Thurs 28th Apr

Last Thursday Lins had an appointment at the Haematology clinic,we assumed this is where we would get some answers as to why Lins had the blood clots that made her collapse. Alas this was not the case , the Doctor seemed very nice, Dr McTeirnan but like the others before her she had only skimmed Lins notes and kept asking us loads of questions she even dared to suggest that the clot might have been caused by her broken ankle, which is just ludicrous as we were told in the intensive care dept after her scan that these clots had been in her system for quite some time, we relayed this info to the doc who was oblivious, oh right,that's something I will need to look into,might have been an idea to look into before we actually got there! She had no answers as to why she had the clots there was nothing obvious showed up in her blood tests its been decided that she stay on warfarin long term since they have no idea what caused the clots.Since Lins left the ITC theres has been no continuity of care seems to be that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing its been a long and frustrating experience for all of us. On Tuesday we were back at the orthopaedic clinic we didn't see a consultant this time as he was on holiday, we were seen by the Senior Physio, she asked how we had been getting on since she last seen us a fortnight ago, I explained that since they put on her weight bearing cast she had not seen any physio and had not been given any kind of walking aid and therefore she wasn't getting along terribly well. She seemed a little surprised by this but made no comment. She said it was now time to get the cast off for good and so we went along to have it off, afterwards the physio came back and asked Lins if she could try putting some weight on her ankle she was screaming with pain, the physio decided to get some more en  x rays done just to be sure ,she looked at the results and said that yes it was all fine and she needed to now start putting her weight on her foot it would be painful to start with but with time it would get better. Before we left they gave Lins a splint support for her ankle to make it feel a little better they also issued her with a walking frame, the instruction was to practice a little each day at home and see them again in a month,meantime she would contact the community physio team to visit Lins at home,We  have been here before so Im not holding my breath.

wed 20th Apr

We had a real lazy start to the day today no appointments no nurses due so we had a lie in. As predicted still have heard nothing from physio dept. Had a phone call from Heather so she and the kids came for lunch it was a beautiful sunny day again so we had lunch in the garden, and then the kids played and we just sat and enjoyed the sunshine . Today we didn't focus much on the crutches since Lins had a bit of a scare yesterday when she thought she was going to fall , tomorrow is another day so will try again .

Tues 19th April

Another early start his morning as the nurse is coming to do a blood test and of course we never know when she is going to appear. Its another sunny morning so the plan is to go out once the Nurse has been ,she finally arrived about 1.15. In between times I have made two further phone calls to try and get some commitment from the physio dept. no one was available so I left two messages. Had lunch in  the garden again and afterwards got ready to go to shops, getting Lins into the car is do-able but not easy on your own. First I have to take off the leg bits then position the chair correctly for her to make transition from chair to car,then I have to fold the chair and get it into boot, then at other side I have to do it all in reverse. We managed eventually and had a pleasant little trip around Park Farm centre. Whilst we were out I received a return phone call from the OT, I said since we last spoke I had hear nothing, she said oh yes she is now top of the list (didnt know there was a list) and the physio will see her Thurs afternoon if this was ok, Well as it turns out its not ok as she has a hospital appointment again on Thurs afternoon. I'm not impressed so far, and as its bank holiday weekend coming up I cannot foresee them fitting her in until after that and by then she will have been back to orthopedic dept to get her cast removed so that's 2 whole weeks with no input at all from the physio dept!!!

Mon 18th Apr

Early start this morning as we were expecting the nurse. She arrived at 9.20am ,she is pleased with how things are going and doesnt think she will need to come much longer. Had to ring the blood clinic as we never got the results of Lins last blood test, they said it had been sent and advised that she needs another blood test done tommorow. Also phoned the Physio dept since nobody has been back in touch since last Wednesday. Was told I needed to talk to Mr MrcDermotts secretary which I duly did she said she would speak to the Physio in the afternoon and still nothing, will call again tomorrow to chase up.  After Lunch Charlotte came to visit ,it was a pleasant aternoon so we took Lins for a walk definetly easier with two but we still had a couple of hairy moments. When we came back we sat in the garden and had a well earned drink.  Continuing to encourge Lins with the crutches but its still a struggle for her x

Sun 17th Apr

Today was a good day we had a bit of a lie in and didn't getup till around 1030. Lins has been persevering with the crutches and although not an expert yet she can take some steps using them.  We managed to get her into the car today and went to Belper for a potter about and also to have lunch. The last time we were in Belper was the weekend before Lins collapsed. Its a beautiful sunny day and when we got back home Scott had arrived this is the first time he has seen Lindsey outside of the hospital he is amazed at how well she is looking and coping, we spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden

Sat 16th Apr

Nice sunny day today, So Lins is sitting in her wheelchair in the garden whilst I chop down some trees. Lins had a go with the crutches again ,she managed to do a few little steps but she doesn't like them and doesn't feel safe using  them. We will try with them again tomorrow, and maybe try and get her into the car so we can go out for a change of scenery.

Frid 15th April

Its now exactly 8 weeks since Lins collapsed, that was the worst weekend of our lives and on that Sunday I truly though we had lost her.  But she is here and she has made brilliant progress ,the only thing holding her back now is her ankle. She is allowed to put weight on it now but it isn't coming easy to her at all. Still no input from the physio and of course there will be none now until at least Mon. We had a fairly quiet day today I didn't take her out in her Wheelchair today ,I have pain running right up with left arm and just don't have the strength to push her around.

Thurs 14th Mar

This Morning when I went to see Lins she had had a massive nosebleed in the night,and she had slept through it. Her bed was a mess it was everywhere. The Nurse showed up early today and caught us on the hop had only just finished getting Lindsey dressed! Today she took a photo of the area that they have been dressing again it looks clean and dry so shouldn't need to be treated for too much longer. After lunch we decided to go for a walk this is the first time I had taken her out since hospital.  OMG it was hard work the pavements around her are full of lumps and bumps and not conducive to pushing  wheelchairs, we made it as far as the shops at Blenheim Parade, the shops are not suitable for  a wheelchair either so I had to leave Lins parked on the pavement whilst I nipped inside. By the time we made it back home I was completely Knackered and had to have a cat nap. Had expected to have a visit from a physio today but no one appeared. Lindsey needs some kind of walking aid to make any progress, I tried her with a set of crutches that I found in the shed but she cannot get to grips with them at all.

wed 13th April

Lins was very tired this morning she didnt want to get up at all. I left her till around  10.30am. We tried some steps this morning but it was very difficult it was like her feet were rooted to the floor,for her its like learning to walk all over again.  We had some visitors just before Lunch time, Jo and Emma popped in to see her for a bit. Later in afternoon we tried some more steps ,its really difficult and makes her very tired,she has lost all her confidence and its going to be a slow process getting back to her old self. Had phone call form the OT she is going to arrange for Lins to have some physio from home for the time being till she is a little bit more stable.

Tues 12th Apr

So today we are back at the hospital ,this time its orthopaedics.  We are using hospital transport again today the appointment is 2.40pm and they have told us to be ready at 12.30pm!!!  At .145 it turned up and off we go,there is a 2 man crew on today and they think they are a right comedy duo, however it makes the journey pass quickly. We were seen fairly promptly and went straight through to have the old caste removed,from there we went to x-ray,it all looks to be healing up nicely,next we see a senior physio she asks Lins how her ankle is feeling and how much she can move it,she says painful and very little, then we see Mr MrDermott he is really pleased with her ankle and decides to put enother caste on but this type it will be a weight bearing one,she is to take it easy and do little by little and build up her strength and confidence.  For the new caste she chose bright neon pink again (no surprise there).  Before we can leave to go home she has to see the physio with a walking frame, the big moment has come the first time in nearly 8 weeks she has stood up,she is very wobbly and quite scared ,she is s bit like Bambi on ice!.  With a lot of support and patience she manages to take 8steps this is an amazing step forward for her. By the time we get home its 5pm and we are both quite tired,bit of dinner telly and then early bed I think.

Mon 11th Apr

So today we went for Lindseys appointment at the Medical outpatients , it was largely a waste of time and we should not have been there. The referral had been made by the Medical Assessment Unit when they were bumbling around trying to diagnose what the problem was , it was part of the discharge procedure but of course she never was discharged and the paperwork went out anyhow. After the appointment we went to the blood clinic to have her sample taken,again it was not easy as the nurse was having trouble finding a vein she could use,eventually she gave up and went off to get someone else and she managed to do it straight away. After lunch the District Nurse came round to change Lindseys dressing and later on  Natalie from Alternatives popped in for coffee and later the lady next door dropped by with magazines for her,  Lins loves having visitors.

Sun 10th Apr

Today is another lovely day , Lins had a long lie in this morning and didn't surface till 10.30 am.We have to clear the loft out today as we are having new loft insulation put in on Friday. It turns out  to be quite a big job we have so much junk up there and by the time we are finished I look like Ive been up a chimney. After lunch I felt a little unwell so David took Lins out in her chair while I went for a sleep. Later in the afternoon I felt a little better and decided Lins needed her hair washing so I improvised and washed it in the garden using a bowl and a cup it went quite well ,by the end her back was soaked and my feet were squelching but job done, and once dried and straightened it looked really good. While David and Lins were out for their walk they bought some shopping for tonight's dinner ,Fish and Chips is what they chose to have, not exactly my ideal Sunday Dinner but that's what they fancied and since David is cooking I'm not going to complain. Lins tried fish and chips whilst in hospital but it was horrible and the chips were odd looking soggy little things did not resemble a chip in the least. Tomorrow we have an appointment at Neurology dept so will be an early start for us.

Sat 9th Apr

Today my arm muscles are aching,maneuvering Lindsey in her wheelchair around our house is not easy, lots of tight bends to master. This is where an open plan bungalow would be very useful!  She slept right through last night ,in  fact she was reluctant to get up for breakfast,so cup of tea in bed whilst she rallied herself. Later in the morning once we are organised, Nic and Ewan take Lins out for a walk in her wheelchair its such a beautiful day out there . The pavements of Allestree prove a bit of a challenge for them, what looks like a long flat road whilst driving really isn't that flat at all. they find it exhausting and when they come back we have lunch in the garden.  The telescopic ramps they have given us are useful but they are cumbersome and our doors wont shut with them in place so we have to keep moving them in and out. Its such a beautiful day that we spend the rest of the day in the garden chatting and enjoying the sunshine ,followed by dinner some TV and then bed, boy am I ready for it!!

Frid 8th April

Its day 3 at home and so far its gone well,was only up once in the night with Lins. Its a beautiful sunny morning out there. Got a phone call from an Occupational Therapist the hospital had asked her to do a follow up visit at home,she came at 11.45. She asked about things in general  and then wanted to see Lins doing transfers from chair to bed etc,it was hard work for Lins but she managed it all, and the OC seemed happy enough she has scheduled her next visit for next week after the follow up app at Orthopaedics.  We have our lunch outside in the garden it is surprisingly hot for the time of year.  At about 2pm the District Nurse arrived to change Lindseys dressing so I wheeled her indoors, the Nurse is pleased with the wound and says she wont come again until Mon afternoon. Poor Lins is now worn out and wants to have a rest so she goes to bed for a lie down.  I wake her about 4pm and then we have visitors,she is not quite herself and by tea time her mood has deteriorated and she is very weepy and emotional she doesn't  know why.I make her Chicken Korma for tea this used to be her favourite but she only managed a few mouthfuls. The combination of hard work and sunshine has left her worn out so its off to bed to watch a DVD

Thurs 7th April

What a special day this is ,Its Lindseys birthday and she is spending it at home and not in some stuffy old hospital .The District Nurse called in to see us just after 9am, she had come to change her dressing,she seemed very nice,she is coming back to morrow but unfortunately cannot specify a time. Lins had a steady flow of visitors throughout the day all bearing gifts and cards. We had a buffet with champagne and birthday cake and it was really lovely that so many people popped round to share her birthday,the cats did not appreciate the invasion of their territory!!Her presents included a Netbook,some photo frames, clothes, jewellery ,DVDs and lots of chocolates. It has been a long day and by 8pm she is feeling a bit overwhelmed,time for a nice cup of tea and then to bed .

Wed 6th April

Arrived early today ,bumped into the Nurse/Practioner "Khalid" he says he will be along shortly to examine Lindsey. Shortly turned into 1 hour and 45 mins. Lins is starting to fret,"why isn't he here yet,I'm never going to get out of her you know"!.  When he does come its all good news,he checks Lins over and is happy to let her go home. He does however emphasise that we have to be very vigilant should she get a temperature or infection. The charge Nurse says she will organise her discharge for later in the afternoon,they cannot specify a time.  I dont care how long it takes Im  just ecstatic that we are getting her home. After lunch we go to the day room and watch a DVD to pass the time, "Brigitte Jones the Edge of Reason". A secretary pops in to say transport has been organised but wont be till around 4pm we are just watching film when at 1.45  the ambulance transport has arrived ! The nurse has yet to change the dressing that was to be changed  at 12pm, so they have to do it rather quickly before the ambulance people decide they have waited long enough,another example of the inefficiency and lack of  continuity on this ward..Once Lindsey has gone with the Ambulance people I collect her medicine etc and then go home to wait for her. Today is just the best day its been 7 long weeks but at last we have Lindsey home where she belongs .

Tues 5th Mar

Today when I arrived Lins is siting in her chair, the room is very quiet no one wanted the TV on. I asked if she had seen the doctor or the physio and neither had been yet. By lunchtime still no one has been to see her so after lunch we go off into town. It started to rain on the way and we dithered about whether to turn back or not but the place is so depressing we carried on into town. We were looking for curtains for her bedroom but we didn't find any, we had a coffee in BHS before making our way back to the hospital,we arrived back at 230ish.  By 3.20 when I had to leave the elusive doctor still had not appeared. David arrived at the hospital at 4.45 he spoke to the ward sister,she said that there were some concerns about Lindseys temperature it was high and there might be a chance that she has a viral infection,they would take blood and urine samples and a swab from a wound that Lins has. This may prevent her coming home ,if it does she will be devastated and so will I. I find it extremely frustrating that I am there constantly and no one has ever expressed any concern about this before, and now at the 11th hour when she is due to be discharged they swing into action. David also spoke to the Nurse/Practitioner who said he needed me to be present when he examined Lindsey (I had been there for most of the day),apparently she has been labelled as not liking males looking after her..She does not have a problem with male doctors at all, in fact most of the doctors that have looked after her have been male.What she does have a problem with are young male HCA assisting her to use a bed pan,,and I agree its undignified enough for a young woman to have to go through that, without having a young male there. The hospital has huge posters all over the place promoting "single sex wards" and "dignity for all" apparently this doesn't count when you need the toilet!!

Mon 4th April

Today when I arrived Lins had been showered and was sitting in her chair, I took the GHDs to straighten her hair. Its a very cold windy day so no plans to go out today. The OT(Occupational Therapist) came to have a word she adjusted the foot plate on the wheelchair as it had slipped down quite a bit,she said she would come back in a bit to do some slide transfers with Lins,as she has not seen her do them since last week. After this she came out to the house to assess what we would need to make it easier for Lindseys to be at home. Fortunately the house is suitable and she has her bedroom downstairs there are just a couple of minor things to sort out, like a ramp for easier access when using the wheelchair,also her bed needs to be just 3 inches higher,and a banana board and also a commode . This should  all do-able by Wednesday. Tomorrow she is to have a check up with the doctor and all being well she should be discharged on Wed afternoon.

Sat 3rd Apr

Today is Mothers Day and what a fantastic present I had .Nicola went up to the hospital and she ordered a taxi with wheelchair access and she brought Lindsey home ,it was very emotional it was the first time in 6 weeks she has been home, She loves her new bedroom decor, and is delighted to see her cats again. When David got back from golf his face was a picture, we hadn't told him about our surprise visitor!!. I made a roast chicken dinner and we sat down as a family it was brilliant and Linsdey really enjoyed her food for the 1st time in a long time. Afterwards we put on  a DVD it was just like old times. At 6pm we went back to the hospital. I was a bit worried that Lins would be upset at having to go back but she was fine.  She was getting a bit uncomfortable in her chair by now and we helped her get onto the bed .. The ward was very quiet everyone apart from dear old Winifred had gone out for the day. Heather brought Alistair along at visiting time Lins was pleased to see him its been quite a while since she last saw him. .

Sat 2nd Apr

Nicola was 1st to visit Lindsey today, she was taking her shopping for Mothers Day,when she arrived at hospital it was lunch time,when lunch was over Lins needed to use the toilet before going out, she called for the HCA,she came along with the hoist. Nic explained that she no longer used this,the HCA declared that there  was no way they could use the transfer board for her. Nick was very angry with their attitude and told them to read the notes on the board above her bed there was full instruction on what to do. Eventually because of their ineptitude it took another hour and a half before they were ready to go into town. Charlotte and Holly joined them in town and they were out for a good few hours, they got back on the ward in time for dinner.  As I arrived at hospital in the evening I was met by Nic and Lins they were going out for another walk as Lins has been very upset and weepy and really doesn't want to be in there. We go for a walk but by now its really quite cold and we head back to the ward Lin is lethargic again and nothing we say will bring out her smile . Nic and Ewan leave and David arrives still she is unhappy , the fresh air has left her very tired hopefully she will sleep well tonight..

Frid Apr 1st

Its now 6 weeks since Lins collapsed,hopefully the end of her hospital stay is in sight. The aim is to get her home before her birthday which is on Thursday 7th April.  The OT and Physios seen her again today, trying to build up her stamina and improve her muscle strength this will help a lot with her mobility. She is now quite comfortable using the slide board to transfer and each time it gets easier. Today we went into town for lunch and we met with my friend Annette, it was very nice to see a different face for a change. Afterwards we have a potter about the shops and go back to the ward around 2.30.  Lins is now feeling tired a bit lethargic again she really doesn't like spending time on the ward it brings her mood right down..David comes to the hospital at 630 and then Nic and I take over for the final hour and get her settled for the night.