Not so Fast!

Community nurse came to pack & dress the wound this morning. It is the first time I'd actually seen it with the dressing off. It looks horrific! They stuck it with glue at the hospital, instead of suttures, and the glue has come adrift, leaving two gaping holes. She now tells me she suspects an infection has got in, so he's back on antibiotics. He also has a touch of cellulitis on his left side, next to the wound. She thinks it will be a long job. I am feeding Roger a high protein diet and hoping for speedy healing. there's nothing more I can do for him. On the credit side. the plumbing is going awfully well. No need for laxatives, but perhaps that's too much information!

Honey, I'm Home!

Or should it be 'that was the week that was!' - a tough one but that's to be expected - it was a big rebuild job!

They said I could go home this morning and I couldn't wait!!! - got home about 1:30 If !!!!! nothing goes wrong I should be up and about in a couple of weeks and driving as soon as I feel confident to do an emergency stop. Will have the District Nurse in every day for a while for dressing renewals and to keep an eye on me.

Nothing is ever straightforward!

Since the last blog Roger has had some difficulties. There seemed to be a "stoppage" in the system, which stopped him performing bowel action. Then on Sunday evening he was violently sick. Perversely, that seemed to kick off the bowel action (albeit slowly), although it could've been coincidental. X-ray showed nothing conclusive, which in a way was good news.

Yesterday I met him on my way up (he was on his way down) to have ultra sound. It seems there's an area on his left side that is swollen & sore. Verdict: two pockets of fluid (they couldn't tell exactly what from ultra sound) but will probably aspirate them soon. Might even have done it by the time I see him this afternoon.

As for me, a 16hr. power failure on Sunday and lack of sleep due to the electricity guys digging a massive hole in the road adjacent to our flat, pneumatic drills & the like, all night, has not helped to lighten my load! Sorry! couldn't even blog............no internet! DISASTER!

All is Well!

Roger is sitting up and taking nourishment. He looks very well, has finished the book he took in to read, and he slept well. All signs of a good recovery.

Whilst I was there this afternoon, the orthotics man turned up to measure him up for a sort of corset to help support his stomach until it grows strong. The registrar, who assisted the surgeon, said he had good muscle tone there. Roger attributes that to regular weekly Yoga sessions. Sadly that'll be off the agenda for a couple of months. Never mind! Small price to pay!

Has Anybody Here Seen Roger?

Finally tracked down my Houdini husband. He is back on Hopkins ward in a side room. Apparently got there at midnight last night, and this afternoon found him sitting in a bedside chair looking remarkably well considering.

Turned out to be a very complicated day. Mr. Uppal from plastics, couldn't get there until 1.30pm, so they had to jiggle the 'list' around to fit everyone in. Some, inevitably, took longer than they thought. Mr Uppal arrived at 1.30pm, but Roger couldn't go down to theatre until 4.30pm, because of this Mr Uppal couldn't wait, so he went, and Mr. Farouk ended up doing the reversal and the hernias all on his own. Fortunately it all went very well, and Mr. Farouk is pleased with his handywork.

I have to say that Roger definately looked trimmer around the stomach, and provided the colon can "perform" in the conventional manner ( that we all know and love, but Roger could only dream of for the last two years) then he will be allowed home. Oh! they're also waiting for the drain from his op site to run clear, but perhaps that's too much information. Actually! It's all a bit basic anyway! If anyone wants to pop in and see him in the evening I'm sure he'd be pleased to see a friendly face. Visiting is until 8.00pm. I go along in the afternoon. Check first to make sure he's still there. Don't take flowers as they're not allowed on that ward (hygiene).

I can relax now that I know where he is, and I have seen him.

The Big Reversal Day Dawns!

Roger was instructed to be at the hospital at 7.30am. He was told he would be second on the list, therefore breakfast was a glass of water at 6.00am. By 9.00am he was back and knocking at the front door. Apparently the plastics surgeon(doing the hernias) could not get there (we'd previously been told by Mr. Farouk's secretary, that it had all been sorted and Mr Uppal would be there) until 1.30pm as he had been double booked and couldn't get out of the morning booking (obviously a private patient) everyone on the team knew this, but neglected to tell the patient. Roger had instructions to return to the Royal Berks at 12.30, and he was allowed to drink water until 11.30am. Undaunted (you know Rog) off he went at the appointed hour, 2nd time lucky! We had been informed that the op would be 4 hours minimum.

I rang the ward at 6.30pm to see how he was, and I was told he wasn't up from theatre yet. When I rang at 7.30pm he still wasn't up from theatre. I said to the nurse "I understand he went down at 1.30pm for his surgery, I wonder what's keeping him?" She said "No! he went to theatre at 4.30pm."

If this was the case, he wouldn't be back on the ward until half an hour after close of visiting at the earliest!! She also mentioned that it's possible he might spend the night in ICU she didn't know at this stage. Anyway! I think we can safely say that knocks visiting on the head tonight.

Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Nearly there!

We went to see the Plastics Surgeon last Tuesday at Heatherwood Hosp (Ascot) to be told by his Registrar that he was NOT down to do me on the 15th!!!! mild panic ensued!! He promised to sort it out and call later - which he did, and said he thinks it's sorted but to call Mr Colorectal Surgeon's Sec on Tuesday to check - just done that and she says it's all OK, phew!!!

That's the good news - but it isn't looking good for Sept-Nov in Crete - I'll probably have to attend a post-op check-up after 6 weeks! that's if I don't get every bug going like last time!!