Author: LT

Mum is settled into SACU now and it’s been all go since she got there. The unit continues to work her intensively with physio, OT and speech. While it’s just speculation, I get the impression the new unit is enjoying the challenge of a severe-stroke patient and they’re trying every toy in their arsenal. Mum’s…

Firstly, I’d like to apologise for not being the most diligent blogger lately. It seems that “virus” I had a month ago did not actually go away but is lurking within, waiting to pounce the minute I get a little tired or run down. I woke up with a sore throat and swollen glands this…

As you know, Mum is in the brand spanking new Sub-acute Care Facility at the Townsville General Hospital. Her bed number is 42. Dad and I flew up here and are helping Mum settle in. She was obviously missing the routine of Prince Charles but is settling in now. She wants the world to know…

Mum has finally been transferred, this time with even less notice and more insanity than previously. I got a call at midday today that Mum’s flight was ready and the ambulance was leaving at 12:15. I pelted, once again hysterically and possibly hilariously, to the hospital in time to hear the words “short notice” and “reschedule” being…

Another lovely morning this morning when Mum’s friends Gail and Martin and my Great Aunt Elsie came up to the hospital for a Sunday morning tea/ lunch/ meal between morning tea and lunch. Thanks so much to Gail and Martin for bringing the nosh. It was lovely. We took Mum down to the café and…

Another day trip for Mum today. It’s so exciting to see her regain some semblance of her normal life. The wheelchair taxi picked Mum up from the Prince Charles this morning at 9:45 (it’s like Tie Me Kangeroo Down, sport, says Mum, but what’s being tied down is my wheelchair). We naturally decided it was…

Chaos and insanity today as the call came through at about 10am that Mum was being transferred to Townsville – at midday. Bags were packed, Dad and I ran from our respective works to the Prince Charles making furious phonecalls the entire way, and then… the transfer was cancelled as quickly as it had been confirmed.…

The machine is small and it’s connected with a wire to four small pads that you place on the muscles you want to affect. Depending on the current, you can feel the electricity buzzing through your arm. Your fingers twitch and move involuntarily. It’s like an “arm buzz” and, for someone who hasn’t had a stroke,…

The Bells (belles) of St Anne’s are Mum’s old school friends and they came in force today to see Mum and participate in her OT session. As well as Sally McKew from Mum’s teaching days, Sandra (Steward) Ford, Robyn (Washbourne) Bailey, and Anne (Wright) Harridan all had a jolly catch up with Mum in the coffee…

Sundays are Mum’s most relaxing day and, after the excitement of Saturday, she needed a rest. None of the therapists come on Sunday, although Mum does have exercises for her to do in her room and Ben and Max kept her busy with her whiteboard crosswords. Dad’s brother, Russel and his wife, Nola, came down…