Hi everyone, sorry that its been 12 weeks since my last update. The time seems to have been and gone in a flash, likely because for much of this period I have still been on quite strong pain and nerve spasm relief. My spine has six vertebrae plated together, this protects my spinal cord from further injury and allows my spine to support my torso. These plates and screws will remain in place. I have now made a full recovery from my chest and shoulder injuries. These injuries contributed to delaying my partaking in physical training exercises. I have now moved to the Spinal Rehabilitation Unit at Pinderfields Hospital. This is a specialist ward that provides care and rehabilitation physio for all kinds of spinal injuries. My rehab involves a daily physio session to give me better balance and core strength. These skills form the basis of my living and being fully independent. I am also able to go to the specialist disabled gym every day, to develop my upper body muscle groups. I am also able to do upper body free weights whilst laid on my hospital bed. The more I do the better and quicker my recovery, and the progress in my arms and shoulders to be my new legs. Self propelling a wheel chair takes a huge amount of energy and uses different muscle groups to any other exercise I have partaken in. The aim being that I can return to work and live with Deb as an independent none care supported person. My journey so far has been a bit of a roller coaster of emotions, ups and downs linked to my being able or not to actually do rehab exercise. I was put on bed rest for 3 weeks on getting to Pinderfields due to a pressure sore on my back. Pressure sores remain to be a real risk for people confined to wheel chairs. Much of my rehab involves education on how I can properly care for myself. For a person who has been as active as I and who has never rested on my laurels I have found this to be the hardest test of my mental strength. Recovery of a spinal injury is considered to be 80% mentally and 20% physically. My recovery is at present ahead of medical expectations which is a real driver to want me to push even further and harder. The support from Deb, Hannah, Peter, Houssem, my grand kids , mum, my brother and his family, our great friends and work colleagues is the main reason that I am doing as well as I am, you get so much strength from everyone, this compels you to get on with getting on with your recovery. So many people have stepped in to do amazing things for us. I am truly blessed and humbled by all of the support that I continue to receive. Please accept my and Debs heart felt sincere thanks, you have and continue to make my and our journey easier. I will likely be in Pinderfields hospital until Sept / October though many factors can cause delays or changes in my discharge date. Looking way ahead. I have been nominated to attend the national spinal sports trials that are held at Stoke Mandervile Hospital each April, this will allow me to try all the different sport disciplines available. The para-Olympic sports selection coaches will be at this event scouting for participants for Rio 2016. Athletes such as Karen Darke started their sporting success at this kind of event. So long as I continue to make the progress I am making I can attend on behalf of the Pinderfields spinal unit. My outlook is looking as positive as is achievable, I continue to concentrate on the fact that I have survived a major life changing / life threatening injury. I am in fact extremely lucky to be alive and in the position that i find myself in. Its not great, it wasnt in my lifes plan but you have to make the best of what youve got. So onward / upward is the only way I / we will go. Amazingly you can even scuba dive after a complete spinal injury. Look at backup and challenge your boundaries web sites, you will be amazed at what participants with spinal injuries can continue to make. Once again thank you for your continued support. I owe you all so much. Yours sincerely Pete
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 18:19:30 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015