Our new home & a few needles
It has been a huge month of heightened emotion, turmoil and upheaval for us all. After 16 years in our house, when we said we’d stay 5, we bought a new house and moved. We have spent 10 nights in the new house and are slowly unpacking. We have cleaned our old house and are working with real estate agent Vicki to sell it. We have had an open home every weekend, including during the move. Rory struggled with the uncertainty and upheaval. Routine and repetition are important for his stability and functioning, but he is settling in with each passing day. The move largely occurred around Rory as there was little he could do to help with the packing, heavy lifting, moving and cleaning. A huge thank you to Sam and Caitlyn, Nana Honnor and Grannie and Grandad Gardiner who have all helped us over the last month. It was a big job made small and more enjoyable because you were with us. We have been working with ACC OT Dianne to figure out house modifications for Rory for safety and independence i.e. ramps, rails, non-slip mats.
After a 2.5 year wait Rory’s blue Mercedes Sprinter modified disability van arrived. Sean and I went to a handover with OT Anna who taught us how everything works. It has a hoist and can fit the Terrain Hopper, Whill, rollator and his kit for community activities. It has a swivel seat and transfer handles for Rory for access and manoeuvrability. It is a big machine and we are all learning how to drive it, including the support carers. Its size makes it a challenge to park.
Rory had a vaccination for Pneumococcal disease for his cochlear implants, and his 16-weekly testosterone injection. He has been on the receiving end of extra needles for about a month as we try acupuncture, with Nigel from Body Logic, to alleviate the pain and stiffness in his back. It appears to be a great success. Rory is complaining a lot less and the amount of paracetamol he has relied on has greatly reduced.
Happy Mother’s Day to Nana Honnor and Grannie Gardiner. We love you to the moon and back xox