Monday 26 October 2015

Recovery from Pulmonary Embolism - Part 1

So, it is now 10 weeks and 3 days since my Pulmonary Embolism (PE). I'm in recovery mode and doing o.k I think.

I did have to go back to hospital in the early hours of the Tuesday morning, 18th August. I'd started coughing a bit before midnight, and it wouldn't stop, no matter what I tried. I was getting increasingly short of breath and had a feeling of pressure. I tried water which had usually helped, but not this time. I also had pain under my shoulder blade. My pulse was o.k. but my respiration rate was a bit fast at 25, and the same about 20 minutes later. In the end at about 1:00am I woke Boar and said I was going to talk to someone. I rang 111 (Emergency services number here in New Zealand) and before I was off the phone a rapid response vehicle was at the bottom of the drive! They were at the base in Johnsonville only a few minutes away. An ambulance was there soon after and I was taken into ED. Boar followed in the car.

What I didn't know till the next day was that Locket had heard the commotion and was sitting at the top of the stairs listening . . . poor girl. She said she knew I was o.k because she could hear me talking. She came down after Boar left to check the front door was locked and turn off the lights.

I was admitted to the Short Stay Unit around 5am and they kept me in for most of the day. It turns out that when the clot is breaking apart sometimes a piece gets stuck in the smaller vessels, causing irritation hence the coughing, and also a pleural rub - which is when the two layers of the lung rub together. There is a better description here. It was what was causing the pain.

I left the hospital around 5pm when Boar got off work and was able to pick me up. Brains and Locket came as well. They got me a wheelchair as walking was still a bit of an issue. Since there was a pretty cold wind I got Locket to run into the house when we got home and get my scarf  which I wrapped over my nose and mouth, as I'd found cold air didn't help and would start me coughing. Then it was up to the house. The only way to do this was slowly as there is a path up to the house and some steps. So I walked 5 steps and rested. And again . . . and again . . . until I was in the house. Mission accomplished!  :D

I took it pretty quietly for a few days and anyone who came to visit was greeted by me in my PJs and dressing gown. We were brought meals and my Life Group from NBC brought a whole heap of food to us, which made a lot of meals. So thanks a lot to everyone who helped out  :)

My first big day out was on Saturday. By then I was able to walk around the house pretty well, though still not quickly, and had even ventured upstairs! Up three stairs, rest . . . and repeat till I got to the top. Mainly to see if I could.

I got Boar to drive me out to Porirua to a couple of the shops. I managed o.k, but was tired by the time I got home. I saw some coasters I liked and so bought four . . . just because I wanted to.





They make me smile  :)

Friends were great at getting Brains and Lucy to and from dance which was a great help. I took it fairly quietly the following week however I did sew as I needed to get some dresses finished for Mrs C who was going to Fiji on the Saturday. They got done and delivered the day before she left!

The day before that was the first time I'd driven the car since my PE. I took Locket to dance and came straight home. I found I had to concentrate really hard, much more than usual. The short 10 minutes there and the same back was more than enough for a first outing! I did it as a test drive as Brains had an appointment I needed to take him to the next day. So I needed to drive for that.

The following week I took Pa to an appointment and also had my first follow-up appointment after the PE at the VTE clinic (Venous thromboembolism). It was a long and very thorough appointment! I had to have some blood tests done and also arrange to have a mammogram, plus there was another scan the consultant ordered - CT Colonography. Basically a scan of your gut and pelvis.

I was working through that week and weekend on a sewing job for a client and delivered it the following Monday. That night I got a call from Chuckles and Butcher. One of Butcher's best mate's wee son had passed away at only 18 months old. It was devastating news. I agreed to look after Half-pint and Lil Battler so they could go to the funeral. In the end Brains and Locket looked after the two boys as P had said it would be fine for me to go to the funeral. It was a beautiful, but very sad, service. They always are for wee ones  :(

I went for a short walk on the Tuesday - It was a flat easy stroll. 5 minutes one way and 5 - 6 minutes back. My first walk since the PE. I really enjoyed it but even though I took it really slowly I still found I was coughing by the time I got back to the car. It happens when I walk too far, or talk too long!


It was a lovely day and so I snapped a few photos of the calm sea at Oriental Parade.


I saw the small yacht and the ferry were going to pass and so decided to take a coupe of shots as the ferry dwarfs the yacht! It didn't take long for them to pass.


I managed to catch them just as they passed. By the time I clicked again they'd gone past each other.

Another thing that happened was Ma & Pa's 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration. It was held at Johnsonvale Rest Home where ma lives as Ma is not able to go anywhere these days. I had organised it - but in the end I couldn't go. I had a flu bug a couple of weeks before, and then came down with another virus bug that had me coughing a lot. Coughs and sneezes are not welcome at the rest home and so I stayed away. A good afternoon was had by everyone who was able to get there. I think Ma basically slept through most of the event. Her sister was able to come down from Palmerston North for it which was lovely, and there was a good number of family and friends there as well.

I had the mammogram done and thankfully it was all clear. Not having had one before it was an experience!  :-O   I think the poem below sums up the experience well!

Ode To The Mammogram

For several years they've told me,
"Be careful of your breasts.
Don't ever bruise or hurt them,
And give them monthly tests."

So I heeded all their warnings
And protected, both, they are!
I've guarded them most carefully,
And always worn a bra.

After thirty years of tender care,
The doctor found a lump.
He ordered me a mammogram,
To look inside that bump.

"Stand up very close," she said,
As she got my breast in line,
"And tell me if it hurts," she said,
"Ah yes, there… that's fine!"

She stepped upon a pedal…
I could not believe my eyes!
A plastic plate was pushing down,
My boob was in a vice!

My skin was stretched and stretched,
From way up by my chin.
And my poor breast was being squashed
To Swedish pancake thin!

Excruciating pain I felt,
Within this vice-like fit.
A prisoner in this vicious thing…
My poor, defenceless tit!

"Breathe deeply, now," I heard her say.
Who does she think she's kidding?
My chest's been smashed in her machine -
Can't breathe, can't do her bidding!

"There, that was good," I heard her say,
As the room was slowly swaying.
"Now, let's have the other one."
Lord, have mercy, I was praying!

It squeezed me from the up and down,
It squeezed from each side.
I'll bet she's never had this done
Upon her tender little hide!

If I had no problem when I came here,
I'm sure I'll have one now.
For if there'd been a cyst in there,
It would have popped - ker-pow!

This machine was made by men,
Of this I have no doubt.
I'd like to get their nuts in there -
For months they'd go without!

Author Unknown



Monday 5 October 2015

Life changes . . . in a few seconds!

Thursday 13 August, 2015. It is an evening that will be forever etched in my mind. Not so much the date as the event.

I walked down the drive from my client's home, and as I walked I thought what a beautiful evening it was. Still, calm, not many clouds, quite a few stars out, almost balmy! One of the rare Wellington evenings at this time of year. I thought it would be a lovely evening for a walk. It was around 8:30pm. I got into the car and called Boar, to let him know I was on the way home, and to check if there were any other things needed from the supermarket.

I drove back to Johnsonville and decided to go to the larger Countdown on the main road. I parked and wandered in. I had an idea about the client's costume so sent her a text, partly to fix it in my mind and so I would have a record of it. It was a few minutes after 9:00pm. I got the few items we needed, went through the self checkout and headed back to the car. I went at my usual pace, which isn't fast. I suspect my iron (haemagblobin) is low again and I need to get it checked. It has been up and down since 2009 when it was found to be really low. Iron pills usually help.

When I got back to the car I felt a bit breathless and thought, "That's odd! Maybe I walked more quickly than I thought." However it resolved quickly, by the time I got to the lights, 30seconds, it was fine again.

I got home a couple of minutes later, got my bags out of the car and started up the path. By the time I was halfway up I was again feeling breathless. Got to the top, paused for a moment, then went across to and up the steps. By now I was feeling even more breathless. Made it inside the door, glanced in at  Boar who said, "Hello, dear," and didn't seem to think anything was out of the ordinary. I decided I needed to sit down so went to the sofa and plumped down there. NO! Still couldn't catch my breath and so thought I'd go and sit on a more upright seat, one of the dining table chairs . . . chucked off my jacket, and sat down.

Source

I felt as though someone had suddenly slammed me in the chest, or I'd been dropped on my back and winded . . . really badly. I was gasping, at the time I didn't think I was making much noise but I'm assured I was! I couldn't call out, my mind was going a mile a minute, "If this is an asthma attack they're not much fun!" I've never had asthma. "Maybe I've got that virus Mr Magoo (2yrs old) had that put him in hospital over the weekend,"    "What will happen if I collapse off the chair, will anyone hear and find me?"   "I can't breathe I cant breathe I CAN'T BREATHE!!" 

Then I started to talk myself down as I could feel I was beginning to panic, the nurse in me kicked in . . . it's still there. "O.k, calm down, you ARE breathing, slow your breathing down, that's it, slow deep breaths, you're doing o.k, you'll be fine, see your breathing is easier now . . . "  During this time Pa had appeared out and glanced at me as he went to the loo. A few minutes later Locket came down from upstairs and asked if I was o.k. At this point it would have been sensible to say, "Get Dad!" meaning Boar. Did I? Nope! Boar hadn't heard all my noise, he was in the bedroom, TV on, and is a bit hard of hearing these days after years of working with noisy tools.

"Yes," I said. "You sure, you don't sound o.k." Locket said, looking a bit worried.  "I was a bit breathless but I'm doing o.k now. I'll be alright."

I decided to go to bed, so I pottered around, got a hottie, went to the loo. I did find whenever I walked even a short distance I was breathless. I took my pulse at one stage and it was 135. I thought that was a bit fast! Did I do anything about it, like call Healthline? Nope! I went to bed!

Boar realised I wasn't feeling so great when Brains brought me his inhaler and suggested I have a couple of puffs, in case it was asthma.

I slept reasonably well, woke up once to go to the loo. Walked to the bathroom . . . 15 steps from bed to the loo, ordinary walking steps. Breathless by the time I got to the loo, and more breathless by the time I got back to bed. Fell asleep again. Woke again at 5:30am . . . a repeat of before. I ended up staying awake, sitting up in bed. I couldn't be bothered trying to get comfortable again. By this time I'd decided that I would go to the doctor. I was tossing up between my GP or after hours at Kenepuru. I thought that even if it was a virus and I needed Ventolin I shouldn't take it without a prescription. I mean, usually a walk to the loo and back doesn't leave me breathless!

I let Boar know I was going to see a doctor and got him to wake Brains as I decided on Kenepuru and I could drop Brains off at Whitireia before I went. I didn't feel like climbing the stairs though to wake Brains myself. Throughout this time I kept feeling basically fine . . . until I walked anywhere, even the shortest distance in the house would leave me breathless. No pain at anytime.

Into the car we climbed, driving was fine, dropped Brains at Whitireia and then drove myself to Kenepuru. Parked in the closest carpark and walked slowly in. By the time I got to the reception desk I was breathing pretty hard, coughing a little. The receptionist asked if I'd been there before . . . yes. Then my name. I was able to answer, but only by pausing and taking a breath for nearly every word! While I was confirming details the nurse, at the counter close by, got up to take a file to the back of the office. She stopped and eyeballed me, put the file away and sat down again, by which time the receptionist had said for me to have a seat and the nurse would be with me in a minute. The nurse said something to the receptionist who then told me to go right over to the nurse. Nurse took my pulse, temperature, oxygen levels and asked briefly what had brought me there. I replied, slowly, lots of pauses. Nurse asked me to sit down, then almost immediately a nurse came through from triage.

It was around 9:25am. This time I was put on the BP machine and I looked at the numbers as usual. 177/78 . . . "Gosh! That's a bit high!" I said. They agreed and asked if it had . . . "No, I've never known it to be that high before!" I said. The senior nurse popped out, the student continued the obs and next thing I knew they were taking me back to a cubicle. The senior nurse had spoken with a doctor and an ECG was wanted. As far as I knew it was fine. Then the doctor asked if I could walk to her room. I did . . . and she saw how breathless I was. Again obs were taken, then questions asked which I replied to slowly, and with many pauses. At one point I remember the doctor saying, "So, at no time did you not think it was strange that you were so breathless so suddenly?"  "Ah . . . no . . " and I told her what to me was my logical reasoning from the night before!

After taking my history the doctor rang through to speak with the ED doctor, questions, answers, and the comment that when I'd walked from the cubicle to her room I had been very breathless. There was also my history of high D Dimer and CT Scans for possible clots in 2009 and 2014. The upshot was that the ED doctor said I should be sent on there.

I queried whether I should drive myself there, absolutely not, I was told! I tried A-M Prof's home number but no reply. I was on the point of going online to find the church's office number when the doctor said not to worry, she was going to arrange an ambulance. Say what?! Dimly in the back of my mind I realised they were thinking "clot" again, but still I had no pain anywhere. Both the other times I did! So no pain, no clot, was my next piece of logical reasoning.

While I waited back in the cubicle the nurse took some bloods to go to ED with me, and put in an IV leur plug. I tried to get hold of Boar, or his work . . . no luck. I was taken in a wheelchair to the ambulance, took the two steps up into the ambulance . . . and sat down puffing! I was observed on the way in, as usual and then triaged by a nurse when I got to ED. Then I nearly cracked up laughing . . . because ED was really busy, no spare rooms and so they put me out in the main waiting area! Oh, well, I thought, at least there are people around if I fall out of the chair!

It wasn't that long before I was taken through to a cubicle. Another ECG, more bloods done, an X-ray and the questions. More thorough ones this time. They were looking for causes.

Have you had a long plane ride in the last few weeks?    No.
Have you had a long car ride in the last few weeks?    No.
Have you had a swollen calf or leg.   No?
Do you have pain when you breathe.    No?
Are you on an oral contraceptive.    No?
Are you on hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?    No.

So I didn't fit the criteria for what they were looking for! The blood tests discovered that my haemaglobin was low, very low. 75g/l when it should be between 115 - 160g/l. I also had an ultrasound of the heart to see if one of the chambers was enlarged. So the medical consultant decided I needed a blood transfusion. They were going to send me round to MAPU (Medical Assessment and Planning Unit) and do it there. They were still deciding about doing a CT Scan. My D Dimer was raised, which can indicate a clot, but can also indicate other things.

So I was taken around to MAPU. There I was admitted, then the consultant came to see me with a medical student. I had the consultant a bit puzzled! The medical student took a more detailed history. Then went to write it up. In a while the consultant and student came back.

It was about 8:00pm by this time. Boar had been driven out to Kenepuru by Smurfette to pick up the car from where I'd had to leave it. When he had dropped it home they, along with Brains and Locket, came in to see me. They brought me the things I'd asked for as I realised I'd be in for the night.

There was a plan. Instead of a blood transfusion they were going to give me an iron infusion. It is safer and gives as much iron in an hour as your body takes two to three months to absorb. Also the consultant had decided that they would do a CT Scan, just to be on the safe side. I do remember him saying, "I don't really expect to find anything though. I'm still a bit perplexed about your past history."

I was given a jab in the stomach of a drug called Clexane in case there was a clot. It would start to thin my blood. A new IV line was put in as the CT Scan contrast dye needed a larger one than I had in. Soon after that the orderly arrived with a trolley to take me to have the CT Scan. So my beautiful family had to go home.

Scan done it was back to the ward and the iron infusion went ahead. You are observed for the first 15 minutes, i.e. the nurse stays with you. This is in case you react to the infusion. I was all good and so I was checked on a couple of times over the next hour as it went through. Towards the end my neck was feeling warm, and I felt a weird pressure in my neck and my chest. I was thinking if it kept up I'd ring the bell, when the infusion finished and the feelings stopped. Since the machine was beeping the student nurse and a senior nurse arrived to disconnect it, took a look at me . . . and asked if I'd had that rash on my neck and under my chin before? No. Explained why my neck was feeling warm! They decided it had better be checked by a doctor.

By the time the doctor arrived I'd flung back the sheets and was rubbing my knees . . . the rash had come up there, on my arms, a bit on my chest, and it was darn itchy! The doctor prescribed an antihistamine. By this time it was around 10:00pm. I don't sleep well when I'm away from home so was sure I was in for a pretty sleepless night. Anyone who has been in hospital knows they are not the quietest of places!

I slept! Woke to go to the loo a few times, but went back to sleep straight away. Perhaps the antihistamine helped.

In the morning, Saturday, the consultant arrived, asked how my night had been and how I was feeling. Then he asked if they'd given me the results of the scan last night. No. (Cos nurses and technicians are not allowed to say till the doctor has  . . . I didn't even bother to ask!)

 "Oh!" he said, "There is a clot, a very large clot in the right pulmonary artery! Radiology rang me last night to tell me."

Now, I used to be a nurse, so I know that radiologists don't ring consultants after 9:00pm on a Friday night unless they really need to. I'm guessing the consultant was glad he'd decided to order the CT Scan!  #:-S

I know that Pulmonary Embolism can be fatal. I did not know that when they are in the vessel leading to the lung they do not always cause pain. 1 in 3 people die of a pulmonary embolism, sometimes within 30 minutes of it happening. I remember thinking that it could have killed me . . . silent, no signs, a clot sitting there somewhere had moved.  And I had gone to bed!

The consultant went on to say that he would prescribe an anticoagulant tablet, Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), for me to take, that I would be under the VTE (Venous thromboembolism) clinic after I was discharged, and that he wanted me to stay in another day at least so they could keep an eye on me. Also I wasn't to just stay on the bed. To try and walk around a bit, go further than I thought I could.

By the time I'd stood and talked to one of the nurses, then had a shower, slowly, I decided I'd rest for a bit. I fell asleep! Slept for around an hour or so. Most unlike me, and shows what my body had been through, to me anyway.

In the afternoon I had a few visitors, and Locket took my photo and put it on Facebook . . . no details though. After a few concerned queries from cousins, friends and family she edited it so folk would know what had happened. Turns out a number of the people who commented have had clots of various types.

The rest of the day went past . . . I was pretty tired and even though I had a book and knitting I wasn't able to concentrate on anything for too long. Mostly my thoughts just roamed. The one front and centre was that I was very glad to be alive! It's quite a surreal feeling to reflect that it could have gone the other way. Not that I'd know of course!

Later that night I was moved to another ward, the usual musical beds in the hospital.

When my obs were taken around 11:30pm, I think, my temp was up. Some blankets were taken off and it was checked again about 30mins later. Still a bit feverish. So I had to do a urine sample, and I think they took bloods. I had a urine infection of all things, again no symptoms of it. So I was given antibiotics for that. It took me ages to get back to sleep . . . around 4:00am or even 5:00am.

So then it was Sunday. I went for a wander, very sedately, but I made it most of the way round the ward, and my pulse wasn't too fast when I got back. Late morning or early afternoon the consultant arrived. He wasn't too worried about the fever, said that as the clot begins to break down it can cause a slight fever. It would take 3-4 weeks for the clot to break down. I queried whether it could happen again . . . not likely as I was on the anticoagulant.

"But if something like it happens again . . .?"      "If it does, don't go home, don't go to your GP . . . go straight to Emergency!"   O.k, message received and understood.

I called Boar to let him know I could go home. We had to pick up the medication from a pharmacy in Newtown as only certain ones stock it. I did find out I should be able to get it from my local pharmacy so long as I give them enough time.

I did get dressed to go home, but got into my PJs and dressing gown pretty quickly once I was home. Walking was still a major effort and if I walked too far - even in the house - I'd start to cough.


So good to be home, with family and enjoy a roast dinner. I wasn't able to eat much, but what I did was lovely  :D

Sunday 4 October 2015

A busy week or three

That weekend on Saturday, 25 July, I was booked to do something for myself! When I was young I used to love reading books about the Chalet School by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer. A few years ago I discovered a website that was re-publishing the books Girls Gone By publishers. Through them I found a lady who imported the books to New Zealand and that there was a local group that met to discuss the books and socialise. So I joined! I'd realised that it was only a few short years until I would not be involved in Home Education and my two youngest may be out in the world doing their own thing. So I wanted to meet a few new people before that happened. At the first meeting the ladies invited me to also join the group that met to discuss "The Abbey Books" by Elsie J.Oxenham. I hadn't read any of the books but as a lot of the group were the same folk I decided to join. This Saturday was a meeting in Palmerston North. I was lucky enough to get a ride with B who was going.

Source  

This was the book that was being discussed. I don't have many of them but had been given a disc by J with quite a lot of the books on so I was able to read it. We had a good drive up, a great meeting and a good drive home.

I'd had a text while I was away asking if I was home . . . well, no, but Boar was. Jester and Frosty had some wood for us. By the time I got home it was all stacked.

Locket had helped to get the wood from the truck, it was in rounds and Jester split it. When I got up into the house Locket was sitting with her foot up. When she had to move . . . she hopped. She had accidentally stood on a piece of wood, when she went to step over it, and had rolled her ankle into the gutter! Since she couldn't walk on it I said we should go get it check out at Kenepuru. But she didn't want to, wanted to see how it was the next day. I did make sure she iced it and kept it up.

The next day it wasn't any better so I insisted we have it checked. The doctor who saw her ordered X-rays. He said he though he could see a line but wasn't 100% sure. Locket was given a tubi-grip bandage and crutches and instructed to keep off it. An appointment was made for her at the Monday afternoon fracture clinic at Kenepuru for a week after the injury. We were hoping it was just a sprain. So that meant both Locket and Brains were on crutches!

It was quite entertaining taking the pair of them to the shops . . . they got quite a few glances.

On the Tuesday, 28 July, Brains had physio again. This time with Jason. He hadn't quite caught up with Brains' injury, and when it was all explained realised it was a bit more serious than he had thought. When Brains took off the moon boot Jason was a bit startled at the amount of atrophy and said that Brains needed to start loading on the leg. I.e. not using the crutches at home just while he was out and about. Brains was also given some excercises to do.

Thursday Pa had his 3 month check with his doctor. His weight was up a bit and he had quite a bit of swelling in his lower limbs, plus was a bit breathless. He was prescribed some Prednisone, to be taken for 3 days and then discontinued. We then had to weigh him once or twice a week to keep an eye on it. If it went up too much . . . a few days of Prednisone. It seems his heart may be having a bit of trouble coping, fluid can build up and increases the weight. The Prednisone increases output . . . in other words makes you pee!

As the week progressed Locket started putting some weight on her foot. It still hurt but not too much. She did still need to use the crutches though.

On the Monday, 3 August, we went to Kenepuru Fracture Clinic in the afternoon to get Locket's foot checked. We were hopeful because she was able to put some weight on the foot. The doctor had a look, asked her if it was sore "just here" putting pressure on exactly the right place, which bought a resounding yes from Locket! Then the doctor said, "That's because that is where the fracture is." Locket's face dropped a mile. She had fractured a metatarsal! The doctor asked if she could walk on it, and so Locket showed him she could. He said the fracture was stable, not displaced and it wouldn't displace. So she had a choice: she could have a cast, or just use tubi-grip and crutches. Well, having seen what happened to Brains' leg with six weeks in a cast she chose to go with no cast. She was less than impressed when he also said no dance, until the foot told her it was ok. And, no, she wouldn't be able to do her dance exams in around 5weeks time! Locket was pretty devastated to hear that! And pretty determined that she would do the exams!


Here's a photo of the pair of them fooling around on their crutches.

The next day we had the inaugural Wellington Home-Education Network (WHEN) teens meet-up. We're trying to get a regular group going. There were around 9 young folk turn up. I'd organised the meeting and so had made the first part at the Porirua Hospital Museum. It was a place we could go to whatever the weather was doing. It was a really interesting place and I'd like to go back and look around again.

On the Thursday I met up with a client in the city who had a sewing job for me. We had a preliminary discussion and sorted out a time to meet up the next week.

Saturday I went to meet another client, and spent quite a bit of time with her discussing ideas and taking measurements so that I would be able to draught the garment. Sorry no more details! Eventually they'll both be blogged about on my other blog Alyz Creations.

The following week we had a meeting with one of the parents from the studio. There were a few things that needed discussing. Every so often issues come up that need sorting out. Not very often thankfully. Hopefully things have been resolved.

The next couple of days went pretty much as usual. Brains had physio. The first few times he had gone every few days, but this time it was a week since he had been, so progress made. He was also doing the stretch class at the studio, with strict instructions as to what he could and could not do.

Thursday evening, 13th August, after dropping Locket and Estelle at Girls' Brigade I headed across the city to meet up with the first client from last week. I had some samples and patterns to show her, further discussion as to her garment, and measurements to take. It was a good meeting and I left around 8:30pm. MF lives near the sea, there was no wind and it was a lovely still evening, especially for that time of year in Wellington.  :) 

A round up of events

It's now October. I was going to do several posts to fill in the blanks but I've decided to do a couple up until mid August. I'm having to refer to my day-to-day appointment diary to do it too!

Brains continued to improve, and continued with his course. He was to be given an appointment to have a fibreglass cast applied after a week. When it came to halfway through the week and we had not had a phone call with an appointment I called the Fracture Clinic. They had no record of an appointment! It was supposed to be at Kenepuru Fracture Clinic but in the end they saw him at Wellington Hospital Fracture Clinic on the Tuesday - 10 days after his surgery. I dropped him off and picked him up from Whitireia on the Wednesdays to Fridays when he attended course.

There were other things happening too as usual - Ma's usual 3 month check-up by the doctor she is under at the rest home. Ma is slowly declining, muscles giving up. Ma has been fed pureed food for a while now as she has lost the ability to chew. Sleeps a lot, most of the time in fact. It's sad to see someone who used to be so vibrant a shell of what they once were  :(  It is life though. We none of us know what may happen with our health.

Another appointment I was involved with was taking Chuckles to attend an appointment at Wellington Hospital. She has been having some symptoms . . . and needs investigation to find out what is going on. Out of respect for Chuckles' privacy that is all I'm saying for now. I need to ask permission before sharing anything more.

Tuesday 16th June Brains had the new cast applied. Fluoro pink . . . because he could. No rocker on the foot as he was still to be non-weight bearing.

Saturday morning of that week I woke up to a text that was sent around 1:00am. Usually I wake up when my phone goes off . . . not this time. Miss Lisa had skidded and fallen while walking her dogs . . . and broken her ankle in two places! She had actually lain for an hour till she attracted attention. So she was in a back-slab plaster and had to wait about a week for surgery. I popped out to see her fro a while in the afternoon. She was feeling pretty sore understandably.

The following weekend I had what to me is a day off! Boar dropped me in the city so I could go to a  Mad Skills course at Made on Marion. I've been sewing for years but I'm always keen to learn new things. I had a great day with lots of other folk. Always more fun when there are a few of you  :) 


Here's a picture of Miss Lisa and Brains, after Miss Lisa has had her surgery, a few days after, back-slab plaster in place. She was at the studio as she insisted on going over Locket's dances with her before the Hutt Valley Performing Arts Competitions on the weekend. Locket did well and was awarded Commended for both her Classical and Barefoot dances. It gets pretty tough once they get into the 14+ categories . . . there are a lot of talented dancers in her age group so to even get a placing is great  :D


A photo of Locket in her new barefoot costume. Her dance is to Pie Jesu by The Ten Tenors.

These comps were at the beginning of the school holidays and Brains had a week off as well so things were a bit quieter for a few days. The evenings too as there wasn't dance most nights of the week.


The second Friday of the holidays Brains was due to see the surgeon and have his cast removed. So we managed to get a photo of him and Miss Lisa in their casts. Miss Lisa posted it on the studio Facebook page along with the comment: "Dancers with real attitude . . . don't want to talk about lack of pointed toes xx"

So Friday July 17 Brains' fibreglass cast was removed. In the photo below he's sitting waiting to see the surgeon, after cast removal and X-rays. Thankfully the repair looked good.



For the next 6 weeks he had to wear a moon boot - which is in the photo below. It gives support but means that he can begin to weight bear on the leg. Strictly no dance, but we did get permission to start physiotherapy.


So the moon boot during the day, and take it off at night. Anyone who has ever been in a cast will know that the first thing you want to do when the cast comes off is to have a shower or bath! Because a limb in a cast gets sooooo itchy, smelly and feels just awful by the time the cast comes off.  ~X(

Before he got in a bath - no weight-bearing without a moon boot - I took a couple of photos. The difference in the two legs was quite marked!

Back view

Front view

You can really see the atrophy of the muscles in these views! I rang that afternoon to make an appointment for him to start physio the next week. The sooner he begins the better.

So the following week, after Brains had finished at Whitireia, I took him to Te Aro Physio, who among other things specialise in dance related injuries. They are the physios for the Royal New Zealand Ballet and so are able to design a physio programme designed to get a dancer back to performance level. The reason I wanted to get him to physio is that the directions from the hospital are often a bit vague . . . whereas the physio knows how much to do for the muscles to get back to normal. This first visit was to see where he was at and he had some massage to free up the muscles of the ankle a bit. Then an appointment was made for Brains to see Jason the following week who has worked with him before.

During this time there were visits from some of the grandchildren - Mr Magoo stayed for a few days. The first night I put him to bed I was sure I'd put everything out of reach. Nope, as these photos show!


The table was against the wall to the right of the photo. And the powder was on the table, plus nappies and wet wipes!


I managed to get the top sheet off, with Locket's help I got the pillow out too. Shook them off and changed the pillowcase, all the toys had a good shake outside and a wash the next day! I didn't want him breathing in the powder all night. Mr Magoo had pulled out every wet wipe, so Boar put them all back in the packet. We did it all without waking Mr Magoo . . . and moved everything further out of reach!