Lunch Celebration

“See you in six months”, my specialist said to me today after I attended the Amputee / Prosthetic Clinic at Sydney’s Sacred Heart Hospital.

I spent almost four months in hospital last year, commencing with emergency surgery to remove the bottom half of my right leg.

The situation was fairly dire, and I came awfully close to death / brain damage, and so the stay in hospital was lengthy.

After a couple of months of rehabilitation, I got my prosthetic leg in early September, and was able to leave hospital about 10 days later.

Though I sometimes wish my progress was faster / greater, the team at the hospital today (specialist, prosthetist, physiotherapist) were all very pleased with how things are going.

“You’re just showing off”, the specialist said to me as I walked into the room without my crutch.

I told them of the things I’ve achieved recent, and my plans for the next milestone: walking in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The next step after that will be securing a permanent prosthesis. The leg I have now is an interim one, and the next one will weigh less, and hopefully mean I’ll be able to get out and about more easily.

Thankfully, I’ve avoided some of the skin problems and pain problems often endured by amputees.

I’m mindful, of course, that it could all change tomorrow. I could suddenly find myself unable to put on my prosthetic leg, and therefore back in the wheelchair, unable to leave the house as easily as I can right now.

Having that affirmation from the team made me smile.

I also called in to say hello to the staff on the ward on Level 4 at Sacred Heart, and it was so great to visit them again after all their support.

I celebrated (by myself) by going to the nearby Beauchamp Hotel (now known as The Beecham) for lunch, and then a coffee around the corner. Both were significant places in my journey over the last seven months. The Beauchamp was where my nieces would regularly have meals and drinks, while they were in Sydney visiting me. And the last time I visited the coffee shop I was still in the wheelchair.

I am incredibly thankful for the work of the staff at Sacred Heart, and to my friends, family and colleagues for all their support.