"Happy little vegemite"

After a few weeks at the War Memorial Hospital, l was discharged under the care of this program organised by the POW hospital. This care, which was undertaken by 4 lovely and professional ladies for 12 weeks at my home, I found was a life saver. I'd been admitted to hospital under the most excruciating and debilitating pain and unable to stand, let alone walk. The program got me back to normal with weekly visits from the physio, nurse, general helper and organiser. Without this program, I believe l might have landed back in hospital, so it was a Godsend for me. The physiotherapist kept me so motivated to do the exercises and kept me positive and she made it fun so l would keep at it. The nurse checked my health and l was taken shopping etc. by the girl in charge. The 12 week program which I believe is funded by the government, I feel is so needed and necessary, l wondered why l had never heard of it.

Anyway being under the fantastic care of the War Memorial Hospital for these weeks, set me up for the program. I'll never be able to thank everybody who helped getting me back, literally, on my feet. From the doctors, nurses, tea ladies to what I consider to be the most important physiotherapists at the War Memorial Hospital who all took such good care of me. A huge bouquet and thank you to everyone who helped during the past 4 months. And most importantly, to the 2 paramedics who'd previously taken me to the POW and suggested the geriatric flying squad to visit me instead of another visit to POW, huge thanks to them for that suggestion it was the first of many steps to my recovery. What a fabulous service that I believe is run by Randwick Council where the doctor’s visit you at home and organise a proper hospital admittance with rehabilitation. I'll never forget all these people who l actually felt really cared about me.

Before l went to the hospital and had the home care, l was a sad woman in her 80’s, who was in so much pain and ill health from a disc which was pressing on a nerve, thinking l might never be normal again. A few months later, l am still that old woman in her 80’s, but with a new attitude to life. I now walk twice a day with my toy poodle and drive, shop, cook and clean and l'm a happy little vegemite with a new lease and understanding of what my body can do.