Aug 31
And so it was that Tom made the journey 60kms closer to Harare to his new temporary home, Muelmed Medi-Clinic (Meulmed on my GPS!).
It was a long day due to a relatively late pickup by the cheerful and professional Netcare ambulance guys (1.45pm), but a day without hitches, and Tom is safely ensconced in ICU-C.
Leaving the Milpark OR Tambo Trauma Unit
Aug 30
There is no way we are going to let the Aussies and the Poms beat us, so come on Zimbos lets get out there and show them what we are capable of.
Join us at Borrowdale Race Course on Saturday 12th September at 10.00am for a walk around the course followed by a family picnic. Entry fees will be posted on the web shortly.
This is a “show of strength” for Tom and Sal. We need them to know that we are fighting and breathing for Tom every step of the way and this is our way to show it.
So come on bring your kids, dogs, grannies, grandpas and lets do this for Tom.
As England said “Lets mobilize ourselves to help mobilize Tom!!”
Even before the sun came up on Sunday, it was going to be a great day. Everyone in our “Show of Strength “team has known Tom of ages and knows he would have loved every minute of what we experienced.
It started early with a bus trip to the start line of the famous “Bridge to Brisbane”. After our pre-race warm up (coffee) we walked along the river towards the city, taking photos, talking about Tom and often just walking alone to breathe for Tom.
We all ran over the finishing line and agreed it was a great event that we’d love to do next year.
Tom, from all of us in Brisbane, best of luck with your move. We thought of you and breathed for you today, giving you strength for the challenges ahead. Safe travels from your Aussie mates!
For more photos of the day, checkout Tom’s Flickr Pics on the right of this page or click here
NB: I’ll post some info soon on the “Tom Logo” and how it’s available to everyone to use!
Even though the sights, sounds and smells of the Millpark hospital will very soon be a thing of the past, Jules and I were able to go and visit Tom there last week. My last post described the scene, and returning to the ward, it was all too familiar, the hum of the nurses, machines and visitors around the patients as they quietly go about their recovery. Tom was in his usual place, second from the widow, with a nice view of the gum tree outside. More familiarity as the smile and brightness in his eyes greeted me. Calm and relaxed, the conversation immediately flowed, when he asked all the personal, touching, caring questions I’m used to from Tom.
He has made a lot of progress since I last saw him, his condition is stable, most of the machines have gone and he was breathing on his own, all be it on a periodic basis (when I was there he was so that’s what I saw). The following visits were much the same, frequently bumping into other visitors, even able to do a bit of lip reading for him, but mainly ‘shooting the breeze’ and catching up. Tom has developed into an expert on all the variables and challenges he faces on a daily basis, describing the different monitoring processes and summarising his mood and achievements of the day, in articulate easy to understand fashion. Discussing the situation with the rotation of nurses in the ward, they told me more than once, that Tom informs them what do, from breathing and blood pressure treatment, to bed function setting. What’s more he is hungry for information about the various medical devices out there which can help someone with spinal injuries. We discussed some of these, researched the latest information and fed back to Tom.
During our last visit, Tom said he was a little down, when I say a little, I mean he still smiled and questioned, but was tired and quiet. He sums up his mood very well and realises that this is a major part of the battle. Throughout the week and especially this last visit I became more aware of all the levels required to support Tom, mental, physical and practical as well as the continuous emotional challenge, was very evident. The acceptance of this is a gradual and difficult process and more relevant with the ups and downs we and especially Tom and those most close to him all face on this journey. He was a pleasure to visit, and as I said to Sal, it’s like old times, catching up with an old friend, he is still very much the man we all know and love and it was so great to see him.
During our time in Joburg and surrounds, I was able to accompany Nick and Sal on a few of the visits to the facilities where Tom would go next. After significant work the best option was achieved. Muelmed is in Pretoria, very easy to get to I might add, and streets ahead of the other facilities suggested. The head physio, Melanie, gave Sal and I a tour of the new rehabilitation unit, it’s brightly painted with big windows letting in streams of sunlight, has a new rehabilitation area which is open plan and equipped with all the latest rehabilitation stations. The treatment and rehabilitation is advanced, proactive on all the latest physio techniques and very transparent, with a weekly assessment on 9 levels from physical therapy to social behaviour. They encourage visiting at all times especially while the patient is going through daily routine, so the support base can see and be involved if they like. Viva Pretoria I say, plan a whole morning or afternoon visit with Tom once he’s settled in.
I must add that while I was there I saw just how much effort Sal and Nick are putting in to the practicalities of this process on the ground in Johannesburg; I take my hat off to you both. So much effort from near and far was also evident from people like Mike, Grant, Nigel, Jules and Tessa (to name a few), also right up there in their own way, a pleasure to be part of, keep it up it’s the oil in this process.
I would also like to add that there are many ideas and practical suggestions which are going round in all your heads. Email Nick or I with your thoughts and ideas, it may be of a new treatment you’ve heard of or a nifty device which Tom might use, all welcome and we’ll put it into the right hands (warren.squires@gmail.com).
Looking forward to seeing you Tom, in December, next to the Christmas tree, finishing off ‘that’ beer and pizza while claiming Father Christmas did it.
Aug 29
Sunday morning is our Show of Strength! Our specially designed “Tom Tops” have been printed and we’re ready to go! It’s a 5km walk in the annual “Bridge to Brisbane”. We’re had more of Tom’s friends sign up that expected so it’s going to be a great morning.
When we hit the pavement on Sunday morning, please think of us and breathe for Tom!
Aug 28
Further to my post last night, I can confirm that Tom is only moving on Monday morning. Much as he’s keen to go, and the doctors have written the necessary approvals for him to ride the ambulance, Muelmed want him to get to them when they are able to give him sustained attention, and the imminent weekend is not going to allow this. It makes sense, and in fact Aukland Park said the same thing to us when he was due to go there.
So, its his last weekend in Milpark, and if you’re able to visit over the weekend I know he’d welcome the distraction as long as he’s not having to speak too much. I saw him this morning and he’s ok with the delay, despite his understandable longing for change.
I will provide all necessary detail on Muelmed’s visiting and schedules etc. when he’s safely ensconsed. Have a good weekend everyone…
Aug 27
The news came 1 day after day 111 at Milpark! Tom is moving to a new facility, based in Pretoria, that comes highly recommended.
Muelmed Medi-Clinic is a fully-fledged hospital, encompassing ICU and emergency facilities, all the attending specialists that you would expect of a reputable hospital, and a renowned rehabilitation unit that has massive experience with spinal injury inpatients.
Sal and Warren went to check it out last week and met with a couple of the key people who will be involved in Tom’s treatment. They left feeling that it was both a medically sound, and emotionally positive, place for Tom to go.
The last update we posted regarding Tom’s next stage was back when Netcare Aukland Park Rehabilitation Hospital was the intended institution. The change is due to Tom’s continued relience on some ventilation, and there are very few places that will undertake active recovery programmes with the medical expertise and equipment to handle ventilated patients. Aukland Park’s highly respected rehabilitation head, Rita Henn, was in fact the person who first mooted Muelmed as an ideal place for Tom right now.
At his last formal meeting with us, Tom’s specialist, Dr Pahad, told us that Tom has made good progress off the vent in this third attempt. He has had setbacks granted, but Pahad was positive about how Tom has fared both medically and mentally, and he said it is feasible that with active therapy, Tom may get to a point where even intermittent (backup) relience on mechanical ventilation of any kind will be unnecessary. The point is that a) he can’t and doesn’t want to stay where he is for much longer, and b) Muelmed has what Aukland Park was offering, plus the ability to handle ventilated patients. There’s a way to go with his weaning here, and there are no guarantees, but this is the place to do it.
We only got the news about medical aid approval for the transfer this evening, so I will have to post another update to confirm the logistics. We were told tonight that the move was requested for Monday, but Tom is keen to get moving and we will be trying to get it done tomorrow. Watch this space for updates.
Note that Tom is not going to a rehab ward upon arrival. He is being admitted to their ICU in order to properly assess his condition and give him some specialised care after the stress of being moved inter-city. Don’t be alarmed by this, by all accounts it is appropriately careful.
I will also post updates regarding visiting protocols etc. in due course. Till then, I think we can all consider this good news, and breathe some relief Tom’s way.
See you in Pretoria.
Aug 26
Today is our 9th wedding anniversary. I am back home now and it is hard to be apart on this day but I was able to talk with Tom. A stunning bouquet of our wedding flowers arrived and as usual I was reduced to tears. How does he do it? Today his trache was capped and so while Wens and Ant were visiting they called me as a surprise.
Its also 111 days since Tom was admitted into Milpark Hospital ICU. Tom has a freaky relationship with the number 111 so today must mean something in the scheme of things. He could drop a book and it would be open on page 111, he might look at his watch and it would be 1:11, the alarm bells of the man opposite him in hospital would go off – heart rate 111, the list goes on. Freaky and annoying I found it! I was hoping it to be the day he gets moved to Muelmed Hospital in Pretoria which has a dynamic centre for Spinal Injuries. I don’t think it will be so today.
When the girls and I left Joburg on Monday night we were all very sad. Tom had been really low in spirit a few days before and it was crushing to see. His frontal lobe of his right injured lung collapsed again on Friday and he was taken off the trache mask and put back on the wall cpap to keep the pressure in his lungs constant and hopefully reinflate it. It worked. This is a huge relief as the last time this happened he was put back onto the ventilator. And so up till now this is the longest time he has breathed without the ventilator but is still being assisted by the cpap machine. Today it seems they have capped his trache which essentially means he is breathing entirely on his own. His stats (particulary oxygen saturation levels) are now important and will be watched closely.
I spoke with all of Tom’s doctors while I was there, its very difficult to get any time at all with them so it was a lucky break, all being at Tom’s bedside so he was part of the conversations. They all indicated he should be ready to move to the next phase of his recovery as the weaning process was progressing forward. From my experience it is not a wise thing to hold on to news like this as twice before this news has been dashed and the process started all over again. But I have a warm feeling in my stomach and I need to believe perhaps that “Break” I begged for, might have arrived. Mike, Nick and Warren are working extremely hard behind the scenes at making this move happen. The next phase should at least be clear in a few days.
Deep sure breaths everyone, they are paying off. They are lightening this heavy heavy load. They really are.
Date: 12 September 2009
Time: 0930 Start / Registration (but you are welcome to join in at any stage of the day. Finishing just after lunch, around 2pm)
Meeting Point: Isabella Plantation Car Park, Richmond Park, London
(the car park is on a road inside the park, running parallel to the A308, Kingston Vale Road.)
Bring: Picnic Lunch, drinks, bikes (if cycling), walking shoes (if walking) and as many friends as you can!
Entry Fee: £5 for individuals or £15 for a family of 4.
We want to welcome as many people as possible to join us in Richmond Park for a fantastic show of support, love and strength for Tom and Sal. Let’s give them a boost; let’s stand up and be counted; let’s show what we are made of! I am hoping that we can all get together and share a lovely day with people who have one common interest – TOM.
This event is all about getting together. So if you are unable to join us for the cycle or walk, please come and join us for lunch or for a few minutes during the day. The more the merrier.
For safety reasons we have decided NOT to cycle out of the park, but rather stay on a roughly circular route inside Richmond Park boundary.
We have a number of walks and cycles including:
Short walk – 1.5 miles which will take about 45 minutes
Longer walk – 3 miles which will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes
Mountain Bike Circuit – 7.35 Miles around the perimeter of the park. (short cuts also available)
Road Circuit – Going anticlockwise round the park – each circuit being 7 miles – do as many or as few as you like!!
(There are lots of short cuts for those who cannot manage the circuit – but we will be clocking up the miles … we just have to beat those Ozzies!)
On arrival:
Meet at the car park around 0930.
Register your name as an individual or a group and pay Entry Fee (and any other donation if you able/willing)
On registration you will be given an event number and we will ensure you know your route.
At the end of the event, please make sure you sign out so we know you are home and safe!
The Entry Fee can be made in cash to Tom’s sister, Gretta, or in cheque form. If making payment by cheque, please make this payable to ‘Gretta Mackenzie’. All funds raised from this event will be paid, by Gretta, directly to Tom’s trust account (details on Tom’s website) after the event. Donations are also very welcome.
Tom has asked that this money be used to help purchase a standing wheelchair.
So let’s mobilise ourselves to help mobilise Tom!
HOPING TO SEE LOTS OF FACES.
Contact Gretta or Lyn for any further details.
Aug 22
To Ant Greenway. Makorokoto for an excellent Blue Cross. I so wish I could have done it with you. I miss you. You deserve a Yellow jersey and shouldn’t have to pay R12000 for a Red one! But thanks anyway BB!
To Wens Greenway. Thank you for the detailed account of the race and remarkable poem which is too good not to share……
A sugar cane fire burns
against the starred
black sky.
Dark-brown.
The earth on the mountain
stands strong for you.
Sky-blue-sky
smiles its way to you.
leaping and dancing,
A mountain stream
laughs its way to you.
Quiet and serene,
A sweep of golden grass
distills the sun for you.
Breathe it in,
Breathe it out.
Your wings will grow again,
And we will bring you here.
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