I'm sitting here at my computer ... it's almost midnight ... sipping the last of a Drambuie before I go to bed. Joey is down the hall somewhere ... probably chewing one of Ciaran's socks ... and both my boys are "out". Conor has gone over to Matt's house to play video games ... and Ciaran is out cruising with a couple of his buds. Three months since the accident ---- and we have reverted to a "normal" life. Remarkable!
I am so incredibly at peace. All is right with the world (not really -- but it's right within my world!) and I feel as though we're approaching the end of that dark tunnel that seemed so very vast just 3 months ago.
I was watching an Oprah show today .. it was about the "laws of the universe" ... it hit home. Those of you that know me well, know that I am a no-nonsense, no-excuse person. Those of you that have been introduced to me through this blog ... have probably seen glimpses of that. The gist of the show was that what you put out ... is what you get back. Karma ... kismet ... reap what you sow ... it has many names. But basically .... you are responsible for your own life. You own it ... you're responsible for its direction. If you are a victim ... it is because you see yourself as a victim ... so people treat you as a victim. That is your choice ... you choose to be a victim. Bad things happen to good people. Regardless of what is going on in your life ... there is always something to be grateful for. Focus on the gratitude ... don't focus on the victimization. There are people who choose to have drama in their lives ... who seem unable to "survive" without it. Again ... a choice. I know this seems harsh ... but over the past 14 months ... I feel I have "walked the walk", so I am entitled to "talk the talk". I have not allowed myself to be a "victim" ... and as a result ... well, you've all read this blog. Not only have I (we) survived ... but I (we) am stronger because of it and blessed with an abundance of friends and a wealth of experience just waiting to be passed on. I am so incredibly grateful ...
Conor is attending physio three times a week and has begun an exercise program. They are working on the leg ... and trying to get the wrist as supple as possible prior to the surgery. Today, Conor visited his orthopaedic surgeon. He walked into the clinic ... no crutch .. no cane. Dr O'Neill ... just smiled and shook his head. Conor went for his x-ray (I think this is his fiftieth ... they better have been using the lead shield 'cause I want grandchildren!) and the break above his knee has completely healed. The ortho had to strain to see it in the films. The bone around the rod is almost complete .. and the ortho doesn't want to see him for three months! I burst into tears! Three months! Conor, bless him, looked at me confused as to my tears. It seems it's time for me to take off the warrior garb ... not currently required. I think that warrants a few tears of relief!
So ... that is where we stand, my dear friends. I am still off work until the end of March ... and plan to go back half-time to begin with. As you can imagine, my priorities have changed considerably over the past year ... and Conor still needs me (and I need him to need me). Conor's occupational therapist has scheduled an appointment to visit the LCBO to see exactly what is required in Conor's day-to-day work life (months ahead of schedule I might add!). Ciaran is well .. and normal .. and doing all the stupid things that sixteen year old boys do (and that he has every right to do!) We are almost at the "other side" of this .. and again ... thank you. Each step of this road was made possible by your strength ... your perseverance ... your belief that we could do this. We would not be where we are today without your love and support. And I thank you ... from the bottom of my heart!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Wrist Update
It's been over a week since I posted ... sorry to all you guys who check this site everyday.
A little news to impart ....
Last week saw the last visit to the house for Conor's physiotherapist, Julie. On her last day, she had Conor play guitar for her. He played a couple of songs, and though he struggled with some picking, he was able to play remarkably well. For all you fellow weepers out there ... he played Tears in Heaven by Clapton ... and there was not a dry eye in the room! Julie looked at me and smiled and said that this is what makes her job worthwhile. A motivated 20 year old ... with nothing on their mind but healing. She gave Conor a hug and asked if it would be okay if she followed up with him from time to time. She has now passed him off to the Canadian Back Institute on Greenbank Road for further treatment. He has his initial assessment on Friday ...
As you know ... the Superbowl was played this weekend. Conor's team ... the Colts ... were victorious. Although I was secretly cheering for Chicago (and Ciaran not so secretly) ... I knew that Indianapolis would win. It was pre-ordained. Conor was ecstatic. You may recall in a previous post ... that the PR people for the team sent Conor some "stuff" and a lovely personalized letter wishing him well in his rehab. After the victory ... Ciaran wondered out loud whether the Colts would point out that they had dedicated their win to that kid in Ottawa, Canada who had hit a bus. Needless to the say ... the room exploded. I don't know how that kid's mind works ...
Today, we went to the big wrist specialist. He was very nice and was thrilled that we were so aware of the problem with Conor's wrist and were willing to be aggressive with treatment. He concurred with the other specialist, and Conor's surgeon, that surgery would probably be the best option, given his youth. He advised that if he was over 50, there would be no need for the surgery --- that Conor's current range of motion is more than a lot of older people have.
They will make an incision behind Conor's knee and remove a pancake-shaped piece of bone (with cartilage attached) that they will transplant into the wrist. This will give a nice smooth surface within the joint ... and provide some much needed cartilage. I asked how long he would be off his leg ... and the doctor claimed not even a day. He is scheduling the surgery for 8-10 weeks ... and we are scheduled to see him again on 3 April. Conor will be in a cast after the surgery for about 6 weeks ...(no pins) ... then the real rehab (strengthening and mobility) can begin in earnest. Till then ... it's strengthen the leg and the rest of that skinny wee body ... and get as supple a wrist as possible.
Conor is truly doing well ... sometimes too well. This weekend we had to hold back on the walking a bit as he was irritating the tissue covering the screws. However, by holding back ... the knee stiffened. So we are currently trying to find the right balance between too much and not enough exercise. The sooner the screws can come out ... the less this will be an issue.
Well, my friends, that is about all I have in the way of updates. Ciaran and I are still doing well ... and are less at Conor's beck and call. I can leave him alone for longer periods (I still call to check up ... I know, I know) and I think we've seen the last of the panic attacks. I can't wait for the weather to cooperate a little bit so Conor can get outside to do a few laps around the block ... but -30 is just not conducive to that kind of exercise. Soon ... very soon! Have a great week everyone . . .
A little news to impart ....
Last week saw the last visit to the house for Conor's physiotherapist, Julie. On her last day, she had Conor play guitar for her. He played a couple of songs, and though he struggled with some picking, he was able to play remarkably well. For all you fellow weepers out there ... he played Tears in Heaven by Clapton ... and there was not a dry eye in the room! Julie looked at me and smiled and said that this is what makes her job worthwhile. A motivated 20 year old ... with nothing on their mind but healing. She gave Conor a hug and asked if it would be okay if she followed up with him from time to time. She has now passed him off to the Canadian Back Institute on Greenbank Road for further treatment. He has his initial assessment on Friday ...
As you know ... the Superbowl was played this weekend. Conor's team ... the Colts ... were victorious. Although I was secretly cheering for Chicago (and Ciaran not so secretly) ... I knew that Indianapolis would win. It was pre-ordained. Conor was ecstatic. You may recall in a previous post ... that the PR people for the team sent Conor some "stuff" and a lovely personalized letter wishing him well in his rehab. After the victory ... Ciaran wondered out loud whether the Colts would point out that they had dedicated their win to that kid in Ottawa, Canada who had hit a bus. Needless to the say ... the room exploded. I don't know how that kid's mind works ...
Today, we went to the big wrist specialist. He was very nice and was thrilled that we were so aware of the problem with Conor's wrist and were willing to be aggressive with treatment. He concurred with the other specialist, and Conor's surgeon, that surgery would probably be the best option, given his youth. He advised that if he was over 50, there would be no need for the surgery --- that Conor's current range of motion is more than a lot of older people have.
They will make an incision behind Conor's knee and remove a pancake-shaped piece of bone (with cartilage attached) that they will transplant into the wrist. This will give a nice smooth surface within the joint ... and provide some much needed cartilage. I asked how long he would be off his leg ... and the doctor claimed not even a day. He is scheduling the surgery for 8-10 weeks ... and we are scheduled to see him again on 3 April. Conor will be in a cast after the surgery for about 6 weeks ...(no pins) ... then the real rehab (strengthening and mobility) can begin in earnest. Till then ... it's strengthen the leg and the rest of that skinny wee body ... and get as supple a wrist as possible.
Conor is truly doing well ... sometimes too well. This weekend we had to hold back on the walking a bit as he was irritating the tissue covering the screws. However, by holding back ... the knee stiffened. So we are currently trying to find the right balance between too much and not enough exercise. The sooner the screws can come out ... the less this will be an issue.
Well, my friends, that is about all I have in the way of updates. Ciaran and I are still doing well ... and are less at Conor's beck and call. I can leave him alone for longer periods (I still call to check up ... I know, I know) and I think we've seen the last of the panic attacks. I can't wait for the weather to cooperate a little bit so Conor can get outside to do a few laps around the block ... but -30 is just not conducive to that kind of exercise. Soon ... very soon! Have a great week everyone . . .
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