Update 13

Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:11 PM
Subject: Feedback on the rehab....

I know you all are eager to know if we managed to make an arrangement today with regards the rehab, and so I'm taking this opportunity to let you know how it went.

We went to the Neurological Rehab Clinic called "Rosenhugel" (Nice name isn't it?)
All the forms were completed, and they took us to where we need to go every morning to get her daily program, and from there you need to ensure tat you go to each of the therapists in turn, as indicated on your program.
To start with Claudine gets a full 3 - course meal, and throughout the day she has access to the cafeteria where she can get appels, and coffee / tea. Then we had to wait for the neurologist, as he is the first to evaluate her, and who then forwards his recommendations to the therapists.

But then he read her Neurological report which we had brought with from Pretoria, and he realizes how badly she was hurt, and how many injuries Claudine actually suffered, and, amongst all this, he sees that whilst in ICU in Kimberley, she caught the MRSA virus, and was transferred with this to PTA, and put into isolation.... I explained, in short, what the MRSA virus was (sorry Karien and Wiebren, I know you would have done it better), but is comes down to the fact that it's a bacterial virus - which very few people survive! It is contagious, and hospitals are seriously scared of it... Claudine was on 3 of the strongest antibiotics simultaneously, and still the doctors said her chances of surviving was minimal (ED's note :- they don't know our Claudine / and our Lord and Savior!)
When we arrived in PTA. is was clear that was no more medication that could be given to her, and we had to get antibiotics from France, and all Honor and Praise to God, it brought her fever of 39/40 down after 4 weeks, and it helped.

So, once the doctor saw this on her report, he wouldn't even let her leave his consulting room! Needless to say, I told him that was last year, Aug/Sept!! But to o avail. She first had to immediately undergo tests to see if she would test negative. They started by contacting 2 major hospitals, to get them to admit her and do the tests - both said "No" - they declined on the basis that there was a risk to the hospital. In the end, he got hold of a micro-lab, which said he should take the samples himself, and send them in, and they would have the results in 3 days. He took the samples, and couriered them to the lab.

So, here we are, back home, all dressed up and nowhere to go!

The doctor was very proficient in English, but none of the therapists, or assistants were. I asked if they thought Claudine would be able to understand them, and they believe she will. I'll have to wait and see this, as how will she know what to do if she does not understand what they are asking oof her. They also said that I will have to accompany her every day, as Claudine is not able to walk unassisted from one place to the other, and I will have to push here around in the wheelchair, and assist her wherever she needs it.

I have a very good feeling about the place. It's very big, very nice, and very modern. It's well organised. We took Andrea with to help with the language / communication (She's from the Embassy), and she poined out how people were looking at us, and said we shouldn't worry about it. The reason for this was that we are perceived as "private" patients, and all of them get free assistance, as the state pays 100% for their medical aid.
And to top it up, they still have the communist mindset that says if you are a private patient, cash patient, you think you deserve better treatment - shame.... And to make matters worse, we even speak foreign, which is another passionate hate of theirs......
We are hoping to be able to start with the therapy early next week.....

ED Note - sorry I post this a bit late - have been off ill, and then all the public holidays and stuff....