Life isn't good, it is GREAT!

Well, life is good!
So good that Jane has only just now, 21st of May 2013 reminded me about this site. As a result I am very pleased to tell you that life has bigger, stronger meaning than ever before. Life begins yet again when the challenge gets tough.
     I am very pleased to announce that I have proudly spent much time drawing and painting in a manner I have not enjoyed for over 30 plus years.
     So Life begins anew for me and it will no longer be inside Sydney. I am moving one hour up the coast, away to Woy Woy. A true place just to be a boy-boy! Fish, draw and paint!
     As I know so few people in Woy Woy make contact and stay in touch!

Late Easter Boy

A Late Easter!

Nelson back online

Since Nelson left the nursing home, lots has happened. He is now living quite independently in Leichhardt, with regular visits from Rhonda who is a huge help to him, and various other people giving him a hand. Nelson's young cousin and his girlfriend are also living in the house, but they have busy lives so Nelson cooks and cares for himself well.

Nelson sees all of his children regularly. He was given a rare kiss by Darius recently!

I am handing authorship of this blog over to Nelson so that he can tell you what he is doing himself.

This is Jane signing off.

Freedom!

Today Nelson left the nursing home for good - woohoo! He had his bags all packed and ready to go when I arrived.

He is staying with his brother Raymond and his wife Bev for a couple of weeks initially. He was all smiles when I left after sharing some lunch there.

Surrounded by boxes!

Nelson's container was delivered and emptied into our new rental house. After that, the place seemed almost full! So we spent a week unpacking a little bit of that before considering moving everything from my house across as well.

I have found the whole process very daunting and I am very grateful for all the help I have received from friends and family. There is just no way I could have done this much without them!!! My friend Peter even made us wardrobes to pretty much build in as there is really no storage here in the new house apart from the kitchen cupboards - eek! Other friends have packed and unpacked along side me. Jessie and Matt unpacked and organised Darius' room before he came home to the new house from his weekend away at "Bamma's" house (my mother).


Nelson has spent time here too, unpacking his own things or putting together lunch for whoever is here. 

We visited the neurologist on Tuesday and he said Nelson has improved so much that he no longer will require rehabilitation prior to coming home. Both he and the house will undergo an Occupational Therapy assessment to highlight any changes to the house that are needed, and specific things that Nelson can and should do to continue his recovery.

Once the chaos is transformed into a home, the plan is for Nelson to move in. We are aiming for him to be here by Christmas.

The first step towards coming home

Well, today I signed a lease to rent a house nearby that has room for Nelson, Darius, me and a little sanity. The lease doesn't take effect for another couple of weeks, but this is the first step in Nelson's move back home.

There is much to do, including organising home care for Nelson. I am planning carefully so that it goes as smoothly as possible for everyone.

The plan put forward by his neurologist is for Nelson to have 2 or 3 weeks of residential rehabilitation to prepare him for coming home and highlight any areas that need special attention or assistance.

Nelson is very excited!! Watch this space!

Salad days

For the last couple of weeks, Nelson's friend Allan has been dropping "green juice" in to him - an amazingly long round trip from near Manly and back in time for work at lunchtime! I know Nelson has also been enjoying the bean sprouts Allan brings him, which are so good for him. I am sure this fresh food has influenced Nelson to take culinary matters into his own hands!

On Monday after an appointment Nelson asked me to take him to a supermarket to buy, "you know, supermarket things ... some red onions for salad". So we found a fruit and veg shop in amazing Campsie and Nelson chose several salad vegetables and some fruit for himself, including the aforementioned red onions.

When we got back to the nursing home, Nelson sent back his nursing home dinner and  proceeded to make himself a salad after washing the vegetables in his big metal bowl. I have to say, he was very persistent - chopping watercress with a slightly serated dinner knife into a bowl with nothing to press onto. At that point I was very pleased I'd suggested cherry tomatoes!

We are both very grateful to Eric who regularly brings beautifully cooked food which Nelson really enjoys (and so do Darius and I!) - thank you so much!