18th November 2011

Hiya
Another good weekend at home. Steven had time on his own at his own house, he enjoys that, while we go out and do our own thing, such as car-boots!!. On Sunday my birthday we drove up to see Paul. There, Steven got me to stand still in front of him, and told me to shut my eyes. I did, then he said open my eyes, as I did I saw that his eyes were shut, and then he opened them, this was to re-create what he did on my birthday last year. Very emotional that was. Opened cards at Paul's, and read them. When we get home this weekend I'm going to open last years cards and read them. We returned to the hospital intending to be there until Friday, only to receive information that we had to see a National Health doctor on Thursday morning, and then a private doctor on Friday morning. So we had a busy week emptying the house of all our property gathered in the 11 months we've been there. Luckily we'd been taking things home for the last 2 weeks, but there was still going to be a car full. So just 3 days of physio'. It was during this 3 days that Steven began to feel quite ill. We don't know if this the reaction to the reduction in his medication, or just unsettled stomach due to everything going on, last days at the hospital, returning home permanently, seeing other doctors, probably a mixture of everything.
Wednesday came, and we said our goodbyes to our friendly neighbour, then it was Steven's turn to say his goodbyes to all the staff. Lots of photo's taken and tears shed. They all want Steven to return when he's fully recovered. They all said it was a miracle that he was walking out after arriving in such a poorly condition. Then it was off to Paul's with an excessively overloaded car. We offloaded a lot of things there for later collection and brought Paul home with us. You just wouldn't believe the amount of gear we now have at home, what a mess. We have a lot of Steven's clothes as well as our own, but all manner of things have been tripled due to the different "homes", where we're going to put it I have no idea.
Thursday morning we visited the local hospital to see the traumatologist. This doctor never even looked at Steven's extensive file of reports, analysis results, x-rays, and scans, and didn't even examine him. All he did was make appointments for more tests, beginning on 9th December, which would considerably delay any operations. I asked if there was any objection to us going to see private doctors, and he said he couldn't give an opinion because he didn't know what was the matter with Steven??
Friday morning we visited the local private hospital, what a difference!!. Full examination of Steven, physical and oral, all manner of tests organized for next Wednesday morning, and the hip operation arranged for 19th December. This doctor said that a half pelvis replacement was not necessary. He said that Steven's pelvis in the region at the top of the thigh bone had been crushed, and would require a new socket fitted. Steven should be walking the same day. So it's all looking good for Christmas. We all felt really positive after the meeting, especially when the doctor said that he would probably operate on Steven's elbow later, and possibly fit him for an orthopaedic shoe for his left foot. Completely different to what we'd been told.
best regards
Terry