Some will know already, but I can't tell all my friends here individually.....so for those people, please read....for others, apologies for the thread, but you'll get over it....
On Sunday afternoon my father was involved in a bike accident whilst getting some last minute training in for the Ironman triathlon he & I had planned to finish together this coming weekend.
Everything since has been a bit of a blur... but essentially, he's badly damaged his spinal cord at his C6 vertabrae. It's what they call a ''compete spinal injury'', which means that everything below that point is no longer working... so he is now paralised from the waist down & whilst he can move/feel his arms, he has only limited feeling in his fingers.
He was air-lifted from Canberra to the Prince of Wales hospital in Sydney on Monday morning for specialist care in their spinal unit. Our first meeting with the Doctors here was for them to explain to us the extent of Dad's injury & just how serious his outlook is.
Dad had an operation yesterday to fuse together three vertabrae to help in his ongoing care & to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord by opening up his spine (basically so that he can at least sit up). He's still in ICU, but only because his blood pressure is too low...mostly due to the trauma on his nervous system & also from the pain management drugs he needs. He had a very rough day after that, with a lot of pain & distress...but thankfully he then had a good rest overnight & has been much better today.
He's now starting to realise just how serious things are for him....he's looking at up to 12 months in the Prince of Wales hospital spinal care ward (the average stay for his injury is 8 months) & the very real prospect of never being able to walk again. That said, he's remaining positive & has even today managed a couple of jokes & smiles....I never thought my old man could look so beautiful as when he smiled today. I'm crying like a big girl just typing that.
My Mum will basically stay in Sydney now...& I'm going to re-locate myself & can work from here as required (one good aspect of working for a massive corporation, although working could not be further from my mind right now), maybe heading home some weekends to see my lovely wife & son. My brother will be here nearly all the time & both of our truly wonderful & beautiful wives (really...they are both amazing women, we couldn't do without them..words cannot express how special they both are....I know Dad loves them as though they were his own daughters) will be here as often as possible also.
We've got some amazing help & support...even from strangers. A friend of my Aunts...someone we've never even met, has offered his apartment in Randwick for Mum & us to stay in free of charge for as long as we need. As cold a place as this world can seem sometimes....people for the most part are fucking great.
It's not going to be easy...& the statistics are against us (fewer than 5% of people with this injury regain mobility)....but the people who compiled those statistics haven't come up against my old man yet. He's a fighter who's made from tough stuff. He arrived in Australia with literally nothing but the clothes he was wearing & has raised a loving family & built up a fantastic business together with my brother. He's also a beautiful human being & I'm proud to be his son. If I'm ever half the man he is then I'll be a very proud & happy man myself.
Sorry for the verbose brain dump, I think I needed it. Please send my Dad your best thoughts....even if you don't know him or I from a bar of soap. It actually does help believe it or not.
Good luck - it sounds like you have a pretty great family. That'll help.
no need for apologies. best of luck, dude. take care of yourself.
all the best. an old primary school friend had a spinal injury. they said he'd never walk again, blah blah. he's now running marathons.
Consider it done ! x
this is the worst news to wake up to.
littlesmoke, all my thoughts are with you and your family. i'm so sorry for the pain you are all in at the moment.
send me PM or email me if you need to chat at any time.
xx.
good wishes to you and yours, littlesmoke.
All the best to you and your family, littlesmoke. x
Not good news, but good luck littlesmoke. I'm sure he will be ok.
Take care of yourself littlesmoke. Good luck.
Best of luck to you and yours littlesmoke. Statistics are bullshit and I hope he's an anomaly.
Also, please remember to look after yourself every so often. You know where we are if you want a beer and a chat about things that have nothing to do with rehab.
All the best Lsmoke for your dad and all loved ones - the toll on individuals is great but lessened collectively with support and love and consistency.
Oh man, littlesmoke, I don't know you, but sending warmth & best wishes to you & your fam.
That's terribly tough, rant away as required.
best wishes littlesmoke.
Seconded.
Good luck, littlesmoke. There are a few ace chats in Sydney who aren't far away if you need anything.
Best wishes to you and your family mate. The fact that your Dad was training for a triathlon makes this all the more tragic. Sounds like your dad was an active man and to be struck down just isn't fair. Chin up, old boy.
That's rough as. Hope he pulls through. All the best, dude.
All the best to you and your family littlesmoke. I'm thinking lots of positive, strong thought for you.
You seem like a totally stand-up chat, so part of my thoughts will be dedicated to you and your dad. Fight it!
hey littlesmoke - I'm in Randwick. Yell if you need anything at all. You still have my number?
thinking of you all x
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That's great news, from little things big things hopefully grow
Thats awesome news littlesmoke. Keep us posted.
It is certainly very positive, littlesmoke!
There's no denying that it's been a tough couple of months since dad came home from hospital. He & Mum both really, really struggled....which has meant I've struggled. Last few weeks have been a little more positive though....& it's a new year now, 2010 can go & fuck itself right up the arse.
Dad come now move his left foot!
MY DAD CAN MOVE HIS LEGS!!!!!!!
Apparently he first did it on Saturday...Mum sent a video to my phone but I didn't receive it so didn't find out until today. When I dropped my niece home at lunchtime Dad showed me. He can lift both his legs from the knee whilst sitting in his electric wheelchair....& can even hold his legs up for a few seconds. It tires him out quickly, but how incredible it that! Obviously this is very, very good & unexpected news...the whole family is very happy...even Dad, who hasn't been happy for months really. Today is a good day.
awesome!
holy cow that's great
bloody unreal! SO very happy for you and him and your whole family. amazing.
you did have faith all the way at the beginning that if anyone could do it, your dad could. and that faith was not misguided.
Great news!
That's awesome, ls.
Is this an understatement or what?
haha..yes, a little.
Dude, so glad to hear that! Awesome news!
Huge news. Congratulations, littlesmoke. I hope this is a sign of even better things to come for your dad.
yay!!! so stoked for you.
What wonderful news to read. Well done to your Dad. Would have only be possible with the support and love of your family!
high fives
Awww, that's amazing littlesmoke.
wow!
Good news lilsmoke