Ewan's view point on Lindsey's journey I'm only eleven and Lindsey's nephew

I have not been there all the time for Lindsey.This was been because it was upsetting to see her.She had tubes in her mouth and nose witch upset me.I have been going to the hospital since she was half through her time in intensive care but I have by her side since the start of all of it.She is my best friend I would be looked after by her most days and I would help her whenever she wanted.She is the best person in the world to me and probably everyone who has met her in her life.She was in Renal for approx three weeks.The first time I saw her she was settled in to the H.D.U. part of Renal.After about one week she moved to her own room the first time I saw her in her own room she was awake and wanting to leave.She was then moved to the London Road Community Hospital who have managed to get on my nerves by saying that I was virus ridden thats like saying I'm a dirt bag so I would not be aloud to leave the family room.She has been there in a ward with three chatty old women all over seventy years old.I have felt like there was something was missing from a part of my life since Lindsey's hospital life has started.There has been a change in how I see the world since this started.Lindsey has been there for me and now I'm there for here her.

Thurs 31st Mar

Today when i arrived at the ward I bumped into the Physio, she told me that Lins had use the board to transfer from her bed onto her chair and managed really well, she said she would be back along shortly to try her transferring from chair to commode. She never arrived at 1245 Lins wanted to go to the toilet so the HCA went to find the physio to show her how to do the transfer as they are not allowed to do it without one being present. They could not find her anywhere so they had to use the hoist again, Lins was really disappointed with this as she was looking forward to not using the hoist anymore. The physio never came back to see Lins for the rest of the day , they seem to be full of good intentions that never come to fruition it is very frustrating. Jo and Natalie came into see Lins in the afternoon she was very pleased to see them both, Once they had gone we went down to the coffee shop to meet Michelle,we were later joined by David Nicola and Ewan. Lindsey is quite fed up with being in hospital she really wants to come home,she is a bit down so we take her into town for a change of scenery.

Wed 30th Mar

Today The physios came to see Lindsey , they brought a Banana Board with them ,its used to help people to transfer from bed to chair etc. For her 1st attempt Lins did very well,they will do some more tomorrow another step closer to coming home.  The weather was a bit dismal today so we did not venture out we went for a wander round the hospital instead . Later in the afternoon David popped in on his way back from London and Brian and Charlotte also dropped by. Lins did not enjoy her dinner and asked me to bring something from home I made her Pasta with Tuna and Sweetcorn and sund dried tomatoes,she really enjoyed it and managed more than half. Lins did her excersises this evening without any coaxing ,its definetly getting easier for her .Nic arrived at 745pm so I took the opportunity to leave a bit earlier I find the place depressing but of course I dont let Lins see this .

Tues 29th Mar

This Morning Lindsey had a massive nosebleed took ages to stop. Lins hasn't eaten anything to do due to being sick yesterday.Today is her follow up appointment at Orthopaedic Outpatients and while we were sitting waiting for transport Maureen And Anne arrived to visit her,such as shame as they were only there a matter of minutes when the ambulance showed up. At the app her old plaster removed and she went for xray the wounds on her ankle are minimal you can hardly see them they have healed really well,internally everything is going in the right direction too, however Mr McDermott is still not happy for Lins to put any weight on her ankle so another bright pink plaster was applied,we have to go back again in 2 weeks time.its 5pm when we get back tot he ward Lindsey is really tired now and gets into bed. There was a note from Natalie on her table, she too had been to visit while we were at the outpatients . One of the ladies on the ward has her birthday today she is 92 they have a cake for her and all sing to her

Mon 28th Mar

Today when I got to the hospital Lins told me she had been sick after breakfast .  A doctor came to check out some skin irritations that she had and recommended  some cream to stop her scratching. By now it was lunchtime and Lins did not want the hospital food so we headed off into town. We went to Debenhams and we had  Jacket potatoes,she didn't have much of an appetite and only managed half of it. Afterwards we pottered around the shops and she bought a new top from Next. By the time we get back to hospital she is feeling quite uncomfortable in her wheelchair and asks to be put back on the bed,a nurse comes around and wants to change a dressing that she has,its time for me to leave anyhow.  Shortly after I left she was sick again ,think she may have some sort of tummy bug, she is not to eat for the rest of the day. At evening visiting David is there first ,he says that a Doc is on his way to look at her, by the time Nic and I leave at 845 still no Doc has been round. Hopefully by tomorrow she will feel a lot better

Sun 27th Mar

 Today has been a funny old day for Lins. The rash that was causing concern yesterday has gone, her mood today is quite lethargic , Lunch came and she hardly touched it,she is not enjoying the food at all, fortunately when Charlotte and Heather came to visit they brought her some treats.   She told Nic that she wants to come home, this is what we all want.  Lindsey had a  new visitor today her Uncle Ronnie its been a long time since she last seen him so a nice surprise again. . During the day she has had the trots and a nosebleed, so all in all not a good day.

Sat 26 Mar

Today Nicola does the early shift at the hospital when she gets there Lins is in the dayroom doing a quiz, the subject  is "Coronation Street and she comes in 2nd place. After lunch which was a dried up ham sandwich Nic takes Lins out in her chair they end up in town and go  for a drink in M&S cafe. Lindsey has had her shower at last and when I visit in the afternoon I take the hair straighteners up and do her hair I also trim her fringe which by now is getting in her eyes , she looks lovely.  In the evening she has the long awaited visit from Charlotte & Brian who have been out of the country for 3 months she is delighted to see them.. Whilst she is lying on the bed I encourage her to do some exercises raising each leg 10 times she thinks I'm a bully this  but its important and each day she can lift them higher and hold for longer.  We notice that she has developed a rash big red blotches seem to be appearing on he upper body we mention this to the nurse before we leave for the night.

Frid 25th Mar

Today is a more positive day ,when I arrive on the ward there is a new TV with freeview and  Lins is taking part in a group physio session doing gentle exercise to keep the limbs moving. I met the Occupational Therapist who has been to adjust the leg rest on the wheelchair that we use. She seems nice and is as keen as I am to get Lins home as soon as possible, however she will not be seeing us again until after Lins follow up Orthopaedic app on tues, thats another 3 days of sitting around with no significant input in trying to get her mobile . After lunch Lins goes to take part in a craft group designing a wedding dress for Kate Middleton! she is not really interested so we get ready to go into town for a walk, on the way we bump into Natalie who has some free time before an appointment in the hospital,a nice surprise for Lins. We then walk to the Westfield centre and Lins says it feels weird being in town in her wheelchair, and its a bit tricky manoeuvring around some of the aisles. In the evening She has Belinda and Richard to visit and they update her with whats been happening at the centre. At 8pm Nic and myself help Lins get ready for bed and get her settled before we leave for the night.

Thurs 24th Mar

I arrive at Lindseys new hotel! to find her sitting up in her chair and fully dressed this is the first time in a month that she has worn her own clothes. The previous evening the HCA promised Lins that first thing in the morning she would give her a shower and wash her hair, so I was a bit surprised to see that her hair was still unwashed, the explanation she was given was that they could not find anything to cover her cast to protect it from the water!! This is a hospital FFS surely these things are standard pieces of kit. A doctor came along in the morning to review Lins he seemed quite disinterested I asked when she would see a physio, His response surprised  me to say the least "well yes the physio will come along and do her own assessment of Lindsey but to be honest  while she is in her cast and immobile I'm not sure what they can do". I bite my tongue at this point ,its the first day I do not want to appear negative .
 Lunch time came and passed and still no physio has arrived ,I asked the nurse on shift and he said she would be seen in the afternoon. By 2pm she still hasn't seen anyone and as its such a nice I ask to have her put in the wheelchair so we can go out for some air. I leave my mobile number and off we go we went for a wander round the grounds,the sun is shining its a lovely day but here are no seats to sit on apart from the ones in the smokers shelter.We go for a cup of tea in the cafe and afterwards go for a wander outside the hospital, by the time I take Lins back she is quite tired,she asks to get on her bed as she is getting uncomfortable in the chair now. I leave to do some shopping for Lins and when Nic and I arrive back in the evening she has had her dinner and is sitting up on the bed, there is another lady in the room now.  David arrived with Ewan at around 645 and was promptly told by the ward sister that children were not allowed on the ward,this wasn't a problem last night it seems to depend who is on shift at the time. The explanation for this was that there have been a lot of viruses going around and it really was for his protection as much as the patients . This is where it gets slightly ridiculous, he is not allowed on the ward but he is allowed to go in the day room which is just across the corridor. So he can stand and wave and talk to her form across the corridor he just cannot sit buy her bedside!!!!! It would seem that  viruses cannot travel across the corridor to the day room. Heather arrived a bit later with Holly and she wandered straight on to the ward her and no one challenged her.

Wed 23rd Mar

Today I was slightly later arriving at the hospital as I had to wait for Lindseys wheelchair to arrive. I got there just in time for lunch and she was still in bed. I was a bit surprised at this as yesterday she was told that she would be going for a physio  session in the gym this morning.  When lunch was finished the NCA's  came to get her up, I requested that they put her straight into the wheelchair so we could go out for a walk. I left my number and said that if they came to take her for physio I would bring her straight back, no one called. At 2.30 I took Lins back to her room she had 2 visitors waiting for her Natalie and Val which was a lovely surprise as Lindsey hasn't seen Val in a while. At 3.20 Lins was tired and wanted to go back to bed once she was settled I had to leaver her to come home for Ewan. At 4.30 I got a call from the ward, Lindsey was being transferred to the Grove ward 4, in the next 10 mins!!!!!!!!! to say I was gobsmacked was an understatement, I was at that hospital for over 3 hours and no one came and discussed this with me, this didn't suddenly happen in an hour someone knew that she was being transferred today and as Lindsey is a young woman with learning difficulties  I as her mother should have been  kept abreast of developments and involved in the transfer. Just the day before the Head Physio and the ward Sister assured me that no move would take place without me being informed first. I am appalled at the way my daughter has been treated on this ward and in some respects I am happy that she is out of there. At 630 Ewan and I go to visit Lindsey at the Grove she is on a 4 bed ward totally on her own, there is a TV at the far side of the room but this does not work . First impressions are not good ,I feel that this is not a good environment for Lins but we were left with no other choice.Its early days so time will tell.

Tues 22nd Mar

Today  David had an appointment at the hospital for a check up on his thumb and we arrived earlier than usual, Lindsey was already up and in her chair ,and it was a beautiful sunny morning, I asked the care assistant if it was possible to put Lindsey straight into her wheelchair so we could take advantage of the sunshine, they agreed and so off we went into the beautiful sunshine we went for a wander then had a seat in the sun it was really pleasant Scott arrived at the hosp at around 1130 he joined us and we had some drinks and and crisps and just chatted and enjoyed the morning,David joined us when he had finished at the clinic. At 12pm we head back to the room Lindsey's ankle is hurting now and she is tired.  It was lasagna for lunch and if I do say so myself was not a patch on what she has at home. At 3pm the physios came to take her for her session in the gym , at this point I have to leave to collect my car from the garage,  When I go back in the evening Lins tells me that she has been doing some work with a ball and Scott said that they physio was very impressed with what she had managed to do today, we watch some TV together and by now she is very sleepy its after 8pm and time to leave  for the night .

Mon 21st Mar

This morning when I arrive Lins is still in bed drinking her tea she seems a lot happier than yesterday.  The physios have told the care assistants that they would like to them to use the standing hoist to get Lins into her chair today this is the piece of equipment that they used with her on thurs.. It doesn't go that well they manage in the end but with a lot of screaming from Lins. Scott has arrived at the hosp its been 2wks since he last seen her, he comments on how well she is looking, last time he was there she was on a drip and had lines in her neck and hands now she is completely free. After lunch we ask if we can have a chair to take Lins out of the ward, this however didn't happen as the physios came back for a session, they tried Lins with the standing hoist but with no great success ,they then tried another piece of stationary equipment but this wasn't successful either, Her body is just not strong enough yet and they decide that for now she has to go back to using the general hoist so that there is no pressure being put on the broken ankle, Lins is happy about this. Before we left, the ward sister came to discuss what we wanted for  when she leaves we decided that to bring her home with the full care package and equipment was going to be best,she went off to put this in motion and Lindsey herself said that she didn't feel that she should come home just yet and was happy to go to the rehab ward at the grove.

Sun 20th Mar

Lins is feeling very low today she has  been in tears,she is lethargic and says she has had enough of it all. Cant seem to shake her out off it an she just wants to sleep.  At visiting time a couple of neighbours Ruth and Charlotte pop into to see her she perks up a little and when Ruth tells her about our cats trying to get into the boot of her car all the time, she finds this quite funny she loves to talk about the cats. Richard and Belinda come for the last hour of visiting they have brought a little video recorder showing get well  messages from her friends at  the centre , it was so sweet and she really enjoyed watching it. Later when we are alone she tells me that she didn't like the staff who were on in the night, one  told her off when she had an accident with the bed pan, and someone opened her curtains at 5am and left them open even though Lins requested them shut. This explains her mood in the morning. There are some brilliant people on the ward that look after Lins but some of them seem to have had a personality bypass and I could quiet happily slap them! When I leave she is a lot calmer and is drifting into sleep hopefully tonight will be a better night .

Sat 19th Mar

Not much change with Lins today. When I get there she is sitting up in her chair, Nic has done her hair and Heather has been in to see her and painted her nails bright pink and also brought bright pink bobbles to match her plaster cast. She didn't eat her lunch which was Irish stew so she had a prawn sandwich from the shop instead. Its such a lovely sunny day out there so we ask if its possible to lift Lins into a wheelchair so she can go outside.  This is a major task but the care assistants are so helpful and 10 mins later she is in the wheelchair and off we, go her first hint of fresh air for a month, she really enjoyed it. We  gave her a tour of the hospital and went up to the restaurant for a drink ,its on the 5th floor so you get a really good view.We sat Lins by the window so she could see all the coming  and going she liked this a lot and even seen the helicopter  going out on a rescue, by the time we took her back to the ward is was dinner time and she was quite tired and wanted to get back into bed.

Frid 18th Mar will

It is now 1 month exactly since Lindsey was admitted to hospital.  Today I expected to have a meeting with The occupational and Physio therapists, It did not happen this is what I find so frustrating about hospitals they say one thing and then do another.  Lins was quite happy today , however they did not get out  out of bed. I asked a care assistant at lunchtime she said oh yes we must get her on her chair after lunch, this didn't happen either. Natalie and Miriam from Alternatives came to visit today , its nice for Lins to see new faces I'm sure she gets bored looking at my ugly mug,. There still has been no decision about the best placement for Lins when she leaves the renal ward.  We have discussed the possibility of her going on the orthopaedic ward so I guess we we will have to wait till Monday and see what they come up with.

Thurs 17 Mar

Today when I arrived at Hosp Lins was sitting  up in her chair she had been fed but was still waiting  for her bed to be changed and also to be washed. I have nothing but admiration for the NCA'S they are totally overworked. Lin told me that the physio people had been round and instead of using the hoist to get her out of bed the used a twisting platform she found this very difficult but it is another little step in the right direction.  in the afternoon a discharge nurse came to talk about the options available to Lins  when she leaves the ward. No 1 is to go to a place called the grove  which is mainly used to rehabilitate elderly people. They don't think this is particularly suitable for someone as young as Lins. There seems to be a huge hole in the rehab programme surely Lins is not the first 28 year old to have come through such trauma and still be too weak to do the most basic of tasks her herself,. I have asked if it is possible to let us have some equipment at home that will allow us to enable Lins to be in a familiar environment and also have the help that she needs. We are to have a meeting tomorrow with occupational and physio therapists to discuss the best way forward for Lindsey

wed 16th Mar

Arrived at hosp at 11.00am Lindsey is still in bed she has had breakfast but has not yet been washed or changed,this is most unusual normally she is sitting up in chair by now. About 20 mins later 2 NCA.s turn up to get her washed I retreat to the waiting room,about 40 mins later I go back to her room and she has had her 1st proper shower since she has been in hospital she looks all refreshed she really enjoyed it. Lunch arrives at 12.10 its shepherds pie and she makes a good attempt at eating it. Her appetite is still not there so I coax her to eat as much as she can.  David popped in for a quick visit at 1.15,by 3pm she is tired and wants to get back into bed ,I leave her to have some sleep once she is settled. David Ewan and myself go back to hospital at 6.20 Belinda and Rich are there and are showing Lindsey the new digital camera they have bought ,they take some pics of her to show the people at the centre how well she is looking.They leave about 7ish and later Heather Phil Holly and Alex pop in for the last 20 mins the little room is quite crowded, so after a bit David and Ewan head home,Nicola shows up for the last 10 mins of visiting hour making her total visitors for the day 10, popular little lady.

Tues 15th Mar

Arrived at hosp at 1120 Lindsey is sitting in her chair. I have brought some fruit  and offered her an apple she really seemed to enjoy eating it which is nice as she still has no interest in food. She is looking really well has some colour in her cheeks and looks just like her old self which is lovely. Lunch arrives and I'm so proud of her as she is trying it eat it all by herself, its a struggle but she perseveres. At around  130 they come to take her to orthopaedics to have her cast redone. I sit in her room and do some crossword puzzles, Mitch arrives to visit and she is still not back , when Lins eventually arrives back there is a big surprise her cast has been redone and now it is bright pink! I have to leave early today to be there for Ewan but Mitch stays and keeps her company so I don't feel so bad about leaving.. David has come straight from work to spend some time with Lins and Nic Ewan and I arrive just after 6. Lins has said that  she did  not eat her dinner as it was horrible. I go and buy her some Tuna sandwiches and a strawberry yogurt.  At around 715 Heather and Holly arrive its all a bit noisy and a little bit crazy just like being at home .

Mon 14th Mar

Today when I arrived at the ward Lindsey was sitting up in her chair the physio had been round and given her some gentle exercises. Mr McDermott came to see  us he discussed the reason for removing the cast from her ankle and doing a new one, he wants to check that the wounds are healing nicely and that there  is no sign of infection , he stresses that he still doesn't want her to put any  weight on her ankle for the next 6 weeks and  he plans to do this tomorrow afternoon. Today  I also met Mr Selby, he said that medically everything was now fine her kidneys are repaired and functioning and now we just have to concentrate on the physical stuff which of course is hampered by the ankle. Before discharging Lindsey from his ward he wants a chest scan just to make sure everything is as it should be, then she can be transferred to a rehab ward to concentrate on physio and getting stronger. Lindsey is still very sleepy and goes back onto the bed after lunch.

Sun13th Mar

Not much change today Lindsey is still largely immobile although has started to use her hands more and is trying to feed herself but she finds it very difficult and she still has no real appetite. The ward seemed to be very short staffed today and every time she pressed her buzzer for help she had to wait at least 15 min.. Lins is now off of the Heparin infusion and is taking Warfarin .  She has however been given an intravenous  infusion of    Potassium  which is important in the regulation of acid base levels, blood pressure,and building muscle tissue, People who have been in intensive care for a long period lose muscle tissue and can be chronically fatigued for a long time.Today's visitors were Nic David Ewan Belinda Richard Heather and Holly and of course me.

Saturday 12th March

Ewan Nic and I arrived at hospital at around 1120, Nic popped off to the assessment ward to visit a friend who has been admitted over the weekend. Lins is sitting in her chair when Ewan, and I arrive she has been sitting up since 9am.  A care assistant pops along Lindsey has rung her buzzer she needs to go to the loo and no longer has the catheter fitted.  You really do leave your dignity at the door when you go into hospital, as she is still immobile and has her ankle in a cast they use a hoist to help her onto a bed pan!!!  The nurse comes round with the painkillers and also a liquid potassium thing that she must drink ,it must taste awful her face is a picture when she drinks it. She has been sitting in her chair for 4 hours now and she is feeling tired and uncomfortable so she buzzes for the Nurses to put her back in bed. As soon as she is settled she falls into a deep sleep she looks so comfortable its the most untroubled sleep that she has had the whole time she has been here.David pops in on his way to football he sits with Lins while we grab some lunch. Later in the afternoon Heather  visits and she sneaks  Holly and Alex in they have been to the hospital loads while Lins has been her but this is the first time they have been in to see her she enjoyed seeing them and Heather put on an impromptu show with the furry animals you can act silly when you have your own little room .

Frid 11th Mar

While driving to the hosp we get a phone call from one of the nurses from 407 the doctor has asked her to call and discuss arrangements for Lins to be discharged, I'm gobsmacked she is still immobile receiving oxygen potassium heparin infusions and still weeing into a catheter!!!!  We tell her we are on our way and can discuss all this with the Doctor when we arrive.  When we get to the ward we are told that the Docs are doing their morning rounds and will talk to us as soon as they are free.  We go see Lins she seems well and happy we spend  a while chatting with her the physio pops by and says she wants to get her up and in her chair before lunch. One of the nurses tells us she wants to wash Lindseys hair this is great news as it really needs it, we go to waiting room to wait for the Doc, after about 30 mins the nurse says we can go back to ward, Lins is sitting up in her chair with newly washed hair she looks amazing so nice to see her looking like her old self, by now its gone 12 still no Doc David has to go back to work . The nurse assures me the Doc will come and talk to me when he is free The student nurse comes to fill in some paperwork for Lins discharge she seems to think she is going home tomorrow. I would be over the moon to take Lins home tomorrow as it is now 3 weeks since she came into hospital, however there is the huge problem of her being immobile, I tell the nurse again that Lins is not her old self ,she is normally active and independent she looks surprised, she asks about what help we will need for Lins to come home I ask about her being placed on a rehab ward until she is strong enough to move on her own she says she will discuss this with the doctor. Lunch arrives well I use the term loosely it is supposed to be risotto which Lins and I both enjoy,it is dried up rice looks most un appetising and I feel cruel for trying to make her eat it, desert is sponge cake and custard and the cake is brick hard,it really is true what they say about hospital food!!! At around 150 still no Doctors have appeared and the nurses come to put Lins back in bed as they are moving her to her own side room, I go off and have a cup of tea.  Lins now has her own room and a tv at last so she can have something to do when we are not around.Lindsey has some more visitors this afternoon they are from Alternatives Maureen and Natalie, I take the opportunity to go home and have a break still no Doctor has attempted to speak to me!!!! Nicola visits at 4pm Lindsey is now exhausted and sleeping.  In the interim David has managed to speak to the elusive Dr Selby on the phone, I find it amazing that he is the consultant assigned to my daughter she has been in his care for 8 days I have spent all day everyday at the hospital and not once has he had the courtesy to come and make himself known or offer any kind of updates this has all been left to the nurses.  He says that the kidney has repaired itself and only needs potassium level topping up, her heparin and warfarin are being monitored and the clots should be under control, he has no idea why she has been referred to a neurologist, he says that Lins is having her cast on ankle replaced on Monday with one that should let her put some weight on it which will help with getting her mobile.

Thurs 10th Mar

Lindsey is looking well still has not much movement in hands and arms and no upper body mobility, physio has been again and still has not managed to get Lins out of bed. She is eating a little but not much of hosp food and so she is still on the protein shakes and mousses.  The charge nurse tells me that they
are happy with  how she has progressed and that she can be moved to a side room as soon as one becomes available. He asks me about Lindsey's mobility before she went into hospital, I tell him as I have told anyone else who will listen that she was independently mobile, Annette came to visit Lins in the afternoon and is surprised to see her looking so well . David and Nic come for evening visiting and David tells the nurse in charge that we want to talk to the consultant at 1030 on Frid morning to have a proper update on where things stand.

Wed 9th Mar

This morning when I arrive at Hosp Lins tells me the physio has been and tried to get her out of bed and sitting in the chair she cried a lot as it was very painful.  She is still having oramorph and paracetamol for pain relief she is looking much like her old self again and her speech is back to normal if a little slower.The physio came back just before lunch and again attempted to get Lins up she was crying with pain I had to walk away as I felt like kicking the physio I know they have a job to do but she only had the op yesterday. Britt  and Michelle came to visit today. I arrived back at hosp in the evening David is there and also Belinda and Rich they have brought her loads of get well cards that have been made by the members of the day centre. One of the nurses asks me about Lindsey and how she was before she went into hospital and talks about her coming home and will I need any help with care. This is a bit out of the blue as she doesn't look near ready to come home to me.

Tues 8th Mar

I rang the trauma nurse at 830 she said that Lins was definitely having her surgery this morning and that she may go on to a ward called step down after the op so that they could monitor her closely. I busy myself doing housework by around 1030 I just want to get out so I head up to the hospital I feel like I live there at the moment. Lins still isn't back from the theatre so I go and have a coffee. She doesnt go to the step down ward she eventually comes back to  ward  407 at 12.45 the op went well so I'm told she is very sleepy as she has had a general anaesthetic,Lins drifts in and of sleep for the rest of the day and night they have given her some morphine for the pain.

Mon 7th Mar

Today David and Ewan both have hospital appointments, David and I arrive at 1130. Lins has gone for a chest x ray.David has to go for his app so I wait in waiting room for her to come back she arrives back at around 12pm.By this time Nicola has arrived with Ewan his app went well and he doesn't need to go back  some good news for a change. David takes Ewan back to school and Nic and I sit with Lins.She is quite perky and looks really well her speech is much improved. Lindsey has 2 new visitors today Sue Given and Natalie from Alternatives.Lindsey has been on this ward for 4 days now and we have had no updates or discussions with a Doctor. Tomorrow morning she is scheduled to have her ankle surgery providing the at her blood and potassium levels are ok. She still has no appetite and the hospital food is quite gross she is drinking plenty though and is looking really well its just her coordination and mobility that are a problem.

Sun 6th Mar

Nic and Jayne did the first sting at hospital today. Lins is much the same as yesterday quite chatty her speech has improved slightly still no coordination in her hands and no upper body movement. She still has no appetite and she has been given protein shakes to take. David and I arrived at hosp Nic and Jayne went off for a break.Heather and Jo came to visit Lins today she is a popular little lady. Belinda and Rich are visiting tonight so we take the opportunity to go home for a breather Jayne has gone back to Scotland. We arrive back at hosp at 7pm and discover that No visitors have been allowed on the ward due to emergency admissions its 7.35 before anyone gets to see her the staff are all very harassed and allow extra visiting time.

Sat 5th Mar

This. morning David Jayne and I went to the hospital ant 11, Lins is much the same as yesterday has no appetite a bit of a temperature but not so weepy. Nic arrived at about 12 we take turns sitting with Lins trying to encourage her appetite she is quite weak and lethargic. In the afternoon Eleanor and Danny came to visit they were a breath of fresh air Lins enjoyed seeing them.and they brought her some lovely presents. In the evening Lins is exhausted her voice still has that sleepy quality to it but she it is getting clearer,

Frid 4th Mar

Scott and I went to visit Lindsey whilst we were in the shop we got a phone call from the ward to day Lins was upset and wanted to see us so we went straight up.She was very weepy and upset and does not like being alone in hospital. During the course of the 2 hour visiting time 3 different lots of medical people came to see Lins for various things, this annoyed me as none of it was urgent and could have been done after the visiting hours.She had an assessment follow up from ITU, a kidney scan and a cannula put in her hand so they could take out the central lines that were in initially. Jayne came to visit from Scotland and in the evening we took it in turns to sit with Lins she is still very tearful and confused and wants me to stay the night with her. David spoke to a doctor who said she may not have to go on dialysis at all.

Thurs 3rd Mar

Arrived at hosp just after 11 another surprise Lins is sitting in a chair she is pleased to see us.  The nurse advises us that her kidneys have being playing up and that she will be transferred to the Renal ward its just a case of waiting for a bed to become free. They are now giving her food but she has no appetite the dietitian has suggested food supplement drinks until she can eat some more. At around 315 they start getting Lins ready to transfer to the renal ward we are asked to wait in the waiting it is another hour before we are allowed to see her again. During the day Lins has talked about why she is in hospital she says blood clots kill people but she not dead so this is good. Understatement really its bloody amazing ,she has had lots of visitor the renal ward is very strict on visitors and the hours are not so good I like to be there all day but for now can only be there 2till 4 and from 6 till 8.

Wednesday 2nd Mar

Nic and I arrived at the hospital at 830am, Lins is awake and very perky again she has had her food tube taken out and is being prepared for her trip to the theatre she is quite calm about it. Nic and I just keep her chatting she is doing so well its really great speech still not quite right but getting better, they took her down to theatre at 9am and I stayed with her until just before they took her through she is quite calm and happy.
She came back from theatre at 1230am she was awake but sleepy. She drifts in and out of sleep for a while, the nurse told me that she is to have a facial scan  at 4pm to check on her left eye which has been massively bruised and swollen since she woke up. At around 5pm the consultants do the rounds Mr Kiani says that she has done amazing and the results of the scan were clear good news again been a very busy day for Lins and she coped brilliantly.

Tues 1st March

Arrived at hospital Lindsey looked really perky her speech has improved slightly and its a bit easier to understand her. She has been taken off of the dialysis again.  A doctor from the renal unit came to talk to her they said Lindsey Kidneys had picked up and they were pleased with how they were going. They said that Lindsey probably would not need to go to the Renal unit and if she did it would probably be for only one session this again was brilliant news. By mid day Lins is flagging a bit and drifts in and out of sleep, in the afternoon the The orthopaedic surgeon came to discuss Lindseys ankle,they said that she needed something doing sooner rather than later to give her ankle the best chance for being as good as new,  the proposed surgery for the next morning. Lindsey got very upset she knows from previous experience that her ops have not always been successful, I explained that it really needed to be done she calmed down then I promised I would be there when she went to the theatre.

Monday 28th Feb

I arrived at the hospital today to the most amazing Surprise Lindsey was awake, she had woke up at 1030am I cried when I seen her . She is still very groggy and her speech is very slurred but she is trying really hard to talk to us I called David and Nicola  and they both mad there way to the hospital. We spent the day with her it was brilliant being able to talk to her she spent the day drifting in and out of sleep. She wanted to come home we had to explain that she really wasn't well enough yet she got a bit upset at this news. -

Sunday 27th Feb

No change today Lins is still stable but not woke up yet. A funny day today we spent an awful lot of time in the waiting room what with one thing and another.,Dr Optimistic was doing the rounds today, he again told us that they would take Lins off sedation and that we could say hello to her,this didn't happen again, she had to go back on the dialysis machine again.  There were a lot of visitors today Heather came again and Willie and Louise and also Belinda and Richard as well as us lot . And Jo came to see her in the evening.