FRI 6^th OCTOBER

I was up early today. I’d been too tired to swim yesterday so had a shower before my Auntie and Mum picked me up for lunch. I had tried to call this OT all week, at 5pm I eventually got onto her.  Basically, although it wasn’t specified in the job description, it was predominantly home-based and a driving licence was required. The OT also said that she thought an acute setting would be more supportive.

 SAT 7^th OCTOBER

I was picked up outside my unit by Siobhan at 10.30 am. To make it easier for her I wheeled my luggage from the bedroom to the carport. The exterior door was so heavy I had to hold it open with a bag. It took me 7 trips before all the bags and me were waiting. I thought, for me, I had packed lightly but clearly not! We picked up Liz and were off to Anglesea.

On the way we stopped at Grovedale Coles to do a food shop. I decided it would be quicker if Liz and Siobhan did it and I waited in the car. Being the thoughtful girls they are, they bought me a cold dink and a straw before they shopped. I sat and waited. The car next to me opened their rear door into Siobhan’s new car. They drove off. I did all I could do, I took their number plate.

SUN 8^th OCTOBER

A great place to be. To sleep in and not feel bad. It was great to blob while others blobbed. I used the estim while Siobhan and Liz walked down to the beach.

 MON 9^th OCTOBER

Wrote book all morning. Felt very isolated, and decided I needed fresh air. The stair climbs every two hours were getting tedious. I put my credit card, keys and mobile in my pocket. I put my sunnies on. I pushed anchovy down the internal staircase, at one stage I was worried that it would fly through the window! I walked with anchovy, down the middle of the road, hoping that the on coming traffic would see me. I had said to Bec that I might attempt a walk the night before during our phone call. She said ‘Em, you’d better not, that area is so hilly’. Mum and Dad were on their way, Mum texted asking if I wanted to go for a walk to get out of the house when they arrived. It was such a good feeling to reply, ‘no thanks, I’m walking now but I’d love a take away coffee!!’ The walk was hard and hilly; I walked for 1 hour and twenty minutes. My stooped posture was proof. Mum and Dad arrived when I got back. I have never enjoyed a coffee so much!

My replacement frame for Anchovy arrived with Mum and Dad- an etac walker. It was less ‘grannyish’ and although more expensive, it was so much better to push. Dad liked the fact that there were no screws or bolts jutting out. I’d left scrape marks all around our house in Mont Albert.  To be honest I felt a bit sad that Anchovy now sat in the carport. Although his basket no longer fit, his handles were now replaced with gaff tape and the once new blue was now scratched and dull, it’d been good. I now have to think of a name I kinda like for my new frame. It can’t be as good as calamari or lollies… I’ll save such names  for my walking stick. 

 TUES 10^th OCTOBER

At Anglesea shops now. At the street and saw a couple holding hands. Swinging. Something I could never imagine doing. I’d have to let go of my frame to do that. Waving was even difficult.

WED 11^th OCTOBER

I have a protein shake every morning. I was given a bamix by a friend and decided that it would be great to mix my strawberry shakes. But after my kitchen cupboards, benches and floor was covered in the shake, I decided to mix it by hand. The lumpy bits floating on the top that refuse to be stirred in, I’d have to hack!

  THURS 12^th OCTOBER

Although I referred my patients to the CRS, today I was going myself. I had requested to go to the branch in the city, as I knew they specialised in ABI injuries. I went by taxi. Although this was frustrating as Flinders St Station was so close, it was the first time I’d tackled the city alone. It felt good. I really had no idea what to expect, perhaps I was hoping they would direct me. My initial session was with a speech pathologist. She was really nice but after discussing my background, she became quite confused. The referral from centre link stated that I’d had a stroke in 2003 and was previously working at The Royal Children’s. I remember in that 90 min interview I’d spent at least 30 explaining what all the different medical terminology. The referral even mentioned that I had word finding difficulties and in brackets dysphagia. No wonder the speech pathologist was confused. Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing!

I left the meeting 70 minutes later; we were going to finish the assessment in a fortnight. She warned me that it would be quite a time. I left jobless. I had gained nothing, other than knowing that sometime in my past I’d worked at the Children’s and had a stroke. I was in the city though. I’d paid to get there. I decided to buy something and Dangerfield four doors up from the CRS would be perfect. I walked as ‘normally’ as possible. Wearing my glasses, even though it made it too dark reduced the number of stares I was getting. I made it up the steep entrance of the shop. I looked up; the girl’s clothes were up at least 30 steps. I exited. I walked up the hill, tempted to cross Flinders Street and catch the train, instead walked up Swanstons Street. You see a lot of strange looking people in the city- I guess I’d never thought I’d be one of them! I looked at lots of shops and bought a packet of Darell Lea liquorice as proof that I’d been there. I was hot, so tired. My legs were dead!

 FRI 13^th OCTOBER

I went to the Optometrist this morning. The prism glasses were so blurry now I couldn’t read or write with them. It was better seeing two clear images rather than one blurry. Although more expensive I decided to get new frames and lenses. I sat with two men, where are the girls when you need them to make these huge decisions. I was given a large range of the ‘cheaper’ frames – I looked like Ezmae Watson out of Country Practice or Harry Potter. “It’s not a fashion statement,” the assistant said. He was right. The ‘coke bottle’ thick, cheap glasses I was buying were not fashionable. I was paying $500 dollars to achieve the antithesis of fashion. Perhaps I would start a new trend. Be the Prada of the Rehab world?!

I’m in a bad mood, don’t know why, maybe the weather, tiredness, being bored… No I think I’ll just blame it on ‘Friday the 13^th’.