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.

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.

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.

Finally some movement at the station...but not much

Dad saw the doctor/surgeon last week, and he was very surprised he hasn't had any rehab or counselling up until now. It doesn't appear very hopeful that the arm can be repaired. So looks like an amputation is still likely at some stage and probably some sort of prosthetics.
The doc has scheduled a few tests in the coming weeks that will hopefully reveal some good news. Neurological (ie nerves) tests and I think some other scans will be done to check and see if there is a chance the nerves can be repaired. The main problems are that Dad isn't the youngest chap (which goes against the chance of nerve repairs); the muscles in the arm are either gone or damaged leaving little to make the arm work; the elbow is pretty much destroyed and would require lots of operations to try to repair; and the is little to no chance of any function in the hand. So not exactly a great prognosis, but at least we have an idea of where we stand. Tests may reveal something different.
This week Dad went to the rehab centre for first time, and they were also astonished he hadn't been referred sooner. Just goes to show you need to keep on top of things yourself - it's too easy to get 'lost in the system'. Anyway, Dad was able to see the possibilities with prostethics, and begin the rehab process.
An Occupational Therapist (OT) is coming next week to see what can be done around the house to make things easier for Dad.
I am really disappointed that I can't be there to help Mum and Dad through this. I think Dad needs his friends around him, so a visit every so often from his buddies out there would be really great! It'll help keep his spirits up.
Keep thinking positive.
I'll add another entry in a few weeks, when there's some further news.

Next appointment - came and went

Well, Dad went to see the doc yesterday (Thurs) and of course the doc didnt have access to the files from the hospital because the appointment was in the docs consulting rooms near our home. VERY disappointing!!

So another appointment is due next week in the hospital....wait and see what that reveals!

Next appointment

Again, not a lot to tell.

Dad has an appointment with the surgeon again in early July to discuss the next steps in the healing process. Hopefully that will reveal some direction.

In the last weeks Dad's strength has improved well. He can walk no problems now, and even does the odd trip into the city with the bus/train with Mum. After a long day out or a long walk it is a bit tiring so needs to rest, but it's good to know he's out and about.

Thanks for the encouragement from everyone - that's helped to keep his spirits really positive. Not the best for me to try to be encouraging from the other side of the world.

Slow progress, but progress nonetheless

You’ll notice that I haven’t updated this site for a while….for two reasons. First, not much has changed, and second that I haven’t got the ready access to the internet in Germany as I thought I might (there are internet cafes but they cost money and people smoke in them!).

Since Dad’s arrival back home he has been improving very well. He goes for a walk each day and is gradually building up more and more strength. He can walk around the block without any trouble. Although it does become quite tiring for him so he does need to rest a bit throughout the day. The wound where the infection was (see blog entry on [insert date]) is slowly closing up and when it is fully closed Dad will consider going in the pool :-)

Last week he went for a visit to the doctors who basically saw him for five minutes and said all looked fine….see you in a month’s time. So basically not much will change in the next few weeks.