Monday, 24 August 2015

25 August - Lorraine again - with a plan!

A plan... yes!

This morning I was awakened soon after 6am with a troupe of some 10 people from the neurosurgical team- not the best time of day to get your head straight with questions etc you want answered with bleary eyes and bed hair!

Never mind, the head surgeon came around later with his apologies and we have negotiated the following plan.
1. The neuro team are very happy with the progress of this operation and all is going very well. They have basically done their job now, and unless I (or my specialists) ask anything more, we will simply get the reports and are done with this team.
2. Orthaepedic Team: The disappointing news is that there are changes in their thinking regarding future treatment. Firstly, they have expressed NO weight-bearing on my left side. I had been doing a little bit as it gave me no pain, but it is clear this can no longer continue. This means I am definitely wheelchair-bound. They have also said that the less-impact procedure they originally suggested (involving injecting cement into the bone gap in the acertabulum (space above the hip joint) is no longer appropriate or able to be done. This leaves them saying that the only way I could improve this joint is by a complex total reconstruction - again not appropriate because of the complexity of the procedure. Disappointing , but that's just where things are at. 
3. Rehab: As I recuperate from surgery I will also get back into rehab, with a strong emphasis on upper body strength. The good news is that I do not have to remain at St Vincent's hospital for this, but am expecting to be transferred by ambulance to Portland tomorrow! That's pretty exciting, and great for Brian to be able to be back home again. 

So that's it  - a plan to be back home to Portland again soon! The step from Portland hospital to back home will depend on the rehab progress. 
So far all is going well!


 

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