A dog shaped hole
Sean and the boys are dog people. They love having a dog as part of the family. Even I enjoy the company of dogs. It feels strange not having Fern around. I know Sean and Rory would like to source a new canine family member sooner rather than later but it is not that simple. The members of our household come and go in different directions at different times all week. A dog needs regular company. Rory will not qualify for an assistance dog because of his complex needs and if Sean were to train a hunting dog it would need to meet his requirements. I am more concerned about the additional work required, particularly to keep the house clean and tidy. I am not a dog hair on everything kind of person. Until we come to terms with losing Fern and figure out what is best for our combined needs we will remain in limbo. Thankfully Rory is getting his weekly dog fix at Doggy Day Care, and this week he loved visiting my friend Mandy at Smokeylemon to meet new puppy Leo and my friend Jo to catch up with dogs Dudley and Daisy.
Rory’s Monday routine will change this week as the NP Men Shed is no longer open as they are short on funds. Instead he is going to trial the activities at Atawhai Trust. Rory’s timetable now includes a lot of physical therapy, the gym, Pilates with Phillipa, mobility sessions with Physio Josh and Mihi’s Rongoa massage. This fortnight Rory had an ACC Assessment with Dr de Groot, a Consultant Physician in Rehab Medicine, particularly pain management. It is his opinion the pain in Rory’s back is muscle-related due to the progressive ataxia, his increasingly uneven stance and gait, muscle spasms and more time sitting. Dr de Groot has made recommendations for how to reduce and control the pain which we will implement. In addition Rory had a follow-up phone consult with plastic surgeon Sarah. The fat injections to cushion Rory’s left cochlear implant have been a success. If the fat dissipates the injections can be repeated and both sides can be treated. There is the potential to have the procedure carried out closer to home in Wellington in future.