Day 89 - Tuesday 26th July

kp had a good night's sleep and didn't miss me again when I didn't come in at 8.30am.

She had mentioned yesterday that she wanted to send some messages to various people and instructed me to bring my laptop in to record her little messages, which I did.

So, at the bottom of this blog entry, are some messages to various people (mostly work colleagues). If you are not listed, it's nothing personal, and she said she would add more comments as she thought of people.

After we had done the messages, it was teeth and face clean routine. No bath today for reasons stated yesterday.

We both had a snooze until lunchtime. Got kp out of the bed into the wheelchair for lunch at 12.15pm. She enjoyed Lamb and Cider with dumplings, while I tucked into Tomato Soup and Bread. It's nice to sit at a similar height and have a meal with the wife over a table. Small things ! :-)

After lunch, we went outside for some fresh air. It was a bit cool, but we probably stayed out about 10 minutes. On the way back in, kp wanted to go and see the nurses on the Intensive Care Unit. As I wheeled her there, we passed Frank (tha main man who saved her life). I didn't realise that kp had never met him. She was always "under" when he was around.

I was pleased to see him and got carried away talking to him.

kp:- Who is this ?
dp:- This is Frank, the main man, the one who saved your life !
kp:- Oh Frank, its nice to meet you finally. I have heard so much about you.

kp put her hand out to shake his hand. Frank returned the handshake with the biggest of smiles on his face.

kp continued to thank him for all he had done. Frank said "I am honoured to meet you". It was a nice meeting, and left all 3 of us feeling good.

At Intensive Care, kp met up with lots of nurses that she knew and LOTS of nurses that she didn't know, but that knew her ('cos she was under for the first month or so). They were very pleased to see her and how well she looked. kp enjoyed catching up, and I think the nurses were pleased to see kp looking so well. It was a really nice 10-15 minutes or so. There were a few nurses who kp would have liked to see who weren't there, but the Intensive Care part of the ward was very busy at the time, and for some reason they put critically ill patients above visiting returnees ;-)

For me, the walk down the Critical Care ward brought back a LOT of bad memories, and a lot of good ones too. As I walked down the ward, I saw some relatives crying in the relative room (the bad news one), and I instantly thought back to the time we were in there doing the very same thing. For Karen, it was a new experience and one she enjoyed although I think she was bemused by the number of people who came up to her and said "hello". She could only remember 1/3rd of them.

After this visit, we went back to the room. She had been out of bed for about an hour and was only now getting twinges, so it seems to be getting a bit better.

We snoozed until physio.

Physio was very tiring today, but all good stuff. They had Karen laying on the firm couchbed thing in the physio room, and basically they got Karen to walk her left leg in thin air slowly, which looked bl++dy hard for a well person, nevermind kp. They never described it as walking, but instead broke walking down into about 3 movements which kp had to practice. It didn't dawn on me right until the end that it was "walking" but lying on your side. It looked really hard, but kp lapped it up.

She was an hour in physio and the time just flew past. The session ended with kp sitting upright balancing herself. One time she lost her balance a bit and she had to correct herself. I shouldn't find this funny, but I do. It takes all her concentration to stay erect (I know how she feels).

So.............a cracking day all round today. Marie took over when kp was knackered. I just hope kp can stay awake for a while.

To finish, kp would just like to thank everyone who has sent her a text message (07974736352), she really appreciates them.

Here is the list of messages she got me to type in. She was hoping Lydia or Debs would print these off for colleagues who haven't got a computer. There are some messages for non work colleagues also :-

Carol (Middlesbrough Blood Service)
Yes, I do remember you. Thank you so much for your card. It meant a lot. Glad to know you are following the blog.

Bill
Bonjour Bill. Comment ca vas ? Tres Bien I hope ! Comment ca vas Saluki le chien ? Bet you're impressed with me.

Tracy
To my one and only shimmy friend. Not much shimmying going on. Will be glad to get back to get the legs moving.

Julie
Trisha has been off duty for a while. But hopes to be back in session in the near future.

Margaret of the Cairns
You've well and truly made me sick this time.

Gabbo
Just remember it was me who called you it first. After Matthew of course.

Mark
Thanks for appearing in the video

Tom
Hope the Health and Safety is going well

Kathleen
How could I forget you ?

Debra + Lydia
Thanks for all the support you have given me and all the laffs. The chair is great. Everyone loves it. The horn is being used well as I toot it when I pass the nurses station on the way to physio each day.

Linda Mac
We must be due for a glass of wine sometime.

Kevin
Hock the Noo, Ninnie the Noo. Hope to see you soon

Ronnie
To my very good friend. Hope you're feeling better when you get the message. Try and let me know.

Tommy and Eileen
Thanks for everything that you have done for us during this time. It really is appreciated.