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Kelly: What
was recovery like in the first 2
weeks at the hospital?
Anne: Holly was in intensive care
for about 19 days, she was
unconscious, or seemed to be. Her
eyes were closed and a machine
breathed for her. Her head was so
swollen that you had trouble finding
her ears. I would sit with her and
try to see movement or any sign that
she knew what was going on. Every
now and then there would be small
movement in, say, her toes or her
fingers, it was so exciting to see,
then I would contact everyone and
let them know about it. After the
second week she was carefully weaned
away from the breathing machine, it
was such a relief to see Holly
breathing on her own, even if it was
through a tube in her neck.
Kelly: What
was the recovery like in the 4 weeks
at TZB?
Anne: Holly was at TZB for five
weeks. It was recommended by her
doctors that she have aggressive
early intervention rehabilitation
(not available in the hospital in
Australia). It was incredible
watching how the therapists worked
with Holly to wake her and create
natural movement for her body. Holly
became more aware during this time,
her left eye opened, she could
answer questions with her elbow and
'yes' and 'no' buttons. She was able
to control some movement in her left
arm, and movement began in her left
leg. The tube in her throat was
removed after four and a half weeks
of hard work by the therapists.
Holly was calm and as comfortable as
she could be considering her
condition.
After the initial 5 weeks at the
Therapiezentrum Burgau, Holly had to
return to Australia when the German
Travel Insurance company benefits
ceased. The last thing the travel
insurance policy did for Holly was
to organise and fund the trip back
to Australia. It was a terrible
trip home. Holly was still in a
pretty serious condition and had to
have a doctor and a nurse with her
for the flight. Being strapped into
a stretcher for the 28 hour journey
meant that extra painkillers and
other medications were needed.
Having approached specialist
treatment centres in Australia in
the hope of finding adequate
rehabilitation for Holly, the family
were unable to find a place for her
anywhere. The daunting idea that
there are simply too many patients
and not enough facilities was slowly
becoming a reality.
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