Moving to Pinderfields

Hi all,

I have just had a phone call from the hospital and they are moving Graham in the next couple of hours to Pinderfields so please do not try to phone him with the numbers given! We will have an update when we have visited him. That may very well be later today as Ian was planning to see him around 4 and I was going in around 6. Now we have to find out where the place is, and teach our cars how to get there!

I guess it was great that he was still here for his birthday so many of us could celebrate with him. Now we are happy that he will be in exactly the right place to do all the therapies he needs to help him back to recovery.

More later.
Love and peace to all,
Linda


-- You can send Graham letters at the address below, (FL Sue)


Graham Maughan
Ward 1
Pinderfields Hospital
Aberford Road
Wakefield
West Yorkshire WF1 4DG
United Kingdom

Jan. 30th update

Thanks for all your birthday cards and emails. My dad had a good party yesterday and was really touched by all the messages you sent. Thank you Richard and Louise for sending my dad's CDs, Ian and I bought him a small CD/tape/radio for his birthday and he was impressed by the CDs you chose to send. Thank you also to Bill for sending the CD book, lots of listening material there. He had 8/9 visitors, we sang happy birthday to him and he blew out the candles on his cake, then he had as much cake and ice cream as he could eat. For dinner Ian went and bought a Chicken Tikka Masala curry as a special treat. Nancy Vergara(unfortunately I don't have her email address) sent some hot sauce which he appreciated. If you know her, pass on his thanks!
Lots of people have asked about things they can send him. Now he has a phone by his bedside, a 5 minute phone call would really do the trick. It is bound to be expensive but if you wanted to call the best time would be between 6-8pm GMT (10am-12noon PST) when Ian or I are usually there and can hold the phone for him. His number from the US is 011 44 7041 12 0091 extension 8808, from the UK it is 07041 120091 extension 8808.

Yesterday his ward had emptied out and he was getting a bit lonely, today it was full again and he had people to chat to. He managed to make a couple of phone calls tonight and was really happy to talk to people. We left him watching TV and looking generally contented. Still no news about Pinderfields - it's just a waiting game.

Love to all, Airasa

Happy Birthday FL Graham

I wanted to wish Graham a Happy Birthday! I'm thankful that he is progressing with his recovery and receiving therapy. Best wishes and enjoy the party! I wish I could attend, but celebrating in spirit! Cheers!

Space is the Place!

FL Sue

Update 1/28/05

Hi all,

Well, things have been moving right along here. The good old NHS has come through and Mr. Philips (my dad's consultant) has been a complete star and filled in all the medical certificates, copied all his records and even put all the CAT scans and MRI scans onto CD-Rom for his disability claims - FOR FREE. Hallelujah! It's just a case of double checking everything and sending it off now.

On Wednesday he had a visit from the occupational therapists. They discussed with him how they want to begin trying to help him to do some simple tasks for himself, e.g., feeding himself. He can only see how impossible it will be at the moment, but I think he is coming around to the idea that it doesn't mean that this is all they'll do, because this is how good it will get, but rather that as he improves they will help him adjust to his new situation.

Yesterday my dad was moved from the HDU ward to a normal ward (still at LGI). He was very anxious about the idea to start with - being further away from the nursing staff and worried about how he'd cope. After a couple of days in the ward, he's beginning to see the benefits! He's on a ward with 4 beds. Yesterday they were all full and so he spent most of the day chatting away to the other occupants and learning how they got to be in hospital. Today 2 have moved on, so his ward is much quieter.

Today the physiotherapists tried to get him into a standing position. They almost made it but he began to feel queasy so they left it for another time. Tonight Ian and I got him a 'patientline' card for his TV/phone/internet contraption. He has already made a call to his workmates and seemed properly content for the first time tonight when we left him with 'A Touch of Frost' on TV. He even has CNN so he can keep more up to date with news. He does have a phone number, it may be tricky to organise for people to call him, and will certainly be expensive, but I think we might be able to work it! I'll find out what the number is and keep you all posted.
It's his birthday tomorrow so I've organised a mini birthday party, fish and chips with cake and ice-cream for dessert. (Thanks to everyone who's going to come).
Today was a good day,
Lots of love,
Airasa

A week to Remember...

This week in history three space tragedies occurred. Thirty-eight years ago today the Apollo 1 launch pad flash fire occurred, taking the life of three astronauts,Grissom, White and Chaffee . It was just nineteen years tomorrow, Jan. 28 1986 when we lost a crew of 7 on the launch of the space shuttle Challenger. More recently, next Tuesday February 1st, the loss of the Columbia and crew of 7, the mother ship of our shuttle fleet just two years ago. Let us remember the loss of our astronauts, as they reached for the stars and paved the way to our future. Space is the Place!

Linda's update on Graham- Jan 24, 2005

Linda here -- just thought I would tell you my impressions, having not seen Graham for just over a week, as I was on a pre-planned holiday in Tunisia with Airasa's sister, Naomi. I went in yesterday afternoon and will probably visit him every other day until he goes to Pinderfields.

Graham is looking better in the face -- he has normal colour for one thing -- but also it is not swollen as I believe it was before. His neck seems normal size too. He has obviously lost some body muscle/fat as his chest is not as puffy -- perhaps part of it is swelling reducing as well. His hands are pretty normal in look and feel now, no longer swollen. I massaged his hands, arms, back, neck and head (where I could reach) and that seems to make him feel better. I did a little massaging of his legs too and was greatly pleased to see both his legs twitch! Though we are told this is a 'different' system in his body, and he can't feel the twitches or control them in any way, I think it is very encouraging indeed. I believe his brain will be able to rewire the legs if there are twitches, so I see this as a very positive step forward.

Of course his mood ebbs and flows, being stuck in a bed helpless is not something any of us would be able to cope with very well I am sure. He is doing his best and all the messages that are sent to him are read and relished. Airasa has a book of them now as all of them cannot be left on display!! I believe every good wish and good vibe sent his way actually physically reaches out and touches him and gives him one more little step on the way to recovery, so whatever you are doing to think of him getting better, please don't stop!!

WE all think Pinderfields will help a lot and just need the bed to become available. They will keep him busy with physiotherapy and also he will have other people to talk to and that will help him as well. Success stories of any sort help others I believe to keep up spirits and hope. When hope dies then it is harder to get better.

Airasa and Ian are giving him such wonderful care, too. Airasa has not missed visiting her dad at least once a day and Ian has only missed when he has been away on some work expedition. His support of Airasa is unflagging and I know together they will get through this. Resolute Cheerfulness and realizing there just is no choice in the matter, as it is what it is are the mainstays of their underpinnings. Plus all the warm wonderful wishes you all continue to send.

'Keep them cards and letters coming, folks!'

Love and Peace,
Linda

Graham in halo with Airasa and Ian 

Jan. 24 update

Hi all,
Well we still wait. No bed yet at Pinderfields so he's still at LGI. Some improvements, tonight they're taking him off the c-pap for a couple of days, then they'll x-ray his chest again to see if his lungs are stable. If so - hooray no more breathing machines! His sodium levels are still low (after a day in the 'normal' range) so the doctors have thrown up their hands. They've taken him off the reduced fluid intake and are continuing to give him the slow sodium and diuraylite to increase his sodium. The movement in his arms seems to be improving, still no movement in the hands or fingers, or any feeling in the legs, but we continue to work towards a full recovery. His spirits are still flagging a bit - more because of the 'loose ends' that need tying up in the US. I tell you, the level of bureaucracy and form filling that is required is UNBELIEVABLE and so much to worry about. You stop getting paid here, then a form for state disability, then a form for an insurance top-up disability, then oops your health insurance will run out (unless you pay), then the state disability will run out, then a form for federal disability - all SOOOO confusing to the uninitiated. THANK GOD for the welfare state in the UK. I don't care if I have to pay more taxes, at least I don't have as much to worry about in a crisis! Of course there's the rent/bills issue too, but that seems minor compared to getting paid! Oh well, enough moaning from me! It's very cold here - but no snow. Hope you are all well. Thanks for all your cards - he's really overwhelmed by the response of everyone. You are all so kind, big hugs all round.
Love,
Airasa

Almost two weeks

Hello everyone,
We're all a bit tired in the UK today. My dad is beginning to feel a bit despondent and Ian and are feeling somewhat snowed under with the number of forms and money stuff that needs sorting out. Everyone is being very helpful but there are just some things we have to do! My dad has been transferred from a bi-PAP to a C-PAP breathing machine at night. Whilst the bi-pap gave an extra push of breath when he breathed in (and was very drying, uncomfortable and generally made him feel miserable) the c-pap gives a bit of resistance when he breathes out (presumably to strengthen his breathing muscles), it's much less drying and uncomfortable, thankfully. He is currently on a restricted liquid intake due to low sodium and it is driving him crazy - he now has an obsession with 'juicy fruits' oranges in particular and has a fear that somehow the hospital will run out of them. We have been instructed to bring a BIG BAG of them tomorrow. Still waiting for the move to Pinderfields, hopefully next week. A hospital admin person came to visit today and asked about his insurance situation, said they'd check if there was a reciprocal agreement between UK and USA (doubtful) and if there was they wouldn't have to bother him again. If there was no agreement they'd have to see about claiming from his insurance but ' we don't like to charge and aren't in favour of issuing bills, but don't worry, none of this will have any bearing on your treatment' (refreshing for those in the US no doubt). Please send more newsy messages and encouragement. It really helps to keep my dad's spirits up (or raise them perhaps at the moment). Thanks for all the lovely cards.
Take care,
Airasa

Day 10

Hello all,
This is just a short message since you heard from my dad recently. He is still in LGI awaiting a bed a Pinderfields. He has had another adjustment to his halo and been x-rayed- all OK. They were worried about a blood clot in his leg, but he has had an ultrasound and he is clear, which is good news. Unfortunately he had another chest x-ray and they found that a small part of his lower lung has collapsed. They put him on a more frequent bi-PAP schedule and it seems to be working, his lung is reinflating. I'm sure you will all be glad to know that a nurse came with a lot of specialist equipment and thoroughly picked his nose! The physiotherapists have brought some swing apparatus (I haven't seen it yet) and managed to get him out of bed to sit in a chair. A big step I'm sure you'll agree. He's still not able to move his hands or fingers, but he is feeling some 'tingling' in his fingers at least. His hands are much less swollen than they were too.
His spirits are still very good. I know that your letters are really helping with that. We have received some cards today too which I will take to him. I'm sorry I can't reply to you individually but I want you to know how much my dad looks forward to hearing your messages.
Take care,
Airasa

A Letter from Graham

Brace yourselves - the long promised letter from my dad. It did take days after all! I confess I haven't managed to get on the blog yet, but I intend to soon. Thank you Mum for typing this up - you are a true star.
Airasa

Dear Friends, profane and secular families and all other loved ones in my circle,

Being paralysed from the nipples down and having only gross arm movements (i.e., I can’t control my fingers) has, as you might imagine, a host of frustrating problems. Surprisingly the most irksome is: I can’t pick my nose. I have no control of my elimination functions, but people are generally willing to clean me as necessary. I can’t feed myself but there’s no problem with people stepping forward, even with alacrity, to put food in my mouth. But pick my nose? Yes, they’re willing to use Q-tips to rummage around in my nostrils; yes, they’re even willing to roll up some facial tissue and rummage around in my breathing apparatus, but sometimes you just need to pick your nose! The importance of this task has been brought vividly to mind because of all the breathing equipment I am having to deal with, from bi-PAP to nebuliser, to oxygen nostril inserts. Who would have thunk it?

Airasa, and perhaps Linda, has given you a reasonably thorough description of what happened. I would like to give my versions of events, mostly because of my egocentricity.

On January 6th, at around 4 a.m., I got into Airasa and Ian’s bath tub/shower to freshen up before a long flight to LA. I had just gotten more or less thoroughly wet when I turned and grabbed the washcloth I had been using during my visit, located at the back of the tub. English bathrooms are often separate from the toilet; it is also common for older buildings and Airasa and Ian’s flat dates from the 1950s. (Comment from Ian: 1930s actually) There is a high bathtub with a flexible portable shower head for the shower function. In their case, the shower curtain drapes down slightly into the bathtub itself. As I turned to get the washcloth, I stepped on the shower curtain and started to slip. I grabbed the shower curtain to steady myself, but instead pulled the shower curtain down with its rod and stumbled backwards against the tub side. Because of its height, it hit me in the back of the knees, causing me to tumble out of the tub, into the narrow space between the tub and radiator.

I cracked my head against the radiator and found myself wedged between the bathtub and the radiator and soon discovered I was basically bereft of feeling or muscle control in most of my body. Naturally I yelled “HELP” and “Airasa” and “Ian” as loud as I could, numerous times. I also banged the shower rod against the door, as it had fallen in the crook of my left elbow. Unfortunately the spatial arrangement between their bedroom and the bathroom made it impossible for them to hear me. [Linda’s note: The house is converted and Airasa and Ian’s 2nd bedroom is converted from the previous garage. There is a brick wall and a hallway with stairs to the upper floor flat between where Graham was and Airasa and Ian’s bedroom.]

As the shower curtain had fallen over my face, there was a real panic that I was going to die by suffocation. However, Linda was coming to pick me up at 4:30a.m. to take me to Leeds Bradford Airport so I vowed that I wasn’t going to die, just yet. She did arrive at 4:30 and I yelled ‘Linda, help, call Ian’, she did and soon they found me. They called 999 (the Brits always have to do things slightly differently than us Yanks) and about 15 minutes later the 1st ambulance arrived [with two paramedics]. Because of my position, and the narrowness of the room, they had to call another crew [of two paramedics] to help take me to LGI where I am now. [Linda’s note: They had to figure out how to move him carefully in order not to cause further damage. They took the door of the bathroom off and put him into a neck brace and tight ‘jacket’ and shifted him around 3 corners onto the stretcher outside the entrance door to accomplish this and it took nearly 45 minutes to do this.]

It would be a grave misunderstanding to regard my rendition of the accident as pointing blame at anyone, particularly given that this is my fourth trip to England I have dealt with English bathing facilities of this sort on all my trips without incident. It’s just, although Linda phrases it differently, it was just bad luck and trouble. What’s most important now is that the spinal cord is seriously bruised rather than frayed, cut or severed. A vertebra has been cracked, but it is not impinging on the spinal cord. Furthermore, and it’s a blessing of no end, I can breathe on my own, even though the doctors feel breathing support is quite beneficial.

But the most important aspect of my situation is that I am in excellent medical hands. A pearl beyond price, I don’t have to worry about money to pay for this excellent treatment, or at least not in the way that I would have if this accident had happened in the good ol’ US of A.

There are no words to describe how profoundly I have been touched and moved by the deluge of love, support, concern and shameless offers of help in any way anyone can from dozens of people, many of whom, probably because of my self centeredness, I had no idea held me in high regard.

Of course, there’s no escaping the good news/bad news character of the universe. The aspect of my condition that most strongly reminds me of this universal law is my present habitation in LGI. The good news, as referenced previously, is that I’m under the care of excellent staff (although it’s a real challenge to keep track of them all). The bad news is that I am tormented by English hospital cuisine. However tasty the choices sound, their preparation achieves new meaning to bad food. Fortunately, I am allowed to supplement the hospital offerings with food brought from outside. Ian, Airasa, and Linda have been true angels in bringing me decent, nay delicious, fare. Of course, they’ve done much more than cater to my culinary needs, which all of you have come to understand deeply in the last week.

I cannot possibly reply individually, as much as I would like; however a blog http://www.ufoespblog.blogspot.com (thank you so much, Sue) has been established where updates can be posted and anyone can post messages. I have a team dealing with my financial and other living needs in Goleta, so there’s no need for anyone to worry at this point about problems relating to my income and bill paying, etc.

A few personal messages:

Ernie, I feel much more confident about my affairs being sorted out sensibly now you’re in charge of the mail. Given that you live only 2 to 3 blocks away and you have reliable transportation, it makes much more sense for you to do this. Thank you.

Lynne, Randy, Elaine L, Steve J – Yes, I demand that you keep me posted on baseball and football news!

Craig and Lorraine – You got it all wrong, bucko, this accident was not a secret plan to extend my holiday; it was a secret plan to immigrate to England! Thank you for the CD player offer, but it’s better we get one here – different electricity – you can, however, prepare music tapes -- if you’re inspired to do so (This one goes for you, Randy, Ernie, and Richard, too).

Yesterday the hospital staff chaplain, a priest of the Church of England, said to me as he left my bedside, “As hard as it is, you must rest into the healing.”

I am going to do that now.

Love,
Graham

One week later...

Both Alex and Linda sent messages:

FL Alex wrote:

Linda, Ian, Airesa and Graham,

I know you are all doing your utmost. My heart is with you day and night.

I do not think I can say anything more for now.


Alex

Fl Linda wrote on Graham's recovery:

He may very well be starting that as he said he thought he felt something in his leg yesterday. We are hoping for a full recovery of course. I know Pinderfields will offer him a lot of physiotherapy and that will only do him good. Thanks for your kind words I will print and read to him today.

Update from Linda

I can give a little update as I am sure Airasa will appreciate me writing some things too.

I was in with Graham for 1 1/2 hours yesterday. I fed him his dinner and he seemed to be taking it better. He has been pretty exhausted as he has adjusted to his helpless situation and even chewing and so forth can make him breathless. But I felt he did better last night.

His mind is as active as ever and he has been working with his team to make himself as comfortable as he can under the circumstances of his situation. He was telling me that the night nurse guy and he came up with a plan to make his sleeping better. He needs this Bi-PAP thing on to help him breathe deeply into his lungs when he is lying down and it is like having your head out the car window driving along at 70 miles per hour so not exactly a fun implement of torture! They agreed he could have 2 hours on and then 2 hours off and that seemed to comfort him and he looked better today for it.

I think the stress of thinking they were going to send him home as soon as they could was bothering him as well. With such an active mind as he has, and time to just sit and think and not be able to entertain himself this can add to his worries. We reassured him that they would not be sending him anywhere except to Pinderfields. There he will have a very busy routine of physiotherapy and so forth to keep him occupied and to help him get better.

Ian spent a bit of time looking things up on the internet and there are so many reassuring stories there about people who have recovered that we are feeling much more optimistic. I can see that his hands are less swollen than they were so that is also a good sign. When his spinal cord is less swollen the bruising can heal up and we all believe he has a good chance of a rewiring job from his brain to his body. He has taken my 'inspirational' talks very well and is moving his body in his mind when he thinks to do it.

I know this is a shock to everyone but we are all starting to cope with it better and I am sure all the loving thoughts flying to him will help as well. I am sure such thoughts are helping all of us.

I have printed off the space story posted to read to him later today. Thanks for anything you send. It helps to have his mind grasping other things to think about.

That's it for now.

Space is the Place!
Linda

The Waiting

I’ve set up a few members for invitations to post messages. We finally have a “dry” day in Southern California! The La Conchita land slide dominates the news this afternoon. And I’m awaiting news on my father’s Prostrate Cancer surgery at City of Hope. With all these happenings my thoughts are a bit distracted to talk about space! However, I’m looking forward to the Huygens Probe encounter with Titan this Friday, January 14.

I mailed Fearless Leader Graham a get well card and a stack load of the weeks Sport news. Let’s hope this raises his spirits!
Space is the Place!
FL Sue

Day 5

Here is an update from Airasa:

Thanks again for all your messages. My dad has begun composing a LONG message to you all, it may take days for him to dictate it to me and then for me to type it up, but it's in the pipeline! I'm sorry I can't reply to everyone, but he's really enjoying the titbits of news and sports that you are all sending him. Steve J, please can you pass on this email to interested church members, I've been overwhelmed with the support from so many members and I'm afraid my email will start smoking if I try to send anymore emails at the same time. Thank you!
So . . . updates. Well, today he has been referred to the spinal injuries unit at Pinderfields. It may be a while before he goes, it depends on when a bed becomes available (the curse of the NHS), but it does mean that he is well enough to be moved, which is good. Finally, after about 10 xrays, they have concluded that his halo is in the right position, all the metal in it made it difficult to xray. Four physiotherapists came to visit today and sat him up! He was very excited when he told me, still no feeling in the legs, but he can now feel the palm of his hand and when you massage his fingers for a while. Still having some help breathing, but they think he'll be off the bi-pap soon (so does he, he hates it, too loud, dries his mouth, uncomfortable, etc). He had communion on Sunday when the hospital chaplin came round the wards. He's been to visit my dad again and has given him an 'inspirational talk'. Things are moving along as far as his affairs - thanks especially to Craig, Ernie, Herb and Vera. I can't tell you how wonderful you are all being, 10 big gold stars each! I'll try to think of more jobs for people to do - it's a shame you're all in the US or you could help me tidy up, go shopping etc. . . .!
More later,
Airasa

First Post: Our Fearless Leader Graham

Hello All,
I've wanted to start a Blog for UFOESP but life just got in the way. With the news of our Fearless Leader Graham breaking his neck on a three week trip to the UK, I've put some things on the side to get this started. I'll post the e-mail I received yesterday with the news:

FL Linda's response:

Dear UFOESPers
This is a letter updating on Graham's condition. He fell and broke his neck and compromised his spine on the 6th of January as he was preparing to leave the UK after his 3 week visit here for the holidays. Things have been pretty difficult as you can imagine. Any loving thoughts you might send to him or Airasa would be most gratefully received.

Airasa's response:

Hello everyone,

I'm sorry I haven't replied to your messages so far, but I want to thank all of you for all of your kind words. I've read all your emails to my dad and it means so much to him to know you care. Thank you for your support, this is all such as shock but things are beginning to settle down a bit.

The story so far...

At the moment my dad is in a high dependency unit at Leeds General Infirmary, please don't send flowers (yet) because he can't have them on his ward. There are six beds in his ward, and three in his bay. He is being looked after by an array of doctors and nurses, most of whom I can't keep straight - he seems much better at remembering their names than I do, although he gets confused that the more senior doctors are called Mister in British hospitals! Today he's been transferred to a special air bed which will undulate underneath him to help prevent bed sores. He's on a kind of ventilator at night called a Bi-PAP, which gives an extra push into his lungs when he takes a breath in, this is to stop any part of his lungs collapsing. He's on oxygen during the day, which at the moment is going in a tube into his nose, rather than having a mask. He's had a chest x-ray because they were concerned about him getting a chest infection, but his chest is clear (phew). He's now got feeling in his thumb (yesterday) and the palm of his hand (today). He still can't feel the rest of his fingers or move his hands and fingers, but we're still seeing this improvement as a good sign. The doctors have said that they think it is unlikely he will regain the use of his legs, but they can't tell about his hands. We're trying to think more positive than that, since everything we have heard from nurses we know and others is that it is too soon to tell and the recovery process will be long and slow.

He's still managing to keep his spirits up, I know your emails are helping with that. Please send cards to our address (26 Towers Way, Leeds, LS6 4PJ, UK) as we don't know how soon he will be moved to the specialist spinal injuries unit at Wakefield (20 miles from us), where he will do the majority of his recovering. We are lucky that we have one of these units so close, as there are only five units in the UK. As he improves he is starting to get a little bored by the hospital routine, the hospital staff are very busy and the other patients in his section aren't able to talk to him. So sending any news or funny stories about what's happening in your lives is very welcome and helps a lot to keep his spirits high. We don't get much news about California or the US here, and no news at all about the American sports he loves (baseball and football) - you all know what a news junky he is, stories about Tony Blair will only go so far to quench his needs.

So far no-one at the hospital as mentioned money yet, healthcare is free at the point of use here, so doctors and nurses don't concern themselves with what things cost. We have spoken to one of our friends who is a senior health service manager and she has told us that all hospitals have a legal duty to give immediate care to all seriously hurt people who come through their doors. But long-term care is a different matter and at some point a hospital manager will notice that he isn't British and try to recoup money from dad's insurance. We aren't sure how it will work as Great Western expect bills to be paid for in advance and then reclaimed. It may be as his bills are being covered by the British taxpayer in general and the LGI in particular, that it will be a relatively simple matter for them to claim directly for what he needs. We have many friends who work in the NHS (not surprising as only the Russian army and Indian railways employ more people), and not one of them has ever heard of a single patient being refused treatment, even illegal immigrants waiting to be deported! So we are not worried about health care costs at the moment and are focusing on the more important job of helping him get better.

Thanks so much for your continued support, love and prayers.

Airasa and Ian

I'll post more as the day and weeks progress on Graham, as well as UFOESP things and Space news. FL Sue