Heading down to Dunedin on a Jet late afternoon. looking forward most to seeing the kids xoxoxo. Feeling fit for journey and it should go smoothly.
My experience at Burwood Hospital has been very good, the nursing staff generally are very friendly, caring and competent and I've been in a nice sunny single room with a door out to grass lawn and garden, plus wireless internet. Most of the time I have had my own personal nurse and companion, Kat xx, which has made stay and recovery far easier and fun.
Thanks to my Christchurch mates for all the practical support and calling in to chew the fat. Also thanks to Kim at Christchurch end and Royce at AIr NZ for help with logistics getting home.
Biggest thanks to the surgical team lead by Gordan Beadel (Sarcoma) and Jeremy Evison (Spinal Surgeon). These guys walk on water and I have been very pleased to be under their care. More on this later.
I am on high levels of pain killers and strict instructions to lay low for a few weeks. It's going to take a while to get use to and break in the new back, it feels very stiff and foreign. I need to fully recover before getting into Physio and full on exercise. I am sure I will come to terms with it and recover sufficient mobility, but it will take a while.
Another milestone nearly ticked off. Hoorah
My journey: Living with and overcoming Synovial Sarcoma. A rare and nasty Cancer. Not a how-to guide but ideas and observations during my experience so far. There are only a few SS survivors publishing and I've found their information helpful and reassuring. The site is also to update my wonderful supporters on my progress. Image above was pre-diagnosis by my daughter of the 'Alien Baby'. This tumour has been removed but the battle to eradicate the disease continues.
Soak up the view flying home Gaz -- you'll have a lot less on your mind than during the trip to Christchurch 10 days ago.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home GT - unless the baby comes (and you never know). You will get beef stew from the Rhodes on Wednesday.
ReplyDeletetrip home went very smoothly and I've just been relaxing back as best you can. it's fantastic being home and have set up three beds which I am circulating around. Slowly getting more mobile and using an old carved Maori walking stick that Uncle Merv dropped by. Getting stronger and less pain each day. Looking forward to a few week out when I can give the new back a real nudge and to start stretching out a bit.
ReplyDeleteSimon & others, thanks for the food, it's been one one less thing to worry about plus very yummy. :-)