New Zealand - Homeward Bound

Our last morning and there was a flurry of activity as we attempted to fit everything back into suitcases & clean out cupboards & fridges. Bill did a wonderful job as I got to sit & watch (still not used to those crutches yet). After hugs & kisses all round we left for the airport right on time.

We discovered that luggage & associated items for 2 people are very difflicult to manhandle when 1 person is incapacated & wheelchair bound. Still we made it in fits & starts to the check-in counter where a lovely lady from Qantas sorted us out (lucky me - a window seat with the other 2 seats to myself for my leg) & Bill on the other aisle seat. Queenstown does not have airbridges so to get me on the plane my wheelchair was placed in a little box thing & forklifted up (scarier than the chair lifts) to the door of the plane, boy it is amazing how small these things look from this angle - still we'd got there OK so I was sure we could get home again.

Taking off from Queenstown must be the most spectacular view in the world as you fly over the Remarkables, Coronet Peak & Cardrona Ski fields (and see the skiers). So we were on our way and after a very good flight arrived home at Melbourne Airport on time. Here I was met with a wheelchair and was fastracked through everywhere and delivered to a taxi for the last leg home.

On arrival home I discovered that it is no mean feat to get from the from the front of our building to our apartment. We live right at the end of the hallway as far away from the lifts as you can get. Great for noise - not so great for crutches - still I made it & collapsed. I'm sure I would get better in time. After the obligatory cup of coffee, Bill unpacked the cases & with a chair in the laundry, I managed to get the washing done. Nothing like getting back to normal eh!

Bill was back to work in the morning & I was off to the Dr with my X-Rays & report for a referral & complete diagnosis. I was to get used to the slow trek up the corridor as I caught Taxi's for the week. (Bill was in Perth for 3 days). The Dr looked at my pictures, picked up the phone & I had an appt with a surgeon the next day. After a week of CT Scans, MRI & appts it was decided that I would be operated on Monday 18th to fix the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, the Posterior Cruciate Ligament & pin back the little bone which had come away as well. The Medial Ligament may fix itself so is on hold at the moment. So that done & 3 or 4 pins/screws later, I am at home recuperating. Leg in a brace 24/7 (can't move it) & still in possession of those crutches to walk now not hop. Rehab will start next week and I will find out how long I will be home for.

What will I do you ask. I'm sure I will find things to amuse myself with. Already you have all had a full recount of our NZ adventures and there have been & will be adventures now I'm home - you know what they say - 'you can't keep a good girl down'! So stay tuned for the next exciting episodes in the life & times of the Harris' in Melbourne.

So until next time.............