Early Wednesday Morning
Dear all,
I went to see Graham at about 3 yesterday and he was dozing when I arrived. He seems to have a slight infection in the pins of his halo and that was what was causing the problems the day before too. They are treating this and hopefully it will be better. But of course, sleep is the very best medicine so his body can heal. We did manage a brief visit before he fell asleep again.
In fact he had a visit from the urologist who is discussing ways to deal with his situation but not to do anything just now, just to give information and answer any questions. That was really nice, they don't just DO things to people but let them think about it and decide for themselves the course of action to take. This will, of course, appeal to Graham and to the rest of us as well.
We also had a visit from the chaplain John and it was very nice to meet him. He is a kindly soul who is visiting Graham every day. I could feel his warmth and was touched at his helping to get water and so forth. My own back has been in pain the past few days and I was having a bit of trouble doing all the fetching and so forth that Graham needed, and so John helped by getting some cold water from the fountain in the far ward.
Graham is keeping up his spirits I think remarkably well. Being in this new part of the ward is really helpful. It is so much more peaceful than the central ward he was in originally. The staff are all so very kind as well. Also the other patients. While Graham slept I talked with one who actually does not have a spinal injury but there is no bed in the correct ward for him. Apparently they will put patients where there is a bed so that they can get the treatment. I spoke with another who was going home, also not a spinal injury patient. He said it was a real eye opener to see how terrible are some of the situations of others and that it taught him real humility about his own relatively minor problems for which he was there to be treated.
I have also seen some of the women in the ward next door now. It is actually quite helpful to see people there in various states of recovery -- some in wheel chairs they wheel with their hands, some with electric wheelchairs, others walking with one or two sticks and some without sticks but carrying them. I listened to one guy chide another for not walking with him -- it was friendly banter and I could see that patients can be a source of comfort for each other. Graham is getting to know the various guys on his ward as well as one or two of the women.
It is remarkable how he remembers everyone's names including all his various health care providers and helpers.
I read to him a note or two and some of the clippings but he was so tired he fell asleep and slept for 40 minutes and woke up when Charis arrived. I left then and talked to her later, she said he slept more while she was there for her 2 hour visit. Clearly he is not comfortable at the moment with this infection but they are treating it and I am sure he will be better soon.
I took in the rest of his clothes yesterday as well as some oranges. Now they can dress him properly. They had a wheel chair by his bed and I asked if he had been in it yet. He said he was not quite well enough. They also have made a special brace for his right hand (a very large version of the one I wear for my wrist support for carpel tunnel...) and he said he had it on for an hour yesterday. They will eventually get him an electric wheelchair with a joy stick that he can operate himself.
I know they treat pessimistically there -- assuming he will not get much better and that he will need to learn to live as independently as possible under his current situation. I am very positive he will get better myself! But he will need to be independent and can throw away the aids as he improves. For now they are doing everything they can to help him. I know he looks forward to sitting up and not seeing the ceiling all the time and is grateful his sore has healed so they can do this.
I think the first time he is completely dressed, including his shoes which I brought in yesterday, he will feel very positive indeed. Lying in bed for over a month makes a person feel -- well like an invalid. When they get him into a wheelchair he will be able to see other places and we can push him to see things. I know that will cheer him up immensely.
We have a rota for visits while Airasa and Ian take a very deserved break. We have thought that too many visitors in one day is too much at the moment. So I will see him today. Charis is going on Thursday and Charlotte is going on Friday. I will see him again on Saturday and Helen will visit on Sunday. It is hard to know when to go as he seems quite tired at the moment but I think that is the infection. Maybe he will be better when I see him later today.
One thing I would encourage anyone who would like to do something for him is that you use the phone number Airasa sent a couple of emails ago. She phoned him yesterday morning before they left and the nurse happily held the phone to his ear. You could phone him from work and give him a few minutes just to hear your voices. That would make him so happy.
I have bought a plant to take to him from you, Lorraine and Craig. It has to be small as there is precious little room around there. It is a bromeliad and looks like this picture I found on this site
Here.
FL Linda
I went to see Graham at about 3 yesterday and he was dozing when I arrived. He seems to have a slight infection in the pins of his halo and that was what was causing the problems the day before too. They are treating this and hopefully it will be better. But of course, sleep is the very best medicine so his body can heal. We did manage a brief visit before he fell asleep again.
In fact he had a visit from the urologist who is discussing ways to deal with his situation but not to do anything just now, just to give information and answer any questions. That was really nice, they don't just DO things to people but let them think about it and decide for themselves the course of action to take. This will, of course, appeal to Graham and to the rest of us as well.
We also had a visit from the chaplain John and it was very nice to meet him. He is a kindly soul who is visiting Graham every day. I could feel his warmth and was touched at his helping to get water and so forth. My own back has been in pain the past few days and I was having a bit of trouble doing all the fetching and so forth that Graham needed, and so John helped by getting some cold water from the fountain in the far ward.
Graham is keeping up his spirits I think remarkably well. Being in this new part of the ward is really helpful. It is so much more peaceful than the central ward he was in originally. The staff are all so very kind as well. Also the other patients. While Graham slept I talked with one who actually does not have a spinal injury but there is no bed in the correct ward for him. Apparently they will put patients where there is a bed so that they can get the treatment. I spoke with another who was going home, also not a spinal injury patient. He said it was a real eye opener to see how terrible are some of the situations of others and that it taught him real humility about his own relatively minor problems for which he was there to be treated.
I have also seen some of the women in the ward next door now. It is actually quite helpful to see people there in various states of recovery -- some in wheel chairs they wheel with their hands, some with electric wheelchairs, others walking with one or two sticks and some without sticks but carrying them. I listened to one guy chide another for not walking with him -- it was friendly banter and I could see that patients can be a source of comfort for each other. Graham is getting to know the various guys on his ward as well as one or two of the women.
It is remarkable how he remembers everyone's names including all his various health care providers and helpers.
I read to him a note or two and some of the clippings but he was so tired he fell asleep and slept for 40 minutes and woke up when Charis arrived. I left then and talked to her later, she said he slept more while she was there for her 2 hour visit. Clearly he is not comfortable at the moment with this infection but they are treating it and I am sure he will be better soon.
I took in the rest of his clothes yesterday as well as some oranges. Now they can dress him properly. They had a wheel chair by his bed and I asked if he had been in it yet. He said he was not quite well enough. They also have made a special brace for his right hand (a very large version of the one I wear for my wrist support for carpel tunnel...) and he said he had it on for an hour yesterday. They will eventually get him an electric wheelchair with a joy stick that he can operate himself.
I know they treat pessimistically there -- assuming he will not get much better and that he will need to learn to live as independently as possible under his current situation. I am very positive he will get better myself! But he will need to be independent and can throw away the aids as he improves. For now they are doing everything they can to help him. I know he looks forward to sitting up and not seeing the ceiling all the time and is grateful his sore has healed so they can do this.
I think the first time he is completely dressed, including his shoes which I brought in yesterday, he will feel very positive indeed. Lying in bed for over a month makes a person feel -- well like an invalid. When they get him into a wheelchair he will be able to see other places and we can push him to see things. I know that will cheer him up immensely.
We have a rota for visits while Airasa and Ian take a very deserved break. We have thought that too many visitors in one day is too much at the moment. So I will see him today. Charis is going on Thursday and Charlotte is going on Friday. I will see him again on Saturday and Helen will visit on Sunday. It is hard to know when to go as he seems quite tired at the moment but I think that is the infection. Maybe he will be better when I see him later today.
One thing I would encourage anyone who would like to do something for him is that you use the phone number Airasa sent a couple of emails ago. She phoned him yesterday morning before they left and the nurse happily held the phone to his ear. You could phone him from work and give him a few minutes just to hear your voices. That would make him so happy.
I have bought a plant to take to him from you, Lorraine and Craig. It has to be small as there is precious little room around there. It is a bromeliad and looks like this picture I found on this site
Here.
FL Linda
posted by Fearless Leader Sue at 1:10 PM
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