Eight weeks and bored

The issue of blood in his urine still seems to be puzzling the medics and it seems he will be staying put until they have made a diagnosis.  The MRI was completed yesterday and the picture does seem to be becoming clearer.  Meanwhile he would welcome contact from the outside world!

Marjorie Warren ward

He is now settled into Marjorie Warren Ward at the Charing Cross hospital, with slightly different rules which means he has to provide his own soap....but he does have a hanging cupboard, so perhaps that compensates.  Anyway he is currently under the care of the urology department but it seems to be taking some time to understand what the blood in the urine signifies.  He had half an MRI scan two days ago, which could not be completed because his foot went into its irritating habit of spasm and wouldnt stay sufficiently still.  Nobody warned him they were going to have another go yesterday morning, so he was in the shower.  Hopefully a still body can be combined with the machine today.  There is still talk of an imminent discharge, but he had two blood transfusions yesterday so there is obviously still concern about keeping his blood count stable.  We continue to hope to know more tomorrow.

Change of scene

He was moved last night from the Hammersmith (by Wormwood Scrubs) to the Charing Cross (in Hammersmith) and has swopped his view of the trains for a view of the cemetery from the seventh floor. This is an assessment ward (N7) so is probably temporary, and he is under the care of the urology consultant.  I will update when I know more.

A setback

The urology appointment has been successfully accomplished and has revealed blood in the right ureter (if I have understood correctly).  This is going to mean another appointment with the urologist, with possible further investigation under anaesthetic, in five days time.  It's back to his friends at John Humphrey Ward at the Hammersmith hospital for the moment.

Another specialist

Managed a good talk with the registrar, which improved my understanding greatly. The appointment scheduled with the urologist has been brought forward as the blood in his urine is causing some concern, hence the transfusions to keep his blood count up.  Belt and braces meant that the registrar asked the nursing staff to arrange for him to be transported to the Charing Cross an hour early for the appointment; the nursing staff then added on an hour, with the result that the pick up was scheduled for 8.00 for an 11.00 appointment! Vyvyan's main concern was where he would get his breakfast.

In other ways he has made good progress, moving around very much more easily.  The pain in his back is probably an inflamed disc, which should mend on its own, albeit slowly.  The antibiotics can now be administered orally rather than intravenously, although removing the Hickman line has been postponed while there is still a need for blood transfusions.

He was delighted with the Private Eye which reached him safely this morning (Peter, was that you?)

Talk of discharge - six weeks (and a day) later

He is looking altogether much better, and a few good nights sleep might make all the difference, as he is still often disturbed by various aches and pains.  There is now talk of discharge next week, although no decision will be made before Tuesday at the earliest.  A decision must also be made about whether he needs to spend some time convalescing before going home, and how much this will be supported by the community health/social services system.  We are quite new to all this, so are working out how best to approach it all.  Considering how ill he was six weeks ago this is all really good progress.

Meanwhile we are trying to track down quite a lot of his post which has gone missing somewhere in the hospital - it seems not all of your communications have got through to him. At this moment he is absorbing another blood transfusion....

Harcuts in hospital

Vyvyan has done a reverse commute to Lower Ashtead to get his hair cut for years.  When he rang the barber to ask how much a visit to the hospital would cost, the response was that for such a regular customer there would be no extra charge....so on Sunday morning he came up to London with his lovely sharp scissors and did a wonderful job - so wonderful that one of the staff told Vyvyan he looked Sweet Sixteen (we assume this is a compliment) A cousin took in the mad selection of paperbacks that I had grabbed from the pile; at least they will provide some entertainment, not least in wondering why that particular choice was made....

Blogging from France

Much of Vyvyan's day seems to be spent absorbing stuff intravenously - yesterday's contributions included more blood and the antibiotics.  Fortunately one of his friends was there to be talked to and thus while away the time.  We are looking slightly impatiently down the road seeking  the corner to be turned....but his footsteps still lead in the right direction and clearly patience is what is required.  He is being looked after with exemplary care and has plenty of inner resources. Onward and upward!