Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Wednesday - He's Home!
I just spoke to Ben on the phone as he was travelling down the Gateway Motorway on his way home from the hospital! Yes ladies and gentlement.. he's home a day early!
Monday, May 29, 2006
Monday - Could it be the Best Birthday Present Ever?
Ben's birthday is on the 1st June (this Thursday), for those of you who didn't already know, and it looks like, with a little bit of luck, that he might be released from hospital! The Doctors are confident that if everything goes to plan over the next 2-3 days Ben will be released from hospital on his birthday, fantastic news!
His rehab programme consists of three vital things.. exercise, diet and education. At the end of his stint in hospital he'll have to be self sufficient in these areas. At this stage he's been educated on all things from what to eat, what drugs he is taking and when, what exercises to do, what the signs of rejection/innfection are, etc. This education is vital to him staying fit and healthy and not returning back to hospital anytime soon.
Today his exercise regime increased from 20 mins on the bike to 25 minutes, still both morning and afternoon. He's also doing weights to build up strength in his shoulders and arms. Overall he's seeing the benefits with him commenting that he's much more mobile than he was 3-4 days ago. He's walking totally unassisted (no frame or oxygen) with better stability and ease than he was and in general, he's just not getting puffed out the way he use to. It's amazing to see how far he has come.
Once he leaves hospital he'll still have to return twice a week, both Monday and Thursday for a check up. The visit will involve a blood test, breathing test, chest xray, visit to his consulting doctor. Over time he'll be visiting less frequently as he gets better.
It's great news and as he's getting better life for all of us is finding some nomality again at last. I'll keep you posted on further developments.
His rehab programme consists of three vital things.. exercise, diet and education. At the end of his stint in hospital he'll have to be self sufficient in these areas. At this stage he's been educated on all things from what to eat, what drugs he is taking and when, what exercises to do, what the signs of rejection/innfection are, etc. This education is vital to him staying fit and healthy and not returning back to hospital anytime soon.
Today his exercise regime increased from 20 mins on the bike to 25 minutes, still both morning and afternoon. He's also doing weights to build up strength in his shoulders and arms. Overall he's seeing the benefits with him commenting that he's much more mobile than he was 3-4 days ago. He's walking totally unassisted (no frame or oxygen) with better stability and ease than he was and in general, he's just not getting puffed out the way he use to. It's amazing to see how far he has come.
Once he leaves hospital he'll still have to return twice a week, both Monday and Thursday for a check up. The visit will involve a blood test, breathing test, chest xray, visit to his consulting doctor. Over time he'll be visiting less frequently as he gets better.
It's great news and as he's getting better life for all of us is finding some nomality again at last. I'll keep you posted on further developments.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
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He'd love to hear from you!
He'd love to hear from you!
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Saturday - Best Lunch Yet?
We awoke to a pleasant suprise this morning with Ben ringing with the news he's being let out for this afternoon. I must admit it did come as a bit of a shock after him being in hospital, mainly bed ridden, for the past three + weeks. It was one mixed with eager anticipation and a worrying decision about where we wanted to go (we're all way too indecisive!).
After umming and aahhing (only a little) we ended up at a nice little restuarant at Redcliffe (Scarborough was it?). Although the food took an eternity to arrive and the service wasn't quite customer focused (to say the least) it was just great to spend the day out with Ben (Dad) without being trapped in by the hospital walls... it was freedom and one that was much enjoyed. The meals were delicious as well! The whole outing lasted from around 12-4pm.
Consider this..
A month ago Ben struggled to walk a couple of metres without being puffed out and having to stop. All the while being hooked up 24hrs a day to oxygen. Finding it harder and harder to do simple little things we all take for granted, such as taking a shower.
And now.. after a major operation, here he is walking on his own, unassisted, no oxygen, walking from the car to the restaurant, up and down steps, enjoying a meal.. all without hesitation. It's great! And although a little puffed from the experience, with him continuing to exercise and eat properly he's only going to get fitter and more capable.
The wonders of modern science!
After umming and aahhing (only a little) we ended up at a nice little restuarant at Redcliffe (Scarborough was it?). Although the food took an eternity to arrive and the service wasn't quite customer focused (to say the least) it was just great to spend the day out with Ben (Dad) without being trapped in by the hospital walls... it was freedom and one that was much enjoyed. The meals were delicious as well! The whole outing lasted from around 12-4pm.
Consider this..
A month ago Ben struggled to walk a couple of metres without being puffed out and having to stop. All the while being hooked up 24hrs a day to oxygen. Finding it harder and harder to do simple little things we all take for granted, such as taking a shower.
And now.. after a major operation, here he is walking on his own, unassisted, no oxygen, walking from the car to the restaurant, up and down steps, enjoying a meal.. all without hesitation. It's great! And although a little puffed from the experience, with him continuing to exercise and eat properly he's only going to get fitter and more capable.
The wonders of modern science!
Friday, May 26, 2006
Friday - Excercise Regime continues
Mr Fitness is straight back into the excercise regime today after the little break he had yesterday. Everythings going well so it looks like the Bronch helped! Along with this he's eating well and polishing off those smaller portions of food he requested (he's never been a big eater!).
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Thursday - Bronch to clear things up!
Ben's had a Bronch this morning to clear some of the muck out of his lungs. Coughing is the natural way to bring this up however, with new lungs Ben needs to re-train himself to do this as it doesn't occur naturally anymore. The more muck builds up he visibly becomes unwell, so it's best to clean it out and double check it's all ok.
Yesterday was such a big day that he's probably a little tired also. The plan is to take it easy today and recuperate the body to hit it full steam ahead again tomorrow.
Yesterday was such a big day that he's probably a little tired also. The plan is to take it easy today and recuperate the body to hit it full steam ahead again tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Wednesday - Mr Fitness Cont.
After a little three hour nap Ben was back into it. He did another 20mins on the exercise bike. The previous stint he did the 20mins on oxygen with three small breaks. This afternoon he did it with no oxygen and with no breaks. It just shows you the rate at which he is improving, it's amazing!
Wednesday - Mr Fitness
I can't get over how quick things are proceeding. It's an obvious sign of just how much he has improved the past few days.
The tracheotomy has come out completely! He's breathing solely by himself with the help of oxygen (2L) when needed. They've also removed the IV line as well.
The fitness regime is moving full steam ahead. He spent 20mins straight on the exercise bike this morning. If there was any doubt about the lungs it's now been squashed with his lung capacity up to 97%. Just think, pre-transplant he was only getting around 27%, absolutely amazing!
He's starting to do more things for himself. Like getting in and out of bed, eating, walking, showering... all these things that bring back the normality of life. It's great to see.
The tracheotomy has come out completely! He's breathing solely by himself with the help of oxygen (2L) when needed. They've also removed the IV line as well.
The fitness regime is moving full steam ahead. He spent 20mins straight on the exercise bike this morning. If there was any doubt about the lungs it's now been squashed with his lung capacity up to 97%. Just think, pre-transplant he was only getting around 27%, absolutely amazing!
He's starting to do more things for himself. Like getting in and out of bed, eating, walking, showering... all these things that bring back the normality of life. It's great to see.
Wednesday - The Home Coming
Wow.. hasn't a lot happened in the last 24hrs!
It can't be summed up better than Ben can say it himself, "I feel wonderful!". The past two days he's seen a dramatic lift in both physical and mental health. He's feeling wonderful, he's looking great and it's really hard to imagine this man who's doing so well has just come out of a 19 day stint in ICU.
He's talking well and it's given us an opportunity to reflect on his time in ICU and how he sees himself moving forward from here. There is no shortage of enthusiasm to get well. There's an awe inspiring recognition of those who have helped him and the commitment everyone has shown to seeing him get home. He's confident, and I am confident, that he'll be home sometime soon!
The ward is a nicer environment than the ICU. He's sharing it with three other men, one who had a double lung transplant 5yrs back another with emphysema. It's noisy but it's comfortable and most importantly it's another very important step in the right direction!
It can't be summed up better than Ben can say it himself, "I feel wonderful!". The past two days he's seen a dramatic lift in both physical and mental health. He's feeling wonderful, he's looking great and it's really hard to imagine this man who's doing so well has just come out of a 19 day stint in ICU.
He's talking well and it's given us an opportunity to reflect on his time in ICU and how he sees himself moving forward from here. There is no shortage of enthusiasm to get well. There's an awe inspiring recognition of those who have helped him and the commitment everyone has shown to seeing him get home. He's confident, and I am confident, that he'll be home sometime soon!
The ward is a nicer environment than the ICU. He's sharing it with three other men, one who had a double lung transplant 5yrs back another with emphysema. It's noisy but it's comfortable and most importantly it's another very important step in the right direction!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Tuesday - HE'S OUT OF ICU!
I just received a phone call from Janyne with some fantastic news... Ben's moving out of ICU and into a Ward as we speak!
Earlier today Ben had surgery to remove the current tracheotomy and insert a smaller tube that will no doubt be more comfortable. After surgery the Doctors commented on how pleased they were with his progress. They signed him out of ICU and he now moves off to a nice roomy, peaceful, ward.
Some more great news is he can talk! The smaller trachi doesn't inflate against the vocal cords, allowing the air to pass through and for him to communicate. He's extremely pleased after worrying he might not be able to speak again.
I'll keep you posted..
Earlier today Ben had surgery to remove the current tracheotomy and insert a smaller tube that will no doubt be more comfortable. After surgery the Doctors commented on how pleased they were with his progress. They signed him out of ICU and he now moves off to a nice roomy, peaceful, ward.
Some more great news is he can talk! The smaller trachi doesn't inflate against the vocal cords, allowing the air to pass through and for him to communicate. He's extremely pleased after worrying he might not be able to speak again.
I'll keep you posted..
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