FIFTEEN weeks since the accident, two weeks since returning home, two days till a session of xrays at the PA will define his quality of recovery – it’s all about the numbers and waiting for the numbers to tick over, for community advocate, David Pahlke.
“On Friday, July 26, the day of the car accident I was the fittest I have ever been in my life,” he says with a depth of frustration.
“I was walking every day, 9,000 steps minimum every day. I was losing weight slowly just like you’re meant to do, I was really feeling good.
“All of that came to grinding halt when that car hit my car.”
The impact rammed his car into a signpost and the righthand side of David’s body suffered severe injuries.
Recovery, rehabilitation and 15 weeks later and another 10kg lighter, he’s sitting on his couch wondering what the xrays will show – is the healing of his right arm and right leg going to mean that ultimately his life will return to what it was or will he have to learn to adjust to some form of disability?
“There are still a lot of question marks in my future,” David says as he makes a deliberate effort to shift aside the gloom.
“I’m using a wheelie walker now, it’s a struggle getting around now but my wonderful son Monte took three weeks holiday from his work and is staying with me.
“Family always helps you out and Monte … well Monte has been wonderful.”
The Home Care team from Cabanda has also helped.
“I was able to tap into the My Aged Care program for the transition from hospital to home – I’m not sure how long that will be possible, but it has helped a lot,” David says.
He’s hoping to graduate from the wheelie walker to crutches soon and to master the manoeuvres needed to bend down to feed his faithful old cat.
“That accident, well it was like my life hit a massive brick wall, there are so many issues to overcome, so many question marks about what’s ahead.”
Again, he pushes away the gloom.
“But I’m able to do more and more.
“I’ve learned not to measure changes, improvements, day by day but rather to measure them week by week … I can notice them from one week to the next.”
His next positive goal is to have Monte drive him to Harry’s Cafe so he can sit and have coffee with friends.
While he has taken a leave of absence from the community groups he’s involved in – Rosewood RSL, Rosewood Lions, Rosewood History Group – he intends to become an active member again in the future.
“I’m 71 years of age and my life has hit a massive brick wall.
“I’m trying to climb over it … I will climb over it.”
