Week 98 (1 - 7 June 2008)

Andrea has remained in Queens Hospital since last Saturday. We’re glad, because at least she is getting seen. So our lives have necessarily focused around visits by doctors and travelling to and from the hospital. She has been examined by gynaecologists, orthopaedics, neurologists and urologists. She did say she wanted to try as many specialities as possible. Having worked in hospitals in the past perhaps she just likes talking to doctors. There have, of course been ups and downs, but the hospital is new and seems to be clean. The nursing staff have been very good and she has been given painkillers when necessary rather than having to wait for the drugs round at appointed times.

She has had some further tests but as my brain is struggling with the long words I won’t say which ones in case I get them wrong. So far, nothing definitive has shown up. Although she is still in a gynaecology ward both gynaecological and orthopaedic problems seem to have been ruled out and we are waiting to hear from the urologist and neurologist. The pain has got worse and she gets nauseous. Twice Andrea tried to walk around a bit and both times was vomiting afterwards. The professor of urology visited on Thursday and admitted that it is puzzling.

The latest (Saturday) is that we are waiting for the neurosurgery consultant. Andrea has seen someone from the pain management team who suggested an adjustment to the analgesics so the pain is more manageable but she is more drowsy. She also has “flight socks” to help prevent DVT as she’s lying in bed so much.

Otherwise, we’re managing. I’ve managed to find some brushes and paints so have started doodling again. I renewed my library ticket and got a book on CD to listen to while making marks on the paper. It’s difficult to concentrate on anything else for more than a few minutes at a time.

On Friday evening there was some very heavy rain and some of the roads were flooding on my way home from the hospital. The next morning there was some dripping just outside the front door. Of Andrea’s Mums house, not the hospital. As far as I know – but it is a “new” hospital so …. The house has a flat roof and when I managed to get up to look there was about 4cm (11/2 inches) of water over the whole roof. The drain was blocked so was easy to rectify but it is the first time I have been paddling on a roof.

Week 97 (25 - 31 May 2008)

This was half term week in the UK. There was also a “Bank Holiday” on Monday. So, as usual there was much heavy rain, mainly in the southern parts. The north was sunny. On Sunday morning Andrea started to feel unwell in church so we left and went to the A&E at the new Queen’s Hospital in Romford. She was seen fairly quickly and had developed another urinary tract infection – so more antibiotics.

I postponed my trip to Winchester to see my Mum until Monday, intending to stay until Thursday evening. It was good to see her and do a few little jobs. And to see Libby and Brian in the evening. Mary, my other sister was bringing her three children to see Libby on Thursday and would be joined by Keith’s wife, Roz and her two children, my grand-nephew and grand-niece.

On Wednesday morning, Mum and I went to the crematorium – one year on. She treated me to lunch at a farm shop near her home in Winchester and did a little shopping while there. Just after we got back, Andrea phoned because she was feeling unwell again so I returned to Romford by 6pm. She wasn’t bad enough to go back to the hospital – but I hardly think it was my stimulating company that cheered her up. I’m sure it was the mashed banana my Mum sent that did the trick! That and the phone call to the GP who suggested increasing the dose of the painkillers.

We visited our GP on Thursday to update him and renew a prescription. Andrea seemed a little more comfortable and managed the journey though it left her feeling even more tired.

Friday was a rest day in preparation for the 6.30am arrival at the hospital Day Surgery on Saturday. I stayed until 9am to make sure that she was settled. It’s all very new and seems efficient. The result of the laparoscopy and cystoscopy are that there is not gynaecological problem and her bladder shows signs of inflammation. But nothing else. So at least some things are now ruled out but we are no further on. Unfortunately, in her weakened state, Andrea was unable to leave for the night and stayed overnight. But again, the ward she eventually moved to was new and the bed was really comfortable!! She needs some compensation!