Well, again it's been a while.
I can report that the amputation went well, as far as that sort of thing goes well. And the shoulder now has many screws in it.
The good thing is that Dad is moving on with life and each day keeping himself amused, particularly with coping with only one arm.
The next stage is considering the options for a prosthesis.
This may well be the last post, as Dad has indicated a reluctance to post information in this way. He is most happy to talk to friends and family in the usual manner to keep people updated. Give him a call or email whenever you like (it'll help keep him from calling me all the time with the free calls!! hehe).
Thank you to everyone who has supported Dad and the family during this time, and continues to do so. I really appreciate it, and I'm sure Dad does too - even though he may not directly say so.
Keep smiling, and keep in touch.
T
03 February 2009
22 July 2008
Amputation
Ok, so it's been such a long time since I've posted anything on this blog, to the point where I'm not even sure if anyone out there is still reading it!
In any case, I am pleased to report there is some progress, although it may not sound so great it is a positive step forward.
Dad will be having an operation on the day of the Olympic Opening Ceremony to have his arm aputated. This sounds terrible, and in a way it is, but given the fact that the arm is non-functioning and has no chance of repair it is simply in the way, a hinderance and more than likely to be a danger (in terms of injury and infection). Having the amputation will mean a move in the forward direction - Dad can begin the next stage of life, having to deal with life with only one arm, literally!
The amputation is planned for between the elbow and the shoulder and will occur over two operations. The first to remove the arm, and the second (three days later) to finalise the skin grafts and dressing the stump so it looks nice.
Shortly after the shoulder bones will be fused - more on that when it comes to hand.
I think it will be time again for lots of positive support to get him through this dramatic change.
In any case, I am pleased to report there is some progress, although it may not sound so great it is a positive step forward.
Dad will be having an operation on the day of the Olympic Opening Ceremony to have his arm aputated. This sounds terrible, and in a way it is, but given the fact that the arm is non-functioning and has no chance of repair it is simply in the way, a hinderance and more than likely to be a danger (in terms of injury and infection). Having the amputation will mean a move in the forward direction - Dad can begin the next stage of life, having to deal with life with only one arm, literally!
The amputation is planned for between the elbow and the shoulder and will occur over two operations. The first to remove the arm, and the second (three days later) to finalise the skin grafts and dressing the stump so it looks nice.
Shortly after the shoulder bones will be fused - more on that when it comes to hand.
I think it will be time again for lots of positive support to get him through this dramatic change.
19 November 2007
Come on Down (under)...
...and get a new car!! (like Price Is Right gameshow).
Yeah, Dad is back home in Oz and I think he had a positive experience travelling to Germany.
Now back home he has got his new car. Its slightly modified for one arm driving and I will have to describe it further once I'm home in a couple of weeks and have tried the car myself ;-) (That is of course if I'm allowed to.)
Until soon....
Yeah, Dad is back home in Oz and I think he had a positive experience travelling to Germany.
Now back home he has got his new car. Its slightly modified for one arm driving and I will have to describe it further once I'm home in a couple of weeks and have tried the car myself ;-) (That is of course if I'm allowed to.)
Until soon....
15 October 2007
Germany
Dad decided that since there was no particular progress with his treatment he would take a trip to Germany and visit me, and use his frequent flyer points which would otherwise expire at the end of the year.
So far Dad's been here a week and a half, and its good to see he's still as stubborn as always. What I find unfortunate is the defeatist attitude he has. Rarely is there a positive word. Perhaps I just try to think too positive, or don't understand how things work.
In any case I do think it is doing Dad a world of good, particularly mentally, to be out and about doing something (rather than sitting at home moping about). I'm hoping that by the time he's back home, he'll be better able to go about his daily life.
Here's hoping!
So far Dad's been here a week and a half, and its good to see he's still as stubborn as always. What I find unfortunate is the defeatist attitude he has. Rarely is there a positive word. Perhaps I just try to think too positive, or don't understand how things work.
In any case I do think it is doing Dad a world of good, particularly mentally, to be out and about doing something (rather than sitting at home moping about). I'm hoping that by the time he's back home, he'll be better able to go about his daily life.
Here's hoping!
17 September 2007
License to drive, without a car....
Its been a while (again), and there's good news, and not so good news.
The good news is that Dad has had a driving test so he can drive an automatic transmittion car, with a steering ball/knob on the wheel (so he can steer one handed). He passed this test last week with flying colours so is now allowed to drive an automatic car, but with a catch. There needs to be this ball on the steering wheel, AND all the switches (lights, blinker, washers etc) need to be on the left side of the steering column....which basically means a modified car is needed. That should be paid for by TAC, but that will take time.
The not so good news is that I am feeling rather helpless here in Europe knowing things are not going so great back home. Dad was meant to have had an appointment with all the doctors about two weeks ago, and that time passed without going ahead. Unfortunately the doctors office didnt ring Dad to make a time, and Dad didnt ring to find out what was happening. I am really hoping that he's not being forgotten, and that all his mates are rallying to keep his spirits up.
The good news is that Dad has had a driving test so he can drive an automatic transmittion car, with a steering ball/knob on the wheel (so he can steer one handed). He passed this test last week with flying colours so is now allowed to drive an automatic car, but with a catch. There needs to be this ball on the steering wheel, AND all the switches (lights, blinker, washers etc) need to be on the left side of the steering column....which basically means a modified car is needed. That should be paid for by TAC, but that will take time.
The not so good news is that I am feeling rather helpless here in Europe knowing things are not going so great back home. Dad was meant to have had an appointment with all the doctors about two weeks ago, and that time passed without going ahead. Unfortunately the doctors office didnt ring Dad to make a time, and Dad didnt ring to find out what was happening. I am really hoping that he's not being forgotten, and that all his mates are rallying to keep his spirits up.
02 September 2007
New toys
Just a quick update...Dad has received some new toys for around the house. For example a special board where you can slice bread, and butter (or other spread) bread with one hand and the bread doesn't slip away.
A few appointments coming up in the next week or so. So hopefully there'll be some good news to follow.
A few appointments coming up in the next week or so. So hopefully there'll be some good news to follow.
15 August 2007
EEG scan - nerves
Dad had an EEG scan this week. This was a scan of the Brachial Plexus - a junction point of many nerves near the shoulder. The very initial look at the scan appears to show that the nerves from the spine are not damaged as much as first thought, although its still pretty much a mess. So there may be some hope of upper arm function.
As for the lower arm, it appears there are no funtioning nerves. Of course that basically means no use of the hand or wrist.
This is of course only an initial look at the scan. A much more in depth discussion will be had early September with the docs, surgeons and rehab people. Wait and see what outcome they can report.
As for the lower arm, it appears there are no funtioning nerves. Of course that basically means no use of the hand or wrist.
This is of course only an initial look at the scan. A much more in depth discussion will be had early September with the docs, surgeons and rehab people. Wait and see what outcome they can report.
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