Friday 28 November 2014


28.11.14

Just returned from Herts and Essex - it is divine, clean, organised, well equipped  I am so happy that Ron is there being looked after by people who really seem to care.

Earlier it was a complete nightmare, having left Ron in PAH last night at 7.40 expecting him to be collected by 9.00 pm at the latest, today we learnt that he was still in PAH and he was not actually moved until 3.45 pm today, he had not eaten anything all day.  When I arrived at H&E today at around 4. 30 ish he looked absolutely exhausted and he did tell me this evening that he almost fell out of the chair he was sitting in when he felt faint, anyway enough of the negatives.

Tomorrow I am off to the shops with a shopping list - jogging bottoms, T shirts, Trainers and trainer socks.  Ron looked aghast but we have persuaded him it the means to an end. Nothing much will happen over the weekend as Ron will not be assessed by the physio until Monday then the work begins.

26/27.11.14
Another day of ups and downs.   When I got up in the morning at my usual time 6.30ish, I ate my breakfast and then came over so tired I went back to bed and slept until 9.00.  When I got up I did not feel my usual self.  I was a bit spaced out and giddy so I decided not to drive but to get the bus.  I walked to the bus stop (28 mins) and it was a nice day and I enjoyed the walk.  When I arrived at the hospital Ron was all curtained up and he was trying to pass water.  His catheter was removed at 6 am and he had until 6.00 pm to pass water at which time they would re-catheterise him (at least they thought they would! They don’t know my husband as well as I do!)  Vince came to visit and towards the end of visiting time Ron said he wanted to pass water so Vince and I left and I returned to Sawbridgeworth with Vince.  At 6.15 we set out in the Defender to return to the hospital but only got around 100 yards when the fan belt went and we had to retrace our steps.  Fortunately Andrea and Vince live opposite a bus stop so it was back on the bus for me.
When I arrived at the hospital Suzanne, Ryan and Ron sat surrounded by bags waiting for an ambulance to take Ron to Herts and Essex, Cambridge ward. (Incidentally two pees completed)  So it’s another move and although we are glad he is well enough to move on to re-hab, it is unsettling going to a new place not knowing what it is like and having to get used to a fresh set of staff.  Parking should be much easier and visiting is 2.30-4.30 and 6.30-8.00.  This should be the last move before home so positive thinking is needed.

On 26th When I arrived for afternoon visiting Ron was in the wheelchair and he said he was already tired and aching but he had been waiting for physio since the morning, when they eventually arrived to take him to the gym,  I was invited to observe Ron’s physio – the gym in PAH is a bit of a letdown, a very small room,  really only suitable for one person at a time but they managed to squeeze in two patients on that day.  Consequently Ron was not able to use the adjustable bench for his bottom raises and had to do it out of his wheelchair – it was so hard for him to do and as a spectator you want to do it for them.   I don’t think that I realised before this that it is not just the arm and leg that don’t work but the whole of the left side.   Ron works so hard that he is left completely drained.  I think it was this experience plus the worry about the catheter which had affected me the next day

Wednesday 26 November 2014

26.11.14

Well yesterday we had some good news.  The doctor has declared Ron medically fit and he is now to be transferred to either Herts and Essex or St. Margaret's to their Re-Hab Ward.  So this will be the next step in Ron's recovery.  I guess it will depend on where the first available place is.   I don't know very much about either of these places.  I do know that St. Margaret's has been recently built so I guess will be state of the art (they have a pool) but Herts and Essex is also fairly new.  As far as visiting is concerned Stortford would be much easier but I am used to driving to Epping as I worked there for a few years but I am mindful of possible driving difficulties with the bad weather approaching.  I want him to move asap so will not give a preference.

In the gym yesterday the physio sat Ron on a bench which she adjusted until his backside was level with his knees and then asked him to raise his backside off the bench 10 times and he was able to complete this task.  

Ron is still in a 6 bed bay with people who are in much worse condition that he is so his surroundings are a bit grim.  I will speak to doctor/nurse today to see if they have any inkling of when a bed may become available at the Re-Hab places.

Tuesday 25 November 2014

25/11/14

When I visited Ron yesterday he told me that the doctor had been and seen him and he was very pleased with Ron's progress.  Ron said that the doctor said Ron was ready to move to re-hab.  I am not quite sure whether this means another part of Harlow or on to another location.  Either a physio or a OT had paid him a visit and showed him some things to do with his hand and he had been able to make a finger to thumb pill rolling motion, he told me he had also moved his toes.  Unfortunately he is never able to demonstrate these moves again - it must take an enormous effort on his part.

Ron reports that the food is excellent, he had pie for lunch followed by ice cream and Lancashire hotpot for dinner which he said he could have had seconds.  I am pleased that he has got his appetite back as he will need all his strength in the coming weeks/months.

Big news!  Ron had a cup of tea, this is first since the fateful day 3rd November, unfortunately he only managed half of it when his attention was diverted by some happening in the ward, his half drunk cup of tea was taken away with his dinner tray.

I am hoping that Ron will be moved out of his present bay as the other five people in there are in  a much worse condition and it must be a bit depressing for Ron although he remains upbeat and just counts himself lucky not to be like those other poor men.

Parking at PAH is very difficult.  After three tours of the various car parks yesterday I gave up and went to the fire station where Vince, my son in law works.   I will take them some cake today.

Sunday 23 November 2014

23-24/11/14

12 Noon Sunday and I have just heard Ron is being transferred to Harlow.  Don't know what time but they have told him late afternoon.  Andrea and I are going to Addenbrookes as usual for 3.00 pm as hospitals are notoriously long winded about arranging transport.  Ron says he can't wait to go to Harlow but we are heading into the unknown!

24/11/14

8.00 am Monday morning and I have just worked out how to attach this pic which started off with Andrea massaging Ron's bad hand and they made a joke that at last Andrea could beat Ron at arm wrestling.

Ron seems happy and settled in his new location.  I have to say the nurses seem very kind and efficient but also welcoming to the family and there seem to be enough of them.  Having said that it is quite a shock after the shiny new building at Addenbrookes to walk through PAH where they have not spent their budget on paint.  Ron was transported in a private ambulance from Peterborough he said it was a bit bumpy (and they told him the result of the Gand Prix).

I was exhausted last night - it was rather stressful wondering what it was going to be like and if we had made the right decision in allowing the move to go ahead (although Ron was keen to move, I think he feels it is a move nearer home).  After a good nights sleep I am back to normal, whatever normal is now.