This thread is dedicated to my Mother and her recovery.
On Monday the 4th June 2007, while holidaying in the UK with my Father, my Mother was struck by a van while crossing the road.
Mum spent 88 days in various UK hospitals before finally being brought home back to Australia on the 30th August 2007.
She is currently in The John Whittle Nursing Facility with brain damage
I have set up this thread to keep you all updated on her condition and her improvements and hopefully one day, Mum will be able to read it.
On Monday the 4th June 2007, while holidaying in the UK with my Father, my Mother was struck by a van while crossing the road.
Mum spent 88 days in various UK hospitals before finally being brought home back to Australia on the 30th August 2007.
She is currently in The John Whittle Nursing Facility with brain damage
I have set up this thread to keep you all updated on her condition and her improvements and hopefully one day, Mum will be able to read it.
16th Aug 2007
things are moving so fast now.
Doc over there has given the ok to bring Mum home. Doc over here has given the ok to bring mum home. Emirates have agreed to take Mum on board.
She will fly on a stretcher bed in economy class. She will be in a curtained off area.
Dad needs to fly business class as he's to tall for Economy.
They dont want dad with mum on the flight as they dont want his voice to keep her awake.
They want her to sleep as much as possible.
Im not sure how Dad will go in business class alone.
I may need to fly over again and travel back with Dad.
---------------
Insurance team rang me last night to confirm that the flight has been booked. I wont say the date just yet but i will say that it's within 2 weeks..
She will be flying Emirates. Stop over at Dubai, where Mum would be removed from the plane, taken to a medical centre, cleaned, washed and then put on the next plane. Dad would stay with the medical team during all of this, but his seat will be in business class for the flight.
Air ambulance has also been booked and arranged to meet Mum and Dad at Sydney airport and then fly Mum to Dubbo.
Dubbo has been notified of arrival date.
Mum is going to Dubbo Base for assessment and a check over then it will be decided if she goes to Lourdes hospital for rehab of Wellington hospital while she recovers some more before rehab.
In 3 days the medical team will leave from here to fly over to the UK. They will take a day to rest then will go and see Mum and Dad at hospital and check Mums condition.
All of this is not set in stone. IF at any time they are not 100% satisfied that Mum is in good enough condition for the flight, all will be stopped for 48 hours
--------------------
24th Augist
Latest news.
Another scan was done on Mums brain to see how the bleed is.
The bleeding has stopped, which is good news, so they will start giving her the full dosage of the DVT drugs again. They don't envisage that they will have to operate on her brain to stop the bleeding now.
things are moving so fast now.
Doc over there has given the ok to bring Mum home. Doc over here has given the ok to bring mum home. Emirates have agreed to take Mum on board.
She will fly on a stretcher bed in economy class. She will be in a curtained off area.
Dad needs to fly business class as he's to tall for Economy.
They dont want dad with mum on the flight as they dont want his voice to keep her awake.
They want her to sleep as much as possible.
Im not sure how Dad will go in business class alone.
I may need to fly over again and travel back with Dad.
---------------
Insurance team rang me last night to confirm that the flight has been booked. I wont say the date just yet but i will say that it's within 2 weeks..
She will be flying Emirates. Stop over at Dubai, where Mum would be removed from the plane, taken to a medical centre, cleaned, washed and then put on the next plane. Dad would stay with the medical team during all of this, but his seat will be in business class for the flight.
Air ambulance has also been booked and arranged to meet Mum and Dad at Sydney airport and then fly Mum to Dubbo.
Dubbo has been notified of arrival date.
Mum is going to Dubbo Base for assessment and a check over then it will be decided if she goes to Lourdes hospital for rehab of Wellington hospital while she recovers some more before rehab.
In 3 days the medical team will leave from here to fly over to the UK. They will take a day to rest then will go and see Mum and Dad at hospital and check Mums condition.
All of this is not set in stone. IF at any time they are not 100% satisfied that Mum is in good enough condition for the flight, all will be stopped for 48 hours
--------------------
24th Augist
Latest news.
Another scan was done on Mums brain to see how the bleed is.
The bleeding has stopped, which is good news, so they will start giving her the full dosage of the DVT drugs again. They don't envisage that they will have to operate on her brain to stop the bleeding now.
31 August 2007
i have tears of happiness.
My Mum and Dad are in Australia.
we were keeping it hush as it was so up in the air as to whether the flight would go ahead or not....but it did and they are home.
They both flew to Sydney together then the plan was for Dad to get on a plane to Dubbo and mUm would stay in Sydney overnight till air ambulance could take her to Dubbo tomorrow but they are taking her to Dubbo today as well.
Dad doesnt even know yet. Hes at the domestic terminal waiting for his plane to Dubbo and Mum may end up beating him to Dubbo.
My sister knows and is picking dad up at Dubbo airport.
Im so happy but cant help but feel saddened that im still so far away
---------------------------
31st Augist 2007
Just had another call from my sister. She and Dad have been to the hospital.
Mum has her own room with her own TV. The nurses are being very nice and helpful. Tonight they have set up a bed in the room with Mum and have said a family member can stay with Mum if they want. My dad has asked my sister to stay with Mum. He is very tired and says he will sleep better knowing my sister is with Mum.
So, its all going really well in Dubbo.
So why cant i stop crying?
i have tears of happiness.
My Mum and Dad are in Australia.
we were keeping it hush as it was so up in the air as to whether the flight would go ahead or not....but it did and they are home.
They both flew to Sydney together then the plan was for Dad to get on a plane to Dubbo and mUm would stay in Sydney overnight till air ambulance could take her to Dubbo tomorrow but they are taking her to Dubbo today as well.
Dad doesnt even know yet. Hes at the domestic terminal waiting for his plane to Dubbo and Mum may end up beating him to Dubbo.
My sister knows and is picking dad up at Dubbo airport.
Im so happy but cant help but feel saddened that im still so far away
---------------------------
31st Augist 2007
Just had another call from my sister. She and Dad have been to the hospital.
Mum has her own room with her own TV. The nurses are being very nice and helpful. Tonight they have set up a bed in the room with Mum and have said a family member can stay with Mum if they want. My dad has asked my sister to stay with Mum. He is very tired and says he will sleep better knowing my sister is with Mum.
So, its all going really well in Dubbo.
So why cant i stop crying?
1st Sept 2007
Apparently Mums stats have dropped a bit and Dad has had a panic attack.
He keeps saying he should never of brought her home and that he's made a big mistake etc.
Ive just called the hospital and explained to them about Dads condition. Have also suggested a few things that they can do to make him feel a bit more at ease.
Have also given my sister the name of all the medications dad is on and what pill does what for him.
Ive told her to get him one of them now....the one for when he has a panic attack and gets over stressed.
He hasnt made a mistake. This is what Mum would of wanted. She wants to be home.
He thinks that now she's home....she will give up
------------------
2nd Sept 2007
Dad had another panic attack this morning and as he'd just opened a Fathers Day card from me where I had put my phone number in, he rang me.
Apart from the call telling me of Mums accident this was one of the hardest phonecalls ive ever had.
Dad was a mess. Very upset and saying some very worrying things.
I tried to calm him down. I tried to say the right things. I just didnt really know what to do or say
He hates being in the house alone, but he wont let my sister stay with him.
I dont know what to say. It's like he was asking me what to do, but every answer I gave was not what he wanted to hear.
In the end, when the phone call ended, i called my sister and told her to go round to him. I also told her to see if the hospital has a councellor for dad to talk to. I also told her to put the hospitals phone number next to dads phone and that when he feels worried, he should ring the hospital to see how Mum is.
Ive just talked to dad and my sister again. Dad seems a lot better, a lot calmer.
My sister has organised him to see the hospital councellor tomorrow.
Mum has had a good day. Her stats have been really good. The hospital has brought in a special mattress for Mum (she had one in england and Dad said he wanted one for her here), it moves so it stops bed sores forming.
They really seems to be doing everything they can for Mum.
I just dont know how to help Dad.
Thing is, even if someone was to stay with him at the house, they cant be there forever. Eventually he will be on his own.
I did tell him why not have a night with Mum, then 2 nights home, then a night with Mum etc....just till he feels more comfortable about being home
Apparently Mums stats have dropped a bit and Dad has had a panic attack.
He keeps saying he should never of brought her home and that he's made a big mistake etc.
Ive just called the hospital and explained to them about Dads condition. Have also suggested a few things that they can do to make him feel a bit more at ease.
Have also given my sister the name of all the medications dad is on and what pill does what for him.
Ive told her to get him one of them now....the one for when he has a panic attack and gets over stressed.
He hasnt made a mistake. This is what Mum would of wanted. She wants to be home.
He thinks that now she's home....she will give up
------------------
2nd Sept 2007
Dad had another panic attack this morning and as he'd just opened a Fathers Day card from me where I had put my phone number in, he rang me.
Apart from the call telling me of Mums accident this was one of the hardest phonecalls ive ever had.
Dad was a mess. Very upset and saying some very worrying things.
I tried to calm him down. I tried to say the right things. I just didnt really know what to do or say
He hates being in the house alone, but he wont let my sister stay with him.
I dont know what to say. It's like he was asking me what to do, but every answer I gave was not what he wanted to hear.
In the end, when the phone call ended, i called my sister and told her to go round to him. I also told her to see if the hospital has a councellor for dad to talk to. I also told her to put the hospitals phone number next to dads phone and that when he feels worried, he should ring the hospital to see how Mum is.
Ive just talked to dad and my sister again. Dad seems a lot better, a lot calmer.
My sister has organised him to see the hospital councellor tomorrow.
Mum has had a good day. Her stats have been really good. The hospital has brought in a special mattress for Mum (she had one in england and Dad said he wanted one for her here), it moves so it stops bed sores forming.
They really seems to be doing everything they can for Mum.
I just dont know how to help Dad.
Thing is, even if someone was to stay with him at the house, they cant be there forever. Eventually he will be on his own.
I did tell him why not have a night with Mum, then 2 nights home, then a night with Mum etc....just till he feels more comfortable about being home
6th Sept 2007
Things are going well for Mum.
Mum was put in her padded chair yesterday for a little while.
Also her oxygen face mask has been removed and she's only using the small little tubes that sit just below her nostrals. They tried just using in England but her stats kept dropping. So far her stats are staying at 98 which is great.
Today they are going to start removing Mums trachy.
Brain injury people from Lourdes Hospital in Dubbo have been in to see dad today. They will be assessing Mums condition over the next few days. They want to see her when she has her eyes open and they want to see how she reacts to things.
They have read Mums file and have told Dad that they are very well equiped to take Mum. They not only care for Mum and work hard at improving her condition, they also care for the family of the patient.
So hopefully, they will take Mum in as a patient in the near future.
-----------------
8th Sept 2007
One odd thing that we have found out though.
Mum and Dad went on a previous trip to England about 4 years ago. A neighbour of my Aunties had had a stroke a few years earlier, and it was well known in the area that she was able to now see into the future. Things she had said would happen...were happening.
So, my Mum went to see her.
Tha lady told her a few nice future things and thats all.
Later in the day, when Mum and Dad went for a walk, the neighbour went over to my Aunts house to see her.
She said she had seen something in Mums future but wasnt sure whether to tell her or not.
She told my Aunt that Mum was going to have a terrible accident and would die. But then she saw Mum walking with crutches.
My Aunt kept that to herself till a few weeks ago when she told my Dad (who has now told my sister).
I only found out while i was in the UK that Mum did actually die in the Ambulance but was brought back.
Things are going well for Mum.
Mum was put in her padded chair yesterday for a little while.
Also her oxygen face mask has been removed and she's only using the small little tubes that sit just below her nostrals. They tried just using in England but her stats kept dropping. So far her stats are staying at 98 which is great.
Today they are going to start removing Mums trachy.
Brain injury people from Lourdes Hospital in Dubbo have been in to see dad today. They will be assessing Mums condition over the next few days. They want to see her when she has her eyes open and they want to see how she reacts to things.
They have read Mums file and have told Dad that they are very well equiped to take Mum. They not only care for Mum and work hard at improving her condition, they also care for the family of the patient.
So hopefully, they will take Mum in as a patient in the near future.
-----------------
8th Sept 2007
One odd thing that we have found out though.
Mum and Dad went on a previous trip to England about 4 years ago. A neighbour of my Aunties had had a stroke a few years earlier, and it was well known in the area that she was able to now see into the future. Things she had said would happen...were happening.
So, my Mum went to see her.
Tha lady told her a few nice future things and thats all.
Later in the day, when Mum and Dad went for a walk, the neighbour went over to my Aunts house to see her.
She said she had seen something in Mums future but wasnt sure whether to tell her or not.
She told my Aunt that Mum was going to have a terrible accident and would die. But then she saw Mum walking with crutches.
My Aunt kept that to herself till a few weeks ago when she told my Dad (who has now told my sister).
I only found out while i was in the UK that Mum did actually die in the Ambulance but was brought back.
11th Sept 2007
the fundraiser last night raised $9000.
That, along with the money raised by the previous fundraiser has been put into an account for Mum and Dad.
Part of it has been used to pay Mum and Dads bills while they were away.
Dad wants to keep the rest in the bank for now. Till we see what condition Mum is in once she wakes.
He may need to get renovations and moderations done to the house for her. Or they may need to move.
The Dubbo community has been amazing.
Dubbo tends to only get in the news for the bad things, but this shows a totally different side of Dubbo and i feel proud now to have grown up there.
--------------------------
12th Sept 2007
Just talked to my sister.
She told me that yesterday, she and my Dad were sitting with Mum when my 16 year old niece walked in the room and said something loudly to her Mum (my sister).
Well Mum turned her head, loooked straight at my niece and started making a lot of noises. Almost like she was telling her off.
Then last night while my sister was with Mum, she said Mum was turning her head from side to side heaps to look around the room.
Mum has not moved her head on her own previously.
My sister rang the hospital this morning to see how Mum had been through the night and the nurse said Mum had been awake all night. And everytime they went in the room to check on her she would turn her head to follow them around the room.
The nurse then said to my sister "I think she may be starting to come out of this".
--------------------
13th Sept 2007
just talked to Mums Doctor.
The Doctor from the rehab centre has been and assessed Mum. They do not think she is ready for rehab yet.
We have to start thinking about putting Mum in a nursing care facility
He tells me that this does not mean she will be forgotten about. That the Doctors at the nursing care facility will keep the rehab Docs informed of her progression and if she starts to progress, she will be put into rehab.
They will give us a few options of places Mum can go and then we can pick which one.
I so wanted her to be ready for rehab.
If they accepted her that was kinda like a light at the end of a long tunnel for me. It would of meant that they think she is getting better.
My Dad has been told this news. Now i have to call him and see how he is
the fundraiser last night raised $9000.
That, along with the money raised by the previous fundraiser has been put into an account for Mum and Dad.
Part of it has been used to pay Mum and Dads bills while they were away.
Dad wants to keep the rest in the bank for now. Till we see what condition Mum is in once she wakes.
He may need to get renovations and moderations done to the house for her. Or they may need to move.
The Dubbo community has been amazing.
Dubbo tends to only get in the news for the bad things, but this shows a totally different side of Dubbo and i feel proud now to have grown up there.
--------------------------
12th Sept 2007
Just talked to my sister.
She told me that yesterday, she and my Dad were sitting with Mum when my 16 year old niece walked in the room and said something loudly to her Mum (my sister).
Well Mum turned her head, loooked straight at my niece and started making a lot of noises. Almost like she was telling her off.
Then last night while my sister was with Mum, she said Mum was turning her head from side to side heaps to look around the room.
Mum has not moved her head on her own previously.
My sister rang the hospital this morning to see how Mum had been through the night and the nurse said Mum had been awake all night. And everytime they went in the room to check on her she would turn her head to follow them around the room.
The nurse then said to my sister "I think she may be starting to come out of this".
--------------------
13th Sept 2007
just talked to Mums Doctor.
The Doctor from the rehab centre has been and assessed Mum. They do not think she is ready for rehab yet.
We have to start thinking about putting Mum in a nursing care facility
He tells me that this does not mean she will be forgotten about. That the Doctors at the nursing care facility will keep the rehab Docs informed of her progression and if she starts to progress, she will be put into rehab.
They will give us a few options of places Mum can go and then we can pick which one.
I so wanted her to be ready for rehab.
If they accepted her that was kinda like a light at the end of a long tunnel for me. It would of meant that they think she is getting better.
My Dad has been told this news. Now i have to call him and see how he is
13th Sept 2007
Just talked to Dad and he is so upset and angry.
He said Mum had her trachy removed today so was a bit tired.
He said the Doc from the rehab clinic came in while Mum was asleep and "assessed" her for 10 minutes.
He said to her "Val, move your leg" and when she didn't...well that was it.
He had notes of Mums case from when she first had the accident. From the original chest hospital she was in when she had pneumonia....2 months ago.
Dad asked where her recent notes were from the Brain Injury unit she was in in Leicester and the Doc said he only goes by the notes from when the accident happened.
WTF????
She has changed so much since then. We were told then to expect her to die.
Im so sad. Im so angry.
What kind of an assessment is 10 minutes when the patient is asleep after having a trachy removed?
I dont understand this.
This is my Mum they are talking about.
I tried to help Dad with how he was feeling on the phone. I tried to be positive.
I just don't understand this.
I don't know what to do
-----------------------------
14th Sept 2007
Mum is not well.
She is on some antibiotics.
Apparently she had reflex and she brought up some ummmm, digested food i suppose, and then let it sit so it went down the wrong way or something and landed on her lungs.
So shes on antibiotics to clear it up.
So she stays at Dubbo Base till all that is cleared up, then we will be given options of where she can go.
------------------
15th Sept 2007
i just feel like punching a wall or something.
I'm so angry.
WHY THE flip did this happen to my Mum??
WHY didn't bloody Mum look both ways before crossing the damn road??
If i read the word Karma anywhere again....i'm gonna scream.
Karma is bs.
My Mum never did a damn thing wrong or nasty to anyone in her whole bloody life.....so WHY IS SHE IN A COMA??
Why did she get hit that day??
I'm just so bloody angry that my heart is hurting.
I feel like if i hurt something on the outside.....maybe the pain inside won't be so bad.
i just want scream
Just talked to Dad and he is so upset and angry.
He said Mum had her trachy removed today so was a bit tired.
He said the Doc from the rehab clinic came in while Mum was asleep and "assessed" her for 10 minutes.
He said to her "Val, move your leg" and when she didn't...well that was it.
He had notes of Mums case from when she first had the accident. From the original chest hospital she was in when she had pneumonia....2 months ago.
Dad asked where her recent notes were from the Brain Injury unit she was in in Leicester and the Doc said he only goes by the notes from when the accident happened.
WTF????
She has changed so much since then. We were told then to expect her to die.
Im so sad. Im so angry.
What kind of an assessment is 10 minutes when the patient is asleep after having a trachy removed?
I dont understand this.
This is my Mum they are talking about.
I tried to help Dad with how he was feeling on the phone. I tried to be positive.
I just don't understand this.
I don't know what to do
-----------------------------
14th Sept 2007
Mum is not well.
She is on some antibiotics.
Apparently she had reflex and she brought up some ummmm, digested food i suppose, and then let it sit so it went down the wrong way or something and landed on her lungs.
So shes on antibiotics to clear it up.
So she stays at Dubbo Base till all that is cleared up, then we will be given options of where she can go.
------------------
15th Sept 2007
i just feel like punching a wall or something.
I'm so angry.
WHY THE flip did this happen to my Mum??
WHY didn't bloody Mum look both ways before crossing the damn road??
If i read the word Karma anywhere again....i'm gonna scream.
Karma is bs.
My Mum never did a damn thing wrong or nasty to anyone in her whole bloody life.....so WHY IS SHE IN A COMA??
Why did she get hit that day??
I'm just so bloody angry that my heart is hurting.
I feel like if i hurt something on the outside.....maybe the pain inside won't be so bad.
i just want scream
up tp page 35 now of copying the old thread over.
Will continue later
Will continue later
You give me tears Amy
Glad your thread is here and being updated xxโฅโฅ:-x
Glad your thread is here and being updated xxโฅโฅ:-x
madge, reading through all the old thread has had me in tears as well.
But i will keep going through it and posting the main bits over to this one. Its to important to me to loose it all
โฅ
But i will keep going through it and posting the main bits over to this one. Its to important to me to loose it all
โฅ
