OT: good news and bad news

[Guest guest]

G'day, I hope all are well!

Me, not so much.

Some of you are aware of my situation already (thankyou facebook) and

for those who are already offering prayers and positive thoughts I thank

you most gratefully. Here's the abridged version of the story (can't go

into too much detail on fb, for obvious reasons)...

After many many years of Endometriosis the gyno sheduled yet another

operation for me to see what's going on in there. Twas 7th time UNlucky

unfortunately, as the 'routine' surgery has somehow left me with my

right leg paralysed from the knee down. There is some tingling and

numbness in parts, but nothing whatsoever in others. I cannot flex my

ankle and have 'foot drop', therefore cannot weight bear, and cannot

walk unaided. They don't seem to know what caused it- even though I

went to great lengths to advise them of my pre-existing back condition

(aggravated by that car accident in 2007) and had them note in huge

highlighted letters to use extreme caution on the operating table while

I was unconscious. I walked into pre-op ok, but " something " went wrong

and I woke up in recovery with my foot/calf asleep, and it hasn't woken

up yet. Neurologist ordered an MRI which showed no 'major' issue (thank

goodness, 'cause they were talking about possible spinal surgery!).

There may be soft tissue swelling, and there is obviously nerve damage.

In short, they don't know what caused it, or if/when it will get better.

So a simple day stay has turned into 6 nights so far, and don't know

when or even how I'm going to get home!

Of course the kids are devastated and finding it really difficult to

cope without mummy being there 24/7 as I always have been. Both Bayly

and Violet are in tears daily and their pictures and get well cards are

very emotional. Luckily, it hasn't had any negative effect on Bay's JIA

as the hospital has given permission for Grant to bring Bay's meds up

here for me to do his injections. I'm afraid it would be even more

traumatic if Grant had to do it at home without me.

On the plus side, it's proven pretty handy to have had all the years of

dealing with specialists and rehab, etc, as I find I know what questions

to ask of whom, and what kind of treatment I might expect to get

mobilised. I sure as heck wish I didn't have the experience but it's

coming in handy. Gotta look on the bright side, right?

Anyway, I'm stuck in bed in hospital, with a resting splint to try to

regain/retain the correct angle of my ankle, I have to use a zimmerframe

to go to the bathroom, and a chair in there for toileting and showering.

(Yay me.) There's talk of plaster to keep my foot flexed, so that means

crutches or a wheelchair. I also have a plastic knee-high orthotic for

when I can use shoes again.

Of course I can't drive, so lord knows how I'll cope at home alone with

two small children. Grant has only got casual work, at night, so can't

take time off (no work, no money!)

I've put in a call for legal advice as no one yet wants to take

responsibility, and they're scaring me, quite frankly, with all the talk

of specialists and equipment and rehab. We simply can't afford that.

So that's my story (breathes deeply). Any advice most welcomed, and all

prayers/support most appreciated.

Oh, another plus is I'm using my enforced downtime to learn a new skill-

my room is filled with balloon animals! []

Jo

Bayly, 8, eoJIA