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Archiver > ENTWISTLE > 2007-05 > 1180298406


From: "dave n" <>
Subject: Re: [ENTWISTLE] Florence Nightingale Entwistle
Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 20:40:06 +0000
In-Reply-To: <001801c7a094$afc25120$6800a8c0@gv.shawcable.net>


Hi Dot,
You'll be pleased to hear that I am doing very well. No doubt you'll have
read my updates in Twissle Times, but since the last issue I have come home
and, having had a stair-lift installed, I am able to get upstairs to bed,
which is much better than the option of having to bring a bed downstairs.

The Health services are very good here, and the Occupational Therapy
department have provided me with two commodes and two walking-frames (one
for upstairs and one for downstairs); a wheelchair, an over-the-bed table
for my overnight needs, a special seat on the toilet, and, best of all, a
bath-lift. These are mine to use for as long as I need them (all free of
charge), then they will go back.

The week after I came home (mid-March) I started attending physiotherapy at
the hospital, and was immediately started on more muscle-strengthening
exercises in my legs, and walking with a walking-frame. After a couple of
weeks they put wheels on the front of my walking-frame, which means you can
keep going as you don't have to pick it up every couple of steps.

Then they started me walking with two walking-sticks. This was a bit scary
at first, as you don't have the same support you do with a walking-frame.
However, I am managing OK. After a couple more weeks they had me try with
just one walking stick, and it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined it would be. I
now have to use my sticks around the house more than the walking-frame, and
walk with one stick 'under supervision'.

About three weeks ago I said I wanted to be able to climb a step so that I
could get onto the landing leading to our bathroom, so they showed me how to
do it, using my sticks of course, and now I'm able to get into the bath,
which is lovely after having daily sponge-downs for so long.
It's now ten days since I saw the physiotherapist, and he told me I should
try using my sticks outside. This isn't quite so easy, as you are
continually looking out for anything that might trip you up, and with all
the rain it hasn't really been fit to go out. However, I went to the Mormon
temple last week to meet up with our EFHA members; Peter and I went to our
daughter's for tea last Sunday; and I went to the Mother's Union meeting at
church last Tuesday afternoon. So life is slowly getting more back to
normal.

I've been given an appointment with a different physiotherapist at the end
of May, and she will assess my progress. I hope she will be pleased with me
because on Wednesday night I managed to climb all our stairs, 14 of them,
one step at a time, left foot first, using one stick; and in the last few
days I've done something I've not been told to do yet - I've managed to walk
a few steps completely unaided.

I saw the oncologist in March, and she sent me for a bone-scan. As the
cancer was in a bone, she said it would give them a picture of how things
are now, which can act as a base for comparison in the future. I have to see
her again in June, when I'll get the results, so it's fingers crossed.

Regards,

Barbara

>From: Dot Stutter <>
>Reply-To:
>To:
>Subject: Re: [ENTWISTLE] Florence Nightingale Entwistle
>Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 12:24:46 -0700

>Dave
>Is Barbara still ill? I haven't heard for a couple of months. Please pass
>on
>our thoughts and prayers for her.
>Dot Stutter, Victoria, BC
>
>
>
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>
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