Countdown

Tears welled up in my eyes, a rare occurrence over the past several weeks, as I found myself in the company of Michelle and Karran at Sydney’s Beecham Hotel, formerly known as Beauchamp Hotel.

Michelle was sharing the details of the phone call Pat had received on that fateful Saturday morning, right after I had been admitted to the hospital. “Oh, no, no,” Pat had said, before taking charge of the call. Michelle, being a nurse, was uniquely positioned, grappling with the emotions of a close family member in distress, while comprehending the gravity of my condition.

She went on to describe her conversation with Tony, the surgeon, who had sought her consent for the possibility of an “above the knee” amputation. I couldn’t help but express my profound gratitude for the burden placed upon her in making that life-altering decision on my behalf.

It was at that moment that my emotions welled up again. My tears were not solely for my own predicament but also for the immense emotional toll my family and friends endured during those harrowing first 48 hours when my life hung in the balance. Michelle mentioned she had a photograph of my leg in its pre-surgery state, and I conveyed my desire to see it when the time was right.

Later, as I returned to my hospital room, I experienced a surge of emotions once more. While the journey is far from over, there’s a growing sense that we are approaching a conclusion. My room had mostly been packed up in anticipation of my permanent return home on Tuesday.

This weekend, Michelle and Karran were here for a “test run” of being at home, preparing for my eventual return.

Over the past couple of weeks, my recovery has progressed remarkably well. After those initial challenging weeks when I could hardly leave my hospital bed, I now spend most of my days in a chair and attend physiotherapy sessions twice daily, wearing my prosthesis.

I can’t say enough about the incredible team at the hospital. Their dedication and expertise have been instrumental in bringing me to this point. I wouldn’t be here without them, and I’m immensely grateful for the love and support of my family, friends, and colleagues. I truly feel blessed.