I'm still alive.. and kicking a little bit!

Hello to everyone who still goes to the effort of checking for a new post on here!! We have had a couple of amazing months full of highs,  lows and everything in between! Last I left off on was my birthday party, it was a wonderful night and here are a few photos so you can see how amazing everyone looked.

We have been keeping as busy as ever, with regular physio and hydrotherapy sessions for me, my leg muscles are a tiny bit stronger which mostly helps to wriggle around in bed a little bit! (But this is not near enough to take my body weight to stand or to walk). Luke has endured a whole array of medical appointments lately! He had surgery on his left ankle on October 22nd to remove a piece of bone that had detached after what would have been a simple ankle roll for anyone else. That went as well as could be expected, we had a really great doctor that took Luke on. Pain is still immense for Luke but we are in the process of trialing a few different approaches and will wait to see how effective they are.

The one year mark passed by and as a milestone of how far I've come, I completed the City to Bay on September 21st with my family. My sister Joanna cheered us on as she had a knee reconstruction not long before and Luke would have joined in if he wasn't nursing a fractured ankle, although he almost did 3km himself from the car and back to pick us up! I completed the 3km with Mum while Dad, Kylie and Kale all completed the 12km course. I was very proud to have pushed the whole way by myself with Mum helping for a moment when I needed a drink.. You can't push and drink like you can walk and drink!

In October our story was printed in Take5 magazine, written from my perspective. It was wonderful to tell my story from the beginning right through to how far we have both come.

The last two months I have been regularly making a mess (more than usual!) and getting paint everywhere! I have been occupying myself with painting and started a Facebook page, visit www.facebook.com/UnLimitedFunction , even if you don't have Facebook yourself you will still be able to see the page and the photos! It is lots of fun and I have even sold a few. I am so excited to be going home to Pinnaroo for the first time this Friday 12th Dec to take part in a local arts and crafts display and have my first 'exhibition'! I have been painting all day for the last couple weeks! If you are in our near Pinnaroo that day it would be lovely to see you! Or if you are interested in any pieces feel free to contact me! If you have something in mind I can paint something specific to your request as well.

Keep scrolling for a torrent of photos from my birthday, painting, and a few others slipped in there!

Here's to the end of one chapter and start of the next! Days 143 - 223

Well this is overdue... I've been meaning to post this for over a month now!! It's been a bit more than 7 months since I started this blog... I haven't posted anywhere near as much as I originally intended but it's been amazing to find out the amount of support we have and the corners of the world that this had reached. After 9 and a half months, 8 and a half of those being in Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, I was officially discharged from being an inpatient on June 27th. Luke and I have now begun to settle down and build our lives together again. The month and a bit between my last post and being discharged has been very busy. I've still been staying at home on the weekends but have been able to escape to home for dinner some nights as well, almost being at home more than at Hampstead! I continued therapy as before with physio and gym, improving bit by bit but with no major milestones to report. My weights in gym have been increasing, my transfers have become independent with a slide board and getting closer to transferring by myself with no aid but it is now a matter of reinforcing all aspects of the technique and building up strength. I've almost mastered the wheel stand but need a bit more confidence!

The last month has been wonderful, not having to worry about going back and forth between home and Hampstead, finally having one 'home base'. Not to say that it has been any less busy though, between appointments, scheduled gym and physio sessions and trying to set things up exactly the way we like! Getting out to do little bits and pieces makes life seem a little busier as it is more involved than just jumping into the car and heading off!! All in all though it has been so nice to be able to be together rather than being forced to separate every night. 

In mid-July Luke had an epidural nerve block into his lower back to help the pain caused by two bulging discs and a tear in the nerve, the most magical thing happened at 5am the next morning.. Luke cuddled me and said "There's no pain. No pain." I think that's the happiest I've ever been at 5am!! He still has other pains but for that deep pain to have eased a little has been wonderful.

On July 30th I was able to celebrate making it to 21 years old, despite the close call eleven months ago! Luke and I had a relaxing day before sharing the evening with some of my family over dinner at the Watermark Hotel. Mum made a sponge cake as per my request(!) and I soon found out that my lung capacity isn't anything like it used to be, feeling slightly light-headed after trying to blow out 21 candles!

On the night of August 9th I was blessed to have many people join me to celebrate my birthday with a 1920s twist! With Luke's help, I organised the night at The Oakden Central, stressed about things being perfect right until the morning of the party... we were setting up and the cake was delivered. Made by the beautiful Steph, with her new business Confetti Cakes, this amazing 4 tier decorated mud cake exceeded all of my visions - it was beautiful! From that point I promised Luke I wouldn't stress about anything else because all that mattered was that I had him and my cake!!!! The night was incredible, my father gave a beautiful speech from him and Mum, everyone looked incredible and I was overwhelmed as always by the support we have. There will be more photos from the night to come, my wonderful friend Wil was the last-minute photographer for the night and he did an amazing job!

On a side note, watch this space for an update on an event being organized for early next year at home in Pinnaroo. Some wonderful members of the community are coming together to organise something so that those who wish to support Luke and I in some way, can do so. Thank you already to all who are, and who will be, a part of this!

9th August - my beautiful family all dressed up for my 21st party!

Thank you Steph - check out her website! www.confetticakes.com.au

30th July - attempting to blow out my 21 candles!

20th July - welcoming our friends from Arizona who now call Australia home! William liked helping me push, both from on my lap as well as from behind pushing me around!

How gorgeous is James!

30th May - Luke helping me to transfer in our own way... getting to stand for a hug in the process!

25th June - trialling a cross-trainer standing frame!

26th June - having one last walk on the TheraStride!

3rd June - holding a wheel stand all by myself!

30th May - celebrating my sister Kylie's birthday

Day 107-142!

Time for an update I think! I've got no real excuses, just the usual, it's been a hectic month! Whenever I have down time I think, I really need to post on the blog, but I have mastered the art of procrastination (as most do in year 12 and uni!!). So much has been going on its hard to keep track of what day it is! On Monday we passed the 8 month mark, it's crazy to think where those months have gone and just how far we have come.

One of the most exciting bits in the last month... MY WHEELCHAIR FINALLY ARRIVED!! After 3 months, my shiny new chair, made just for me, is here!! I'm so much more comfortable and sitting a lot better now. Best of all... It's blue!!

Day to day therapy had been going really well. I'm still working hard towards transferring, but I am getting closer! In physio that had been the main focus, practicing transferring from chair to bed and also into the car using a board! I've been continuing to go on the FES bike and I've been on the arm cycle a couple of times too, and we have had a couple sessions of hydrotherapy when it's fitted in. I've been getting stronger and stronger in gym, a couple weeks ago I managed 80kg on the press out machine!!! Admittedly I only did 3 sets of 1 rep but it's a new personal best!!

It was amazing to have the Easter and Anzac day long weekends to stay at home, I had 5 nights at home over Easter then it was only 2 nights back at Hampstead before having another 4 nights at home over the next long weekend! We went to the footy on Easter Sunday to see Crows play the Suns and just for something special, I wore my jeans for the first time since the accident! I felt so good, it was something I've been wanting to do for a while. It was a bit of fun that morning rolling around on my bed with the carers helping me to put them on, as they're a snug fit!

On the 4th of May I went with my sister, Kylie, to a charity boot camp session run by a personal trainer who has connections with Lorna Jane, and the proceeds were going to Wings For Life. I couldn't really participate in the group PT session but at the end, they decided to do a team challenge doing suicide runs down the length of the gym. They didn't have it planned but thought it up so that I was able to participate! That made me feel great! And even better, l won the door prize! A set of boxing gloves!

Back at the end of March I learnt to put my hair in a side pony tail. The spinal ward clerk, Gail, who encouraged me when I did it for the first time, gave me a hair tie she bought (one of the puffy kids hair ties) which she thought might be easier.. and it was!! A couple of weeks ago, using that hair tie I taught myself to tie my hair up behind my head like normal!! I discovered when I had tried to learn a while ago, I was trying to do it the way I used to. Instead, all I had to do wad switch which hand I started with the hair tie in, considering which hand had more movement, and it worked!!

On Mother's Day, Luke and I joined my family at my uncle's for afternoon tea. It was wonderful to spend some time with Mum and my sisters, as well as other family members. We always used to measure ourselves with our cousins when we were kids when it came to family gatherings at my uncle's, so I thought it was about time to update my height!! I'm now 135cm compared to 171cm eight months ago!!

Last week I had a big achievement, I made some pasta all by myself! It was a packet pasta, where all you have to do is add water milk and butter and stir in the stove, but I managed to open the milk, boil the kettle and do every bit all by my self! The other cooking I've done so fat had always been with some assistance, so it felt good knowing I had done it all by myself.

A little bit of bad news, we found out last week that a couple of blood clots have formed in my leg. After my legs being unusually swollen for the lay couple weeks I finally got sent for an ultrasound to check out if there was any.  My left leg was clear bit just behind my right knee we found one.  All it means is I'm back on blood thinners for now and I had to take it easy over the weekend, but it should clear up. Something good came out of having to rest on the weekend though... I started painting again! Luke got me a few supplies and I had a bit of fun. A lot of fun apparently, because a nurse even found a bit of paint in my hair yesterday!! I will add a photo of the painting tomorrow, as well as a couple more photos!

May 21st - sitting up on the bed doing my stretches!

May 4th - Kylie and I after the Wings For Life session!

The Summerton girls on Mother's Day 💜

Day 90 - 106

Sorry I missed last weekend's post! Things have been absolutely hectic the last couple of weeks... Between appointments for the both of us, a 2-day workshop, therapies and also... packing!! We have now moved into a new house, also accessible like the unit but a lot bigger and spacious, somewhere we can finally call home. This makes it the 6th move over the last 3 years, so we are glad to be able to settle down and get ourselves comfortable.

Last week was busy with therapies and my reward at the end of the week was a game of wheelchair rugby! A couple of us young patients were keen to give it a go so Katie, the physio who is also an international wheelchair rugby classifier, organized chairs for Sam, Ayden and I, as well as for a few of the staff to fill out 3 against 3 teams. If was so much fun and I even scored a goal/try/whatever you call it!!

On Monday I was heading into my room when the guy next door, Sam, and one of the other young guys said to me... 'The Hilltop Hoods are out in the garden.' At first I didn't believe them but they said that they were seriously out there! Turns out the other young guy's Mum somehow knows their manager so organized for then to come in for him as a surprise! I couldn't resist so went out and said hi, chatted for a bit and got a photo! They're really nice his to talk to!

On the weekend we packed up a fair but of the unit, caught up with my uncle and auntie and parents, then went to my friend Michelle 's engagement party! It was great to catch up with her... Luke even managed to get me up a flight of stairs to make it there!

Monday Luke and I both had appointments, Luke's helped to sort out a few things with his care and mine was a routine check to see where things were at and I saw the results of my recent MRI. Things are going well, definitely improving and there may be a bit more room for improvement!

Tuesday and Wednesday were full on days, Luke and I were invited to participate in a workshop called Discovering The Power In Me. It was about understanding yourself and that you're in control and learning techniques to help get through the hard and down times. It was well worth it but very tiring as well! It was only a small group, half was staff of ParaQuad and only a few outpatients, I was the only inpatient there! So we felt very special to be invited.

Thursday we moved majority of our belongings into the new house with the help of a friend which was again very tiring! Then again, the boys did the most of it, I literally 'sat' back and supervised most of it!

Saturday was again a very busy day, we were up and off to the football at Adelaide Oval thanks to ParaQuad giving us tickets! It was an effort getting there... A lot of money was spent on the Oval but they didn't seem to think through the disability parking... It was on War Memorial Drive West which was a decent walk, which wasn't the easiest walk either. But the grounds were good, we had a nice viewing point and the staff were great with water and sunscreen.

After the footy we came home and I pottered around sorting stuff out while Luke had a rest before we headed to Josh's 21st. It was great to catch up with him and my cousins Courtney, Bridgette and their parents Rohan and Jacinta.

Sunday we had my parents come help us move the last few bits from the unit to the new house and finish of the cleaning. It was very exciting to finally be completely moved into somewhere we will be able to settle down.

Monday, Tuesday and today were busy with therapies, again I'm still working on transfers as my main focus! The last two weeks have been so busy that I went on the FES bike and in the standing frame today for the first time in a while! Tomorrow I get to do hydro and it's the last day of therapies before the 4 - day long weekend!

2nd April - the Hilltop Hoods!

4th April - playing wheelchair rugby

5th April - Luke and I after Michelle's engagement party

 

10th April - look Luke I can still get my feet on the dash! Practicing car transfers. 

12th April - our view at the football

Eating sticky ribs!!

9th April - the group that participated and facilitated the workshop

12th April - catching up with the cousins at Josh's 21st

13th April - goodbye unit!!

13th April - Hello home! (Sorry about the bad photo there'll be a better one to come later!)

Day 55-89... Where did all that time go?!

30th March. Sorry to keep you hanging for the next post,  I really didn't mean for it to go so long without an update!  I've had a busy few of weeks, but no major achievements to report, lots of therapies and a couple home stays... I finally get to stay overnight! Life has been getting into a fairly consistent routine now, a bit of a plateau, as they call it, until the next achievements begin.

Every day has been busy with the daily routine of FES bike, or hydro, followed by gym, in which I've had a couple of 'wheelchair skills' sessions with my instructor Richard (who is a paraplegic) practicing getting over little steps and starting to find my balance point in a wheel stand! I have OT some days but my sessions have reduced because I have achieved most of my OT goals and Kate has gone away for a couple of weeks too.

After lunch is still physio, but I've got a new physiotherapist because mine has gone taking students for 5 weeks so they've shuffled us to one of the other physios. Before the changeover, I went on the TheraStride for the first time, it's a big treadmill-harness contraption which requires 4 physios to carry out! The physios move my legs in a walking motion and I try to do what I can to help, and is noticeable in my right leg!! I have now been on it 3 times, and I'm slowly getting used to it, but it's a very weird feeling... I've basically forgotten how to walk. My main focus is learning to transfer. I'm slowly comprehending the technique and building the specific strength required but it is still something I am working on everyday. I have gone from needing two assisting to one person assisting majority of the time so that must mean I'm doing something right!

Another note as to why I haven't been posting lately, everything seemed to slow down all at one. That, combined with the lingering reality I am still accepting as the new normal, has been a mental struggle in which I am truly lucky to have the support of Luke and others around me. Motivation levels have been lacking but I'm hoping that the next week or two will see them return to where they were before.

I was very appreciative of Vicky the last few weeks, she is the peer support advocate at Hampstead. She introduced me to Kelly, another C6 quadriplegic who lives on her own, works, drives, etc. We went out for dinner and it was an amazing chance to hear it from someone of similar function, who is 15 years post injury that life does go on! I also met Yvette, a paraplegic, on Friday with a last minute invitation to join net and Vicky for lunch. Yvette is 5 years post-injury and has a 9 month old son who is gorgeous and smiled at me and not Vicky!!

I've received some beautiful gifts, particularly a gorgeous quilt from Mrs Hancock and Mrs Fischer, some colourful clothes from my auntie, and a few lovely letters and cards (please don't worry if I didn't mention yours, this part I am writing late at night!). Please know I do receive them,  I'm sorry I don't reply in any way but I am so touched by the support. My parents tell me often of the list of people every day that have asked how Luke and I are going and that send their love. I look forward to catching up with you all soon!!

This week is again busy in a routine way but next weekend I promise there will be another update!! Much love to you all, thank you for still following along with our journey, even though I dropped off for a while!

Ps please know if you are having trouble commenting, don't hesitate to try again (my top is to copy what you've typed before you press post so that if it doesn't work you can just paste it rather than type it all again!). Otherwise, don't hesitate to email, Facebook (again I Sorry for the slack replying I'm doing on there too!), or pass the message through my parents or sisters, however works for you!

30th March - Luke's dessert invention - hot cross buns with chocolate eggs and custard! 

20th March - Cara and I have matching shoes! One day I'll get a photo with her face not her feet So You can 'meet' her! 

16th March - 6 months regrowth of my bald patch!  

28th March - I tied my hair to the side! It was a bit loose so didn't last long!!

Thursday mornings - the TheraStride! Am yet to ask for a photo all strapped in but it may not be possible for the physios are occupied supporting me!

6th March - my Betty Boop PJ's, thank you Mrs Sharrad!

3rd March - my first time baking (rather than cooking). I made choc chip cookies! I was lucky to have my OT bring in her KitchenAid mixer which is exactly the same as mine!