Andrew's October 2006 Journal

This morning, I was really tired because of the late night. Went in the abco, but it was very painful today. Managed to stay in while I received a shave and foot bath. After my Happy Box pictures, I went back to bed.

The afternoon was wonderfully busy with lots of visitors - I had home cooking for lunch. Janelle's mom brought me schnitzel and vegetables. The night staff must have been happy, as all the visitors left by 8pm.

An average day. Janelle spent the whole day with me as the Theatre is closed on a Monday. She has been amazing. She has been running the restaurant for me and studying because her exams are coming up. I don't know how she manages it, but I am grateful for her support, 'cause I couldn't have got this far without her. She brought me pizza for lunch today. While she was feeding me, Candice Bailey from the Cape Argus arrived with a photographer. They wanted to interview me and take a photo of us together. Janelle insisted on keeping her cap on as she was having a 'bad hair day'.

Janelle received a threatening phone call today at the Theatre implying that if we don't drop the coverage and the investigations, that they would come to the hospital to finish the job - I mean - How much more can they do? I can't imagine what it must be like to be in their shoes right now. How do they sleep at night?

After the release of the article in The Cape Argus, I received 25 emails from all over the world - I can't believe the power of the press! It's comforting to know that so many people have taken an interest and are concerned. One of the emails was from an extremely angry young man containing very strong words on how he and his friends would be dealing with my attackers, on the backstreets of Claremont. I'm not sure whether to feel happy, or if I should feel scared for those thugs. Apparently, around school corridors, the names of the culprits are common knowledge.

A really bad day! I had a bad morning and felt extremely depressed. The pain in my left arm is not easing up, and I wonder if it will ever go away. I couldn't keep a brave face and broke down in tears in front of Ingrid, my speech therapist. Life seems so unfair. They put me to bed and gave me some strong painkillers. The evening was much better. Clive (my stepfather) and my mom came through and were celebrating their three year anniversary. Clive managed to get three wine glasses from the hospital kitchen, and we shared a bottle of Sparkling Grape Juice. I wonder why a hospital has wine glasses? They cheered me up and I felt much better. Moms always make you feel better - but I do wonder if this ever gets easier.

Clive and my mom have been so supportive. At times I think that this is affecting my mom more than it affects me. When I see my mom upset, and I hear that the mother who drove away with these boys was seen 'recuperating' at the Beacon Isle Hotel in Plett, it makes me angry with my attackers. What right do they have to bring so much pain to everyone?

Patrick, a patron from the Theatre, has been visiting almost daily. I love it when he comes, because he always brings me decent coffee. OK, I admit it, I am a bit of a coffee snob, but they only serve instant coffee here, and it's not what I get at the Theatre.

The police came today. I wonder if it had anything to do with the article in the Argus on Tuesday that highlighted that they hadn't been to question me? They had some interesting information, which I unfortunately can't disclose. It looks like there will be some action soon. I don't feel any bitterness towards my attackers, but I do think that justice must be done. Pieter Toerien's attorneys came - Civil and Criminal. Gosh I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of them!

My family has appointed a private investigator. He is taking statements from various parties at the moment and he has said that the investigation is gathering momentum. With his work, and that of the police, I am sure that some action will be taken soon.

I was in the wheelchair today. The left arm is really bugging me. I had some painkillers, and once they took effect, it was better. I went to Physio and went on the tilt table. This is a table that elevates you to 90 degrees. Because I haven't stood up in 4 weeks, it's wreaked havoc with my blood pressure. I really tried and pushed myself for an hour, but I could only get up to about 80 degrees. It feels like you're going to pass out, and the physio's warn that if you're not careful, you will. But its very good for your legs.

After Physio, I came back to my room to find my Dad and some of his friends waiting for me. They wheeled me down to the coffee shop, and we had coffee and lemon meringue pie and made me laugh until my arm ached.

Nicola came to give me Cranio-Sacral Therapy. That was very relaxing, and helped to soothe the pain in my left arm. Ben and Janelle came through later. Ben is the drummer for Plush, and his brother, Dominique, is part of Goldfish. He said that they were organizing a benefit concert for me, and he dropped off a Goldfish CD.

Janelle's parents have been wonderful. They come to visit me every day, and have been so supportive. I keep on feeling like I should be calling them Mom and Dad. An old digs mate, Karel, has also been very supportive. He works close by and comes every day, sometimes twice. He even manages to stay until 10 o clock at night. I had quite a bad temperature today. The doctors got worried and took blood. The temperature spiked at 41 degrees. My head felt like it was going to explode, but it calmed down during the night.

I can't get used to these early mornings. They turn the main lights on at about 6am so it's always hard to get a good rest. I know you must think I'm ridiculous, but before the attack, I was working at night so my day was the other way round. I used to go to bed around 5am and only get up at noon!

They washed my hair today. This is the second time and it wasn't any less painful than before. I had OT for a short while today. We worked on improving my endurance when pushing a wheelchair. It's way more difficult than people think. My left arm was really sore today, and the pain is starting to go into my right arm. The doctor changed the pain medication, but it makes me very drowsy. I stayed in the abco until about 13h00, and then went to bed.

Janelle brought me a blown up picture of us on holiday in Monaco. It makes me happy, but sad at the same time. Kelly brought me the Tatler Lamppost Headline that said "R100 K for Andrew" and we put it up in my room. The Tatler has been very supportive in raising awareness of the whole situation, and I'd really like to thank them. It was their article that started the momentum of the support that I have received.

I got woken up by Kelly this morning. I'm slowly beginning to get my appetite back. Kelly fed me breakfast and I finished it for a change. It was the Benefit show today at Theatre on the Bay, so there were no visitors other than my mom, (who came to get our approval for her speech) and Liz from Happy Box, who came to give me a shave. Just as well, because Dominque and Andrew from the Cape Times came to interview me and take pictures. It was lucky that it was quiet today, because we used the time to catch up on email replies and the Journal that you are currently reading.

In the evening, my visitors started to arrive. Patrick with my coffee, Janelle and Loretta. I even had a visit from the Consular of Denmark and his wife. They cheered me up with flowers and their lively company. After the visitors left, I watched Pink Panther Strikes Again, and went to sleep.

I was put into the chair at about 8h30. It's been a month since my attack - I can't believe those thugs are still living their normal lives and I'm the one that's imprisoned!

Now I stay in my chair (with the abco of course) for the whole day without even thinking about it. Strange how your body gets used to things. Kerry, an OT student here, reminded me that I had no feeling in my thighs when I arrived here. Now when I touch them, I can even move my legs! I had a full complement of visitors in the evening. Janelle and Loretta stayed so late, that the security guard asked, in all seriousness if they were staying over.

The day started with breakfast in the dining room at 8:30. I can't tell you how great the service is here. It only took about 40 minutes for my coffee to arrive. Mind you, I wasn't bored, because Kelly came to visit. Then Wendy came to collect me for OT and made me push myself, what felt like, all round Groote Schuur Hospital. Janelle arrived during my morning physio and pushed me back to my room, and then Lushinka arrived to "study" for her Economics test. Peter (Janelle's dad) also stopped in for a while.

After lunch, I went on the Tilt Table, and managed to stand up. The first time in four weeks! I didn't feel dizzy, but felt extremely nauseous. Janelle had to feed me coffee, chocolate and fruit juice to make the trip to standing achievable.

Conrad Hoensen, Mark Jennings and Trudy from Pick and Pay presented me with a cheque for R10 000. Conrad is in a wheelchair and it was very interesting speaking to him. I was then put to bed at around 17h00. My visitors got thrown out at 8 so that I could get a good night's sleep.

My arm is bad today - I must have pushed too much yesterday. Had massage and OT pushed hard with the wheelchair.

I went to the garden today. John (the barman from Theatre on the Bay) came to visit. He came across an article written in 2002 outlinling how paralysed rats had being fixed and that clinical trials on humans would maybe start within 5years (I really hope this happens). What was more interesting is that it stated that nerves grow back but cannot grow through scar tissue. If anyone knows any info or website on how to prevent scar tissue from forming please drop me a line and let me know.

I watched a video called The Miracle Man with Kerry. It is a really inspirational true life story. This guy has a plane crash and cannot talk or even breathe on his own and against all odds walks out the hospital. Lushinka e-mailed the guy from the video hopefully she will get a response.

My Dad and his friends came to visit, that's always fun. There was a family meeting with the Hospital Team that are looking after me, my mom, Janelle and Janelle's dad, Peter. They discussed my progress with physio, OT and speech therapy. Dr Shrosbree said that the abco might have to stay on for longer than originally thought as they found old fractures on C2 and C3. I'm lucky if theses had been damaged during the attack I would not have been able to type this journal as I would have been paralysed from the shoulders down.

OT with Loleta felt like fun today. They put my hands in hot wax, which is heat therapy for nerve pain, and I went on the hand cycle. Janelle arrived at around noon. I had a really bad morning and felt very depressed. Kelly arrived in the afternoon and we caught up on emails.

A really relaxing day today. Started off with a much needed hair wash - always painful, but worth it afterwards. They also gave me a UCT Hospital pedicure. This entails wrapping my feet in wet towels and then putting them in plastic packets for a minimum of 3 hours, which is surprisingly quite relaxing. Kelly dragged poor Jason (her son), his eyes barely open, to the Hospital so we could get an early start on the Admin. Poor Jason, I don't know how he keeps himself entertained. We caught up on most of the emails and made a good start on the Thank you letters where we could identify the donors. My mom came to address envelopes as she knew quite a few of the people.

Got up this morning. Felt like it was going to be a bad day. I think it was brought on by a dream I had where I was walking. Nicole, my physio, was sick today so Adele took me. Strange how a change in Physio, can break the monotony. Spent a lot of time with Kerry today. Mostly just chatted. I really find this therapeutic. The boredom is really setting in. I don't know how I'm going to manage 8 more weeks of this. Nobody realizes how difficult this time is for people with spinal injuries. With the support I've been getting from friends, family and complete strangers, it has made it so much easier for me. I can't imagine what it must be like for people without this support.

Mornings seem to always be bad. OT with Wendy was nice today. She made me push for miles but it was a different route and we even pushed up and down ramps and over grass. Went on tilt table today and got right up to standing(2nd time). Had my speech therapy while I was on the tilt table. All my therapists seem to all be happy with my progress. It's difficult to notice my improvement because I spend 24hrs with myself.

Gosh - can't really remember much of this day. I've got to try and do my journal daily. The days kind of blend into one another, and the only thing that distinguishes them is the level of pain in my left arm.

Very busy day today. It started with breakfast in the diningroom. Kerry and I went to the garden and played some basketball - really tiring, but fun. I then went back to the gym and went on the automated cycle machine to work my legs.

I had a break from 12:50. My dad and his friends arrived, and we went to the coffee shop for lemon meringue pie. Janelle arrived with home-cooked food for lunch, and them I had ANOTHER session of physio, working my arms this time. After physio, I had OT, and I pushed around (what felt like) the whole of Groote Schuur Hospital in a new improved wheelchair. This one goes a lot faster than my usual "tank".

While in Groote Schuur, I went to visit some other patients. There I met a guy who had a C7 lesion similar to mine. He had been shot and had been paralysed, and had been sent home to live life in a wheelchair. He said that he woke up one night with what felt like lightening bolts shooting in his brain. He was in severe pain for about a week, and then he could move his legs! He has come back now for them to assist him with his walking.

I can push myself around quite comfortably now, and am getting used to negotiating turns and doorways. I was put to bed around 17h15 with exhausted arms and settled in for my evening visitors.

I woke up at around 7:30. The day started off ok, but I noticed a tingling in my left arm. By the time I had wheeled myself to the dining room for breakfast, the pain in my left arm and shoulder was so intense, I can't describe it. I got really scared because I could feel my arm and my left hand, but I couldn't get them to do anything - which made me panic - which made the pain worse.

Wendy (OT) could see that I was in pain, so she let David push me from breakfast to the gym. Kerry and Saliem (also from the gym), took me out of the abco and put me onto on of the beds in the gym (called a plinth). Saliem was great - he lay down next to me and chatted, giving me a pep talk and trying to take my mind off the pain - even though he's not my physio. He seems like a really great guy.

I was put on the bed in the gym at 8:30, but I still had one and a half hours to wait until my session at 10am. I was getting cold just lying there, so I covered myself with pillows that were lying next to me on the plinth and dozed off. It was quite funny really, because I missed my speech therapy with Ingrid, who couldn't find me and Nicole (my physio) searched the whole hospital (even the coffee shop and outside) for me. Eventually, she found me under my pillows and did trigger points on my shoulder to try and ease the pain. David then wheeled me back to my room - they are normally very strict about me wheeling myself everywhere, so they could see I wa having a really bad day.

When I got back to my room, Janelle and Lushinka arrived. I don't like getting upset in front of Janelle, but the pain was so severe that even when my eyes were closed, the tears kept rolling down my cheeks. We went for lunch in the coffee shop, but halfway through I had to leave. The pain was just too much and I had to go back to bed.

Today, I felt extreme anger against those thugs who put me here and just hope that they get charged soon. I don't often feel like this, but I don't understand who gave them the right to change my life so dramatically. If it had been an accident - a shark-bite, or I'd fallen down stairs - I would find it easier, but this was a deliberate ac of violence.

Nicola came at around 2pm to give me my weekly session of Cranio-Sacral therapy. She is a friend of Kelly's who comes and treats me free of charge. I really appreciate this as it is always relaxing and assists to build up pathways for the nerves. I always feel a bit sick afterwards which is apparently due to toxins leaving my body, so I am sure that it is helping me. (If you recall, on Friday 6 October, I had a raging temperature which was never medically explained. This was after my first undisturbed Cranio-Sacral therapy session and I have since put this down to the release of toxins).

I got a visit from Shannon of Caturra (my coffee suppliers at the restaurant) who delivered a wonderful gift set of their coffee products. John Hawkins from Artscape also popped in. It's great to chat "shop".

The physios went to visit my home today to see if it would be suitable for me to return to. My housemates are not the tidiest of people, and it is a typical bachelor pad. I obviously hadn't been home since the evening of the 8th of September, so I wasn't even sure whether they would think it necessary to call in the Health Department! All went well, and apart from the removal of one tree, and a ramp in the bathroom, they said that it would be fine. I was quite relieved, as I have already had enough changes in my life. I don't want to have to move house as well!

I stayed in bed in extreme pain until I eventually succumbed and requested pain killers. I don't like taking pills, but they did help.

I went to the dining room for breakfast at around 7:30am. The pain in my arm has started up again. It's definitely the abco that exacerbates the pain as it sits on a pressure point, but my extreme workouts on Wednesday and Thursday probably started it up. (Hopefully I only have another 2 weeks in the abco, depending on how much bones have grown)

Kelly arrived, and pushed me to gym. I had a light workout and then came back to my room. Dr Baalbergen popped in today. I asked him about stem cell research and whether it could help me to walk again. He said that he believes that with the current advances, it would definitely be available in my lifetime. He also said that it was still early days for me and that although my spinal cord had been severely traumatized, it hadn't been severed. He also said that while I should remain optimistic, and never give up hope, I need to be realistic about my current physical abilities.

A past patient came to see me today. He had been paralysed from the neck down and had walked out of here two months later. I think that this was from a stroke, rather than physical trauma, but it was really nice that he came to visit.

I enjoy stories that end with people walking. I am not yet ready to hear those stories where people wheel themselves out. I have the greatest admiration for people like Conrad Hoensen (see 10 October) who carry on regardless. I am not yet at that stage. I am still in mourning for the loss of my legs.

My afternoon was full of visitors: My Mom - who showed me lots of pictures of the Let's Fly a Kite Event that had been held in the morning. Although there had been very little wind, she said that the sky over Rondebosch Common had been ablaze with kites. I wish I could have been there. Forres School (www.forres.co.za) had arranged this event to raise funds for me. I am very grateful to Kim and her team as well as all the people who took part. I hope that everyone had lots of fun.

Patrick, and a friend of his, also popped in, as well as Karel. It's always great to see them and they are regular visitors.

Bernard came to see me today after being overseas for a while. He had really been fantastic. I received flowers when it happened, he made a very generous donation and has called a few times. He is a patron from the Theatre.

It's always difficult when mentioning visitors - there are the good old regulars with whom I couldn't do without - Janelle and my mom and Dad, Loretta and Peter (Janelle's parents), Lushinka, Kelly and Jason, Karel and Patrick. Pieter Toerien (my boss) has also been amazing. He popped in the other day and was discussing where we could put a lift so that I can get upstairs at the Theatre. I am very grateful for his support. I don't know whether I would be able to focus on my immediate task of recovery if I was worried about whether I would have an income.

Stayed in bed today. Sundays are my lazy days. Had my usual hair wash and lots of visitors. A relaxing day in general.

Same old, same old. breakfast, physio, OT, and so it goes. I really want to move on now.

Went to bed at lunchtime today as my arm was very painful. Alister Cockburn and John Hawkins from Artscape came to visit.

I went on the Tilt Table today and Madiegah's jacket got stuck in my abco as the table was tilting. (Madiegah is one of the physios). I came close to suffocating as her ample chest covered my face. Needless to say she got teased mercilessly be Janelle and Saliem for the rest of the morning. I managed to get to 90 degrees, but only for a few minutes.

I sat on my own for the first time, with my hands supporting me. It felt like quite an achievement.

John, the barman from the Theatre, came to visit. Bernard also popped in and we went to lunch in the coffee shop. As part of OT, I had to move a whole lot of items from one area to another, and then pack the grocery cupboard. Although Wendy warned me that I would need a few trips with things on my lap, I found a pot to pack everything in and moved everything at once. - That foiled Wendy's intense OT session, which turned out not too bad at all.

Kelly popped in and we did a speech for the Theatre on the Bay performance for the evening. I believe that the Theatre was well attended although not packed and that the performance of Modern Orthodox was well worth seeing, and I would like to thank Pieter Toerien and the crew and cast for donating the proceeds of this show to my fund. If you didn't catch it, it is running until the 11th of November and I have been told that it is well worth seeing.

Brian (an old friend) came to visit. We went down for coffee, didn't have change for the machine, so went to the hospital reception to get some. The staff there, were excited about the website and check it regularly. They said that it was nice to see what actually is happening with people. They see us come in and out, but never really find out what happens in between.

I had Madigah for physio.again today - that was fun. She massaged my trigger points. Whenever she transfers (moves us from wheelchair to an apparatus or back), she always manages to get herself stuck in the strangest positions. It adds a bit of humour to my day. OT was in the garden for a change. I pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed - all on grass. Wheelchair ramps are definitely a good invention. My left hand was so sore - it was painful from the time I got up and I had to take a pain killer to survive the day. The pushing on the grass didn't help, but I did it.

Nicola came for my Cranio-Sacral therapy session in the afternoon. I had a temperature again, which I am sure is a good sign.

We are planning an auction at a later stage to raise funds and have been approaching some businesses for donations. The Alphen Hotel has donated a voucher for a night's accommodation and breakfast worth over R1400. I can't believe the generosity of complete strangers and am very grateful.

The dining room was empty this morning because lots of the patients go home on weekends. I'll also be allowed out on weekends as soon as the abco comes off - only another 2 weeks I hope. I think I'll skip Claremont for a while though. The gym was equally quiet - only 4 victims! I hate Wendy (OT) - she kills us, but I know that it's for our own good that she pushes us so hard. My session started at 8h30 today and I eventually got back to my room at 11am. Even Dorian (the nurse) thought I looked exhausted!

When I got back to my room, some visitors arrived. One of them was Nicholas (my brother) and we managed to spend some quality time together. We were both attacked that night, I am the elder brother and I've always felt that he's looked up to me. I know he finds it really difficult to see me in this condition. I am sure he feels that because he was there, he could have somehow stopped my attack, but there's no way that the odds of eight against three could have been in our favour without the skills of Chuck Norris!

My shoulder was getting a bit painful in the abco, so I went back to bed at around 16h30. I discovered the Christopher Reeve site today (www.christopherreeve.co.za) . It has a lot of really useful information and and addresses a lot of questions I have about stem cell research and nerve scarring. I am nearly online - can't wait.

Had my usual painful hair wash and my foot spa today. I surfed the internet a bit and found a contraption that assists you to walk even when you have no leg function. I got up today - no more lazy Sundays in bed! Kelly must be related to Wendy, she's also a slave-driver! My mom arrived and we went outside in the garden for a while . It was nice to get some fresh air - the four walls are getting a bit small. We tried to make a break for the Spur, but the hill was too steep. Planning an escape through the nurses entrance next week. Can't give you more details because the hospital staff read the website too!

As we got back from the garden, Janelle arrived with some lunch. She brought the Restaurant laptop, and we did the month end. It looks like Janelle and the team are doing a really good job. I had to get put back to bed at around 14h30 because my arm was so sore. I took some pain killers and dozed off for a while. I woke up about half an hour later and Janelle was fast asleep on the chair, so I went back to sleep too. Shame - she's obviously working hard at the restaurant! My Uncle Peter and Aunt Cheryl came to visit with their kids (Gary and Glen). It was good to see them. They brought an article about the attack that appeared in the Constantia Bulletin as well as a letter by Ron McGregor.. His sentiments are spot on. I hope that these boys and their parents read the letter. He talks about taking responsibility for your actions. From the bit of law that I know, I would think that the parents should surely now be regarded as accomplices because they are obstructing the course of justice. It's strange that they spend so much money on their childrens' education, and then teach them that if you do something wrong, it's fine to lie about and hide behind lawyers. Lucky we have good lawyers too, and a private investigator who has been working for us for free.

I had supper, but my arm was starting to get really sore again. Am going to take some more pain killers and turn in early tonight. Monday's are normally tough days, and I need a good night's sleep to cope.

I had a really good sleep last night - the best I've had since I've been here - must have been the fresh air. After breakfast, I went through to physio. I had just started physio, and then got called out for X-Rays. If the doctors are happy with the X-Rays, my abco will be off in a few days. I really can't wait. I think that my hand will improve without having the abco pushing on the pressure point. I will also be able to learn a lot more things like transferring and will be a huge step close to going home and carrying on with my life.

My hand was really really sore today - the worst it's been. I couldn't even push my wheelchair. There was nothing I could do. In terms of therapy, I might as well have stayed in bed as I felt I achieved nothing. After my x-rays I went on the tilt table. When I'm on the tilt table, the abco pushes into my back. Between the pain in my back and my hand, I just couldn't bear it today.

The kitchen staff from the restaurant came to visit me today. I can't believe that on their off day, they still brave the taxis to get here.

My dad and his friends came to visit and we went to the coffee shop for hot chocolate.