Another day piecing back the puzzle. Darryl added a few more firsts to his growing collection when he had his gym programme today. He made a good effort at rolling over and demonstrated a lot more control over his left leg, and even a little with his right (which has been very tight from the storming for weeks now). But the major advancement came when he was able to ‘bridge’. This is the name given to lifting the backside and lower back of the mat while the legs are bent up. It indicates growing strength in the core and and trunk which as I have mentioned is a key factor moving forward.
While at the gym, the Physio and Occupational Therapist also placed a cast on Darryl’s right arm, which is the first step in trying to break the tone in this arm and getting some normal movement back in it. Over the next three weeks he will have a series of casts applied to his arm, each new one increasing the degree of extension than the last. It is a painful process, expecially in the beginning when Darryl’s arm is under the first major stretch for weeks. I just hope he can cope without too much discomfort.
The other notable achievements for the day was getting Darryl to be able to move his head from left to right. I joked that he looked like one of those circus clown heads I remember from Easter shows, that rock their heads from side to side while you endeavour to pop ping pong balls into their mouths. He didn’t laugh, but I’m sure he was smiling on the inside.
He also managed to poke his tongue out for the first time. We were doing some mouth opening exercises and I decided to touch the end of his tongue to stimulate some sensation. All of a sudden it popped out! It may not sound much, but the tongue movng is essential in speach so it was significant. Between that and the facial massages I am laying on him three or four times a day we hope to get some speech developing. All in good time.
Darryl, each day you exceed the expectation and the established ‘norms’. Darryl, each day you demonstrate to the rest of the world what I have always known. The flame that is your character has remained burning brightly throughout this darkest night. And that same light will lead you home.
Keep passing the test of you, mate.
Dad.
Stunning … !
You couldn’t write this as a fiction because readers would complain that the strength and determination of the main character was simply unbelievable
Kiwis, I’m always telling the folk out here in the world that we’re a quietly stunning mob (modest but stunning) and then there are some who are truly outstanding. Congratulations, as usual Darryl. You astound me.
Good On you Dazzla
Way to go Mate, you are reaching and reaching and
one day out of the blue you will get your WHOLE life back
we are all real positive about that and look forward
to it bigtime…!!
Your are very clever. We spend heaps of time thinking of you and is gotta help
so we will keep doing what we need to do this side
and you keep doing what you are doing each and everyday
Cowboy up Dazzla – Cowboy up!!
Keep up the good work guys. All of you.
Gods Blessings.
Sue.
Way to go darryl keep up the good work.
“Come on Darryl, time to get up mate.”(In my strongest teachers voice)
Mike I read your blog every day and my admiration grows each day too. Our thoughts are with you every day and know that with yours and Darryls positive attitude and determination the goal line gets closer and closer.
The Van Zyl’s
Hi Darryl.
Ronnie Fenwicks fencing gang came back yesterday to start fencing off the beach on the Burn area.Nick and co were all asking after you and send their regards.We finished drafting out the weaner bulls that need dehorning yesterday so that is another job out of the way.To-day Dan Henderson pushed more fence lines on the Burn with his bulldozer.Your garden is still ticking along, heaps of tomatoes are staring to ripen.Kathleen just picks them and leaves them in the sun to finish.Latimer took most home to night so will be having tomatoe sammys for lunch.All the staff are very pleased that you are improving so much each day. Keep up the good work.
Regards Kathleen, Max,Deane,Lewis,Latimer,and Sandy.
Darryl you are amazing, your improvement has been nothing short of a mirical, we also have to mention the amazing support crew “Team Darryl” , they too are fantastic. All of you keep up the great work, cause it is the most important job in Darryls life at the moment. Take care from the girls at the National Bank in Kaitaia. xxx
Come on Dazzla
You can do it – GO DAZZLA GO
Hiya Darryl
We’ve been thinking about you. Kia kaha-sounds like you are doing awesome.Sending our love to you, and Brooke also,
love Rose and Sean
Good Morning Dazzla.
I feel really good about things as I read of your progress today, as I have on many other days, but now I feel like you’ve hit a real turning point.
What with the trachie out and just working towards recovery. Where in the beginning it was focused more on survival, now it’s about getting you back to you, recovering. Awesome job.
Well it’s still pretty cold here, but hasn’t been raining as much which I suppose is good. I’ve been looking for a new flat mate cus my sister is moving, think I have found someone that seems pretty cool and normal, so hopefully it works out well.
Still doing stock take at work so been getting a few more hours which is good, keeps me busy and I get a bit more cash at the end of the week.
It’s so cold outside that my friend and I just can’t bring ourselves to go out in the dark and exercise, so I’m guna go look into joining a gym today. Apparently Fitness First has a deal going for $15 a week, which is really good. Ill prob. just go and use the pool and do the classes. I’m not that big on lifting weights etc. Ha ha Boxing and aerobics is more my thing.
Oh forgot to say the other day, I’ve got hundreds and hundreds of dvd’s I bought over from Bali when I went this time. So when it’s time to go home, to finish recovering there, I’ll come and personally deliver them to you. You can just take as long as you want recuperating. Just lying in front on the TV watching movies, sleeping, eating, sleeping some more
what ever you need.
Hopefully see you soon.
Lulu*.
Awesome Darryl – dig deep.