A Family Meeting

Last time I was in Townsville I attended the family meeting. While that was a few weeks ago now, I thought I’d still put up my notes from it as it will provide some insight into Mum’s progress eight months in.

Firstly, Mum’s pubic fracture has finally healed and her most-recent CT scan on Friday was the same as her previous one. While Mum’s brain damage remains extensive, there’s no new bleeding or extra damage and that means she hasn’t had any permanent damage from her TIAs.

However, Mum’s occluded artery means she’s at a further risk of TIA. The doctors are planning on doing a repeat Doppler scan of the artery and possibly referring Mum to a vascular surgeon. However, surgery has obvious risks so that may not be an option.

Leading up to Mum’s discharge from SACU, physio and OT have been concentrating on getting her equipment – such as her one-handed wheelchair – organised and on consolidating the skills she’ll need for day to day living:

• supervision of self-propelled wheelchair
• balance work
• working on Mum’s mobility without increasing her falls risk
• standing for 4 minutes (which Mum can totally do!)
• transfers into cars etc because Mum wants to travel, especially on cruise ships

Mum continues to love her cooking classes and is looking at getting a one-hand cooking station for home. I anticipate being bossed around in the kitchen for a long time to come.