Machka 

Rowan is out of Post Traumatic Amnesia, and is starting quite a lot of rehab now.


BTW - this does not mean that his memory is fully back. What it means is that he is forming new memories. So if we tell him something today ... tomorrow he will remember it. And he is gradually remembering more from the past.



But still waiting to get into the Rehab Unit. Hopefully soon!!

79pmooney

Yeah!! (Do your best to get him on an exercycle as soon as you can. It might open a lot of memory files. Or it might be the familiar place that is a "time-out" from the non-stop barrage of the new as it was for me.)

Ben

Machka 

I'm pretty sure the Rehab Unit has one ... actually I'm hoping they've got two and maybe I can "ride" with him!


Soon, I hope!

Machka 

My feet are glad to be home.

Over 14,000 steps today.

But 2000 of those were with Rowan.

Dave Cutter

In that area.... he may be doing better than myself. But then... I am older than you two. Joking aside... I am so very happy to read of Rowan's progress. You guys will devour this [metaphorical] elephant.

jppe

Machka-Has Rowan mentioned anything about cycling?

2manybikes

That would be great ! I hope it happens. I would think him pedaling along next to you would bring back a lot of memories.

Machka 

Oh yes! Absolutely!

He wants to go for a bicycle ride now ... but he's not ready for that yet. Strength and balance issues. But we're hoping to get onto stationary bikes soon.

He also talks about his bicycles and some of the rides we've done.

I've showed him a Checkpoint Magazine (Audax Australia magazine) with a dual story we contributed about our 400 km randonnee in 2016. I wrote one part, and he wrote the other part. He remembers the ride, or at least parts of it.

He does have some memories ... but his memory is patchy, a little bit here, a little bit there ... and he's missing some words for things or names for things.

It's like IT hasn't finished reconnecting the servers just yet.

Machka 

Rowan Update:
• Rowan is out of Post Traumatic Amnesia. In brief, this mostly means that he is making and retaining new memories. It also means that he can proceed with the various aspects of rehab. It does not mean he has recovered his full memory again.

• Rowan has some issues with his right shoulder - pain and poor range of motion. He has been for X-Rays today and his physiotherapist had a look too. We think he landed on that shoulder in the accident.

• Rowan has something up with his left foot. His physio had a look at that too, and he's got good strength and range of motion, so it might be a nerve issues. He's also having some balance issues if he has to balance on that foot. They'll keep their eye on it.

• Rowan has started working with speech therapy, who cover quite a wide range of things including but not limited to helping Rowan find the right words for things again.

• Still waiting to get into the Rehab Unit. Soon ... we hope!!

CliffordK

Well, it sounds like things are slowly improving. Well, with great bounds forward.

I suppose you have to deal with one thing at a time.

Keep an eye on the shoulder. Rotator Cuff Surgery? Mom just had a full "reverse" shoulder replacement. Apparently it is a fairly common surgery now for pain and movement issues.

Anyway, one step at a time. Or, perhaps one bite of an elephant.

Machka 

No real updates on the above points, except that the X-ray did not show anything wrong with the bones in and around Rowan's shoulder. So it is likely a soft tissue issue. Possibly rotator cuff. Possibly a subluxation. Possibly a shoulder bursa impingement. Anyway, they are aware there's an issue and are starting to treat it.

And we are really hoping Rowan will get into a private room in the Rehab Unit early next week.


Meanwhile, in general, Rowan is coming along well physically. Today, Rowan and I walked 900 metres around the block to look at some of the construction and the Hobart Rivulet which burst its banks and flooded the city last weekend. It wasn't fast, and we did stop a few times to look at things, but it was a good walk.

And apparently he went for a little walk that include stairs this morning too.


The memory side of things is progressing too, but a little slower than the physical side. However, I think that when he gets to the Rehab Unit that might start to progress more as well.

Evidently the Rehab Unit is more "homelike" and offers a bit more freedom to do things. For example, I've been told I should be able to take Rowan out for the afternoon to the park or waterfront or different places. I think that would be really good ... getting us out and doing some of the things we've done before.

So ... really hoping that happens soon.


As for me ... good days and really incredibly stressful days. Ups and downs. And busy ... possibly a bit too busy at times.

.

RonH

Really great news. You're both still in my prayers.

Machka 

Thank you!

We still have a way to go. We won't know more details on how long until Rowan gets into Rehab and can be assessed more fully, but I'd have to guess at least another month ... maybe more.

But physically, especially, he's surprising people with his advancements.

Hondo Gravel

Machka 

At long last ... Rowan has moved to the Rehab Unit!


He's got a private room with a great view, and we'll explore the facilities in coming days. We'll also have to set up his therapy session schedules too ... or perhaps, they will set them up and let me know. And I'm hoping to be able to set up a visiting schedule that will be a bit easier for me to deal with.


I have also been told that I should be able to take him out for "day trips" so we might start walking longer distances on weekends.


I have absolutely no idea how long he'll be there. No one has said anything to me about that, and I suspect that they'll have to assess him first.


But meanwhile, I'm just glad he's out of the Neuro Ward and main hospital.

CliffordK

Great to hear about the move and the progress. You've been waiting for this for quite some time.

As far as how long... I would assume there are a few variables such as how much he is benefiting from the continuing therapy, and when you'll be comfortable taking him home.

Day trips may well be part of the transition away from the hospital setting and into the home setting.

It sounds like Rowan has been making excellent progress over the last couple of weeks, and the transition home could be quick.

How is all of this fitting into your schedule? This must be like working 2 or 3 jobs!!! Here in the USA, our Spring term at schools is finishing up shortly. Do you have any breaks coming up soon?

Hopefully you've found a couple of good exercise bikes.

If not, perhaps look at local gym memberships.

Machka 

He's in the Acute Rehab area so I think there will still be a way to go. Physically he's progressing fairly well, but otherwise he still has a little way to go.

I'm working, going to university, and spending hours at the hospital. Long, long, long exhausting days.

And nope. I don't get breaks. My course will finish in early June, but then I will have to start working more. I'm building up toward working full-time again now. And then ... I'm not sure if I'll be able to take my next course or not.

He'll have access to stationary bikes at the Rehab gym and I've set my bicycle/trainer up with Zwift this weekend.

Maelochs

I don't want to take a lot of space here saying what everyone else says ... but now and then i will do exactly that.

Thanks for the updates. Our best energy is headed towards you two. And hearing how far Rowan has recovered so far is very encouraging ... this was a grim thread for a while, now it is a lot more pleasant.

Please take care of yourself ... and everyone here is glad and grateful that you are taking care of Rowan.

be well.

nesdog

Thank you for these updates and the opportunity for your online friends to support you.

Heathpack 

So nice to hear about the move to the Rehab Unit. Sounds like it will be better all-around.

Thanks for the update and be sure to tell Rowan that all his BF friends are thinking about him.

berner

I've read somewhere or other that our brains consume a very large portion of the total energy available. This means that a stressful day at a desk job can consume as much energy as pick and shovel work. This being so, the trick to managing an ongoing stressful situation that includes family concerns is budgeting/managing available time and energy, just like climbing a long and steep hill. Also necessary is recovery time. I hope you are getting plenty of sleep.

Dave Cutter

Great news!

Biker395 

Awesome. He's doing about as well as anyone could have hoped.

Machka 

Rowan tells me he rode the stationary bike in the Rehab gym this morning.

I might have to use my trainer & Zwift tomorrow!


As I've mentioned ... physically, he is coming along all right.
Still has right shoulder and left leg issues.
Sill dizzy when initially standing up.
Still tires really easily.
But in general physically he's making progress.


I did!! He was amazed and thankful!


Rowan is getting quite a bit of rest ... more so now that he's in this Rehab unit. And things do wear him out quite quickly.

Me ... what exactly is this thing you call "sleep"?

Oh wait, I know ... it's what happens when I get on the bus to go home that causes me to nearly miss my stop!

woodcraft

Back on the bike!

Good luck with the Zwifting.