William has gradually been improving over the week. Today he had quite a good day. He was trying to hurry his dad up and go for a walk outside - apparently dad was taking to long to get ready getting him into his chair!
He has had his oxygen removed and no longer needs continuous monitoring. This means there are two less things attaching him to the wall and it is just that little bit easier to move him now. His vision still appears to fluctuate a bit. His conversational ability is improving a lot. He is relishing the amount of Wiggles toys and music he has been allowed recently. Today he unwrapped a present that Pos gave him several weeks ago. He was so excited to get his hands on a wiggles guitar!
William's pleural drains are producing less fluid now and hopefully we will have less than a week of needing them (we are a bit careful to make more accurate predictions). Getting his pleural drains out will mark a big step towards his recovery and his discharge. He will be able to start rehabilitation in earnest and we will be able to get his muscles working a bit to try to reverse his somewhat de-conditioned state.
Wil's siblings and Ya Ya went back to Nowra today. There has been a serious outbreak of gastroenteritis in Ronald McDonald House and all siblings have been asked to leave, no-one is allowed to eat in the kitchen or dining areas and the communal areas are empty.
Adam had returned to work and will spend Wednesday night through to Sunday night in Sydney and will work Monday to Wednesday and Friday in Nowra. Liza will continue to hold the fort here and will be on duty by his bedside most of the time. Whilst we are stretching things as far as we possibly can, it would be good to be three people instead of one at times. Everything we are doing is worthwhile though - Wil needs us and it is good that we can share the load. Our other kids also need us and although our family life is dramatically different to what we might consider 'normal', it is still gratifying that we can claim to still have a family life. Work is busy but my patients and colleagues and staff are immensely understanding and supportive, and just to ensure that there are no stress free moments, we are renovating at home and are shortly to start at work as well.
I was discussing building with our project manager and were discussing the rewards of seeing day to day progress, seeing your goals realised and being able to see that all the work that is done actually results in a visible tangible difference. Whilst we have had our share of bad weather and variations to the schedule with William, it is also rewarding to see him improving, growing towards health and being built up again.
He has had his oxygen removed and no longer needs continuous monitoring. This means there are two less things attaching him to the wall and it is just that little bit easier to move him now. His vision still appears to fluctuate a bit. His conversational ability is improving a lot. He is relishing the amount of Wiggles toys and music he has been allowed recently. Today he unwrapped a present that Pos gave him several weeks ago. He was so excited to get his hands on a wiggles guitar!
William's pleural drains are producing less fluid now and hopefully we will have less than a week of needing them (we are a bit careful to make more accurate predictions). Getting his pleural drains out will mark a big step towards his recovery and his discharge. He will be able to start rehabilitation in earnest and we will be able to get his muscles working a bit to try to reverse his somewhat de-conditioned state.
Wil's siblings and Ya Ya went back to Nowra today. There has been a serious outbreak of gastroenteritis in Ronald McDonald House and all siblings have been asked to leave, no-one is allowed to eat in the kitchen or dining areas and the communal areas are empty.
Adam had returned to work and will spend Wednesday night through to Sunday night in Sydney and will work Monday to Wednesday and Friday in Nowra. Liza will continue to hold the fort here and will be on duty by his bedside most of the time. Whilst we are stretching things as far as we possibly can, it would be good to be three people instead of one at times. Everything we are doing is worthwhile though - Wil needs us and it is good that we can share the load. Our other kids also need us and although our family life is dramatically different to what we might consider 'normal', it is still gratifying that we can claim to still have a family life. Work is busy but my patients and colleagues and staff are immensely understanding and supportive, and just to ensure that there are no stress free moments, we are renovating at home and are shortly to start at work as well.
I was discussing building with our project manager and were discussing the rewards of seeing day to day progress, seeing your goals realised and being able to see that all the work that is done actually results in a visible tangible difference. Whilst we have had our share of bad weather and variations to the schedule with William, it is also rewarding to see him improving, growing towards health and being built up again.
posted by Adam Hodgkins | 15.4.10
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