Thursday, May 21, 2009

The Family

I just thought I'd let you all know how Diana, Rob and Mike are doing because they are such an important part of this story and their love,care and support has been so constant! Rob has been in the midst of exams and has managed to just apply herself to the task in hand knowing that she would soon be home. She and Ade are both mad Man U supporters and they watch and debate all the games together in separate locations! He loves his 'footie' conversations with her and I know that gives him a huge lift! Mike has now finished school and last night was his Prom! I know that loads of pics were taken so I'm sure at least one of them will be posted soon! He has researched 'different' sorts of treatment for Ade and is the most incredible young man...quietly getting on with things and being a tremendous support to his Mom at home!
And then there is Diana! Diyenu, Edna or Eddie! Let me tell you that Ade is no easy customer and her patience and compassion are endless! She almost has a medical degree now and understands more than you can imagine of what this process involves and what all the tests mean! She has at times had to deal with a very difficult patient and thankfully she has tennis! Can you imagine how she wacks that ball!? There are times that are really tough for her and I know she also has to cope with work and the house and Max(lovely doggie) and a constant barrage of calls from Ade's sisters! I cannot even begin to tell you all how much we appreciate and love her!
And I simply cannot forget to mention Max. Max is glued to Ade when he's home. He lies next to him,sits with him, goes for a forest walk with him and stares at him all the time! He used to be a snarly, snappy, don't like anyone dog...or that's how it felt to me....but now he is the most mellow lovely dog in the world! And coming from me that is huge!

I will update later today!

Good days and not so good days

Here I am as Ade's scribe from sunny Londinium! Yes it's me Russ and I've been employed again to keep you all up to date with how he is progressing! I have been given permission to tell it like it is and I am sure that he will let me know if I miss anything out!
I thought I'd just copy the note that I sent to a few of you on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th and continue from there.

Hi Guys,

Just spoke to Ade and it was amazing! He actually answered the phone and I was so happy that he did. Really does mean that we are headed in the right direction!
He is still in hospital and has been moved out of ICU to a room on the cardiac floor! He has an army of great doctors looking after him but he is still fragile and really managed to get himself into a serious condition. He is slowly regaining some strength but will have to be on a whole shop full of drugs for a while! We can deal with all of that and he will just have to do as the doc ordered and of course listen to the rest of us!
He actually walked around the ward today which is excellent news as he was showing signs of pneumonia! Being bed ridden does not help the drek in his lungs but being up and about does….
I will know more later when I speak to Diana who is tired but fine! I left last week and Phil came in so at no time have they been on their own! I will keep you all informed of as many details as possible! Please forward my email to anyone who wants an update and thank you so much for all your love and concern. Our family are truly amazing and the friends unbelievable!

Lots of love,


Hi all of you,

Here is your daily update and not so great today!
I have just spoken to him and from what I can gather the mental decline started yesterday pm! He is terribly low and very,very tearful and depressed! Then along came an awful night of disturbed or very little sleep and to top it all a rubbish nurse! Well you can all imagine,knowing Ade as you do, how that made him feel.
He has just had enough and desperately wants to get home but realises that unless he is much stronger and that all the test are ok this will be delayed. This is very hard for him to deal with! I know that it is easy to say just have a bit to eat and drink a little more but Ade just can’t when he’s low and this situation is not helping at all!

So now we have brought in the cavalry!
My Mom is going tomorrow and although she has not been that well she will be with him,gowned up, in hospital and force feeding him, taking the slack that he can so easily dish up and being even tougher than Phil or me!
He asked me to do his blog so I will officially take over and I agreed if he would speak to me several times a day so I could genuinely let you all know how he is doing!

So sorry it’s not as ebullient as the day before but I think we’ll have to get used to this seesaw effect for awhile and just accept that an inch a day forward is great progress!

Lots of love,

Russ



Rochelle Bass

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Catch-up

For all those wondering why you haven't heard from me in a few weeks - it's because I have been in hospital. And believe it or not, the hospital system does not allow me to sign in on my blogspot account!
So here's the brief update - even though it feels like the longest time. I was readmitted to the hospital 10 days ago because I had difficulty breathing a few days after the last surgery. My oxygen level was low and there was some fluid build up around my heart and lungs. That was all starting to resolve and on friday morning, as they were prepping me to leave, they did one last blood test. My white blood count had skyrocketed and I was moved immediately to the icu. Within 2 hours I was treated with massive doses of anitibiotics. Any of you who have ever spent time in a hospital know it takes them forever to do anything - but they really moved like lightening on this one!
I can tell you this has been an ordeal. In the icu you are prodded, poked and generally annoyed non-stop. Days meld into nights and all you are aware of is noise and beeping. There is no such thing as restful sleep - or any sleep! My white blood cell count has come down a lot and the infection is responding to the treatment. Today I will be getting 2 litres of blood and then I will be moved to a room where I am less tethered and can walk around and begin my recovery. Thank you all for your calls and concern. It means the world to me.
Ade (dictated not read)