How do we adapt to change?
How do we face a challenge? I was about to find out.
I was busy preparing for a trip to Italy with my sister Catherine, leaving this Tuesday. We were doing a language course in beautiful Rapallo, visiting Elena’s mum in Genoa and my niece Roberta in Lerici. We were so excited.
Then early last Friday came a message from Elena, Peter’s fiancé, from Kampot in Cambodia. Pete had been hit by a car on his bike in Phnom Penh where he is teaching.
Elena rushed up to find a very seriously injured Peter. The news for his right leg wasn’t good and by Friday afternoon our plans had changed.
Italy was off and we were flying out to PP Friday night.
Peter was in ICU. They cleaned the crushed leg and foot and reattached his severed artery. Things were not looking good.
We just needed to get to the hospital the Royal International Hospital of PP. We hoped they were good as he can’t be moved.
Our arrival was very emotional. He was in extreme pain and had just come round after surgery two.
His Doctor explained the injury to us and it’s incredibly gruesome. His tibia is shattered m, as is his fibula. Nerves , muscles, tendons all broken and an artery severed.
They had repaired the artery and thank goodness it was repumping. Circulation started.
But the wound is still dirty and there will be daily operations to clean and try to avoid infection.
We moved into a small hotel owned by a friend of Peters from the AFL team. What a supportive group they have turned out to be.
We picked up Simpson their sausage dog and he is living with us in a family room! Steve’s loving it! But he’s adorable.
Fast Forward to Tuesday. I should be on a plane to Italy with Catherine. But here I am.
We are on tenterhooks waiting for confirmation from Peter’s insurance company that we can leave for Bangkok, hopefully this afternoon.
They can’t do any more here. The surgeon is not experienced enough. We’ve just been hoping for no infection ( there is!) a good blood count for flying – it’s just about right thanks to the generous A- donations by friends and pain management for the plane.
Stay tuned for my next instalment.
Please pray for us.
Waiting………
Then there will be months of bones fusions, reconstruction and skin grafts. But he’s alive.
View from the hospital
Fran sending you all hope and strength. What an awful time for you all.
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Oh Fran. What a worrying time for you all. Stay strong and trust in the Lord. Barb and Chan
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Fingers crossed you can get Pete to Bangkok — at least that will be an improvement,
Good luck and God speed.
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Hi Fran what a terrible time for you all. Keep strong you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Judy
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All our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He is a young and strong man which will help enormously. Call if we can do anything here.
Love
Hugh and Susie
Tysons said also send their love.
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Fran,
Praying for Pete and for all of you. K
Keep strong.
Helen
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Bobbie Gosse has started a crowd funding page for Pete and El- Therapy girls and book club and Fran and Steves many,many friends please go to my Facebook page, or Bobbies. I’m not sure how to get the message out any other way. These young people are going to need a lot of help, and I’m happy to do something tangible!
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Hi Fran ! OMG ! What a nasty situation ! I wish your son well for a speedy recovery and for the best possible outcome . No doubt you will have eagle eyes on him for any signs of infection . You need to stay well and rested too . It sounds like it’s going to be a long road . Selfishly , of course , we miss you at Aqua central ! Is there anything we can do for you back in BrizVegas ? Pets , garden, post etc ? Just drop me a line ! X. Bernie OConnor +61418783812?
Sent from my iPhone
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Prayers and hope my dear friend, for you all ♥️
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Fran . So pleased to hear you are now in Bangkok . Sending love and prayers . 💗
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Hi Fran,It’s a relief to hear that Pete will make a recovery even if it is a long and painful one. What an awful thing to have happened. Please give he and Elle a hug and best wishes from me. A big hug for you too, you must have been feeling so anxious. Thinking of youLynette x
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