27Aug 2008 by mforbes

Party Pooper – Presence not presents

In Hospital
Hi All  Just a very quick one: - Mike did type ALL of his second post - he has new party tricks for his bash on Sunday - we have been advised by the hospital that it is a dry-premises ... rah, rah, rah, boring snoring but anyway, Mike needs every bit of his nervous system so no wine is good for him. Just wanted to make sure that everyone knew. Maybe we can have ginger beer -- or I suggested going and sitting just outside the boom gates to have a quick tipple - Mike wants to catch up with people, not receive presents.
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24Aug 2008 by mforbes

My Bonus Birthday

In Hospital
Welcome all to my second post. In this post I wanted to try and thank everyone who has helped me get to this point. From the events that have been relayed to me of my first 12 days this would be an impossible task without missing anyone.  So rather than attempt to do this please take this e-mail as heartfelt thanks to the people that helped me including the ambulance officers, doctors and friends and of course family that are the reason that I am here today so thank you, thank you, thank you.   I have been humbled by the wonderful assistance and the willingness of my friends to move heaven and earth to help my lovely wife and my daughter to manage this ordeal. I simply…
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24Aug 2008 by mforbes

Mike schedule – Week commencing 25/08

In Hospital
Monday 25/08 1 - 2 - FES cycle 2:30 - 4 - massage 4 - 5 - OT Tuesday 26/08 12-1 - OT 1:30 - 2:15 - Drs round 3:30 - 4:30 - PT 4:30 - 5:30 - reflexology Wednesday 27/08 - 11:30 - 12:30 - Kinesio 1-2 - PT Thursday 28/08 11 - 1:30 - OT outing 1:30 - 2 - Margaet 2 - 3 - PT 3 - 4 - TAC Friday 29/08 1-2 - OT 2-3 - PT Saturday 30/08 1-2 - Cranio 6:30 - 7:30 - Kinesio Sunday 31/08 Mike B'day. BBQ and stuff from 11:30 if people want to drop in. Catering not promised but there will be snags and bread and Ash and I will try for a cake!
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23Aug 2008 by mforbes

Eggs … sunny side up?

In Hospital
All, A big, big day! I hope no-one came in to visit ..... b/c we weren't here! A huge thanks to everyone here ..... especially Nina and Jenny for organising our impromptu and very rushed 'day leave' education, to Erin for the ramp and Theresa for the physio tick! Mike has been missing his eggs provencale at Babble on Babylon in Elwood. Marty had offered to send some in, but Mike maintained that he wanted to eat them himself hot straight from the stove-top! Needless to say, it rained on his parade ... literally! As we sat down outside (b/c that way there were no steps) it started to rain. We got inside without a drama - a huge well done to Mike! A massive thankyou to Marty and his…
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18Aug 2008 by mforbes

Back on the bike …..

In Hospital
A busy couple of days so not much time to post anything. Lots of visitors on Friday and then over the weekend too, so thanks to everyone who came in --- especially the lovely Julie who came equiped with lots of yummy treats and who managed to get Ash to play and talk to her! See - Miracles are possible! A good day for Mike today, he's still resting his weary shoulders and just trying to spend a bit more time each day in the chair. He has mastered the art of "what's the time Mr Wolf" even though Ash thought it was a 'leg game'. Last Thursday Talbot received a FES bike for trial which we had been looking at for Mike anyway. They use electrical stimulation to trigger…
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15Aug 2008 by mforbes

Mike Program for week commencing 18th August

In Hospital
Hi, Please see below details of Mike's program for next week.... Monday- PT - 1-2 massage - 2:30 - 2:30 OT - 4 - 4:30 Tuesday - OT - 12:30 - 1 Drs ward Round - 1:30 - 2;30 PT - 3;45 - 4:30 Wednesday - PT - 1:45 - 2:30 w/chair rugby demo - 3 - 4:15 Thursday - PT - 2 - 3 Friday - IT consultant - 10 - 12 PT - 1-2 OT - 3-4
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23Jul 2008 by mforbes

Wednesday update from Mon

In Hospital
Hi All, Apologies for the lack of comments in the last few days.... a couple of good and busy days, but a little set back today. The swallow seems to be coming along OK but with the gastro last night / today, the scope test to give an official verdict has been delayed until tomorrow. Mike had a good day yesterday with two sessions in the chair. He drove the chair by himself and will graduate to his own chair tomorrow so hopefully will spend some more time upright. Most importantly Mike managed a “whizzy woo” spin around in his wheel chair — the smile on Ash’s face was worth a million dollars. A huge thankyou to Telstra for organising a 3G card to get me online at the hospital…
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13Jul 2008 by mforbes

Update from Mon

Post Accident
Hi All, Ash and I have finally made it home (to the ‘blue house’ as opposed to the ‘house near daddy’) for a night. Feels funny being so far away. Click here for larger image of Lesley, Mike and Ashley Another good day, he is exhausted and being sensible (which makes a nice change!). Thanks for letting him rest today. He loves his visitors and gets lots out of seeing everyone and all your support but really needed a rest today. He is completely focused on doing everything he can to aid whatever recovery he can get. Hopefully trachae out tomorrow which is a huge step. He can’t wait to eat some food — the weirdo wants to eat fruit so I have promised to have watermelon and grapes on…
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03Jul 2008 by mforbes

Update #1

Post Accident
Dear Triathlon/Cycling Community, As many of you may know, Michael Forbes was involved in a serious bike accident on 28 June whilst riding by himself in Brighton East. At this stage, the details of the accident remain unclear. He has not been able to fully disclose an account of the accident, due to the nature of his injuries which require support with a breathing tube and ventilator. Michael has suffered a severe and likely irreversible damage to his cervical spine (neck) which has left him paralysed in both the arms and legs. He underwent surgery on 30 June to help stabilise the region of the injury. As is normally the case with this procedure and situation, he remains in a serious condition in the intensive care unit. Despite his injuries…
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