Bit of a Bumpy Ride

Whew. Been a mega-week of info load (not overload coz it's all interesting and relevant for us). Meeting children with amputations (whose beautiful families welcomed us into their private space) was a major step closer to the reality of life ahead - where once part of the limb's gone, it's gone forever and you'll never be able to just step into a shower or jump out of bed and stroll down to the beach. But then we suddenly realised (well, Sian and a fantastic prosthetist reminded us) - Tara never has! We lift her in and out of the bath. She crawls into the shower. And she was only able to jump out of bed because she slept with her brace on. As they pointed out, we probably don't realise how many of the things ahead that are now worrying us are things we've already lived with for 8 years without thinking of them as problems (because they haven't been). 

So sure, life's gonna change and what that four-letter word 'hope' held for us - the hope that she'd one day walk on her own two limbs - will change too - to the hope that she has the freedom with prosthetics to do all the things she's never been able to do before - like run and skip and jump on a trampoline, wear two shoes and even wear jeans that we don't have to cut to fit around her bulky brace. And so much more.

So the week began a little heavily - with the visual realisation that Tara's leg will no longer end at her toes, and there was a definite moment (or more!) where we thought we're all gonna miss leggie loo so much we'd rather just keep it and Tara could use crutches forever! But then this amazing prosthetist from Sydney called and calmed us right down. What a beautiful, caring man. He can't make prosthetics for us because he's in NSW - but he still took the time to call us (I had emailed him) and talked us thro' EVERYTHING - like that trying to choose the 'best' prosthetic is like tryna choose the 'best car' - a Ferrari, for instance, isn't great for grocery shopping. He spoke about the importance of three things: comfort, function and form (how it looks) - and said we should relax, realise that the first prosthetics won't be perfect, not expect the 'Holy Grail', and use those initial ones as a benchmark for the improvements Tara needs next time around. He reminded us of everything she'll be gaining 'all things being equal' and gently put us back on track.

Prehab was prehab. The Chronic Pain Doctors (there were two) were less fearsome than their title; the physio was sick and absent this time around but the therapist was in - altho' she didn't amputate the doll (that'll come later)...but she did make a little book for Tara and a poster to take in for show and tell that goes thro' all the stages before and after amputation. And the girls laughed their heads off that Tara's gonna have to 'poo in a pan' during the first week in hospital. We met a gorgeous little girl who's just a year younger than Tara and lives nearby - also left handed and also loves crocs. And she wears a prosthesis on her left leg. The week was made infinitely easier by Shayne and Marco's hospitality in Brisbane, and Fiona cooking gorgeous meals & getting Tone into the Olympic pool nearby (healthy body, healthy mind blah blah blah).

Actually, talking healthy - a French friend of ours who's a triathlete has blown us away with his kindness - he's running in the Ironman Malaysia race this weekend, and is dedicating his race to Tara and raising funds for her prosthetics. It's something we would never, ever have asked for - but which will be such a HUGE help for Tara (especially if she can get the swimming prosthetic which would also allow her to then shower standing up!) that we could never let pride get in the way and say no, and instead can only say THANK YOU. We'll post some more details about it tomorrow.

Thank you EVERYONE for all your lovely messages!