1 year on.

Our focus now is on looking forward, not dwelling on the past but it’s good to see just how much improvement Chris has achieved over this time and applaud his efforts. Also we acknowledge that without the medical professionals, friends, family and the many prayers, it may have been a very different story.

I think of the many hours I/we spent by Chris’s bedside and/or waiting in the visitors waiting room.

The emotional rollercoaster ride that we and many other family members were experiencing day after day was mercurial. I couldn’t help but feel for them as they faced difficult decisions and lived/dealt with the outcomes, not a lot of them happy. Many of them were away from their homes and support base, finding their way around a strange city. I saw a mix of cultures, family dynamics and different ways of coping.

I don’t miss the hour drive there and back. Or when the fuel light came on with the stress of not being sure if I had enough fuel to get me to the next petrol station. This happened one dark night in the middle of winter, travelling on the expressway on my own through the bush.

Now I don’t have to fill my car weekly, its more often monthly.

I found that shopping was an excellent way to fill in the 3 hours between visiting times. We exhausted nearly all the lunch options after having tried many of the cafes around the hospital precinct. Many were recommendations from the nursing staff.

Chris and I had planned to spend money on the house anyway. It was uncertain initially if Chris would come home but there was always the possibility that with a lot of rehabilitation he very well might. If he didn’t, would I need to sell? In any case we needed to replace the lounge. The girls helped me choose our new lounge. That then meant we needed to paint the lounge room. One of our sons was living with us but was working long hours, the other had come over from Perth for a few weeks. He couldn’t spend the time that I was spending at the hospital so offered to paint. With a painter on hand, he and I included the dining room, hall and kitchen giving the place a much needed lift. I had already made curtains for the lounge room and dining room and could now put them up. We got rid of some furniture which was no longer needed.

Next I bought a new bed, bed tables and chest of drawers for our room. The configuration of the bed was changed to enable Chris easy access to his side of the bed. I had to retrain myself to be on the other side.

Other new purchases included bed linen, doona, pillows, throws, bed lights. More cushions for the lounge and covers for the seats.

For the kitchen I bought a slow cooker that also seared the meat and had a timer to pre set. Also I bought an updated version of my rice cooker which was multi purpose and also had a timer. Both could be pre- set before I left and a meal ready on my return. It worked well.

When we knew Chris was coming home the OT came to do a home inspection. She suggested rails up our front steps which would continue up the side of the house and around the back to the back door. A grab rail at the door and in the bathroom next to the toilet plus in the shower. Other aids were recommended. The house plan gave adaquate and safe space for Chris to manage. A chair lift was needed for the front 13 steps. As it was getting close to Christmas I was concerned that the modifications may not be done in time. Fortunately the work was not delayed.

Once things were in place Chris was allowed to come home for a night to see how we managed.

It wasn’t long after this that with the necessary arrangements in place Chris was discharged, 3 days before Christmas.

We became empty nesters in January when our 2 sons moved out to a house a few suburbs away.

Chris had picked out a new sterio/sound system prior to this happening so an order was placed and soon he had the new equipment set up in the lounge room. Now he could rest back in his recliner and enjoy his music.

I took up the foxtel offer as well so that Chris could enjoy more televised sports.

Then it was time to set up one of our 3 bedrooms as a guest room and the middle room as a sitting room come sewing room. My daughter and I went shopping for a divan to put in this room. Then we would be able to accommodate additional visitors if necessary.

I have always wanted a sewing cabinet so that is now set up and in use.

The last purchase was a camera for me, that was my indulgence.

I had no other items on my shopping list.