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Justin McArthur - Getting Better Slowly.

  • Things are moving.

      17 July 2015

    Well, not everything.

    Justin has made lots of progress since the last update - he is coming up to 8 months in hospital which includes 140 days in ICU. He has left Wellington hospital and is out in Kenepuru to begin his rehabilitation, he has had his NG and trachea tubes taken out, and is back on solids (including the odd double down and McDonald's shakes - calories are his best friend).

    The progress in regaining his movement has been slow from Justin's point of view, but for those of us who see him regularly things seem to be ticking along well. Small things that we take for granted - being able to shift our weight to make ourselves more comfortable, and being able change the channel on a TV (Justin does this with his head) - are significant examples of how things are shaping for Justin. There is more movement in his arms, back and hips, even in his wrists. His face still feels stiff, but he assures me that looking slightly more stern is not something that really worries him.

    Physiotherapy two or three times a day is keeping him busy and on the edge of exhaustion, but his voice is strong and clear most of the time and conversation is as free as it ever has been.

    It has been great to be closer to home, which means more frequent visits from the boys (which Justin loves) and less driving for Bria.

    There have been a few set backs, a trip back to ICU and more recently a couple of weeks in Wellington Hospital's High Dependency Unit. Otherwise things are getting better.

    I am still amazed at Justin's strength and positive attitude. He understands that this is going to be a lot of hard work and that it will be very, very, very painfully slow. He is very realistic, but his sense of humour is still there.

    I jokingly asked him when he was going to post his next picture on instagram, and he replied,

    "I don't know Tim, maybe when I'm not so f**king paralysed." I'm 90% sure it was good natured.

    All in all, things are getting better... Slowly.

    TN

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  • Tuesday 17th February

      17 February 2015
    Main image

    It has been 13 days since we first created the page, and we have been completely overwhelmed by the generosity and kind sentiment from everyone who has donated to help support Justin, Bria and the boys.

    I have been to visit Justin several times since then, and every day I notice more and more improvements. Justin's face has filled out a bit but is still hollowed. He's regaining a bit of colour and is slowly gaining movement in his tongue, lips, cheeks and jaw. He can now bend his back a few millimetres, move his shoulders, and hold his head up on his own. He has been breathing on his own up to six hours a day, not subconsciously - although he ensures us he is working on it.

    There are good days and bad days, but the bad seem pretty terrible. Justin has been suffering from severe stomach pain that is only able to be helped with large doses of morphine, and is often unable to see visitors. His days are full of physiotherapy, scans, tilt tables, Cricket World Cup and constant eye care. The care at Wellington Hospital is exceptional, and Justin has been able to enjoy several outdoor excursions to the Botanical Gardens with his family thanks to the help of the ICU staff.

    Pretty early on one of his favourite nurses figured out he could have ice water syringed into his mouth to relieve a serious case of the dries, but he soon communicated he wanted some variety. He has since been enjoying a range of lightly flavoured soft drinks, although as he can't swallow he has declined my offer of a coffee - too much of a tease. His coffee intake is currently still delivered by syringe through his nasogastric tube, and serves more of a mood enhancement service than satisfying his seasoned palate.

    It has been increasingly difficult to remember just how sick Justin is. As those of you who have enjoyed any form of literature from Justin's hand can attest, he is very sharp - and despite only communicating via a simple letter chart - his wit and humour is still strong. Both Bria and I agree it wouldn't have been terrible if he had lost the ability to roll his eyes.

    Justin has a long road to recovery ahead of him, but we will do our best to keep you posted. Both he and Bria are incredibly humbled by the continued support and generous donations, and I can guarantee that they are both working their butts off.

    Until next time,

    TN

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