Another day- another plan

It has been decided that Terry does not need live in rehab only Cardio rehab. He has an appointment with the Consultant on Wednesday at which time we expect him to be discharged. I have found a self contained bungalow for us to rent (through a lovely nurse) and we hope to be there Thursday. Terry will then do 3 days a week at Harefield. We do not know how long it will be before he can fly home but fingers crossed it won't be too long.
He is walking more and can almost shower himself. We will be trying stairs with the physio on Tuesday. He has had a Cardio Rehab Assessment but we do not know how much he will be able to do as yet.
The weather here has gone from absolute winter to lovely summer and back again in the almost 8 weeks we have been here and he has not noticed any of it!!
Hope Oz can turn on abit brighter front.

Rehab

In the next few days Terry will be transferred to another hospital for some intensive rehab. Following this he will start outpatient Cardio Rehab back at Harefield.
It is fantastic that he is able to move to the next step. We still have a very long way to go before he can travel home, but if all goes without a hitch, early August looks good.
The fact that the Doctors and Nurses at Harefield have brought him this far is a mammoth achievement.
Fingers crossed it is smooth sailing from here
Ann

Uphill

Terry has improved greatly in the past few days. The fluid is now off the legs leaving ankles and feet to go. He is feeling much brighter and walked the furthest he has gone today. This does not mean he is well again but it is heading the right way. Friday will see the removal of the final infusion and a move to all oral medication. It seems to be in balance at the moment so lets hope it stays that way.
It will still be a long time before he would be able to come home and still quite a long time in hospital assuming he continues to improve.
It is encouraging to see him a bit brighter given what he has been through over the past 6 weeks. Doctors, nurses and staff continue to work hard to get him up and running. They are doing a sensatiuonal job.

Slow progress

Terry has had 3 good days in a row. The fluid is off the lungs so his breathing is easier although the legs are still very full. Over the next couple of days he will come off the diuretic infusion and start oral diuretics. We will have to wait and see how this goes. It is very much a case of getting the drugs balanced as they all interact. Still, it has been nice to see him a bit more comfortable than he has been.
As you can see the message board is fixed. He loves all the comments and cards he receives so thank you.
Progress will be very slow but we are on the right path.
Ann

Get well messages

We are very sorry that the system which allows you to post messages for TJ is under repair. We hope it is fixed soon. Please be patient.
Best wishes
Ann

Start again

Terry is moving back to the High Dependency Unit where he has spent most of his time. His kidneys are back on track and we now begin the drug regime again. Infection is much improved and he is feeling a little brighter.
Could I please ask again that you do not send cards or phone the hospital. He cannot have the cards although I tell him about them and show them to him. The staff are very busy and cannot answer any questions. Please use the blog if you wish to send a message or send cards to the address given in earlier blog. Thanks.
I will update again shortly when we see what the next step is.
Ann

Best Laid Plans.....

After having two good days it would be reasonable to say we were looking forward and planning the next steps. Unfortunately this was scuttled by a relapse in Terry's condition. Yesterday his kidneys were not functioning properly which results in fluid in the lungs. This caused him to be in a very distressed state and he was returned to Intensive Care for treatment.
When I left him last night he was stable, comfortable and having a much needed sleep.
Each day is different and although we know this will be a very slow process, it is disturbing to take the backward steps.
Thank you again for all your prayers and good wishes. He still very much enjoys and needs them.
Ann

Terry in hospital

As you can see, Terry had a good day yesterday. He almost looks like TJ of old but that is not the whole picture. Still struggling but did enjoy a day of respite. Enjoys hearing about messages he receives and I tempt him daily to eat things. This is a slow process. Terry will not be up and racing for quite a time but I do think we are ever so slowly winning the battle.

Ann

Get Well messages

It appears our Get Well message board is limited to 50 messages, so if you have left a message since it hit number 50 , I'm very sorry, but it has not been recorded.
We've put a new one up there now so please leave your message again.
Terry loves getting them!
Ann

another day

Terry continues his extremely slow progress. I know many people think he is well on the way to being TJ but the reality is he is a long way from there.
His heart is operating at 1/5 (20%) capacity which causes backwash to the lungs. This is the fluid that doctors are trying to remove. It is coming off slowly. He struggles to eat and so is quite weak and is regularly very short of breath.
He has walked a few times and although this is very difficult he has managed it.
All the good wishes he receives boost him and we remain grateful for your concern.
Will keep you posted
Ann