some control. I think this is marvellous and I told him so.
I had a really long visit this time -- over 3 hours -- I felt it important that I not rush in and out. I wanted to give him plenty of time to say what he wanted to say and talk about whatever he wanted to talk about. I also had time to read all the emails from everyone who had written them to me and he was glad to hear from all of you who wrote. It really cheers him up.
He has had special, very special indeed, communications from people. I looked at the incredible book from all you work mates and all the things you wrote and the fab pictures and was brought to tears myself with all the that you had to say about missing various aspects of Graham at work. It was even impressive what the booklet was sent in, a star and moon and sun studded bubble envelope which we have carefully preserved. He had me take off the sealing tab and put that strip (cut into two pieces) in the back of the booklet and we have managed to preserve the whole of the envelope with the gorgeous paper on it for his memory book that is being constructed as we go along. All his cards, emails, photos, etc. are being put into plastic sheets in a ring binder and it will be something to behold after his recovery.
I am feeling so very positive about him recovering. I am as certain as I can be that one day he will have his hands back. This is the most important thing -- he will be able to take care of himself if he ends up with only his lower half paralysed. This will be very important also for reading and feeding and so forth. I still also hold out positive hope that he will walk again one day.
he is visualising getting better and you all can help too. Where the damage to his spine is, you can see on the MRI scan that there is an enlarged bit of the spinal cord and then two white lines that are on either side where it is not enlarged, but not where it is enlarged. We are seeing this heal molecule by molecule because it is indeed a very very slow process and we are not looking for some overnight miracle (we would take it of course!!) but are working to see it fixed one tiny little part at a time. If you think of a filled cylinder with the sides missing and then imagine that the inners of the cylinder getting smaller (the swelling going down) and then the cylinder being reconstructed around that, it is the best image I can give you to use.
He is really almost enjoying things these days and I did read him these shameless California jokes I will send on to you all now:
So as not to be outdone by all the redneck, hillbilly, and Texan jokes, you know you're from California if:
1. Your co-worker has 8 body piercing's and none are visible.
2. You make over $300,000 and still can't afford a house.
3. You take a bus and are shocked at two people carrying on a conversation in English.
4. Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Flower.
5. You can't remember . . . . is pot illegal?
6. You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor.
7. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown, and you can taste the difference between Sumatran and Ethiopian.
8. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
9. A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.
10. Gas costs $1.00 per gallon more than anywhere else in the U.S.
11. Unlike back home, the guy at 8:30 am at Starbucks wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney really IS George Clooney.
12. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.
13. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
14. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH."
15. You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cells or pagers.
16. It's barely sprinkling rain outside, so you leave for work an hour early to avoid all the weather-related accidents.
17. HEY!!!! Is pot illegal????
18. Both you AND your dog have therapists.
19. The Terminator is your governor.
20. If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one.
He really did smile and then even laugh at some of these, which was great to witness.
He has a lot of determination to get better now. He was concerned when he heard some of the staff talking about the California spinal injury facility being in Palo Alto and thought they were considering moving him there in the near future. I reassured him they will not send him anywhere until the halo is off, so we have another 6 weeks at the very minimum before that happens. They said originally it would be on for at least 3 months. We are only halfway there ...
When the halo is off they will be able to do another MRI scan and we will hopefully see a big difference in the area that was damaged. If the damage is being slowly healed then it will be more rehabilitation and therapy to help that continue.
All your prayers and good wishes, good vibes and healing thoughts are getting through to him. He can feel your love as it flies across continents and oceans.
It is great to see him dressed on top of the bed rather than under the covers. He looks like he is improving! He IS improving. We sorted out his cupboards and his plants got watered and he talked about different people who have sent him things. He was particularly thrilled, for example, at the card sent by the children of Lorraine and Craig. He has enjoyed the photos of the grandson of Elaine. He has enjoyed every single email and card, relishing it and taking it into his heart. You are all very very supportive and your support helps us as well.
I shall take my camera next time and photograph him in his clothes. You will see how nice it is to see him that way. He is hoping for an electric wheelchair and they are already preparing special gloves for him to wear so he can operate a joy stick. He does like being able to sit up and be taken to the gym for his exercises. He has had the odd better meal (the chicken and veg he had when I was there went down really well) and he saves goodies to eat later sometimes. He had some carrot cake from lunch saved for his dinner and got ice cream and had that for his dessert. They call it 'pudding' here and we had a good old American laugh at that and at other English oddities.
I told him I would not visit him quite so often but stay longer when I am there. I will see him about twice a week now. I will try to go for about 3 hours. I will go on days Airasa cannot go and said we would always try to have either Airasa or me in every day. I know we are probably his biggest strength as well. I have, after all, known him since 1972 and been through all the politics, space, relationship and parenting there is to have had with him! I know some of you from when I was in California in the 70s. It is, I believe, good to have 'old friends' who know us warts and all! (But not too much emphasis on the 'old'!!!)
It has been very crisp here in the mornings, with frost on the roof of my garage. But it is sunny in the days and it is getting warmer. The daffodils are sprouting and the crocus and snow drops are already showing lots of colours along our roadways. Leeds is particularly beautiful in the spring as the roadsides and virtually any other open spaces are lined profusely with these spring flowers that come up every year. The spring flowering trees will burst forth next month and it will be wonderful to drive to the hospital and see the beauty of the earth.
May you all be blessed with the light of love and peace and joy.
And keeps those cards and letters coming, folks, every one represents healing energy to Graham and to all of us.
Love,
Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 9:16 AM
0 comments
Monday, February 14, 2005
Airasa is back from a much needed Holiday!
Just a short note to let you all know I'm back from my holiday. My dad wanted me to tell you all about it, but frankly I'm too tired tonight so I just wanted to let you know I'm back. I went to visit him tonight and he seems well. His spirits are much improved and he seems to be getting into a treatment routine. They're getting him up and dressed everyday which will certainly be helping his spirits. He's also started receiving cards and some phone calls at Pinderfields which is pleasing him no end. I see that my mum has been keeping you all informed and doing a sterling job! While I was away one of my friends or my mum visited him every day so he had a visitor every day. HUGE thank yous to all of them. He really appreciated it.
Ian and I had a wonderful trip, Italy is always fantastic and I love it. I am spiritually and emotionally rested, even if I'm not physically rested after all the fun we had!
I'll write more later in the week,
Lots of love,
Airasa
Ian and I had a wonderful trip, Italy is always fantastic and I love it. I am spiritually and emotionally rested, even if I'm not physically rested after all the fun we had!
I'll write more later in the week,
Lots of love,
Airasa
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 2:52 PM
0 comments
Good Sunday Morning
Good Sunday morning, all,
Yes, it is just after 5 a.m. here but I am an early riser!!
Here is the latest on Graham. I went to see him twice yesterday (Saturday) as I was aware he was out of clothes and fruit juice and since I was taking Dylan to his work (for his last day, hurrah) at Freeport, which is about 10 minutes from the hospital, I decided to go in when it was not visiting hours to take these things. I managed to say for an hour and went back later on as well.
Graham was really glad to see me as I had not been in for 2 days. Charis visited him on Thursday and Charlotte saw him Friday. These are great friends from Airasa's school days -- and today Helen is going to see him, another friend from those days. So when I got there it was about 9:45 and I stayed an hour during which time I organised his clothes so he knew where everything was being put (in fact he told me where to put things and how to put them, so you see he is definitely improving!!). I got him 6 more pairs of loose casual trousers, which are easy for them to put on and take off him and he needs them for his exercising activities. I then took home all the dirty clothes so they can be washed and returned. There are enough t-shirts and trousers and other items now so that washing can be done once a week and he will still have a couple of 'outfits' left while the washing is being done.
He had asked for a pen to write on his clothes, as they will do his laundry there, but he said that he would prefer that we do it -- I am not surprised as hospital laundry really takes it out of stuff as they must boil wash everything. I arranged the bottom of his cupboard to have plastic bags there for them to put dirty clothes in and when I got back in the afternoon he said he had already trained them to put his used t-shirt into the bag. I think it will work fine.
I confess I left the clothes for Airasa to wash as I don't have much laundry these days (no more kids here!!) and they will have their holiday clothes to wash so I think it will be OK.
I took him in 4 kinds of juice, in packs of 3 little ones each. When I came back in the afternoon he remarked he thought I should bring in more, that 4 were not going to last him long and I said well there were 12 and he said, oh, he thought I had only brought in one of each kind. No, I was more efficient than that. He was happy to know he has plenty of juice to keep him going for a few days.
He described his exercise routine -- they take him to the gym in a wheel chair after hoisting him out of bed. I don't know how they dress him, but obviously they do that, including socks and shoes. They put him onto one or another machine and strap him in and the machine moves him. One is the bicycle I described a couple of letters ago. The other is something where he moves his arms out and back. He said they are hard to be on. It is partly because he cannot do anything to help them move his body yet, so it is mechanical motion. But they want him to help and with his arms he was trying to help and it produced some pain. He says they give him pain killers some time before the exercises to help alleviate the pain.
I read him a couple of emails from folks, showed him some photos I had printed out at work (in colour) and opened a package with a book of poems and a cassette book. Thank you to everyone who continues to write and send things. I can tell you it really cheers him up. I told him I had attempted to phone him the night before and was unsuccessful as the phone was busy for a couple of hours. He did mention that Randy had phoned so he was quite happy about that.
They came to give him a nice bath (in the bed) and I left and came home for a few hours. I left again around 4 to go visit him again, with more hangars to finish organising his clothes. His trousers and t shirts all hang up now and I think that made him feel happy, knowing it is all organised.
He was asleep when I got there at 4:30 so I did a couple of quiet things waiting for him to wake up, which he did about 10 to 5. I read him some more emails I had printed out and started to read a letter from Ian's mother to me, but I had to leave by 6 to pick up Dylan so there was not time for everything. His dinner came around 5 and I fed him the fish and peas -- which were pretty unappetizing and he didn't each much of those. But I gave him the strawberry yoghurt which he did like and he seemed to have had enough food.
He was all clean when I got there in the late afternoon, asleep with his headphones on and a CD in the player. He does not get exercised on the weekends.
I did massage his head, arms, neck, chest and legs. Unfortunately I lifted up his right arm to massage under and I was concerned about the plastic from his chest gizmo and when I did that he shouted out with pain -- I had twisted his shoulder some. I was really sorry that I had hurt him, and massaged him over and over until the pain left. Clearly there is pain now that he did not have before. The spasms of his body seem to be continuing but moving other places. Not just his legs but also his upper body.
Personally I look at this as progress -- I am not sure how they see it medically, but I figure that if his brain and body are trying to communicate, it will be in this jerky fashion. It reminds me a newborn baby lying down wiggling everywhere rather uncontrollably. Of course he cannot feel this in one sense, though when his body jerks it surprises him and he sometimes shouts out.
I also thought I detected some movement in his left hand, though I may be making that up. It was his left arm that was the one he could still move when we first found him, so that is the one that was least harmed. I am looking for anything that will demonstrate he is getting back use of his body. He can move his arms with a little bit more control, I believe, though his right arm he needs to have mechanically stretched out by someone else, his left arm seems to have that capacity back.
Ok, maybe I am grasping at straws here, but I keep on suggesting he is getting better. He is still using the Pac-man image to remove any negative thoughts, and he is still imaging microscopic molecules filling in where the spinal cord seems to be damaged. I drew him a picture from the MRI scan I saw, where it shows the cord and then these two sides where there is a white line above and below the cord along the sides, but it is missing where the cord is swollen. He is really doing his best to be positive and to think positive. I told him how proud I am of him and how he is keeping up a good attitude to the best of his ability.
On weekends some of the patients go home and so it was incredibly quiet there yesterday. They were nice in the morning and did not ask me to leave. They are very quick to answer his bell too -- I accidentally hit it shortly after I arrived and a nurse was there pronto! He needed to be readjusted in the bed to eat, and these amazing women came and pushed and shoved using the sheets he was lying on and soon he was repositioned and sitting halfway up so he could eat.
He has had an infection in his lungs again, which has distressed him a lot. They have put him onto a powerful drip of antibiotic twice a day and this is seeming to drain him emotionally as well as perhaps physically. He said he was stressed because he thought this was cleared up at LGI. But of course, as Ian's mum says (she was a nurse in such a unit some years ago) the three biggest problems are pneumonia, urological problems, and bedsores. At least his bedsores have cleared up for now.
Well, I think I have gone on quite a bit here -- perhaps more detail than you all wanted -- blame it on my typing speed!!
Airasa and Ian are home late tonight from their week in Italy with friends. I am sure they have had a wonderful time and that it will have done them a world of good. You will start to get Airasa's updates again. Perhaps after being away for a week she will see some improvements that are more difficult to perceive when visiting every day.
He has quite a stack of books on CD and tape now, and hopefully he will feel more up to listening to those soon. We all think it would be great, but after seeing how he was yesterday I can understand that he cannot concentrate enough on a book yet. He has dozed at every one of my visits and also when Charis saw him two days this week. I have not talked to Charlotte, so I don't know what she thought. Lying around can be amazingly tiring, plus they are working his muscles and also giving him drugs. It is difficult but he is doing well.
Thanks for all your continuing emails. He does get a lot out of what you send.
Wow I almost lost this email -- cleverly I saved it before I tried to send it and then the program crashed. Hmmm, wonder why it does that...
Enough from me!!
Kind regards,
Linda
Yes, it is just after 5 a.m. here but I am an early riser!!
Here is the latest on Graham. I went to see him twice yesterday (Saturday) as I was aware he was out of clothes and fruit juice and since I was taking Dylan to his work (for his last day, hurrah) at Freeport, which is about 10 minutes from the hospital, I decided to go in when it was not visiting hours to take these things. I managed to say for an hour and went back later on as well.
Graham was really glad to see me as I had not been in for 2 days. Charis visited him on Thursday and Charlotte saw him Friday. These are great friends from Airasa's school days -- and today Helen is going to see him, another friend from those days. So when I got there it was about 9:45 and I stayed an hour during which time I organised his clothes so he knew where everything was being put (in fact he told me where to put things and how to put them, so you see he is definitely improving!!). I got him 6 more pairs of loose casual trousers, which are easy for them to put on and take off him and he needs them for his exercising activities. I then took home all the dirty clothes so they can be washed and returned. There are enough t-shirts and trousers and other items now so that washing can be done once a week and he will still have a couple of 'outfits' left while the washing is being done.
He had asked for a pen to write on his clothes, as they will do his laundry there, but he said that he would prefer that we do it -- I am not surprised as hospital laundry really takes it out of stuff as they must boil wash everything. I arranged the bottom of his cupboard to have plastic bags there for them to put dirty clothes in and when I got back in the afternoon he said he had already trained them to put his used t-shirt into the bag. I think it will work fine.
I confess I left the clothes for Airasa to wash as I don't have much laundry these days (no more kids here!!) and they will have their holiday clothes to wash so I think it will be OK.
I took him in 4 kinds of juice, in packs of 3 little ones each. When I came back in the afternoon he remarked he thought I should bring in more, that 4 were not going to last him long and I said well there were 12 and he said, oh, he thought I had only brought in one of each kind. No, I was more efficient than that. He was happy to know he has plenty of juice to keep him going for a few days.
He described his exercise routine -- they take him to the gym in a wheel chair after hoisting him out of bed. I don't know how they dress him, but obviously they do that, including socks and shoes. They put him onto one or another machine and strap him in and the machine moves him. One is the bicycle I described a couple of letters ago. The other is something where he moves his arms out and back. He said they are hard to be on. It is partly because he cannot do anything to help them move his body yet, so it is mechanical motion. But they want him to help and with his arms he was trying to help and it produced some pain. He says they give him pain killers some time before the exercises to help alleviate the pain.
I read him a couple of emails from folks, showed him some photos I had printed out at work (in colour) and opened a package with a book of poems and a cassette book. Thank you to everyone who continues to write and send things. I can tell you it really cheers him up. I told him I had attempted to phone him the night before and was unsuccessful as the phone was busy for a couple of hours. He did mention that Randy had phoned so he was quite happy about that.
They came to give him a nice bath (in the bed) and I left and came home for a few hours. I left again around 4 to go visit him again, with more hangars to finish organising his clothes. His trousers and t shirts all hang up now and I think that made him feel happy, knowing it is all organised.
He was asleep when I got there at 4:30 so I did a couple of quiet things waiting for him to wake up, which he did about 10 to 5. I read him some more emails I had printed out and started to read a letter from Ian's mother to me, but I had to leave by 6 to pick up Dylan so there was not time for everything. His dinner came around 5 and I fed him the fish and peas -- which were pretty unappetizing and he didn't each much of those. But I gave him the strawberry yoghurt which he did like and he seemed to have had enough food.
He was all clean when I got there in the late afternoon, asleep with his headphones on and a CD in the player. He does not get exercised on the weekends.
I did massage his head, arms, neck, chest and legs. Unfortunately I lifted up his right arm to massage under and I was concerned about the plastic from his chest gizmo and when I did that he shouted out with pain -- I had twisted his shoulder some. I was really sorry that I had hurt him, and massaged him over and over until the pain left. Clearly there is pain now that he did not have before. The spasms of his body seem to be continuing but moving other places. Not just his legs but also his upper body.
Personally I look at this as progress -- I am not sure how they see it medically, but I figure that if his brain and body are trying to communicate, it will be in this jerky fashion. It reminds me a newborn baby lying down wiggling everywhere rather uncontrollably. Of course he cannot feel this in one sense, though when his body jerks it surprises him and he sometimes shouts out.
I also thought I detected some movement in his left hand, though I may be making that up. It was his left arm that was the one he could still move when we first found him, so that is the one that was least harmed. I am looking for anything that will demonstrate he is getting back use of his body. He can move his arms with a little bit more control, I believe, though his right arm he needs to have mechanically stretched out by someone else, his left arm seems to have that capacity back.
Ok, maybe I am grasping at straws here, but I keep on suggesting he is getting better. He is still using the Pac-man image to remove any negative thoughts, and he is still imaging microscopic molecules filling in where the spinal cord seems to be damaged. I drew him a picture from the MRI scan I saw, where it shows the cord and then these two sides where there is a white line above and below the cord along the sides, but it is missing where the cord is swollen. He is really doing his best to be positive and to think positive. I told him how proud I am of him and how he is keeping up a good attitude to the best of his ability.
On weekends some of the patients go home and so it was incredibly quiet there yesterday. They were nice in the morning and did not ask me to leave. They are very quick to answer his bell too -- I accidentally hit it shortly after I arrived and a nurse was there pronto! He needed to be readjusted in the bed to eat, and these amazing women came and pushed and shoved using the sheets he was lying on and soon he was repositioned and sitting halfway up so he could eat.
He has had an infection in his lungs again, which has distressed him a lot. They have put him onto a powerful drip of antibiotic twice a day and this is seeming to drain him emotionally as well as perhaps physically. He said he was stressed because he thought this was cleared up at LGI. But of course, as Ian's mum says (she was a nurse in such a unit some years ago) the three biggest problems are pneumonia, urological problems, and bedsores. At least his bedsores have cleared up for now.
Well, I think I have gone on quite a bit here -- perhaps more detail than you all wanted -- blame it on my typing speed!!
Airasa and Ian are home late tonight from their week in Italy with friends. I am sure they have had a wonderful time and that it will have done them a world of good. You will start to get Airasa's updates again. Perhaps after being away for a week she will see some improvements that are more difficult to perceive when visiting every day.
He has quite a stack of books on CD and tape now, and hopefully he will feel more up to listening to those soon. We all think it would be great, but after seeing how he was yesterday I can understand that he cannot concentrate enough on a book yet. He has dozed at every one of my visits and also when Charis saw him two days this week. I have not talked to Charlotte, so I don't know what she thought. Lying around can be amazingly tiring, plus they are working his muscles and also giving him drugs. It is difficult but he is doing well.
Thanks for all your continuing emails. He does get a lot out of what you send.
Wow I almost lost this email -- cleverly I saved it before I tried to send it and then the program crashed. Hmmm, wonder why it does that...
Enough from me!!
Kind regards,
Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 2:50 PM
0 comments
Additonal from Linda
Hello all,
I tried and tried to phone Graham last night but the number was always engaged (busy) and thus could not get through. The time difference will be even more difficult for you all. I guess if you tried first thing in the morning there it might get through. I tried here from 7 to 8 and after and it was always busy. That would be 11 to 12 West Coast time. So 9 a.m. there might be a good time to phone. I will tell him how difficult it is to get through when I see him today. I have lots of emails to read to him and more clothes to take to him so he can be up and dressed and do his bicycle exercises. It will be good to see him after missing for 2 days. I will send a (no doubt long) update this evening.
It will be great when Airasa and Ian are back with tales of their trip to Italy.
Take care, and mind your step!
Love
Linda
I tried and tried to phone Graham last night but the number was always engaged (busy) and thus could not get through. The time difference will be even more difficult for you all. I guess if you tried first thing in the morning there it might get through. I tried here from 7 to 8 and after and it was always busy. That would be 11 to 12 West Coast time. So 9 a.m. there might be a good time to phone. I will tell him how difficult it is to get through when I see him today. I have lots of emails to read to him and more clothes to take to him so he can be up and dressed and do his bicycle exercises. It will be good to see him after missing for 2 days. I will send a (no doubt long) update this evening.
It will be great when Airasa and Ian are back with tales of their trip to Italy.
Take care, and mind your step!
Love
Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 2:48 PM
0 comments
Grahams Phone number corrected
Dear all,
I have just been told that the number Airasa gave you was incorrect by one digit. This is the correct number
011 44 1924 214049.
I will be seeing him tomorrow (have not been able to get there the past two days but he has had Charis and Charlotte visiting him so he has not been without visitors. I am sure the phone call he just got from Randy will have been wonderfully restorative and I thank him for sending me the corrected phone number.
I will send along an update after I have seen him tomorrow.
Love and light to all of you,
Linda
I have just been told that the number Airasa gave you was incorrect by one digit. This is the correct number
011 44 1924 214049.
I will be seeing him tomorrow (have not been able to get there the past two days but he has had Charis and Charlotte visiting him so he has not been without visitors. I am sure the phone call he just got from Randy will have been wonderfully restorative and I thank him for sending me the corrected phone number.
I will send along an update after I have seen him tomorrow.
Love and light to all of you,
Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 2:46 PM
0 comments
Thursday, February 10, 2005
A Daffodill from Sue's garden.( I'm sending virtural flowers to Graham!)
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 11:17 AM
1 comments
Good Thursday morning from FL Linda
Good morning all,
Well I didn't go in to see Graham until the very end of the day and it was probably as well as they had him up yesterday and took him to the gym! They strapped him into the wheel chair and took him to the gym and then they strapped him into this machine that will help exercise his muscles. It was sort of a bicycle thing, but not like we know it, apparently. The foot pedals hold his feet and then the legs ride round and round by the machine, first forward and then backward. They strapped his hands as well and they went back and forth I think. I am not really clear because he was pretty tired when I got there (actually he was snoozing when I got there!). He says he is meant to help push and pull the hand things and that it was very tiring. But he needs to build up his strength now.
I think it is great they are getting him up now -- he says they aim to do it twice a day. They must keep his muscles moving or he will lose them altogether I suspect. It would be as if, for example, being in a cast and not able to move a broken leg for example, and when the cast comes off the leg muscles are a bit withered away and have to be built up again. I know they move his body in the bed, but I think these exercises will be great. But tiring!
I have to bring in more clothes so he can be dressed and decent for his sojourns to the gym.
He really seemed to like the plant, so that was a hit. Telling him it was related to the pineapple and that it should remind him of palm trees went down well I think.
He got a package yesterday -- the political book whose author and title escapes me -- a pressie from...er, sorry, can't remember that either -- it came through Amazon and there was a nice little card, but my mind is not letting me remember and I don't want to thank the wrong people. But thank you, you know who you are! It is 11 CDs, I think a book he had started to read. I only opened it the last minute before I left last night so I forgot to plant the information in my long-term memory!
My letter yesterday almost got lost to the great computer in the sky and crashed my email program. When I got it back the last bit was missing, but then it was long anyway. What I had said was a personal story. Some years ago my mother fell and broke both her wrists. She was walking across the floor to answer the door and slipped on a pile of magazines! My dad had to take care of her and he told me on one of my visits, after she had died, that he had learned such a valuable lesson from that incident. He had told her he would never do dishes when they got married back in 1938! And he never did until she fell. As you can imagine, she was totally helpless with two broken wrists, and he had to do EVERYTHING for her. What he said was so precious -- he said he had never realized before what a joy it was to take care of someone and he was sorry he had not learned that earlier and done more for her and for us over the years. He understood how wonderful it must be to be a mother and to care for a baby 24/7 as it was such a loving thing to do. I was very touched by that and thought how great that he could learn this in his 70s! It also taught me not to leave piles of magazines on the floor and to walk very carefully!! So 'mind your step' as they say here in England and as Graham says regularly now, 'be careful'.
As far as the iPod is concerned, what a lovely idea. I think he would appreciate it from one point of view, but he is not yet ready to spend a lot of time listening to books. I would like to ask you to wait for a week or two and see how he is getting on for a number of reasons. for one thing, right now we are having trouble finding places for all his things as he has such a tiny space to put his belongings -- the picture I sent shows the little cupboard on the left of his bed -- it has a miniscule hanging spot and there is not enough room for all the clothes, or his shoes in that. He has two drawers -- one has all the toiletries and so forth, the other has two CD holders, paper, envelopes and so forth. The bottom cupboard had the package in it and then has other things. There is food for him there and it is scattered around and now two plants. Not really much room!
For another thing, I know an iPod is not that big, but if you could hold off for a while I think that would be good. It is something to look forward to in the not too distant future. He would not be able to work it himself which might be quite frustrating. It is so tiny we would have to work it for him, and when we are visiting him he wants to talk to us and hear us read him letters. I hope you can understand that it might be frustrating to him at the moment.
It is so lovely you are thinking of him and how to help him from afar. Your continuing contact is so important to him. As I said in yesterday's email, we thing he would benefit so much more for the time being from phone calls, even if they are only short -- the nurses will bring the phone and hold it for him. He does perk up with the personal touch. I know you all want to do something and that would be the greatest gift. Just take care the timing of the call. I think Airasa gave instructions about the number and time in a previous email. Just 5-10 minutes on the phone every few days would be great. It would be like a visit and should not be that expensive from there. There is no surcharge on the phone number she sent (like there was at the LGI phone).
They will eventually get him an electric wheelchair and teach him how to use a joy stick. They have this wrist brace already which holds his arm and hand tight and straight and it would help him to move a joy stick. I know getting out of the bed in the chair and going to a different place yesterday was a great adventure for him. The ceiling is very boring!
I believe he is improving on a microscopic level. I think he is keeping his spirits up and doing the best he can to image his injury to be healing.
I left him last night watching rugby on the TV and he seemed as content as he can be in the situation he is in.
I continue to print out any messages to him and appreciate all the love and support you are sending. I believe the vibes get here and help him. Thank you all for your continuing love.
I write long letters because I still type 90 wpm and always have lots to say! Don't feel you have to write long letters like I do! Those of you who know me probably know I can't help myself.
OK, everyone, take care and kind regards to you all.
Mind your Step!!!
Love and peace,
Linda
Well I didn't go in to see Graham until the very end of the day and it was probably as well as they had him up yesterday and took him to the gym! They strapped him into the wheel chair and took him to the gym and then they strapped him into this machine that will help exercise his muscles. It was sort of a bicycle thing, but not like we know it, apparently. The foot pedals hold his feet and then the legs ride round and round by the machine, first forward and then backward. They strapped his hands as well and they went back and forth I think. I am not really clear because he was pretty tired when I got there (actually he was snoozing when I got there!). He says he is meant to help push and pull the hand things and that it was very tiring. But he needs to build up his strength now.
I think it is great they are getting him up now -- he says they aim to do it twice a day. They must keep his muscles moving or he will lose them altogether I suspect. It would be as if, for example, being in a cast and not able to move a broken leg for example, and when the cast comes off the leg muscles are a bit withered away and have to be built up again. I know they move his body in the bed, but I think these exercises will be great. But tiring!
I have to bring in more clothes so he can be dressed and decent for his sojourns to the gym.
He really seemed to like the plant, so that was a hit. Telling him it was related to the pineapple and that it should remind him of palm trees went down well I think.
He got a package yesterday -- the political book whose author and title escapes me -- a pressie from...er, sorry, can't remember that either -- it came through Amazon and there was a nice little card, but my mind is not letting me remember and I don't want to thank the wrong people. But thank you, you know who you are! It is 11 CDs, I think a book he had started to read. I only opened it the last minute before I left last night so I forgot to plant the information in my long-term memory!
My letter yesterday almost got lost to the great computer in the sky and crashed my email program. When I got it back the last bit was missing, but then it was long anyway. What I had said was a personal story. Some years ago my mother fell and broke both her wrists. She was walking across the floor to answer the door and slipped on a pile of magazines! My dad had to take care of her and he told me on one of my visits, after she had died, that he had learned such a valuable lesson from that incident. He had told her he would never do dishes when they got married back in 1938! And he never did until she fell. As you can imagine, she was totally helpless with two broken wrists, and he had to do EVERYTHING for her. What he said was so precious -- he said he had never realized before what a joy it was to take care of someone and he was sorry he had not learned that earlier and done more for her and for us over the years. He understood how wonderful it must be to be a mother and to care for a baby 24/7 as it was such a loving thing to do. I was very touched by that and thought how great that he could learn this in his 70s! It also taught me not to leave piles of magazines on the floor and to walk very carefully!! So 'mind your step' as they say here in England and as Graham says regularly now, 'be careful'.
As far as the iPod is concerned, what a lovely idea. I think he would appreciate it from one point of view, but he is not yet ready to spend a lot of time listening to books. I would like to ask you to wait for a week or two and see how he is getting on for a number of reasons. for one thing, right now we are having trouble finding places for all his things as he has such a tiny space to put his belongings -- the picture I sent shows the little cupboard on the left of his bed -- it has a miniscule hanging spot and there is not enough room for all the clothes, or his shoes in that. He has two drawers -- one has all the toiletries and so forth, the other has two CD holders, paper, envelopes and so forth. The bottom cupboard had the package in it and then has other things. There is food for him there and it is scattered around and now two plants. Not really much room!
For another thing, I know an iPod is not that big, but if you could hold off for a while I think that would be good. It is something to look forward to in the not too distant future. He would not be able to work it himself which might be quite frustrating. It is so tiny we would have to work it for him, and when we are visiting him he wants to talk to us and hear us read him letters. I hope you can understand that it might be frustrating to him at the moment.
It is so lovely you are thinking of him and how to help him from afar. Your continuing contact is so important to him. As I said in yesterday's email, we thing he would benefit so much more for the time being from phone calls, even if they are only short -- the nurses will bring the phone and hold it for him. He does perk up with the personal touch. I know you all want to do something and that would be the greatest gift. Just take care the timing of the call. I think Airasa gave instructions about the number and time in a previous email. Just 5-10 minutes on the phone every few days would be great. It would be like a visit and should not be that expensive from there. There is no surcharge on the phone number she sent (like there was at the LGI phone).
They will eventually get him an electric wheelchair and teach him how to use a joy stick. They have this wrist brace already which holds his arm and hand tight and straight and it would help him to move a joy stick. I know getting out of the bed in the chair and going to a different place yesterday was a great adventure for him. The ceiling is very boring!
I believe he is improving on a microscopic level. I think he is keeping his spirits up and doing the best he can to image his injury to be healing.
I left him last night watching rugby on the TV and he seemed as content as he can be in the situation he is in.
I continue to print out any messages to him and appreciate all the love and support you are sending. I believe the vibes get here and help him. Thank you all for your continuing love.
I write long letters because I still type 90 wpm and always have lots to say! Don't feel you have to write long letters like I do! Those of you who know me probably know I can't help myself.
OK, everyone, take care and kind regards to you all.
Mind your Step!!!
Love and peace,
Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 11:11 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Early Wednesday Morning
Dear all,
I went to see Graham at about 3 yesterday and he was dozing when I arrived. He seems to have a slight infection in the pins of his halo and that was what was causing the problems the day before too. They are treating this and hopefully it will be better. But of course, sleep is the very best medicine so his body can heal. We did manage a brief visit before he fell asleep again.
In fact he had a visit from the urologist who is discussing ways to deal with his situation but not to do anything just now, just to give information and answer any questions. That was really nice, they don't just DO things to people but let them think about it and decide for themselves the course of action to take. This will, of course, appeal to Graham and to the rest of us as well.
We also had a visit from the chaplain John and it was very nice to meet him. He is a kindly soul who is visiting Graham every day. I could feel his warmth and was touched at his helping to get water and so forth. My own back has been in pain the past few days and I was having a bit of trouble doing all the fetching and so forth that Graham needed, and so John helped by getting some cold water from the fountain in the far ward.
Graham is keeping up his spirits I think remarkably well. Being in this new part of the ward is really helpful. It is so much more peaceful than the central ward he was in originally. The staff are all so very kind as well. Also the other patients. While Graham slept I talked with one who actually does not have a spinal injury but there is no bed in the correct ward for him. Apparently they will put patients where there is a bed so that they can get the treatment. I spoke with another who was going home, also not a spinal injury patient. He said it was a real eye opener to see how terrible are some of the situations of others and that it taught him real humility about his own relatively minor problems for which he was there to be treated.
I have also seen some of the women in the ward next door now. It is actually quite helpful to see people there in various states of recovery -- some in wheel chairs they wheel with their hands, some with electric wheelchairs, others walking with one or two sticks and some without sticks but carrying them. I listened to one guy chide another for not walking with him -- it was friendly banter and I could see that patients can be a source of comfort for each other. Graham is getting to know the various guys on his ward as well as one or two of the women.
It is remarkable how he remembers everyone's names including all his various health care providers and helpers.
I read to him a note or two and some of the clippings but he was so tired he fell asleep and slept for 40 minutes and woke up when Charis arrived. I left then and talked to her later, she said he slept more while she was there for her 2 hour visit. Clearly he is not comfortable at the moment with this infection but they are treating it and I am sure he will be better soon.
I took in the rest of his clothes yesterday as well as some oranges. Now they can dress him properly. They had a wheel chair by his bed and I asked if he had been in it yet. He said he was not quite well enough. They also have made a special brace for his right hand (a very large version of the one I wear for my wrist support for carpel tunnel...) and he said he had it on for an hour yesterday. They will eventually get him an electric wheelchair with a joy stick that he can operate himself.
I know they treat pessimistically there -- assuming he will not get much better and that he will need to learn to live as independently as possible under his current situation. I am very positive he will get better myself! But he will need to be independent and can throw away the aids as he improves. For now they are doing everything they can to help him. I know he looks forward to sitting up and not seeing the ceiling all the time and is grateful his sore has healed so they can do this.
I think the first time he is completely dressed, including his shoes which I brought in yesterday, he will feel very positive indeed. Lying in bed for over a month makes a person feel -- well like an invalid. When they get him into a wheelchair he will be able to see other places and we can push him to see things. I know that will cheer him up immensely.
We have a rota for visits while Airasa and Ian take a very deserved break. We have thought that too many visitors in one day is too much at the moment. So I will see him today. Charis is going on Thursday and Charlotte is going on Friday. I will see him again on Saturday and Helen will visit on Sunday. It is hard to know when to go as he seems quite tired at the moment but I think that is the infection. Maybe he will be better when I see him later today.
One thing I would encourage anyone who would like to do something for him is that you use the phone number Airasa sent a couple of emails ago. She phoned him yesterday morning before they left and the nurse happily held the phone to his ear. You could phone him from work and give him a few minutes just to hear your voices. That would make him so happy.
I have bought a plant to take to him from you, Lorraine and Craig. It has to be small as there is precious little room around there. It is a bromeliad and looks like this picture I found on this site
Here.
FL Linda
I went to see Graham at about 3 yesterday and he was dozing when I arrived. He seems to have a slight infection in the pins of his halo and that was what was causing the problems the day before too. They are treating this and hopefully it will be better. But of course, sleep is the very best medicine so his body can heal. We did manage a brief visit before he fell asleep again.
In fact he had a visit from the urologist who is discussing ways to deal with his situation but not to do anything just now, just to give information and answer any questions. That was really nice, they don't just DO things to people but let them think about it and decide for themselves the course of action to take. This will, of course, appeal to Graham and to the rest of us as well.
We also had a visit from the chaplain John and it was very nice to meet him. He is a kindly soul who is visiting Graham every day. I could feel his warmth and was touched at his helping to get water and so forth. My own back has been in pain the past few days and I was having a bit of trouble doing all the fetching and so forth that Graham needed, and so John helped by getting some cold water from the fountain in the far ward.
Graham is keeping up his spirits I think remarkably well. Being in this new part of the ward is really helpful. It is so much more peaceful than the central ward he was in originally. The staff are all so very kind as well. Also the other patients. While Graham slept I talked with one who actually does not have a spinal injury but there is no bed in the correct ward for him. Apparently they will put patients where there is a bed so that they can get the treatment. I spoke with another who was going home, also not a spinal injury patient. He said it was a real eye opener to see how terrible are some of the situations of others and that it taught him real humility about his own relatively minor problems for which he was there to be treated.
I have also seen some of the women in the ward next door now. It is actually quite helpful to see people there in various states of recovery -- some in wheel chairs they wheel with their hands, some with electric wheelchairs, others walking with one or two sticks and some without sticks but carrying them. I listened to one guy chide another for not walking with him -- it was friendly banter and I could see that patients can be a source of comfort for each other. Graham is getting to know the various guys on his ward as well as one or two of the women.
It is remarkable how he remembers everyone's names including all his various health care providers and helpers.
I read to him a note or two and some of the clippings but he was so tired he fell asleep and slept for 40 minutes and woke up when Charis arrived. I left then and talked to her later, she said he slept more while she was there for her 2 hour visit. Clearly he is not comfortable at the moment with this infection but they are treating it and I am sure he will be better soon.
I took in the rest of his clothes yesterday as well as some oranges. Now they can dress him properly. They had a wheel chair by his bed and I asked if he had been in it yet. He said he was not quite well enough. They also have made a special brace for his right hand (a very large version of the one I wear for my wrist support for carpel tunnel...) and he said he had it on for an hour yesterday. They will eventually get him an electric wheelchair with a joy stick that he can operate himself.
I know they treat pessimistically there -- assuming he will not get much better and that he will need to learn to live as independently as possible under his current situation. I am very positive he will get better myself! But he will need to be independent and can throw away the aids as he improves. For now they are doing everything they can to help him. I know he looks forward to sitting up and not seeing the ceiling all the time and is grateful his sore has healed so they can do this.
I think the first time he is completely dressed, including his shoes which I brought in yesterday, he will feel very positive indeed. Lying in bed for over a month makes a person feel -- well like an invalid. When they get him into a wheelchair he will be able to see other places and we can push him to see things. I know that will cheer him up immensely.
We have a rota for visits while Airasa and Ian take a very deserved break. We have thought that too many visitors in one day is too much at the moment. So I will see him today. Charis is going on Thursday and Charlotte is going on Friday. I will see him again on Saturday and Helen will visit on Sunday. It is hard to know when to go as he seems quite tired at the moment but I think that is the infection. Maybe he will be better when I see him later today.
One thing I would encourage anyone who would like to do something for him is that you use the phone number Airasa sent a couple of emails ago. She phoned him yesterday morning before they left and the nurse happily held the phone to his ear. You could phone him from work and give him a few minutes just to hear your voices. That would make him so happy.
I have bought a plant to take to him from you, Lorraine and Craig. It has to be small as there is precious little room around there. It is a bromeliad and looks like this picture I found on this site
Here.
FL Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 1:10 PM
0 comments
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Things are looking up
Hi all of Graham's friends and assorted folks ,
First a message from Graham as dictated: "Pressure sore healed. Can now lie on back as well as sides. Proper clothes almost organised so can be decent and get out of bed. Hallelujah, hip hip hooray, praise God I'm satisfied, Love, Graham"
Now from me: I am sending this email to the list that Airasa has been using, and assume you all want updates from me about Graham. I will send this and if any of you want off the list, let me know and if I don't hear otherwise I will keep sending you information from me.
Airasa and Ian are off today for their preplanned holiday and it is great they are going as Airasa really needs the time away. When they came over last night to drop off clothes for Graham, as she left she said 'You are in charge as you won't be able to contact me' so that tells me something. We know he will continue to improve and there will be no need to contact them for anything. I wish them a very happy holiday and rest and fun and no worries.
Graham feels himself he is improving which I think is a great sign. I was with him for an hour on my own last night and we talked about his view that he has improved from the first day. He talked about how scared he was when he was lying there and then decided he would not die and only had to wait for me to arrive. He said how he was in much worse shape a month ago when they had to help him breathe and now he is breathing fine without any oxygen. He says he could not feel much a month ago, but now is aware of more of his body (upper body). He said how he could not get up before but now they want his clothes so they can dress him and get him up and moving. He sees all of this as very positive indeed. So do I. So do we all.
He has also embraced his spirituality a bit more conclusively -- as he sees it as holding him together. Last night he got some sort of chill, and his jaw was chattering, and eventually we put on one of his religious CDs and he concentrated on listening and I held his hand and talked quietly to him about the difference between worrying and wondering. I said one was a downward spiral taking a person to negative thoughts, and the other was upward taking you to higher positive thoughts. I suggested he use his intelligence to think about what it would be like to be in zero gravity, or what sort of devices could be made to help a person in his situation.
We talked about his apartment and all his books and what if the housing situation was to change drastically and I said stop thinking about that -- nothing is going to change quickly. If he has to get rid of things, he can just get rid of what he knows he can do without -- a wonderful piece of advice from Airasa and Ian when they helped me get rid of about a third of my stuff 18 months ago.
He is feeling much more positive and so am I. He can see how caring and helpful the staff are as they were very kind about the superbowl (which they have no understanding of as a thing) and made sure that he could see the television and when they turned him again to see it and positioned it just so ... he was grateful and he realised they were being so good to him. All of this is so positive.
Forgive my ramble but it is nice to have something positive to ramble about.
So Airasa and Ian are off and deserve the break. I will see him every day that no one else goes and of course there are friends who will visit him. Charis and Helen and possibly Charlotte. Such wonderful friends from Airasa's school days while she is off with Jo (and her Ian) and Claire (and Rob) also wonderful friends from those days so long ago.
I still remember one of Airasa's parties when I was keeping out of the way upstairs and everyone seemed to drift into my room where eventually Airasa came to the door, hands on hips, saying 'so this is where everyone has got to' in a very sweet joking way. But I have known all these girls for so long and seen them grow into wonderful caring kind considerate loving women.
Friends are the most precious gift we have.
Be good to each other -- and as Graham now says 'watch your step'
Love and peace,
Linda
First a message from Graham as dictated: "Pressure sore healed. Can now lie on back as well as sides. Proper clothes almost organised so can be decent and get out of bed. Hallelujah, hip hip hooray, praise God I'm satisfied, Love, Graham"
Now from me: I am sending this email to the list that Airasa has been using, and assume you all want updates from me about Graham. I will send this and if any of you want off the list, let me know and if I don't hear otherwise I will keep sending you information from me.
Airasa and Ian are off today for their preplanned holiday and it is great they are going as Airasa really needs the time away. When they came over last night to drop off clothes for Graham, as she left she said 'You are in charge as you won't be able to contact me' so that tells me something. We know he will continue to improve and there will be no need to contact them for anything. I wish them a very happy holiday and rest and fun and no worries.
Graham feels himself he is improving which I think is a great sign. I was with him for an hour on my own last night and we talked about his view that he has improved from the first day. He talked about how scared he was when he was lying there and then decided he would not die and only had to wait for me to arrive. He said how he was in much worse shape a month ago when they had to help him breathe and now he is breathing fine without any oxygen. He says he could not feel much a month ago, but now is aware of more of his body (upper body). He said how he could not get up before but now they want his clothes so they can dress him and get him up and moving. He sees all of this as very positive indeed. So do I. So do we all.
He has also embraced his spirituality a bit more conclusively -- as he sees it as holding him together. Last night he got some sort of chill, and his jaw was chattering, and eventually we put on one of his religious CDs and he concentrated on listening and I held his hand and talked quietly to him about the difference between worrying and wondering. I said one was a downward spiral taking a person to negative thoughts, and the other was upward taking you to higher positive thoughts. I suggested he use his intelligence to think about what it would be like to be in zero gravity, or what sort of devices could be made to help a person in his situation.
We talked about his apartment and all his books and what if the housing situation was to change drastically and I said stop thinking about that -- nothing is going to change quickly. If he has to get rid of things, he can just get rid of what he knows he can do without -- a wonderful piece of advice from Airasa and Ian when they helped me get rid of about a third of my stuff 18 months ago.
He is feeling much more positive and so am I. He can see how caring and helpful the staff are as they were very kind about the superbowl (which they have no understanding of as a thing) and made sure that he could see the television and when they turned him again to see it and positioned it just so ... he was grateful and he realised they were being so good to him. All of this is so positive.
Forgive my ramble but it is nice to have something positive to ramble about.
So Airasa and Ian are off and deserve the break. I will see him every day that no one else goes and of course there are friends who will visit him. Charis and Helen and possibly Charlotte. Such wonderful friends from Airasa's school days while she is off with Jo (and her Ian) and Claire (and Rob) also wonderful friends from those days so long ago.
I still remember one of Airasa's parties when I was keeping out of the way upstairs and everyone seemed to drift into my room where eventually Airasa came to the door, hands on hips, saying 'so this is where everyone has got to' in a very sweet joking way. But I have known all these girls for so long and seen them grow into wonderful caring kind considerate loving women.
Friends are the most precious gift we have.
Be good to each other -- and as Graham now says 'watch your step'
Love and peace,
Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 8:50 AM
0 comments
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Airasa and Ian Update 6th Feb 2005
Well, this will be my last message to you for a week or so. Ian and I are going to Italy for a week with some friends. I am greatly looking forward to it. It's a 30th birthday present to ourselves, booked before Christmas. My mum and Ian's parents told us we still had to go, so we are. This also means that I won't be able to pass on your messages to him. (see below for other contact details)
Things at Pinderfields have greatly improved. They moved my dad from the part of the ward he was on, to a quieter part of the ward. He has seen his doctors several times and tomorrow they hope to have a rehabilitation plan in place. His bedsores are healing and tomorrow my also be the day that they sit him up again! He is definitely getting more sleep and is back to his old self a bit more. There is a patient phone you can call him on, but it is the same phone for the whole ward (28 beds) and so gets very busy. The nurses said they will take the phone to him and hold it to his ear so he can talk to you.
The number is 011 44 192 214049 from the US, 01924 214049 from the UK. Please be considerate about the time you call. 8am to 9pm GMT (midnight to 1pm PST). The phone number is a normal rate, no more expensive than calling any other UK number. I know there are phone cards available which make calling the UK from the US as little as 5 cents a minute. While we're away my mum and some of my friends will be taking over visiting duties (thank you so much!), but a phone call from some of this friends would really help cheer him up too.
Have a good week,
Love,
Airasa
Things at Pinderfields have greatly improved. They moved my dad from the part of the ward he was on, to a quieter part of the ward. He has seen his doctors several times and tomorrow they hope to have a rehabilitation plan in place. His bedsores are healing and tomorrow my also be the day that they sit him up again! He is definitely getting more sleep and is back to his old self a bit more. There is a patient phone you can call him on, but it is the same phone for the whole ward (28 beds) and so gets very busy. The nurses said they will take the phone to him and hold it to his ear so he can talk to you.
The number is 011 44 192 214049 from the US, 01924 214049 from the UK. Please be considerate about the time you call. 8am to 9pm GMT (midnight to 1pm PST). The phone number is a normal rate, no more expensive than calling any other UK number. I know there are phone cards available which make calling the UK from the US as little as 5 cents a minute. While we're away my mum and some of my friends will be taking over visiting duties (thank you so much!), but a phone call from some of this friends would really help cheer him up too.
Have a good week,
Love,
Airasa
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 7:44 AM
0 comments
Sunday Update from FL Linda
Hello all,
Well this should be much more positive. I guess it got to me when I was last there visiting Graham, to say the least. All the next day I kept thinking they needed to move him out of that frantic part of the ward, and they did it without being prompted that very day! His new location is much nicer -- quieter and a bit more space and no one next to him with a blaring television.
His bedsore is almost healed and once that is ok, he will be sat up again and we are sure that will cheer him up -- to not have to be lying down all the time.
I do believe he is marginally microscopically better. I think he feels a bit more in his hands. It is hard to tell. He can't move anything extra yet but he seems to have a bit more control over his arms when he moves them. He seems a lot better for the move and the doctors and nurses there are really wonderful. They will set up a routine for him and that will be so helpful.
While Airasa and Ian are away this week, her friends and I will be visiting him. We do agree that he needs a visitor every day as it would be very sad to be in hospital for so long and not have people visiting. So we will be keeping up the visits. Your emails, cards and letters, ideas for gifts and all are so helpful.
Lorraine, if you tell me what kind of plant you would like him to have, we will get it for him. He was very touched at your thought for that.
As far as the iPod he didn't really answer me as he was quite busy with visitors yesterday. Airasa's friend, Charis, was there when I arrived, and shortly after that Airasa and Ian got there. Charis's father is a doctor (my doctor's office in fact) and she is going to find out how Graham can be registered with him as his GP while he is here. She is a lively young soul and I think it cheers him up to see her. She is enjoying visiting him as she says it gets her away from her own problems to visit him for a while and then she can get back to her life with some perspective.
Airasa, Ian and Graham watched the 6 nations rugby on Television so I left and never got an answer to gifts you could send. But I will get back to you on that one. I think the idea of the iPod and books and music to download is really nifty. At the moment he is just taking it one day at a time, and does not even seem to want us to read books to him as he wants to visit when he has a visitor. The emails and letters are wonderful of course. I know he is looking forward to the superbowl!!
Well this should be much more positive. I guess it got to me when I was last there visiting Graham, to say the least. All the next day I kept thinking they needed to move him out of that frantic part of the ward, and they did it without being prompted that very day! His new location is much nicer -- quieter and a bit more space and no one next to him with a blaring television.
His bedsore is almost healed and once that is ok, he will be sat up again and we are sure that will cheer him up -- to not have to be lying down all the time.
I do believe he is marginally microscopically better. I think he feels a bit more in his hands. It is hard to tell. He can't move anything extra yet but he seems to have a bit more control over his arms when he moves them. He seems a lot better for the move and the doctors and nurses there are really wonderful. They will set up a routine for him and that will be so helpful.
While Airasa and Ian are away this week, her friends and I will be visiting him. We do agree that he needs a visitor every day as it would be very sad to be in hospital for so long and not have people visiting. So we will be keeping up the visits. Your emails, cards and letters, ideas for gifts and all are so helpful.
Lorraine, if you tell me what kind of plant you would like him to have, we will get it for him. He was very touched at your thought for that.
As far as the iPod he didn't really answer me as he was quite busy with visitors yesterday. Airasa's friend, Charis, was there when I arrived, and shortly after that Airasa and Ian got there. Charis's father is a doctor (my doctor's office in fact) and she is going to find out how Graham can be registered with him as his GP while he is here. She is a lively young soul and I think it cheers him up to see her. She is enjoying visiting him as she says it gets her away from her own problems to visit him for a while and then she can get back to her life with some perspective.
Airasa, Ian and Graham watched the 6 nations rugby on Television so I left and never got an answer to gifts you could send. But I will get back to you on that one. I think the idea of the iPod and books and music to download is really nifty. At the moment he is just taking it one day at a time, and does not even seem to want us to read books to him as he wants to visit when he has a visitor. The emails and letters are wonderful of course. I know he is looking forward to the superbowl!!
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 7:35 AM
0 comments
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Linda's Visit to Pinderfields
I went to Pinderfields yesterday and I spent 2 1/2 hours with Graham. I came away drained and sad. Its very sad. The men in the ward are all maimed and the feeling is a bit hopeless there. He is not exactly happy but I am so glad that so far he has managed to hold some positive thoughts. I am surprised he is not weeping all the time but I guess that is the male side of things -- they don't get the great sorrow and then cry, they just keep it in.
I did what needed to be done -- I decorated his place! I took in blue tac and put up his cards, a poster, his star that says 'endurance' that came from his church, a Far Side calendar I got him. I fed him and brushed and flossed his teeth. I washed his face. I massaged his neck, arms, back (what I could reach), hands, shoulders. I rubbed his head and scratched it. I talked to him, read some things people had sent. I gave him attention and love. He needs it to survive.
He is hanging in there by a thread if you ask me. The boy next to him has a tracheotomy and can't speak and has his television on all day. Graham is used to being alone except when he is at work. He must be finding this so difficult -- never to have any alone time. I closed the curtains to take away the view of the hustle and bustle of the ward, but the noise was loud and constant. When I left, I put on a CD and his headphones.
I know he is grateful to me for finding him and 'saving his life' and for visiting him so much in the hospital. Airasa missed for the first time last night.
This has changed our lives so much, but his more than anyone else's. I do feel so sad for him. I pray hard that he gets the use of his hands back. I know it will take time but am grasping at anything that looks like progress.
They have put him on Vallium to help stop the violent leg twitches. So he is subdued. Perhaps it helps to keep him from being angry and depressed. Its Hard to know. It is draining to see him and to see the rest of those lads -- some so young -- what a terrible life they are left with. I guess this is the way it is, but it is sad.
--FL Linda
I did what needed to be done -- I decorated his place! I took in blue tac and put up his cards, a poster, his star that says 'endurance' that came from his church, a Far Side calendar I got him. I fed him and brushed and flossed his teeth. I washed his face. I massaged his neck, arms, back (what I could reach), hands, shoulders. I rubbed his head and scratched it. I talked to him, read some things people had sent. I gave him attention and love. He needs it to survive.
He is hanging in there by a thread if you ask me. The boy next to him has a tracheotomy and can't speak and has his television on all day. Graham is used to being alone except when he is at work. He must be finding this so difficult -- never to have any alone time. I closed the curtains to take away the view of the hustle and bustle of the ward, but the noise was loud and constant. When I left, I put on a CD and his headphones.
I know he is grateful to me for finding him and 'saving his life' and for visiting him so much in the hospital. Airasa missed for the first time last night.
This has changed our lives so much, but his more than anyone else's. I do feel so sad for him. I pray hard that he gets the use of his hands back. I know it will take time but am grasping at anything that looks like progress.
They have put him on Vallium to help stop the violent leg twitches. So he is subdued. Perhaps it helps to keep him from being angry and depressed. Its Hard to know. It is draining to see him and to see the rest of those lads -- some so young -- what a terrible life they are left with. I guess this is the way it is, but it is sad.
--FL Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 9:24 AM
2 comments
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Tuesday 1st February 2005- FL Graham
Dear friends, family and assorted loved ones,
Airasa is taking my dictation and has had a tiring day, making me inclined to keep this message short. As this is only the second general email I've sent out, many of you may be disappointed at that. I'll be here for months so there will be further opportunities to try writing a longer message.
As most of you will know, I've finally made it to the Pinderfields spinal injuries unit. Today is my first full day here and it all seems a bit mad with loud chatter of nurses and patients, buzzers periodically going off and a television in the bed next door that's on for many hours at a time. It's a teenager which explains part of the infatuation with the TV, but only a small part. I don't know the extent of his injuries but he has a trachaeometry and apparently has very limited use of his hands and just gives me the sense that he's really badly injured. Like me, he has nothing to do all day. Unlike me, he finds satisfaction in the boob tube.
I've a small bedsore on my butt and the therapy is to keep me on one side or the other in 4 hour stretches. My arms are getting quite a thrashing from being restricted to these postures. I don't know how many days this shall go on, but I feel I may go mad if it is very many. Still, physio folks have promised to see me every day, which may be enough for me to keep a grip. The hospital has a chaplaincy service and they have promised to visit me every day. That too may help me to hang on to my senses. Pastor John today anointed me with oil, the first time I've had the experience I believe.
The nurses have set up a super sensitive buzzer that I can just slap with my hand, this may go a long way to help me feel less isolated and abandoned. Many of the patients are able to use wheelchairs. With sensible progress on my sore ass, I hope to be able, at the very least, to sit up in a chair before long.
Pinderfields is outside of Leeds about 25 miles so I'm not going to have as many visitors as I did at LGI. Your continued communications will go a long way to make up that difference.
I'm running out of gas so I'll close. I'm only getting the news in odd snippets but the world seems to be proceeding along the same dysfunctional paths. I did find it interesting at the time of the Iraqi elections just past, that President Bush issued a statement that no matter the electoral outcome, American troops would continue to occupy Iraq, at least for another two years. The US administration has also declared that it will not accept an 'Iranian style' government. What wonderful freedom . . . . what impressive democracy . . . . what bogus sovereignty.
Love,
Graham
Airasa is taking my dictation and has had a tiring day, making me inclined to keep this message short. As this is only the second general email I've sent out, many of you may be disappointed at that. I'll be here for months so there will be further opportunities to try writing a longer message.
As most of you will know, I've finally made it to the Pinderfields spinal injuries unit. Today is my first full day here and it all seems a bit mad with loud chatter of nurses and patients, buzzers periodically going off and a television in the bed next door that's on for many hours at a time. It's a teenager which explains part of the infatuation with the TV, but only a small part. I don't know the extent of his injuries but he has a trachaeometry and apparently has very limited use of his hands and just gives me the sense that he's really badly injured. Like me, he has nothing to do all day. Unlike me, he finds satisfaction in the boob tube.
I've a small bedsore on my butt and the therapy is to keep me on one side or the other in 4 hour stretches. My arms are getting quite a thrashing from being restricted to these postures. I don't know how many days this shall go on, but I feel I may go mad if it is very many. Still, physio folks have promised to see me every day, which may be enough for me to keep a grip. The hospital has a chaplaincy service and they have promised to visit me every day. That too may help me to hang on to my senses. Pastor John today anointed me with oil, the first time I've had the experience I believe.
The nurses have set up a super sensitive buzzer that I can just slap with my hand, this may go a long way to help me feel less isolated and abandoned. Many of the patients are able to use wheelchairs. With sensible progress on my sore ass, I hope to be able, at the very least, to sit up in a chair before long.
Pinderfields is outside of Leeds about 25 miles so I'm not going to have as many visitors as I did at LGI. Your continued communications will go a long way to make up that difference.
I'm running out of gas so I'll close. I'm only getting the news in odd snippets but the world seems to be proceeding along the same dysfunctional paths. I did find it interesting at the time of the Iraqi elections just past, that President Bush issued a statement that no matter the electoral outcome, American troops would continue to occupy Iraq, at least for another two years. The US administration has also declared that it will not accept an 'Iranian style' government. What wonderful freedom . . . . what impressive democracy . . . . what bogus sovereignty.
Love,
Graham
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 11:12 AM
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Alex sends his best wishes
Dear Graham, Airasa, Linda, and Ian
May the arms, legs, hands, fingers, feet and toes of James Graham Maughan be restored to their full operational condition, as they are needed.
Graham, the courage you have demonstrated in this situation is simply super-human. If I were in your situation, I do not think that I could have done 1/10th as well in coping.
Hang in there Buddy!
Airasa, Linda and Ian, I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done.
Let us all pray O Lord that beloved father of Airasa, companion of all who believe in our cosmic destiny and fellow sojourner through the Universe James Graham Maughan be healed of his injuries and sally forth once again to be in full capacity as leader and teacher.
Fearless Leader Whitaker
P.S.
Graham, I got your last postcard and your present of the Titanic plate. I shall forever treasure it.
Thank you,
Alex
May the arms, legs, hands, fingers, feet and toes of James Graham Maughan be restored to their full operational condition, as they are needed.
Graham, the courage you have demonstrated in this situation is simply super-human. If I were in your situation, I do not think that I could have done 1/10th as well in coping.
Hang in there Buddy!
Airasa, Linda and Ian, I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done.
Let us all pray O Lord that beloved father of Airasa, companion of all who believe in our cosmic destiny and fellow sojourner through the Universe James Graham Maughan be healed of his injuries and sally forth once again to be in full capacity as leader and teacher.
Fearless Leader Whitaker
P.S.
Graham, I got your last postcard and your present of the Titanic plate. I shall forever treasure it.
Thank you,
Alex
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 10:51 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Pinderfields
Well, he's now all moved. Pinderfields is a small regional hospital, but is all on one floor so is spread out over a large area! The part of the hospital he is in is an old Victorian building. He has a better view out of the window - trees, rather than a brick wall! There seems to be many more nursing and auxiliary staff and they are quite attentive, which he will like. The physiotherapists and occupational therapists will see him tomorrow, as well as his new consultant, and work out a rehabilitation plan. His consultant met him tonight and said that they are pessimistic in the unit in general. They work on helping the patient to look after themselves in the condition they are in at the moment, and then as they improve they can discard the things they don't need. I think it is going to be hard work. His consultant said that they wouldn't discharge him to an unsuitable situation, it may be that he has to move from his apartment, maybe even to a spinal injuries unit in the US, eventually. It is too soon to tell and he could be in Pinderfields for up to 6 months, depending on his recovery. So, it's all about finding a routine. It is strange to see him in a ward with so many other people with the same/similar injuries. So many young men - very sad.
Keep sending messages - he really looks forward to hearing from you all.
Love,
Airasa
Keep sending messages - he really looks forward to hearing from you all.
Love,
Airasa
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 11:25 AM
0 comments
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Previous Posts
- Final report on James Graham Maughan
- James Graham Maughan RIP
- Graham has returned to Shoreline
- Message from Graham
- Graham is at Shoreline
- Graham is moving again!!
- Graham in Pleasant Valley -- had surgery
- News on Graham
- Happy Holidays and a Big Thank You to All!
- End of October Update from Linda
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