19 August 2020

Dear patients,

AN UPDATE FROM DR SELINA LEOW

It has now been a few months since I last wrote to everyone about what happened to me and I thought I would write to you to let you know my progress.

The healing of my stump has been great! I am not taking any pain medication and I have been fortunate, so far (fingers crossed!), to not have experienced any “phantom limb” pain either.

My energy levels are better but I still tire more easily than I use to. From what I have read and seen with other amputees, this is not uncommon due to the extra effort it takes to do things. Everything takes a little longer to do or complete than it used to and I often end up in a sweat!

I finally had my driver’s licence restored on 2 July 2020. It is such a relief to be able to drive myself again. I had to have a 3hr driving assessment - 1.5hr interview with an occupational therapist(OT) for eyesight, cognitive, reading, interpreting visual road rules, etc and then 1.5hrs with a driving instructor in a modified vehicle with the OT in the back seat continuing the assessment; 4hrs of driving lessons in a modified vehicle with a driving instructor and then, the RMS driving test (just like when I went for my P plate test when I was 17 years old!). My car has now been modified and I drive with an electronic spinner knob on the steering wheel. The spinner knob has buttons on it for the left and right turning indicators, horn, high beam and 3 speeds of front windscreen wipers.

I have now been fitted with a basic prosthetic arm with a hook/claw. It is useful for some things but can be a nuisance in other situations. I still look forward to being fitted for a myoelectric arm in a few months but the current arm is more sturdy and water-resistant than the Myo-electric one so there will be advantages to having both. I do not drive with my prosthetic arm.

I have returned to my Forensic Odontology work and am very grateful for the warmth and support that they have given me there upon my return.

This past week, I have been on front desk duties at our practice due to a severe staff shortage. I was certainly no Louise (who had to work chair side with the dentists instead) but it was so fantastic to see and catch up with so many of my patients. It gives me so much happiness to see everyone and I am still working on which regular days I will be coming into the surgery. I hope to see and catch up with all of you! Many of my patients have already returned to the practice and been seen by our lovely dentists. We are fortunate to have a great group of excellent dentists - both as clinicians as well as warm and friendly. Our invaluable dental chair-side assistants and Louise are a God-send also! I know that everyone is in the best hands!

Recent weeks have revealed COVID-19 rearing its head again in Victoria and hotspots have sprung up in many States of Australia including NSW. Alarmingly, there have been quite a few cases all around us in the North-West of Sydney (Rouse Hill, Schofields, Castle Hill, Quakers Hill, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown).

Please be assured that Stanhope Dental Centre has continued to maintain its strict infection control measures that we have always had in the surgery (even before the pandemic!). With our additional measures in the reception and waiting room as well as special instructions for patients with dental appointments, Stanhope Dental Centre is as safe as we can make it during these pandemic times.

Our thoughts and solidarity go out to the people of Victoria currently in lockdown, families coping with COVID-19 or the loss of loved ones and the frontline health professionals trying to cope with alarming case numbers.

More importantly, as a born and bred New South Welsh woman, I pray that the people in our State - young and not-so-young, listen and practise the recommendations that will keep us and our families healthy and avoid what we are seeing in Victoria.

Stay safe everyone and I hope to see/catch up with you soon,

Love

Your dentist

April 2021 update available here.  

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