It's a waiting game

The doctors have decided that they are not going to do anything about Mark's syrinx for now. We're not sure if that's good or bad. It's good in that they don't think he needs an immediate operation to drain it (which can be a dangerous operation), it's not so good in that Mark has to live with the uncertainty that any time he might loose some of the feeling and movement he has before they do anything about it. In the meantime he's still suffering a lot of pain. It's not conducive to looking forward to getting on with life.

It's not all bad though, in the OT department Mark is taking apart an engine - you just can't keep him away from them!!! He had better be there long enough to put it back together again or they'll have pieces lying around until the next engine buff comes along. That exercise is also good and bad. It's good because he's enjoying it and enjoying educating anyone willing to listen about how it works (not many), it's not so good because he's realising that he may never get enough strength back in his hands to do that kind of work again.

He's done another car transfer, a bit easier than the last time but still not good enough to be able to do it on his own. Another frustration is that he's coming to realise that his main goal from rehab will not be realised. He wanted to drive away in his own car. A bit of a big ask in that time but that's what was keeping him going. Yesterday we had a visit from our good friends Sanny and Les and Mark had them pushing him around the car park looking at cars with 2 doors because they'll be easier for him to get into. I can see our meagre bank balance taking a serious hit any time soon.

To end this on a high note, he's started showering himself and that's a brilliant step forward in his rehab, for most of you it's probably hard to get your head around the fact that they don't shower the inmates more often, the reason - not enough staff!!

Tonight is Spinal Unit BBQ, so hope to have some piccies to put up tomorrow.