Hi! My name is Ceej. I like to write stuff!
As the title of this blog suggests, I am very much alive.
I’m still life-ing along and still don’t have very much to blog about that isn’t just ordinary, everyday life stuff.
The medical stuff continues
The NDIS stuff continues
Some other stuff has been added to the current stuff and that means I have more stuff on my plate.
It’s getting sorted and I’m doing OK.
The blogs will return.
I’m just not ready yet
Ceej
As we catapult ourselves into the middle of August, I thought it might be time to give a wee bit of a life update
Recovery from surgery is going well. Turns out I don’t need to go back to Box Hill Hospital for a check up till sometime next April . This is good as it gives me time to work on myself and get more stable on my feet
I can do things like shower (almost entirely independently) and I have started to walk small, unaided walks to the bathroom and toilet. I can manage about 10 or so steps on my own without a walking aid… although, that is more like a shuffle than actual steps. For the most part I still use Christopher ( my walker) for around the house and Bert and Ernie ( my crutches) for when I go outside. I do have a walking stick but its old and I want to get a new one. ( But I can use that quite well inside)
Work is going through a lull at the moment. This is actually a good thing as it gives us all a chance to breathe and prepare for Christmas. We’re employing more people and, at present, TM’s and TSL’s are being moved like chess pieces on a board to ensure the right person is in the right place for the foreseeable future.
Sadly, this means I am losing my boss to greener pastures ( Metaphorically. She’s not leaving the company. She’s just taking on another role) and so as of Monday, my team will be looked after by a new person. So we’ll see how everything works out
In other news, I am trying to convince myself that I need to start using my rowing machine more often. I used to love that thing. And I still do… It’s just that trying to get on it at the moment makes my hip really sore and uncomfortable. I mean, I know once I’m on the thing, I’m fine, but yeah, the actual getting on the thing.. That’s another matter entirely. That said, It’s still early days and I am working on it.
I am still doing my rehab exercises, my physiotherapy, my hydrotherapy and everything else I need to – but sadly, I’m not running marathons just yet.
Hubby and I just keep on keeping on . We have our routine and it’s working well.
This week I plan to follow up on a few NDIS related things and find out what’s supposedly happening with the NDIS funded bathroom I am expecting to receive – I’ve not spoken to my Provider for months and so this week I am planning to follow up with them and see what’s going on
Other than that, the sun is out and the weather is nice .
Have a great weekend
Ceej
PS: The banner image was created with AI. I think it’s kinda cute 😀
June.
How the hell is it June already? Where has the year gone?
This year has gone so fast and I haven’t even started yet.
So, It’s been just over 3 months since I had the hip replacement surgery. While I’m not where I want to be, I am certainly a long way from where I was. I can get in and out of the shower (mostly) unaided, in and out of bed (mostly) unaided and I walk around the house with the walker pretty well.
I use my crutches for getting in and out of the house and car and as of yesterday I was able to use them to walk my very first short distance after my return to the Chiropractor to get an adjustment done.
It’s been a mix of
That have kept me going. It’s exhausting, tiring and sometimes I wish I didn’t have to keep doing it – but I also know that if I don’t, I’ll never get better and will end up worse as a result.
All this moving about has resulted in roughly 11.7kgs lost (25.79lbs for my American friends) which is also an incentive to keep going .
Work has been insane. Not to the point of drowning but constant. That’s all I’m going to say on that.
From a creative standpoint, I am a loss as to which direction I want this blog to go. Writing about my week – when it’s basically the same thing, day in day out is boring to write about and given that I’m paying for this platform, I really want to start using it for something.
Halfway through the year and I still haven’t been able to jump off the starting block
Ceej
Well, hello!
Yes I know. It’s been weeks since my last update but honestly, there’s been a lot going on.
My recovery from surgery is going well. Day by day there are little improvements. I’m finding I can move a lot easier which is good. Don’t get me wrong, I still have months and months to go and yes, it does get very frustrating sometimes …. But I’m getting there.
The drama with the NDIS continues – with my Change of situation being only temporarily approved due to the fact that the Home Mods need to be reviewed by a certain department . I’m still waiting for the forms to be signed or filled in or whatever, but no one is getting back to me *Sigh*
Today I will be following up with my Support Coordinator to see what’s happening with everything
Last weekend I caught up with my sister N and her hubby J. We’ve not seen each other for almost a decade so it was lovely to have lunch and do a bit of book shopping with her for a few hours. They came down from country Victoria to watch the football that weekend so decided to catch up with me as well, which was great!
May is month of birthdays in my family so every week one of us is turning a year older. Throw in Mothers day and you’ve got yourself a busy month!
Work is flat out busy. That’s all there is to say about that
That’s all I have as an update for now
I promise not to leave it so long between updates next time
Ceej
As the AI Generated image suggests, I am tired.
As I write today’s entry, I am still recovering from surgery and am also dealing with an ear infection in my left ear. *Ugh*
I had a whole spiel about how yesterday I managed two rounds of exercise and a Hydro Pool session but …. All I will tell you is that all went well and I inherited a red pool noodle in the process.
With Daylight Savings officially over for another year ( read six months) Hubby and I found ourselves awake at 5:30am this morning with no hope of going back to sleep.
Please accept my most humble apologies for how short today’s blog is . I simply do not have the energy to write much today
I shall endeavour to write more on the next one
Thanks for reading
Ceej
It was a Wednesday when I finally was allowed to go home.
That morning Hubby arrived at just after 8am . I wanted to have one last breakfast and a shower before I left PJC – so I did
After I got dressed and ready, Hubby packed the last of my things in the car and then we waited for my team to come and bid me farewell and give me my discharge paperwork
By around 10 am we were in the car and headed to our first stop – the chemist. I had bunch of scripts to pick up. ( And by I, I mean Hubby went and collected them all for me)
Then, as it was getting close to lunch time, we went and got a couple of breakfast focaccias.
I tried to stay awake. I really did however, shortly after lunch I hit a wall and needed to go down for a nap.
Hubby had errands to run and decided to take the opportunity to go do things whilst I slept.
Sadly, not long after he left, I needed to pee and so … I found myself going to the toilet for the first time since surgery on my own. Given my overly tired, fully medicated state I was extremely overwhelmed and ended up sitting on the bed sobbing my eyes out completely freaked out by everything.
Thankfully Hubby returned not long after this and all was blithe and bonny.
It’s been about a week and a half since I’ve been home and things are improving a little more each day.
I can shower now. I was given a stool on loan ( I have decided to keep it So, I will be sorting that out ASAP ) and I use it to sit on every morning.
Going to the toilet is still a struggle but not as much as it once was ( it’s due to my surgery wound not being healed properly just yet and where it’s located on my right leg)
Getting dressed is still a slow process but again, I am getting there.
I do exercise daily so there is that. My rehabilitation takes a step up a notch as of this weekend when I hit the pool and start Hydrotherapy
Being home has been nice. I was worried at first. Mainly because I thought I wouldn’t be able to shower – but since I have that sorted, I am pretty much OK.
Things I currently not allowed to do
Those I need to wait a little bit longer for. They will come 😀
Once again, huge thanks to everyone at PJC for their support, care and understanding.
Only onwards and upwards from here!
Thanks for reading
Ceej
Good morning !
Happy Sunday!
For today’s blog I decided I’d use a pic of myself in my bed at Peter James Rehab.
A) Because I think it’s a nice picture and
B) It’s the only pic I’ve currently got that shows the awesome shoulder/neck pillow that my Hubby bought me
By my second week, not only did I have my wheelchair and walker with me – but also my little desk on wheels to put my stuff on, my gym equipment, my revitive machine and more nighties than you could poke a stick at!
Things were going well. Slowly but well.
Due to developing a pressure sore on my right heel, my mattress had been swapped out to an special air mattress that vibrated slightly as you lay on it which was really comfortable.
During that week, I’d had my dressing removed, saw the podiatrist and had arranged a stint in the Hydro Pool.
My walking was getting better and for the first time in years I had legs and feet
(IYKYK)
By now, Hubby was woking half days – so my Support Workers were with me from 8:30am till 2pm then Hubby came from 2pm -5pm to keep me company.
Hubby and I played “The menu game” every afternoon where he would read out the menu for the next day and I would pick what I wanted to eat. It was always two days in advance so, you know, of course I could never remember what I ordered… which meant I was surprised every day when my food came!
Mary-Anne (who was with me during week 1) got to go home on Friday of my second week ( something she was quite relieved about) I do hope she’s doing OK.
Young Master Peter ended up being transferred back to Box Hill Hospital as he’d become very unwell whilst at PJC and a few days after he left, we were told by his Brother and Sister that while in the Emergency Department he’d suffered a stroke and that they were now considering Palliative Care for him. Still, they came to personally thank us for being nice to him and for making him smile. That was lovely of them and I really do hope that Peter received the best care possible for as long as they were able.
It wasn’t long before those beds were taken over by new occupants and while I won’t go into too much detail, there was one in particular who, after much complaining, got to go home early. Not to put to finer point on it but i think everyone was glad to see the back of them. I know I certainly was!
Anyway, on days when when the weather was nice, I’d get into the wheelchair and my support worker and myself would go down to the cafe and grab a snack before going outside to get some air.
One thing that stood out about PJC was that even though It was part of the Public Health system, the amount of people who drove cars that screamed ” I’ve got more $$ than sense” was ridiculous. Some of them even had no idea how to park a car – often taking up more than one parking space!
It was very telling to be honest and I did feel very sorry for a lot of the elderly folks in the Rehab ward as a result. If they can afford a big expensive F- off car… could they not afford Private Health for their loved one?
I can’t imagine how it feels for the staff to have orders and demands barked at them – families demanding Private Health treatment despite being in a Public Health facility . It must be horrible!
I ended up getting my Hydro session which i thoroughly enjoyed! As a result I have arranged to continue doing so from April 5th. Cannot wait! I think it will really help with my recovery!
That’s all for this blog. There will be a final blog about this experience in afew days
In the meantime, thanks for reading 😀
Ceej
By 5pm Friday the 28th February I found myself in East Ward, bed 12 of the Peter James Rehabilitation Hospital in Burwood East.
Before I begin I just want to give a huge shout out to all the Staff at PJC (Especially my crew ” Mamma Mia” “Van Helsing” and ” Strawbs” as well as Tahlia, Debbie, Ken, Kylie and a heartfelt Namaste to my favourite orderly Will) who gave 110% every day to look after not only myself but everyone in the Rehabilitation ward at the Hospital.
Upon my arrival I was stressed out, sleep deprived, pissed off and on the verge of a complete break down due to having the equivalent of one hour of sleep the night before due to complete mayhem in my ward at Box Hill hospital the night before.
Having said that, the two folks from the Patient Transport Unit who took me to PJC were lovely and happily informed me my new hip was made from the same stuff that the stretcher they had me on was made from – so it was bound to last me for many, many years.
With that piece of information tucked away to be used as ‘bragging rights’ for later on, I began my stint in the Rehabilitation wing.
Despite being built in 1985 ( If my memory serves me correctly) East ward looks like something straight out of the 1950’s. Crisp white Hospital linen that had the life starched out of it and every bed had its own blue wrap around curtains for privacy. A light switch, a nurse call button, a TV and a landline phone – the only devices on hand ( Of course, everyone had their mobiles but man, it felt like I’d stepped back in time) Naturally the Wi-Fi was shit.. so, Hubby bought in our little pre paid dongle to cover me for my stay.
Over the days that followed, I had all my gear bought in to help me get around the ward. My manual wheelchair, my walker and the gutter frame that was given to me by Vanessa – the in house OT so when I was ready, I could walk. The nurses would often comment on my stuff saying it was much fancier than what they had on offer ( That was true. It was) I must admit I did feel a little bad but at the end of the day, I had to do what was best for me to help me get by.
Another thing that happened was that my Support Workers were allowed to be with me for half a day to help me get showered and dressed. This took a load off the day shift nurses it freed them up to assist other patients. My Husband was also doing his share with helping me throughout the day. He was very hands on with everything – wanting to know how everything worked so he could assist me better.
I have to say, my Hubby was my rock throughout this entire ordeal. He was there for me every single day. Never left my side. I had a couple of really bad nights while in PCJ and when I woke at 6:30am the next morning, there he was, sitting there quietly waiting for me to wake up. I am majorly proud of him and honestly, he’s just been amazing. Even when I’ve wanted to just throw in the towel he’s been there with unwavering support and plenty of tissues to wipe away my tears.
Anyway, my first week consisted of going to the rehab gym and learning how to put one foot in front of the other ( at time of writing, I am still learning how to do that. It’s a very slow process) and coming to terms with the new way of walking. I can’t remember if I said this in my other blog but I actually grew a couple of inches taller thanks to the operation so yeah, not only did I have to come to terms with a new way of walking but being a bit taller is also on the cards!
Gabby, my physiotherapist, was great and she certainly put your girl through her paces. She was always encouraging me or pulling me up if i did something wrong. By the end of my first week I could transfer from my bed to the chair beside it and from that to my wheelchair and visa versa. So, in recovery terms that was huge.
Around my 2nd or 3rd day, my Support Worker Miss S noticed how both my legs were swollen. The Dr was called ( A lovely Irish Dr called Hugh) and it was decided that I needed to swap out some of the meds I was on. Turns out it was all fluid and thanks to a change in medication, I was able to lose around 3kgs-4kgs (roughly 8.8 pounds) in fluid. I never needed to urinate so much in my life but it really did help!
I had 3 other people with me in my ward during my first week. We got along rather well. There was Marry-Anne who was recovering from a knee reconstruction, Peter ( sadly I didn’t find out why he was there. Although, he did tell us that he had 2 brain tumours in the past. I will write more about him in my next blog) and another lady whose name I can’t remember. She had, had a stroke and at that stage wasn’t doing very well.
Before I end this blog, I just want to say people give hospital food a bad wrap and I am here to tell you the meals I had were rather lovely . All of the vegetables ( I was particularly fond of the potato mash) I could eat. Breakfast was at 8am sharp. Lunch was at 12pm and dinner was at 5pm. Like clockwork. Each meal was like a 3 course on its own. I grew attached to their cordial ( weird I know) and no, I did not go mad for the jelly cups. They just didn’t appeal to me. At all.
There will be more to this blog – a part 3 – in a few days.
In the meantime, thanks for reading
Ceej
As I write this, my hip replacement is done. However, before I get to how life has been post surgery and what my plans are for the foreseeable future, I’d like to go back to the before.
Before it all happened.
Sunday February 23rd 2025
I had it all arranged. Hubby and I were to spend the night at The Quest apartments in Mont Albert the night before my surgery date as it was as close as we could get to Box Hill Hospital – given I had to be there at 6:30am the Monday morning.
We’d packed everything expecting a smooth run. I was excited, nervous and scared shitless all at the same time. I tried not to let it bother me as we made good time to our destination, instead choosing to focus on the fact that for the first time in months I’d be able to have a decent shower ( I had to be washed in this antiseptic soap stuff the night before and the morning of my surgery) and a good night watching Netflix and sleeping in a – hopefully- comfy bed.
We’d bought dinner from home . Most Quest apartments come fully equipped with everything you need to cook a meal so we were set for a quiet night in.
Upon our arrival we were told that the Disabled room that was booked for us was currently occupied by someone else because our booking was overlooked in the system and consequently not paid for. This meant we had to cough up our own money to pay for a non disabled room ( Not happy Jan!) and after much back and forth, we were eventually given a plastic outdoor chair for me to sit and shower on. It was hell but we managed. The rest of our night wasn’t that great either – with most of the cookware filthy dirty and unclean. Thankfully the microwave worked – so we still had our spaghetti – without the garlic bread.
Stress set in and I couldn’t sleep. I think I managed about two maybe three hours ( if that) before it was time to get up and get ready for me to go to Box Hill Hospital.
Monday Feb 24th 2025
By the time we got down stairs our lovely taxi driver was waiting. This to, was organised and paid for in advance ( Wait for it!) but to no one’s surprise, we also had to pay for that . Granted it was a grand total of $6.00 but still.
Anyway, hospital admissions opened at 6:30 am sharp and I was the 2nd person to be called up. It wasn’t long before I found myself getting prepped for surgery and by 8:15 am I was with the anesthetist – Candy her name was. Lovely, nerdy woman. Full of silly jokes, Star Trek references and bright, hot pink hair.
They gave me a spinal and by god that hurt. Having to guide her where to aim the needle was painful but surprisingly it didn’t take that long because, as I was so dutifully informed, not many people tend to tell them what’s going on and just sit and suffer. ( Like why? Is my question.)
A few minutes later I was wheeled into the theater and I noticed all the 3D pictures on a screen in front of me.
“Is that me?” I asked surprised
“Yes!” Candy informed me while she plugged me into all the machines . By this stage I was numb from the waist down and had no idea they’d inserted a catheter until someone announced it was done.
At this point, I was starting to get a little freaked out so I squeezed Candy’s hand and told her that she was my friend and not to leave me. She assured me she wasn’t going anywhere and that I’d be OK.
I wanted to meet the Doctor doing the operation before anything happened. They let me say hello which was nice. It was also comforting now that I think back on it. Knowing you’re in good hands always helps . Or at least, it helped me anyway.
The last thing I remember was talking to Candy about something star trek related before I fell asleep. Oddly, I remember thinking ‘I’ll just take a nap. I must be tired’ and I could hear myself breathing.
Unlike my previous surgeries, this one was different. Hand on heart I swear I was out for a total of 15 minutes!
The next thing I know I woke up . There were bright lights and a clock on the wall. I looked at the time . It was Midday.
There was a nurse at the foot of my bed. “Hello” she said, smiling at me “Welcome back! You’re in recovery!”
Shortly thereafter I was taken to the 9th floor. I was put in room 31. A room to myself. Hubby was with me by this point and I don’t remember much except vomiting alot and feeling quite ill. I do remember having a nosebleed but that didn’t last long.
About an hour or so later I was moved again. This time to the far end of the ward which I shared with about four other people. I was moved to make way for an infectious patient ( Or that’s what they said anyway) and to be honest, that was perfectly fine with me. Being in a room on my own would’ve drove me nuts under the circumstances so I was glad to have company – even if that company didn’t say much.
I stayed at Box Hill Hospital for about a week. The first night or so I was on oxygen. It was weird having a peg in your nose helping you breathe but I got used to it soon enough. They woke me every few hours to check my vitals – that’s how I became known as 277**** . The nurses were lovely and helped me when I needed it.
I later found out that not only had I had a full replacement of my right hip but they’d also straightened my pelvis and lengthened the muscles in my right leg so it was the same as my left – which meant I grew a few inches taller! Wah-hoo!
I had been warned that they’d waste no time getting you up on your feet and the very next day after surgery that’s exactly what happened. I met with an in house OT who got me out of bed and gave me a gutter frame. I managed to walk a few small steps ( about 10 meters) before I became to overwhelmed and cried. Over the next few days I kept moving my legs – either by using the frame or simply just moving my legs up and down side to side.
I was once asked if I was bored while in hospital. Short answer? No. Not for one second. There was always something happening on my ward. From the woman with multiple personality disorder complaining of severe pain, to the man who was so out of it he had no idea where he was ( poor guy) to the main attraction, a feisty old Italian woman named Rosa – who, despite having had a full knee reconstruction was determined to go home. I felt so sorry for the nurses, constantly run off their feet shouting “Rosa! Where are you going?!” or “Rosa! You’re in Hospital! You can’t go home yet!” or “Rosa! Have you fallen off the toilet again?!”
( At time of writing I do so hope Rosa has gone home to her family and that she’s healing well)
While in Hospital I had my support workers and my Hubby by side helping me where they could. Hubby was very hands on with everything – which the nurses appreciated as it gave them a bit more time to assist other patients.
What I will say is – I became an expert at rolling! Not being able to take myself to the toilet, I had to wear a special pad most of the time. My nickname became “Rolly Corie” which amused everyone to no end.
By Friday morning, I was told I was being moved to the Peter James Centre to continue my Rehabilitation. By midday I was taken to the transport lounge – where I had a spot of lunch and by 5pm I found myself in East Ward of the Peter James Rehabilitation Hospital.
But this blog is long enough for now. You shall read all about that when I get to part 2 in the next day or so
Cheers and thanks for reading
CJ
So, here we are.
Three weeks and counting
My official date for surgery ( barring any situation whereby someone requires immediate attention) is February 24th 2025.
I’ve been on a waiting list since May last year so, the fact it’s only taken 9 months to get to this point is pretty good.
I’m not nervous – well, at least not at the moment. For a few months I was pretty much shitting myself b/c I slipped and fell down the “What if” rabbit hole
So yeah, I’ve been there. It kept me awake for months. Trust me.
Anyway, like all my surgeries, ( I’ve only ever had two) this one is also during the hottest month of the year.
In case you’ve not been following along, I’m due a full right hip replacement due to severe osteoarthritis of the hip joint – full bone on bone. I’ve spent the last year or so either getting about in a wheelchair or a walker and, after a rather nasty fall a year ago, here I am .
The initial recovery time is 6-8 weeks and then a further 6-12 months to be fully back up and functional.
So there’s that.
Other than that, It’s been stupidly hot – which is why this blog is coming to an end at this point because my brain is melted
Ceej
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