Date

Treatment Blog - June 09

22.06.09

Jane said:

Day 21 in the “Big Brother House”, it’s been quite an ordeal.  John is recovering slowly since his second visit to surgery, with one or two set backs along the way. 

Barium meal showed a tiny hole in the “patchwork” which should heal on its own, however, it could take a bit of time.

Chest & nose drains are still in place, but John is a little more mobile now.

Sorry for not updating sooner, but hospital visiting and juggling the kids (not literally) doesn’t leave much time for updating the blog.

14.06.09

Jane said:

Thursday afternoon John had to go back into theatre for a further operation to repair a small hole, a bit of a shock for us to say the least, but it had to be done.  He’s been recovering in the Intensive Care Unit for the last three days, but is being moved back onto Edwards Two this evening.  This has set him back a few days, but we have been to visit him this afternoon and he has improved a little since yesterday and was actually sitting out of bed!  

I would just like to say thank you to family and friends for their support over the last few days, it has been quite an emotional time for us all and I don’t know how I would have coped without them. 

I will try to keep updating the blog but as you can imagine it’s not at the top of the priority list!

08.06.09

John said:

The student nurse Sherica who has been assigned to me asked if I had any more relevant information on my time leading up to and since diagnosis so I’m sure she’ll ace her project for that, don’t  you? 

One of the x-rays had shown the drain in the entry wound at the back was in about 6 inches too far which because its in the area covered by the epidural it was done with no pain at all.

Visitors yesterday were big brother Barry closely followed by Jane’s Mum and Dad.  I think they too were all surprised how well I looked.  Today the chest is a bit more stuck up and I’ve had more physio with a walk up and down the ward with 2 young nurses, then a visit from Cathy van Baalen.  I’ve had a few tears with Cathy on a couple of occasions, because she’s a little bit distanced I think and at the same time she is very involved.  Make no mistake though please I love Jane to bits but want to do my job to protect her however I can from any involvement that may harm her or the kids or the wider family.

My head is a bit mashed up from the drugs in the epidural but it’s doing its job so far.  OK that’s it more on Friday!

Thanks to Lydia, love u 2. 

~ and it’s our Wedding Anniversary!

Lydia said:

Went to see Dad again today he looked alright but his eyes were strange! I don’t really have much else to say. Will keep updating the blog. Lydia

06.06.09

John said:

Wednesday night didn’t sleep at all really just a couple of cat naps.  Thursday saw Mr Catton early, his list starts at 8.30 but he’d asked Mr Welsh to assist who doesn’t start until 10.30.  The porter came at 9.45 and by the time Mr Abaza, the anaesthetist had me under control it was time to get started.

The epidural was and is still the best option, just had to up the dose a little bit there’s plenty of scope to raise it. 

First thing I saw post op was Mr Catton, smiling thumbs up and said “it could not have gone better.”  Jane visited as you’ll have seen and today I’m back on Edward 2.  Seen Mr Catton, have had a chest x-ray and although everything is going really well I am expected to get a chest infection, it just depends how I deal with it and keep it under control.  That’s it for now.  Big thanks to everyone!

Lydia said:

Went to see dad today. He looked alright but had a lot of tubes coming out of him. Me and mum rang him after we saw him and he said ‘ You wore me out.’ Me and mum are going to see him again tomorrow but Miriam is going to Mamah and Granddad's. Just as me and mum were leaving Edward 2 we saw Mr Catton and he said that I was tall for 11 and dad was doing really well.

04.06.09

Just a brief note to say that Dad’s operation went ahead as planned. The surgery went well, although it took a little longer than anticipated, and he is presently recovering in Intensive Care. Mum has been to visit him this evening and although he said he was in a lot of pain he was ‘chuffed’ that the tumour had been removed.

Hopefully, I will be able to visit him myself in a day or two then I will update the blog and let you know of his progress.

02.06.09

Lydia’s had her lesson on how to do the blog, toiletries have been purchased, pyjamas packed and all ready for tomorrow. My luck is on the turn as well as the weather, up town this afternoon with Jane and found a tenner in the middle of Bath Street. Dropped money doesn’t lay there for more than a few seconds, especially an unfolded note so i can only take it as a sign!

Do you have any idea how much a new kitchen sink and taps are?? More than a Monkey - now I’m up on my non rhyming cockney slang.

A few tears today from family and a few hand shakes and good wishes from friends even a phone call from ‘The Boss’, briefly discussed some work issues but it has put my mind at rest and will be better for the staff working for me - ‘nuff said.

I don’t really expect anyone other than family to visit as I’ll be in intensive care possibly until after the weekend but I don’t suppose you’ll get much sense out of me until then anyway. After that I’m on Edward 2 ward and the visiting times are 2.30 to 8.30 every day then after week one is over I hope to be receiving small foody type gifts from visitors but that’s getting ahead of myself, I’ll just be doing a day at a time for the moment!

Left is a picture of the handover at Treetops - this was the third photo shoot that’s why we all look a little bewildered.

01.06.09

Another new month and another lovely day, well if you’re not at work and the sun is shining what else can it be?
Mick came this morning as he’d promised and cut the hedges and mowed the lawn, did a smashing job and as ever wouldn’t take a penny for it. I’ll repay him one day soon.

Then went into town to meet David Finn, he had the same operation thirteen years ago. I would have been nice to have a coffee but I declined as I’ve had nothing orally again today and saliva is backing up to the point I have to do a big swallow (or spit it out) which is now past being just uncomfortable and into painful. Anyway we had a nice long chat in the same bar I had my last meal out with my Brother just before Christmas - that’s almost six months ago. I’ve noted some of his wise words and hope to see him again in the not too distant future. I’ve had no solid food now at least since the NJ tube was fitted two and a half months ago and probably a lot longer I honestly can’t remember. Now drinks and my own saliva are proving difficult to impossible I’m just so glad Thursday is just around the corner, I know as I’ve said there’s always others worse off but I think I have a right to be a little bit hacked off now!

Came home and Rob from work, or formerly from work now a man of leisure lucky sod, turned up for a cuppa, don’t mind anyone doing that ever. We spoke about work briefly then both came to our senses and changed the subject.

I won’t be expecting Lydia to keep up with the blog while I’m in hospital, not every day anyway but I know she’s keen to do it whenever she can.

Not heard any Susan Boyle jokes yet but I’ll give it until Friday.