Freya in the Whitsunday's last year

Freya in the Whitsunday's last year

Monday, October 4, 2010

the odd couple

Freya is continuing to make great strides in her physical recovery from surgery.  She can now walk assisted for about twenty metres.  She tires easily and her left foot then begins to drag, but her AFO (ankle and foot orthosis) which arrives tomorrow should help significantly with this.  The physiotherapists have instructed Freya that she is not to attempt to walk unassisted until November, a frustratingly long time for her.

Here is a photo of Freya and her hospital friend Becky enjoying a bit of afternoon tea together - a couple of previously normal girls, one coping with the after effects of a shattered body (following a serious car accident) and the other from surgery to repair a "broken" brain, as Freya's surgeon Wirgina Maixner refers to it.  Wirginia uses this term to remind Freya that although the scars on her scalp are quickly healing, her brain has not recovered from the surgery and it will take several months to do so, just like a badly broken leg, but without the plaster cast.

Becky has many reasons to smile; on Friday she had her 'halo' removed and she is likely to be discharged in 2 or 3 weeks.

12 comments:

  1. Dear Freya,
    It is only 4 weeks until November, it may seem like a long time but it isn't really. You and Becky will be able to write or email each other when you both are home and will probably remain friends for ever. Keep up the good work. See you soon.
    Love Grandma. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  2. Dear Freya,
    its so great to hear that you have made a friend! she seems so nice, and im sure you guys will get along very well. its also very nice to hear that you can walk now! i am so happy for you, and i am glad that you will be so much better! Good Luck, Freya!

    From, your classmate Dorothy ....

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  3. hey freya,
    hows it going you have some cool pics on your blog.anyway i have been reading some good news on the blog and im happy you are recovering so fast!! so it's term 4 second day back we miss u and want u 2 come BAK!!

    from your class maates...............
    Mary And Samantha!

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  4. Wow Freya - it's so amazing how quickly you are making progress! November will be here before you know it! I was telling your sister that we made scones and she came up with the excellent idea of sending some to you - I'm hoping they arrived in good condition and you enjoyed the product of our first day! We had a few mishaps along the way - one group slightly misreading the recipe making for hilarious porridge-like scone dough - but they turned out ok in the end! I will get in touch to organise a visit soon - I have some presents for you from the grade. See you soon - keep smiling! :)

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  5. Whoops - that was from me - Miss Sear :)

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  6. Hi Freya,
    Saw your little sister after school 2day crossing the road with an aunty/friend? Her smile is very similar to yours....big, bright and full of shiny teeth! Looking forward to seeing your smile again soon. Ril

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  7. Hi Freya, So happy to see you are still making fantastic progress, keep up the fantastic work.
    The Buckleys

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  8. Hi Freya,
    Julia says "Hi and hope's to see you soon"!!! She and Alex are back to school, always hard this time of the year, straight after daylight savings. I have to say I am astonished by how quickly your broken brain is stretching and learning new things. I imagine you are on a par with the top atheletes always having to exercise and push their bodies further and further. Perhaps you can imagine all of us in blogger land as your cheer squad.

    Lots of Love
    Melissa

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  9. Dear Freya great great work , you ae very determined - so glad you have some in hospital company. Veronica and family

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  11. Dear Freya, It's good to know you have made some friends in hospital so your not so lonely. Its great that you can walk now, I hope I can see you soon.

    ADELE
    XOXO

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  12. Hi Freya, Becky looks like a really nice person! Have you been seeing her often? I'm super excited about seeing you on Tuesday. Lots of love from Juliette:)

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