Again I offer apologies to those that have contacted us to see if everything is OK. I just seem to run out of time or energy to sit at the computer and write about the past week. I even missed putting a mention of a huge milestone for Michael – his 40th birthday last week end. He had a meal with some friends and family – wish we were there to help celebrate. We have finally had the builder back to remedy the problem we had with the levels on the new ensuite floor and Jill has given it the thumbs up and without telling me she headed of to the shower unaided yesterday. We still have a change to make to the outside entry to the room – we are going to reverse the sliding door and add a deck and ramp – this will give Jill easier access to the gym and the pool. Then I have to paint the other bedroom and the old entrance to the bathroom where we plastered the walls.
We have been doing the exercises including the vocal exercises Jill had from the Parkinson clinic she attended a couple of years ago. I was checking back on her performance which I had taken note of and to our surprise the length of time she could hold an “ah” were very similar and I am certain the volume is almost the same. I just wish she could transpose that into every day communication. We have been using the Wii and Allison mentioned a game that was available to help keep the brain active. I received an email from Qantas Frequent fliers and noticed they had Nintendo DSi available that you could cash some points on. This week in the mail we received a DSi and a couple of Dr Kawashima’s Brain training games. We both have brains of an 80 year old. The games are great relying on sight, sound, speed and memory. There is a passage that you have to read aloud. I guess if we use it regularly we will both improve. Jill has used it a few more times than me – even when I am up the street. I will keep you advised as our brains come back to that of a 40 year old. We may even give the kids a run for their money.
We had a phone call on Friday morning from St Catherine’s. Mum had had a bad night and she had a fall while getting to the toilet and they found her on the floor very cold. They got her back to bed with some heat packs to warm her up. They were concerned that she had a UTI infection as she was delirious so they had called an ambulance and taken her to hospital. When I got there she was in outpatients on an IV and monitors. She knew who I was but other than that she didn’t know where she was or anything else. She spent the rest of the day getting antibiotics and fluid. As the day progressed she became more with it. Keiran asked her what year was it – answer December 1996 and she didn’t know what day. They finally got her a ward bed at about 8pm Friday night. I went to see her Saturday morning and the difference was noticeable although she could not understand why she couldn’t get out of bed. I guess I will see a better patient when I go up this morning.
We were Skyped by Jeannette and Gavin from Kakadu last Sunday and they were having a great time and were heading to Darwin the next day. Jean came to see Jill and told us she had spoken to Joan in London and we are going to get her here to Skype Joan – just need to organise the time zones. Allison, Chris & Chris and Nicole are all getting packed up and ready to head off next weekend to head to Hervey bay and Fraser Island and that fantastic tailor. I actually have the van ready as well but Jill has a couple of Doctors appointments this week that may stop us. She has an Urodynamics study to be done on Thursday at 5pm
Another mile stone for Allison and Chris – Happy birthday Chris – you will be able to relax when you get to Fraser Island and start fishing . Have a great time
Well I hope that I can say that we are heading off in the van in the coming couple of weeks – fingers crossed
See you next week on the net