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Help Alex Reilly On His Road To Recovery

  • Update from Pip 30/12/2017

      30 December 2017

    “We are now just weeks away from when our lives got turned upside down. Alex is living back at home and we are all doing well. There have been a few adjustments, but it is great to have him home and for us to all start working towards a new way of being. We have bought a new family home as the old one really wasn’t suitable for Alex and our new home is much easier for him to access and move around in.

    What I really want to say however is a huge thank you to you all for enabling us to support Alex with all the bits and pieces that he now needs. You have all been extremely generous and we are very humbled by the support and kindness shown towards our situation. Thank you very much and we wish you all a very happy 2018. “

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  • Update from Pip 31/10/2017

      1 November 2017

    “Wow! The week is here.. Alex is being discharged on Thursday.. ten months after being admitted into hospital. He only has two more nights left at the Burwood Spinal Unit, and then we are it! Alex has come so far in the last couple of months and he is actually ready to be discharged (he is getting far too cheeky to the staff) and is in a good, strong frame of mind. He has regained a lot of upper body strength, although nothing from the elbows down, and nothing below his waist. He manages to push himself around quite well in a manual wheel chair, as opposed to the power chair. So all positive steps forward. We had mixed emotions as we said goodbye to some of the staff tonight, (they were finishing up their shifts tonight, so won’t be there on Thursday) as they have been part of an amazing support team for all of us. It was also weird saying goodbye to one of Alex’s regular visitors this afternoon, knowing it was his last hospital visit. Such support has been incredible, and the visits so valuable. It has been a long, hard journey, but we are so lucky as it has come with some very special moments and friendships. There is no way we could’ve got Alex home without all the support and love we have received. The journey has taken a while, and we often wondered if Alex would ever make it home so thank you very much for helping us get him better xo”

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    • 14/11/2017 by Wendy

      Fantastic news for you all (and scarey too no doubt). thank you so much for these updates Pip and Allan.

  • Update from Pip 19/9/2017

      19 September 2017

    “We hope this update finds everyone well. I Just thought it would be good to let you all know how things are going for Alex. He has got rid of his feeding tube 😊 This was a straightforward procedure fortunately and his RIG has been removed. He is still eating like a sparrow, but it’s a start. He is also doing really well with his power chair – he uses his head to turn it on and off and to change the mode. He uses his arm to steer and add speed (he has been told by several staff at Burwood to tap back on the speed!) Alex is gaining strength in his trunk area and shoulders. He is now able to ‘slide board’ rather than be hoisted into his chair and bed. This means he has what looks like a banana shaped chopping board slid under his bottom, and then he works really hard to slide on it to move off his bed into the chair, or visa versa. He requires some help, but it’s a huge step forward. Alex has even been in the pool at Burwood. He could not go in the pool until the stomach tube was out and healed. I had mixed emotions watching as he was always such a capable swimmer, and to see him with two physios and floatation support to ensure he didn’t sink was hard – but at least he was giving it a go!

    The new blue van is great as it allows us to now bring Alex home for short periods. I had hoped to have him home for longer periods of time, but he still gets too sore to stay out for long. He has finally been able to get into our home as a ramp was installed last week. That was a huge milestone! I have asked Alex how he feels about being able to come home, and he seems to be coping with the idea really positively 😊 at this stage. He, like us, knows that it is going to be a huge transition, but it means he is stabilising, and that is just so awesome. So if you see us out walking the dog, give us a toot 😊

    Please know we are very thankful for everything everyone has done and is still doing to help and support us. We are very aware how lucky we are to have such support. Thank you!!"

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    • 27/09/2017 by Wendy

      that is fantastic news Alex and all the Reilly's - love the updates - you guys are in my thoughts and prayers often :-) bet Ruby loves having Alex on her turf again - giggle ;-)

  • Update from Pip Reilly

      2 September 2017

    Wow, here we are in September already! That means Alex has now been in hospital for eight months (and still counting). It is a long time, and it has been a horrendous journey, with some really low moments, but also some gains.

    Alex is now doing his best to ditch the feeding tube that sits by his stomach. Before he can have it removed he needs to prove he can maintain his weight gain, so he is making the most of the chocolate and other goodies that are presented to tempt him!

    Alex enjoyed an outing last weekend to watch Christchurch Boys High play and win against Timaru Boys High in the UC Championship. This was his first real ‘public’ outing and it went really well – thanks to the support from the school and his school mates. We have also bought a specially fitted van and this is scheduled to come from Auckland in another week – we are really looking forward to the freedom this will give us of getting Alex out and about! It signifies the start of a new beginning! Slowly, little bit by little bit, we are starting to feel we are getting our Alex closer to coming home!

    We continue to feel overwhelmed and amazed at the continued support from everyone. We have had some big struggles this term with Alex’s health, but knowing everyone still cares, even this far down the track, helps us to keep smiling. So a massive thank you to you all!!

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  • Alex Reilly - an update

      23 June 2017

    The support shown to Alex and his family has been so great, thank you all so much for your messages full of love and support and of course your generous donations.

    Alex has had a good few weeks, after an intensive weaning process Alex is now off the ventilator. This is a such a positive step and in turn has meant Alex now has they ability to talk. After nearly five months it is awesome to hear his voice.

    The physical rehabilitation continues for Alex but with his gutsy determination we know we will continue to see him progress and improve.

    Thanks again for all the love and support!!!

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