Rach'll Fix It For You - And You - And You - And You - And Bah Bah Bah . . .

Well as Christmas is fast approaching I thought some of you might like an update on my progress.

Over the last few weeks I have been noting down my achievements as I made them. Here is a list:

Standing up while taking a shower
Standing while brushing my teeth / applying make up -
king a meal in the kitchen
Walking to the car without my walking stick
50 metre swim
Walking around the office without walking stick
Carrying 2 loads of washing out to the communal washing area
Taking rubbish out to the bins
200 metre swim (25 metres freestyle)
Forgetting my walking stick and leaving it in the office
Walking over to the shop near the office without my walking stick
450 metre swim
06.10.09 - One full day without walking stick
440 metre walk in 6 minutes unaided
Walk around business park unaided
Carrying my laptop bag around and up stairs
600 metre swim
800 metre swim (200 metres freestyle)

And yesterday at physio - 555 metre walk in 6 minutes unaided.

I saw all my doctors a few weeks ago and I have been given the all clear to get back to life and up the cardio. I think wrestling and Rugby are out of the equation - but swimming and stationary cycling are in.

I am still seeing Rod at physio but it is more sporadic now. I still have laborious and boring exercises to do to strengthen muscle groups but I can do so much more now - no more excuses!

I am attending a focus group through the social services department in a couple of weeks to air ideas on how better to support people with spinal cord injuries when they have left hospital. And whether or not a mentor or support person who has been through the same thing could be beneficial. I would feel a bit of cheat mentoring someone with a more severe injury as it is all becoming a distant memory now and it's only my slightly flat footed walk and poor cardio ability that reminds me these days. Saying that, maybe even them reading my blog might help someone. So I'll keep you posted.

I have big plans for next year...but let's wait for next year to arrive first. . .

I went to Hamilton at the weekend and more specifically the Dunkeld Races - Here's a lovely pic of us lovely girls on a lovely hot day. Chris, Gib, Nat, Marie, Mia and Rach

5 days AFO FREE!!

I can't quite believe it myself as my AFO's were supposed to be the last thing (if ever!) to stay and remind me of the last few months.

It started gradually - taking my first steps...oh melodramatic Milney. It didn’t happen like that at all.

The bloody expensive carbon fibre AFO’s started to rub and leave marks on my feet. These marks would not go away and the pain just intensified. I showed Rod. He was concerned as these pressure spots could easily break the skin and then I would be in trouble. So he suggested walking around my “..house and immediate environment with caution..” without AFO’s but in shoes.
Of course this just gave me the confidence to push it a little further. I went 2 straight days without them. I couldn’t walk far but managed breakfast and dinner dates with friends and generally, as long as I didn’t have to walk too far – I was fine!

I am now at least 5 days AFO free.

With a giant leap forward – you can’t help but totter a little bit backwards. It’s fatiguing. I’ve needed my sleep this week (10+ hours) but WOW.

The AFO’s really tighten up my calf muscles which in turn fight against the improvement of the dorsie flexion. Going calf naked has helped my muscles loosen up a little and so I have noticed an increase in the range I can dorsie flex.

I am back to my full time job, I am well rested and taking good care of myself. I didn’t mind as the season officially changed as I also had a spring in my step!

New Walking Stick

Okay so it's not as exciting as a new car or even a new pair of shoes - although I will probably spend quite some time with my new stick over the next few weeks.

So I needed a nice one.

I think it makes me look interesting. Maybe someone who works in "The Arts". A Playwright. An Art Critic.....Maybe just a girl with a walking stick

Sad News...

I know you all know about the Jeannie Little that caused a stir at The Alfred Hospital and while she was also my roomie at Hotel Caulfield. Real name Christine Mitchell.

The same Christine Mitchell that had a neck brace, a full back brace and hid her wine in the stroller trolley. The feisty Christine Mitchell that refused to stay in the hospital and got her stuff together and went to catch the bus home, the same Christine Mitchell who told the nurses what to do and not the other way round.

The same Christine Mitchell that died in her sleep on Saturday morning around 6am.

I was on my way to see her that day when her husband Gary called me to let me know. He is heart broken.

She couldn't take the pain anymore and Gary tells me she passed away peacefully.

RIP CHRIS

X

Doing The Lambeth Walk - OI!!

There are better things in life than alcohol, but alcohol makes up for not having them.

There are better things in life than alcohol, but alcohol makes up for not having them.
Terry Pratchett

Beginning of week 3 back at work and 4 weeks since my last update.

Week 1 was the hardest back to work. On the first day I felt like I had the stuffing knocked out of me – having to tell people what had happened and what my prognosis was – made it all a little real. I haven’t had my head in the sand by any accounts but I came back to a new job as a new me – a broken version.

I had got my groove on by Wednesday and then started to get very tired on Thursday and Friday. Week 2 was the same, although I feel my confidence is coming back. Work has been very supportive. I am still attending 2 physio sessions a week and have the odd hospital appointment that they are happy for me to go to.

I am taking it really easy in the evenings. I am still getting to the pool 3 or 4 times a week and enjoying the days I am home from work at 5:30 with nothing but peace and quiet.

It’s still dry July (now I know how Jesus felt with 40 days and 40 nights!) and I am a new woman! I can confidently say I haven’t done anything to hinder my recovery. Only aid it. I feel like Adam Ant is singing down at me: “don’t drink? don’t smoke? What do ya do?” (shuddup Adam you 80’s throwback!)

I now have my new lightweight, carbon fibre AFO’s. And I have purchased 2 pairs of knee high boots that fit and cover them well. After weeks and weeks of accumulating various versions of knee high socks, I finally feel I am reclaiming my legs! Those skirts and dresses Mum and I buried away a few months ago are now within my reach.

Dorsiflexion: Remember the foot action I am missing? The lifting of the foot – the dorsi flexion. I would gauge I have roughly 20/30% back. When my toenails are looking pretty I will post a new video – I have come a long way since “wiggle your big toe”

I hope you like the video of me showing off. You notice a much more upright me, with less wobble.

Most weeks at Physio, I am put through a series of tests I have mapped this chart to show my progression.

TEST 1 – TUG – Timed Up and Go. From a sitting position, stand up, walk around a cone that is 2 metres in front, walk back and sit back down. The aim is to do it in as little time as possible.

TEST 2 – 10 metre walk. Self explanatory but foot steps are also counted. The idea is to do it in the quickest time with the least amount of footsteps.

TEST 3 – 6 minute walk – Walk as far as you can in 6 minutes. UP and down the Breezeway at the Caulfield Hospital. I started on a gutter frame, progressed to zimmer frame, then onto crutches.

I am now being timed on 1 crutch.

It’s not all peaches and cream. I can’t sugar coat everything. But I am in a good space right now. I have come a long way and am nearly at the stage where people will be asking me how I got my little blue car park sticker!

My physio, Rod , and I have set realistic goals (well I set them and Rod tells me if they are realistic or not!)

These are my latest goals:

By the end of July, I should be proficient on one crutch (nearly there!).

By the end of August, I expect to be proficient using one walking stick (starting to practise with 2 at the moment)

By the end of September I envisage I can walk most of the time without support. Just with my AFO’s.

And I am getting away with myself if I go much further than that – Rod thinks – personally I think I will be 90% fixed by Christmas – no AFO’s for most of the time (but I didn't say that out loud as that would make it real!)

Again thanks for all your continued support, it's been appreciated and I will keep updating you all with my progress.

The Next Big Challenge...

This is the first time in 3 months I have been in my own company. I am becoming a little introspective.

Without the distraction of Doctors, Nurses, Physio's, Specialists, Visitors and my Mum, I am getting some time to think. I am still upbeat and positive, but it has been an emotional time for me. I think I am finally grieving. But before you all call me or email me worried I am spiralling into a pit of despair, I am not. I am just entering another level of acceptance and getting used to being on my own again.

I saw the Club Caulfield Registra on Monday. Dr. Richard said it was a good thing to get back to work as people who stay off work for prolonged periods, have disabilities that own them. I need to own my disability.

I officially go back to work on the 13th July now so have the next 2 weeks to rest, repair and get to the hydrotherapy pool as much as possible. This really keeps me spirits up.

I am still reliant on the crutches although the stability through my pelvis is returning and I do not have to put as much weight on them. I can take a few more steps without the crutches and without the AFO's and not wobble like I am auditioning for HAPPY FEET 2.

My next personal goal, is proficiency using only one crutch.

With incomplete spinal cord injuries, I am told, the major recovery happens within the first 3 or 4 months - then it plateaus and recovery slows down. After 2 years, if you have not recovered 100%, you are not likely to. So as I embark on my 4th month, I have had a word with myself. I need to rest and recover as much as I can.

I am already doing a lot with the exercise, healthy eating and not smoking. Just one more demon to face….

Although there is no scientific evidence to suggest that alcohol can slow the healing process (broken bones are different) after a few drinks you think you are superman and with the rains coming down here in Melbourne, the ground is wet. Crutches on wet ground can equal a disaster. Now add a few smooth reds with your friends down the local Pub and we could be looking at more time in hospital!


So, I have signed up for DRY JULY. The challenge is to get people to sponsor me for an ALCOHOL FREE JULY - The money goes to selected cancer charities.

You can sponsor me here: https://www.dryjuly.com/profiles/rachaelmilne
(it seems I put the wrong link in, I wondered why I had received ZERO sponsors - now you can try again, it's for charity you know - CANCER charities)

I get the feeling this will be harder than quitting smoking, but I will commit to it. Also on the dry July bandwagon are Nat and Kelly.

In the back of my car and ready to be returned to the hospital…is The KARMA Queen. I haven’t needed my trusty steed for weeks now so it’s ready for someone who does!



The pic at the top is taken from one of the wineries at The Clare Valley, South Australia. A gang of us went at the weekend and I just wanted to say thanks to them all for looking out for me.