Surgery....

Hiya all I just need to vent a bit.. I have a 16yo with CP who is booked in for fairly big hip surgery 4/4/09 in Brisbane ( I am from Hervey Bay). The surgery involves rebuilding thehip, plating it, breaking the femur and playing around with the hamstrings (on both legs). It means a week hospital stay, 6-8 weeks bed rest then 3-4 months of my boy learning to walk again. (this is the 2nd time it is being done so I know what I am in for).

Problems - it is not a good idea to have a large family and a disabled child. We are looking at moving down to Brisbane for the surgery and rehab but cannot find any accommodation, caravan sites have a 5 per site law, etc. Ronald McD house can't fit us, etc and I have had some really rude people who have made really nasty comments to me. I was in tears. My boy suffered an horrific head injury when he was 2 and I never asked to have a disabled child so why should people be so cruel?

Weare hoping for acommodation near the hspitalfor the week of the sugery, etc then hopefull live in a caravan park furthur out - my husband has some work in North Brisbane for the duration.

I am not expectin help from you guys just some hugs and a friendly word!

Sweetheart how awful! I am in Sydney so no help but I really feel for you. Good luck finding somewhere, is there a social woker from the hospital who can help you out?

Wow I hope you find something. What hossy is this at? I'm a brissie girl and can help you work something out if you want...

Wowee, that is a big operation, lucky boy to have a mum like you and a nice BIG family to cheer him on all the way. More arms, more cuddles, more love and more kisses to get you all through.

I feel heartsick to think people have been rude to you, all the best and I really hope some nice housing comes your way soon xoxoxo

:hug: Wishing you luck in finding a place to stay. I agree with mrsmac, try to get in contact with the social worker or chaplin at the hospital your son will be going to, they worked wonders for me when my DD was in hospital (although she was in RCH Melbourne).

Are you on the waiting list for ronald macdonald house? When DD had her first surgery we were on the waiting list and we thought that we were not going to get a room and lucky for us there came a vacancy 12 hours before her surgery, such a relief.

At the caravan park, maybe see if there are any with cabins? They usually hold more people, although do cost more, or I know it is not the ideal way, but is there any chance of hiring two vans? I know it costs twice as much but if it is the only option? I would also speak to the social worker in regards to this as they may be able to help out paying for the second van/part of the accomadation. I know it is hard to ask for this kind of help, but they do have a lovely foundation which raises money for this exact thing.

Best of luck in this hard time. Sorry that I cannot be of any real help.

:hug: Deanne.

:hug: We find it hard to find accom (and cheaply) for 6. so frustrating..

Have you contacted Red Cross? I know in the town near me they have a house right across the road from the hospital for people from out of town.. From memory I think it cost under $100 a night..

Or Big 4 caravan parks take 6 or more people.. Im not sure where they are in Bris though

good luck..

Oh and have you asked the hospital itself where your son will be? They might be able to help you as well

Good luck.. I hope your son has a speedy recovery!

Thank you ladies for your kind words, it really does help. We will be at Mater Childrens. I am still waiting for the socail worker to get back to me. we have a bus semi set up for our family which is a cheaper way to stay at a park (cabins are too small for us) but thay have a flat $100 rate then charge $25 per head which is Ok but no-one will take us for that long. There is a room available at Ronald McDonald house but only sleeps 4. I am feeling like I am running out of options but I will ring the Social worker tomorrow again and see if they can help.

God willing tomorrow will be full of rainbows rather than rain :D

Hi girls update on Friday. Well I got turned down by some mor3e places but I did get hold of the social worker. Silly girl was all of 18 nad told me to go to the Accommodation departmernt of the hospital and its not her problem. Needless to say I politely (amazingly) told her that that was where I had started and and been told by numerous places to talk to the social workere and now could I please talk to her supervisor. I am waitng for a call back.....

Firstly :hugs: to you and your family. The hurdles we have to jump as parents of children with disabilities can be rediculus!!!!

I dont know how big your family is but with the caravan what about booking a cabin and unpowered tent site but have everyone sleep in the cabin?? Cheaper than two cabins as someone suggested, the caravan operators dont need to know that none of you are actually in a tent. Depending on the age of your other kids they may enjoy spending a couple of nights in a tent anyway????

Good luck with everything

Sjl

Hiya All - thought I would update on how it all went....
We had complications with the op so eneded up spending 3 separate stays and 3 more ops to hopefully fix all problems!! I have to brag on the hospital staff - they were great and very accommodating for me and all my kids.

The social worker at the hospital was hopeless and suggested I that I need to split my family for the 3/4 months this is all going to take and stay at Ronald McDonald house. I thought they were pro family???

With all the setbacks my son is still on best rest and no weight bearing at all for a few more weeks till we can start recovery. I am so glad we are all together now (my hubby had to finish his job in Hervey Bay) as a family.

With the ups and mostly downs of the last 6 weeks I am thankful that my other kids were healthy and so very patient during long visits and trips to the hospital. I am wondering though if I have really had enuff kids! :rolleyes:

What a champion family you have there!

Thanks for the update, glad it's good news and kisses for your brave boy xoxoxoxo

I'm glad he's through the surgery :hug: hope the recovery is smooth now.

:hug: babe

the services just have no idea do they!

So glad you have had such apositive outcome. Hope that your DS recover is quick to hon. Ive seen Jed's sister go through the same op 4 times now and im praying Mateauz wont have the same problems down the track :pray:

your an inspiration hon.......keep staying positive and smiling...your family loves you for it

Thanks girls for all your love!!!!

Funny thing is as things were going downhill I had the stink attitude while my boy (who had too go thru it all in pain) kept smiling! :D

Our kids can teach us so much - more so when they have special needs:D:D