Hi there… It has been three weeks since I last wrote a blog. Please accept my sincere apologies for this unavoidable delay in posting another blog; I thank each and every one of you for your ongoing patience, support and care. As I sit here in front of the laptop in my studio, I have so many thoughts, emotions and ideas I want to convey across to you all, particularly with it being our one hundred and fiftieth blog this week; however, my mind has now just gone instantly blank, as to where to actually begin! All I can write down at this present moment, is how truly grateful I am to be sitting here today (be it with ongoing pain and discomfort), but nonetheless, I am still going and I can still type with my left hand (quite proficiently now I might add!) …
Okay, my mind has now reset and is clear again… With the persisting (and severe of late) symptoms from my injuries, resulting from our car accident in early October; after six weeks I somehow knew within myself that these health issues were not improving, but in fact were unfortunately getting worse. After discussions with Husband and then seeing my Orthopaedic Specialist for the review of my MRI results, I had no other option but for Husband to take me straight away to hospital in ACT (thanks my rock), to be urgently reviewed by the hospital A&E triage unit and ED doctors, then the Neuro-specialist team who were based there.
A long story short, I was (gratefully) kept in hospital for care and pain management for approximately ten days, until an appropriate plan could be made with the Neurosurgeon for review and possible surgery to my neck. Due to the nature of my injury, it was deemed quite urgent that I was to have the neck surgery asap. The procedure was discussed and quickly approved by my insurance case manager (thanks so very much), then booked and attended on the 21st November, sadly and unavoidably on the same day as Mister C’s actual tenth birthday.
As you can imagine, it was a very stressful time for all of us, particularly Mister C and the girls, who were missing me at home quite a lot by then as well (Husband too of course-as he claims!). Husband agreed to continue our prearranged plans of having Mister C’s best friend over on the Saturday before Mister C’s actual birthday (a third boy could not make it). It was a fun day planned and Husband did is very best to keep these two rowdy boys entertained for the entire day (well done Husband). Later in the evening Husband commented that Mister C hugged him so tightly and then said, “Thanks, Dad. I had the best birthday party ever; it was SO much fun. I love you more than The Maker (God) could ever love you!”
We agreed that Mister C was able to open ten gifts, because he was turning ten of course (one large & other smaller ones) over this birthday weekend and his birthday on Monday; however, Husband had accidentally mixed up his gifts for Christmas and his birthday, that had been hidden under our bed for several weeks (oops!). Widy had also purchased two lovely gifts for Mister C, but they were opened in quite a rush with his bestie, where Widy unfortunately didn’t get to watch him open then (sorry Widy). All in all, Mister C had an enjoyable birthday, one of which I wanted to make sure he had nice memories with his friend and family, rather than it just reminding him of my crappy (and stressful) surgery day. Mister C was also able to stay overnight with Dad at Granny’s place, somewhere in which he always enjoys going and spending time with his kind and caring Grandparents; but to this day Mister C seems to always get plenty of water everywhere when in the bath, even more so than at home (thanks so much).
I don’t recall much of the day with my surgery, I was first on the list and felt grateful that I didn’t have to wait all day while fasting (is yuk to do). I was taken down to the OR very early at approximately 7:15am (I was able to watch the sunrise first, as I had done every morning while I was there in hospital); the procedure taking about two and a half hours and then time spent in Recovery and then I was transferred to ICU for approximately twenty-four hours. I recall waking up to a huddle of doctors and ICU staff around me; I knew I was in good care and I did feel quite relieved.
Husband and Mister C arrived an hour or so later, I recall Husband had a tear in his eye and was emotionally patting my hair. Mister C was in a content and calm mood, I indicated to him to come closer to me and I whispered, “Happy birthday, my son. I hope you’re having a good ten-year-old birthday day.” He gave me a hug through the hospital bed and said, “I love you so very much, Mummy.” It brought a tear to my eye, and the fact I was also in so much pain post-op as well, did also bring more tears to my eyes. I didn’t really want Mister C seeing me this way and in pain, but it was the only way we could arrange for me to see him on his birthday too; he was very brave and so understanding (very proud!) -such a good now ten-year-old boy!…
A Word from Mister C…
Husband and Mister C were able to visit me after my surgery in hospital. It was also Mister C’s tenth birthday; Husband had planned a few things for them both to do while I was in surgery beforehand. I woke up in the ICU with several doctors and ICU staff huddled around me in the bed. I heard some muffled voices and looked over to see many lines and drips were attached to me everywhere. An hour or so later, Husband arrived with Mister C into the large room with glass doors. Husband looked quite emotional and proceeded to pat my hair several times and leaned in to give me a kiss on my forehead. Mister C was hesitant to walk up to the bed, he looked around at all of the lines and machines first. I heard him say to Husband, “Gee, Dad, Mummy is really wired up in here!” I indicated for him to come closer to me, I gave him a little hug and whispered, “Happy birthday, my now ten-year-old son. I hope you’re having a good day?” Mister C smiled and said, “Yes, Mummy, I think my day is better than yours.” Both Husband and Mister C watched the kind ICU nurses attend to my needs. One nurse was changing a syringe and pressing some buttons on another machine. Mister C said, “It looks like glue, Dad. What if you were to put glue in the syringe?” The nurse smiled and said, “I don’t think anyone has ever tried that.” Mister C nodded and then replied, “What if the number on the monitor screen went to zero?” Husband looked over and then replied, “I don’t think, Mummy would be very well if that was at zero.” The nurse looked up and nodded too… 🩺
Stay tuned…
Me and Mister C wanted to thank the lovely staff and children at Bungendore Library, who we visited days before I was rushed off to hospital (thanks Husband for driving). We loved spending time with you all and also loved launching our new sixth book together as well. I also wanted to personally thank my dear mother-in-law, who has officially adopted me as her own daughter, and of which I am so proud to call her Ma! Thanks so much Ma for visiting me many times while I was in hospital, your care and support means so much to us, we love you (and Grandad too of course!). I finally wanted to thank our family and friends for all of your unwavering support, care and kindness; without you I truly wouldn’t be here today writing this next blog to share with you all… Here’s to a peaceful and relaxing festive Christmas season and a brighter and happier New Year in 2023 very soon…🙌
So nice that Ing is well enough to write her blog, even with one arm in a sling! Hopefully now on the road to recovery….now for that shoulder…….!