Hello everyone
Good news! Jerry's eating is fine now - ie no pain and he seems to have worked out a way to eat that works. He is still largely on soft food like soups, yogurt, humus etc. and even baby food.
He will be going home today. Roger will collect him from the hospital at 1.00 and he will be back in York late afternoon. So, he will be able to pick up emails from today if you want to send a private message.
Bye for now
Anne x x x
Monday 19 April 2010
Sunday 18 April 2010
Sunday evening 18th April
Hi All
Jerry has had a good day today. No pain. Good news. He will see how he is in the morning and if he is ok will go home.
He is getting used to eating small amounts slowly and has eaten almost all day. It seems to be working.
Tell you more tomorrow.
Anne x x
Jerry has had a good day today. No pain. Good news. He will see how he is in the morning and if he is ok will go home.
He is getting used to eating small amounts slowly and has eaten almost all day. It seems to be working.
Tell you more tomorrow.
Anne x x
Sunday 18th April 2010
Hello All
Jerry has decided to delay his discharge since he had some more pain. He has been pain-free since 8pm last night.
I will visit him today and post more news later. He probably won't be out tomorrow. He wants to wait for a longer pain-free spell before leaving.
Bye
Anne x x
Jerry has decided to delay his discharge since he had some more pain. He has been pain-free since 8pm last night.
I will visit him today and post more news later. He probably won't be out tomorrow. He wants to wait for a longer pain-free spell before leaving.
Bye
Anne x x
Saturday 17 April 2010
Saturday April 17th - From Rocco
Hi
Vida and Rocco visited Jerry Saturday afternoon from 2.30 to 4.00. Jerry was feeling low because he is still experiencing pain after eating. We went down to the café and jerry ate a small piece of melon from a fruit salad and immediately started feeling severe pain and nausea. He had to get sick in the toilet, but afterwards felt infinitely better.
Before visiting we did some research on the internet and I think I have found an explanation for what is going on for Jerry. I may be wrong but this seems a very likely explanation. It is called Dumping Syndrome. It is usually a relatively temporary phenomenon and 2% of people who have it initially do not experience it after 6 months. We took the information to Jerry and discussed it with him and although he hadn't yet read it he seemed to think that what we told him fits with his experience. Here is the info I found:
http://www.surgerychannel.com/gastrectomy/post.shtml
http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=-1697644520&linkID=48731&cook=no
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/173594-overview
Anyway, Jerry has been told he can go home anytime and he had decided to go home tomorrow (Sunday). Roger was to pick him at 2pm and taking him home. However, I phoned Jerry Saturday evening and he has now decided that he will probably stay in hospital till Monday.
We had an idea and put it to Jerry and he was enthusiastic about it and said we should go ahead. The idea is to have a celebratory get-together to celebrate Jerry's successful procedure and his home-coming. Therefore all Jerry's friends, blog followers and well-wishers are invited to our house (12 Walney Road, York) on this coming Friday from 6.30 for food and drinks and to welcome Jerry home. If you wish to come please let us know on roccov@wildmail.com.
Regards,
Rocco
Vida and Rocco visited Jerry Saturday afternoon from 2.30 to 4.00. Jerry was feeling low because he is still experiencing pain after eating. We went down to the café and jerry ate a small piece of melon from a fruit salad and immediately started feeling severe pain and nausea. He had to get sick in the toilet, but afterwards felt infinitely better.
Before visiting we did some research on the internet and I think I have found an explanation for what is going on for Jerry. I may be wrong but this seems a very likely explanation. It is called Dumping Syndrome. It is usually a relatively temporary phenomenon and 2% of people who have it initially do not experience it after 6 months. We took the information to Jerry and discussed it with him and although he hadn't yet read it he seemed to think that what we told him fits with his experience. Here is the info I found:
http://www.surgerychannel.com/gastrectomy/post.shtml
http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=-1697644520&linkID=48731&cook=no
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/173594-overview
Anyway, Jerry has been told he can go home anytime and he had decided to go home tomorrow (Sunday). Roger was to pick him at 2pm and taking him home. However, I phoned Jerry Saturday evening and he has now decided that he will probably stay in hospital till Monday.
We had an idea and put it to Jerry and he was enthusiastic about it and said we should go ahead. The idea is to have a celebratory get-together to celebrate Jerry's successful procedure and his home-coming. Therefore all Jerry's friends, blog followers and well-wishers are invited to our house (12 Walney Road, York) on this coming Friday from 6.30 for food and drinks and to welcome Jerry home. If you wish to come please let us know on roccov@wildmail.com.
Regards,
Rocco
Saturday April 17th
Hello everyone
Jerry is doing well and will be discharged from hospital tomorrow, Sunday. He was offered it and chose to do it. It is his choice - he would prefer to go home rather than wait till Monday since he is ok eating now.
More news later.
Anne x x
Jerry is doing well and will be discharged from hospital tomorrow, Sunday. He was offered it and chose to do it. It is his choice - he would prefer to go home rather than wait till Monday since he is ok eating now.
More news later.
Anne x x
Friday 16 April 2010
Friday night April 16th
Hello
Jerry has had a good day. Leaving out the egg and butter has worked! Jerry had three meals today and has not had any problems eating..
Jerry saw Clive again this afternoon and enjoyed seeing him because he hasn't seen him for two weeks. At the moment Jerry says he is very happy as it is the first day he has not had any trouble since he started eating.
All is set for discharge on Monday.
Back Soon
Anne x x
Jerry has had a good day. Leaving out the egg and butter has worked! Jerry had three meals today and has not had any problems eating..
Jerry saw Clive again this afternoon and enjoyed seeing him because he hasn't seen him for two weeks. At the moment Jerry says he is very happy as it is the first day he has not had any trouble since he started eating.
All is set for discharge on Monday.
Back Soon
Anne x x
Friday morning April 16th
Hello All
Jerry is ok this morning. He has no pain at the moment. He has eaten well-soaked cornflakes and yogurt - all slowly in small doses - and is fine. Probably the eggs with butter on previous days was too rich!
Yesterday he had his stitches removed. Amy was there at the time. When I visited the day before he asked me to take a photo of his scar - it looked like a zip with metal fastenings.
No problem with the raised blood count. Seems there was a misunderstanding. The raised count implied that there had been an infection. He is ok now.
He does not expect to leave this weekend - in fact he does not want to leave this weekend. He is looking forward to Clive's visit this evening.
Keep you posted.
Anne x x
Jerry is ok this morning. He has no pain at the moment. He has eaten well-soaked cornflakes and yogurt - all slowly in small doses - and is fine. Probably the eggs with butter on previous days was too rich!
Yesterday he had his stitches removed. Amy was there at the time. When I visited the day before he asked me to take a photo of his scar - it looked like a zip with metal fastenings.
No problem with the raised blood count. Seems there was a misunderstanding. The raised count implied that there had been an infection. He is ok now.
He does not expect to leave this weekend - in fact he does not want to leave this weekend. He is looking forward to Clive's visit this evening.
Keep you posted.
Anne x x
Thursday 15 April 2010
Thursday evening April 15th
Hello All
Jerry had a good night and this morning ate some scrambled egg. However, when he tried to eat some mashed potato at lunch time he had some pain. It went away when he walked around a bit but prevents him from eating. This evening he could not drink water without pain so was not drinking.
Jerry is trying to figure out what might be causing it - eg eating lunch too soon after the scrambled egg (although today it was 3 hours later) or whether he should be eating smaller amounts all the time etc. He is resting now. Will report back in the morning.
Anne x x
Jerry had a good night and this morning ate some scrambled egg. However, when he tried to eat some mashed potato at lunch time he had some pain. It went away when he walked around a bit but prevents him from eating. This evening he could not drink water without pain so was not drinking.
Jerry is trying to figure out what might be causing it - eg eating lunch too soon after the scrambled egg (although today it was 3 hours later) or whether he should be eating smaller amounts all the time etc. He is resting now. Will report back in the morning.
Anne x x
Thursday morning April 15th
Hi there
This morning Jerry had a second swallow test, which confirmed that all is well and he has no leaks. Good news! He was also told that he would probably be discharged on Sunday or Monday. No more info yet about the platelets and possible infection.
Amy is visiting this afternoon.
Bye for now
Anne x x
This morning Jerry had a second swallow test, which confirmed that all is well and he has no leaks. Good news! He was also told that he would probably be discharged on Sunday or Monday. No more info yet about the platelets and possible infection.
Amy is visiting this afternoon.
Bye for now
Anne x x
Wednesday 14 April 2010
Weds evening April 14th - from Anne
Hello all readers
This morning Jerry had been having some pain when he ate or drank, accompanied with some burping. He was given painkillers for this which removed the pain successfully. Later, when I arrived in the early afternoon, he drank some water successfully ie without pain. From then on he drank about a litre of water over three hours. He was really pleased about this because it means he won't have to have his drip reinstated. He later ate more yogurt and had some more of his current favourite food - hospital tomato soup!
Because he had some pain, the doctors have rescheduled another swallow test. This is just to make sure everything is ok. They don't think he is leaking but will do it anyway now.
This afternoon they took a blood test and have discovered that he has a slightly raised level of platelets which implies he might have an infection so they are keeping an eye on this.
Overall, Jerry was in good spirits and is able to walk about normally and feels good. Three of us went to the cafe and had a good chat.
Jerry probably won't be coming home in the next day or two - so he can be monitored for the infection etc.
Watch this space for news of when he goes home!
Bye folks
Anne x
This morning Jerry had been having some pain when he ate or drank, accompanied with some burping. He was given painkillers for this which removed the pain successfully. Later, when I arrived in the early afternoon, he drank some water successfully ie without pain. From then on he drank about a litre of water over three hours. He was really pleased about this because it means he won't have to have his drip reinstated. He later ate more yogurt and had some more of his current favourite food - hospital tomato soup!
Because he had some pain, the doctors have rescheduled another swallow test. This is just to make sure everything is ok. They don't think he is leaking but will do it anyway now.
This afternoon they took a blood test and have discovered that he has a slightly raised level of platelets which implies he might have an infection so they are keeping an eye on this.
Overall, Jerry was in good spirits and is able to walk about normally and feels good. Three of us went to the cafe and had a good chat.
Jerry probably won't be coming home in the next day or two - so he can be monitored for the infection etc.
Watch this space for news of when he goes home!
Bye folks
Anne x
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Tuesday evening 13th April - from Rocco and Vida
Hi
We visited Jerry Tuesday evening from about 6.30 to 8.00. When we got there Jerry was in some distress with a lot of pain. He also felt bad because he thought things had been going so well and now there was a setback. Apparently Jerry had scrambled egg this morning which he really enjoyed. Then this evening at about 5pm he had broccolli with cheese sauce and said he immediately felt a reaction. He got to a point where he couldn't even have any water. He took a sip just after we arrived and immediately ran to the toilet to get sick. The pain was not going away. He had been given paracetamol dissolved in water before we came but said he couldn't swallow it. We encouraged him to call the nurse and this time he was given an injection of a strong painkiller at 7pm. After about 20 minutes Jerry began to feel better and was much more cheerful when we left at 8pm and we were swapping jokes. We were speculating about what had caused his pain and perhaps his digestive system could handle the food previously but the broccolli and cheese was too much too soon. Who knows. At 8pm Jerry tried some water again and this time it was fine. So we hope that although Jerry felt bad initially, things will now improve again. He will see if he can talk to the nutritionist tomorrow.
Jerry had asked for some things, which we were able to bring him i.e. some yoghurt, fruit juice and soya drinks. We hope he can enjoy these again tomorrow. We talked quite a lot about food and Jerry is glad that his interest in food is still very much there.There was talk of Jerry being discharged tomorrow or Thursday. Jerry thinks tomorrow might be too soon, so it looks more like Thursday.
Rocco & Vida
We visited Jerry Tuesday evening from about 6.30 to 8.00. When we got there Jerry was in some distress with a lot of pain. He also felt bad because he thought things had been going so well and now there was a setback. Apparently Jerry had scrambled egg this morning which he really enjoyed. Then this evening at about 5pm he had broccolli with cheese sauce and said he immediately felt a reaction. He got to a point where he couldn't even have any water. He took a sip just after we arrived and immediately ran to the toilet to get sick. The pain was not going away. He had been given paracetamol dissolved in water before we came but said he couldn't swallow it. We encouraged him to call the nurse and this time he was given an injection of a strong painkiller at 7pm. After about 20 minutes Jerry began to feel better and was much more cheerful when we left at 8pm and we were swapping jokes. We were speculating about what had caused his pain and perhaps his digestive system could handle the food previously but the broccolli and cheese was too much too soon. Who knows. At 8pm Jerry tried some water again and this time it was fine. So we hope that although Jerry felt bad initially, things will now improve again. He will see if he can talk to the nutritionist tomorrow.
Jerry had asked for some things, which we were able to bring him i.e. some yoghurt, fruit juice and soya drinks. We hope he can enjoy these again tomorrow. We talked quite a lot about food and Jerry is glad that his interest in food is still very much there.There was talk of Jerry being discharged tomorrow or Thursday. Jerry thinks tomorrow might be too soon, so it looks more like Thursday.
Rocco & Vida
Monday 12 April 2010
Monday evening April 12th
Hello again
Jerry continues to make progress. Today - two major milestones. He had his drip removed and he began to eat. He had tomato soup - which he said was the best soup ever made! Luckily it was made just like his mother used to make it. Then he had ice cream.
The doctors said he might even go home Weds - but even if it isn't Weds, it won't be long.
Jerry is in good spirits. He heard a great farming program early today about a 62-year old autistic woman who can solve all sorts of practical problems that are difficult for others.
He is planning all sorts of liquid and semi-liquid food meals!!!
He also had three wonderful phone calls with friends that he enjoyed very much.
Bye for now.
Anne
Jerry continues to make progress. Today - two major milestones. He had his drip removed and he began to eat. He had tomato soup - which he said was the best soup ever made! Luckily it was made just like his mother used to make it. Then he had ice cream.
The doctors said he might even go home Weds - but even if it isn't Weds, it won't be long.
Jerry is in good spirits. He heard a great farming program early today about a 62-year old autistic woman who can solve all sorts of practical problems that are difficult for others.
He is planning all sorts of liquid and semi-liquid food meals!!!
He also had three wonderful phone calls with friends that he enjoyed very much.
Bye for now.
Anne
Sunday 11 April 2010
Sunday evening 11th April
Hello everyone
Jerry continues to do well. He has increased the amount of water that he is drinking and I think this week he will begin to take other things.
He has had a bit of trouble sleeping at night but is managing to sleep in the day. He is particularly enjoying the early morning farming programs and listening to Russian music on his new radio.
They think he will be in hospital for about another week.
He is really enjoying his visitors. It makes a big difference to him.
Best Wishes to all
Anne x x
Jerry continues to do well. He has increased the amount of water that he is drinking and I think this week he will begin to take other things.
He has had a bit of trouble sleeping at night but is managing to sleep in the day. He is particularly enjoying the early morning farming programs and listening to Russian music on his new radio.
They think he will be in hospital for about another week.
He is really enjoying his visitors. It makes a big difference to him.
Best Wishes to all
Anne x x
Saturday 10 April 2010
Friday 9th April - from Reg and Mecki
(Sorry, this was placed in my spam folder so is a bit late - Anne)
Hi Everyone,
Reg and I were due to visit Jerry this afternoon but as we'd both developed colds we thought we'd better not go ahead with this.
Word of caution: I left messages on Jerry's 07553953637 no. to tell him we couldn't make it but he has a new phone (07753615700). In the end Jerry rang us, wondering whether we'd got lost in the backstreets of Leeds.
He sounded very well and delighted with today's news that his internal pipework seems to have healed, as visible on a scan and that from later today or tomorrow, at the latest, the nil by mouth time will be over. Things will kick off with no more than a sip of water but a milestone has been reached. He reckons he will be in hospital for another week.
Reg and Mecki
Hi Everyone,
Reg and I were due to visit Jerry this afternoon but as we'd both developed colds we thought we'd better not go ahead with this.
Word of caution: I left messages on Jerry's 07553953637 no. to tell him we couldn't make it but he has a new phone (07753615700). In the end Jerry rang us, wondering whether we'd got lost in the backstreets of Leeds.
He sounded very well and delighted with today's news that his internal pipework seems to have healed, as visible on a scan and that from later today or tomorrow, at the latest, the nil by mouth time will be over. Things will kick off with no more than a sip of water but a milestone has been reached. He reckons he will be in hospital for another week.
Reg and Mecki
Friday 9 April 2010
Friday 9th April - evening update
Hello again
I saw Jerry tonight and he is really thrilled about the swallow test result, having NO leaks in his digestive plumbing. He sees this as a real milestone in his recovery. While I was there he began his new eating regime, starting with 30ml/hour of water - a tiny little glass that he has to sip. It will all increase slowly from here.
He looked really good, better than he has done for months. He is skinny as he has not eaten now for 10 days but it doesn't seem to be making any difference. He feels good. He puts it down to his rigid alkaline diet that he took for 3 months and will continue with, getting more exercise and seeing lots of friends, which kept his spirit up. The radiographer said that she thought he looked surprisingly good for someone who had their operation just a week ago.
Jerry seems to have a new calm air. He is now completely mobile, although he has to take his drip with him everywhere.
Today I took him in a portable radio so he is busy looking up the programmes to listen to.
I also take him in a print-out of all your comments on the blog.
He loves getting his visitors.
That's all for now folks.
Anne x x x
I saw Jerry tonight and he is really thrilled about the swallow test result, having NO leaks in his digestive plumbing. He sees this as a real milestone in his recovery. While I was there he began his new eating regime, starting with 30ml/hour of water - a tiny little glass that he has to sip. It will all increase slowly from here.
He looked really good, better than he has done for months. He is skinny as he has not eaten now for 10 days but it doesn't seem to be making any difference. He feels good. He puts it down to his rigid alkaline diet that he took for 3 months and will continue with, getting more exercise and seeing lots of friends, which kept his spirit up. The radiographer said that she thought he looked surprisingly good for someone who had their operation just a week ago.
Jerry seems to have a new calm air. He is now completely mobile, although he has to take his drip with him everywhere.
Today I took him in a portable radio so he is busy looking up the programmes to listen to.
I also take him in a print-out of all your comments on the blog.
He loves getting his visitors.
That's all for now folks.
Anne x x x
Swallow test
Hello All
Jerry has had his swallow test and there were no leaks. Great! His pipes have healed ok.
Bye for now
Anne x x
Jerry has had his swallow test and there were no leaks. Great! His pipes have healed ok.
Bye for now
Anne x x
Friday 9th April early afternoon
Hello everyone
Jerry is having his swallow test at 15.30 uk time. Lets wish him luck with it. I will report on the outcome later. He will have a dye to see if his insides have healed enough to begin taking something in through his mouth.
Generally, Jerry is in good spirits - he is a bit of a wonder man.
Report back later.
Anne x x x
Jerry is having his swallow test at 15.30 uk time. Lets wish him luck with it. I will report on the outcome later. He will have a dye to see if his insides have healed enough to begin taking something in through his mouth.
Generally, Jerry is in good spirits - he is a bit of a wonder man.
Report back later.
Anne x x x
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Weds evening 7th April - From Rocco
Vida & Rocco saw jerry this evening (Wed 7th April) and Jerry continues to look good and improve.
He is now off the major painkillers and only has a paracetamol drip. So no more hallucinations.
He was moved last night to the regular ward and finds it more comfortable. He now has his own pyjamas and is glad to get rid of the open-at-the back garb. Jerry was able to get out of bed unaided whilst we were then and trundle his drip dolly to the toilet.
In the next couple of days Jerry will be given a swallow test to make sure that all the plumbing has healed properly, and assuming it has given his good progress, then he will start to slowly get some drinks.
Can't keep a good man down.
He is now off the major painkillers and only has a paracetamol drip. So no more hallucinations.
He was moved last night to the regular ward and finds it more comfortable. He now has his own pyjamas and is glad to get rid of the open-at-the back garb. Jerry was able to get out of bed unaided whilst we were then and trundle his drip dolly to the toilet.
In the next couple of days Jerry will be given a swallow test to make sure that all the plumbing has healed properly, and assuming it has given his good progress, then he will start to slowly get some drinks.
Can't keep a good man down.
Wednesday 7th April 2010
Hi All
Jerry continues to progress. This morning he had his first shower – he walked unaided as well! He is now in his own pyjamas and really likes that.
More later.
Anne x
Jerry continues to progress. This morning he had his first shower – he walked unaided as well! He is now in his own pyjamas and really likes that.
More later.
Anne x
Tuesday 6 April 2010
Tuesday 6th April (late)
Hello All
Jerry was ok tonight, with pain more or less gone. He did move to the ordinary ward (82) eventually today and continues to do well, getting out of bed and sitting on the chair. He is still not eating but will have a test on Thursday to check that he is healing ok inside. They will use a dye.
He can now receive a signal on his phones. If you ring, please don't phone too late at night or early in the morning. Jerry has visitors both visiting times tomorrow.
Anne x x
Jerry was ok tonight, with pain more or less gone. He did move to the ordinary ward (82) eventually today and continues to do well, getting out of bed and sitting on the chair. He is still not eating but will have a test on Thursday to check that he is healing ok inside. They will use a dye.
He can now receive a signal on his phones. If you ring, please don't phone too late at night or early in the morning. Jerry has visitors both visiting times tomorrow.
Anne x x
Tuesday evening April 6th
FYI everybody
Today, Tuesday, it seems unlikely that Jerry is moving today as they are still waiting for a bed to become available for him out of the high dependency ward.
He said that he has no mobile reception in the ward he is currently on but you can ring him on
113 206 7845.
I had a brief conversation and he was extremely positive and 'chipper'. I was going to visit tonight but I am not very well so I will not risk sharing my viruses.
I will phone him later about 7.30 Tues eve, I will pass on more then.
Adam
Today, Tuesday, it seems unlikely that Jerry is moving today as they are still waiting for a bed to become available for him out of the high dependency ward.
He said that he has no mobile reception in the ward he is currently on but you can ring him on
113 206 7845.
I had a brief conversation and he was extremely positive and 'chipper'. I was going to visit tonight but I am not very well so I will not risk sharing my viruses.
I will phone him later about 7.30 Tues eve, I will pass on more then.
Adam
Monday 5 April 2010
Monday April 5th
Hello Everyone
This morning I rang up Leeds hospital and asked how Jerry was and the nurse replied 'Very well, he is probably going back to the ordinary ward soon, probably tomorrow" (he is currently in High Dependency). That was good news. Then, this afternoon, I went to visit Jerry with Robin and Terry was there also when we arrived. Jerry really does look good with lots of colour in his face. I took a notebook so he could write some poetry. I have also taken his iPod and his cuddly otter from Alaska.
Jerry has had three tubes removed today, leaving only the saline and a small amount of analgesic so he is very relieved about that. When we were there he had his first pee, and was very happy and relieved to do that. He had had a catheter up to now. So, things are looking good.
He is in a small amount of pain in his abdomen but manages that ok. He is now having small doses of an opium derivative so still has some hallucinations. He really likes them. He puts his sleeping mask on and immediately can see vivid images of different things. Today he saw scraggly-haired women in a black and white polka-dot babushka! The other day he was seeing bas-relief sculptures and line drawings of faces. He enjoys them a lot.
He is asking people to slow him down when he talks too animatedly – to conserve some energy. He has now not eaten since last Tuesday but is doing so well. He doesn't feel hungry and we are wondering whether hunger is governed by the presence of a stomach. Perhaps he will never feel hungry again.
Tomorrow, Terry and Adam will visit – at different times. If Jerry is back in the main ward he will be in ward 82 with a return to the visiting hours of 2-4 and 6-8.
Best Wishes
Anne x x
Sunday 4 April 2010
Sunday 4th April
Hi All
Jerry had a good night last night. He actually slept. The nurses said he is 'doing very well'.
They have removed the epidural from his spine. This was causing his blood pressure to be low and his pressure has subsequently risen to normal now. However, without the morphine he no longer has his hallucinations – aaawww!! He misses them.
He got out of bed this morning and sat in a chair for quite a long time. He has a small amount of pain in his abdomen as they have removed the major painkiller but is in very good spirits.
Bye for now
Anne x
Jerry had a good night last night. He actually slept. The nurses said he is 'doing very well'.
They have removed the epidural from his spine. This was causing his blood pressure to be low and his pressure has subsequently risen to normal now. However, without the morphine he no longer has his hallucinations – aaawww!! He misses them.
He got out of bed this morning and sat in a chair for quite a long time. He has a small amount of pain in his abdomen as they have removed the major painkiller but is in very good spirits.
Bye for now
Anne x
Saturday 3 April 2010
Saturday evening (from Vida and Rocco)
Vida and Rocco visited Jerry. He was is good spirits even though he had not slept for a few nights due to the noise and hallucinations. He is back in the main part of the high dependency ward and he says it's like Grand Central Station at night. He had however managed to sleep during the day on Saturday.
Jerry looked extremely well and said he has enjoyed seeing all his visitors. He managed to sit for 30 minutes in a chair today but needed to return to bed as it lowered his blood pressure too much.
Jerry continues to express how pleased he is that the operation is over and wants to live his life to the full.He was given a nebuliser as a preventative measure as we were leaving. He seemed to be breathing without any difficulty.
Generally it was a very positive visit with Jerry.
PS Note Jerry is in the Bexley wing, not the Lincoln wing. It is the big bluish-green modern highrise and he is in ward 81.
Jerry looked extremely well and said he has enjoyed seeing all his visitors. He managed to sit for 30 minutes in a chair today but needed to return to bed as it lowered his blood pressure too much.
Jerry continues to express how pleased he is that the operation is over and wants to live his life to the full.He was given a nebuliser as a preventative measure as we were leaving. He seemed to be breathing without any difficulty.
Generally it was a very positive visit with Jerry.
PS Note Jerry is in the Bexley wing, not the Lincoln wing. It is the big bluish-green modern highrise and he is in ward 81.
Saturday afternoon (Amy)
Hey dudes/ettes. I went with Annette to visit Jerry today (Saturday) at around 3pm and stayed until 6 this evening. After many moments being lost in the hospital I managed to find Jerry and when I did he was asleep, but I soon changed that. He was very chirpy, although a little concerned about his low blood pressure. However, they are able to give him a drug to keep it at a safe level. Nonetheless, Jerry had no difficulty in playing the game of Consequences and talking about the amazing hallucinations that he is experiencing at the moment whenever he shuts his eyes (due to the morphine)
Jerry is managing to keep a positive outlook on things. I can tell that he greatly appreciates the company of his friends and the fact that so many people are sending him good thoughts... By the time we left, he was laughing…
Amy xx
Jerry is managing to keep a positive outlook on things. I can tell that he greatly appreciates the company of his friends and the fact that so many people are sending him good thoughts... By the time we left, he was laughing…
Amy xx
Friday 2 April 2010
Friday Evening (Day after surgery)
Hi All
I saw Jerry today and he is doing very well. He is all wired up but looks very good. He is not in pain but is having a few hallucinations from the morphine – which he likes!! He is now in the high dependency unit, which is very, very impressive. Haven't seen anything like it.
However, although there is quite a distance between patients in the ward, Jerry said he did not sleep at all last night because his neighbour was shouting continually. He talked to the nurses and is now in his own room – huge, about 50 sq m. He is like a king in the middle of it. It is really an isolation ward but is his for now. He is wearing the anti-embolism socks and the bed vibrates to prevent bedsores. He has a video player next to his bed and huge monitors display all his vital measurements on a big screen all the time. The staff are very good.
His blood pressure was low so they gave him a drug to increase it and it's ok now. Tomorrow they will get him out of bed. He is currently nil by mouth.
He was very chatty today and enjoyed receiving visitors. He has started to read a book that Clive gave him and is enjoying it very much –about the Celts.
He says he is very happy to be alive and now has a different view of life. He is aware of how precious life is and that you are only living at the moment you are in.
Note for visitors – the High Dependency Unit is Ward 81 and the visiting hours are 2.30 to 7.30 - different to Ward 82.
Bye for now
Anne x x
I saw Jerry today and he is doing very well. He is all wired up but looks very good. He is not in pain but is having a few hallucinations from the morphine – which he likes!! He is now in the high dependency unit, which is very, very impressive. Haven't seen anything like it.
However, although there is quite a distance between patients in the ward, Jerry said he did not sleep at all last night because his neighbour was shouting continually. He talked to the nurses and is now in his own room – huge, about 50 sq m. He is like a king in the middle of it. It is really an isolation ward but is his for now. He is wearing the anti-embolism socks and the bed vibrates to prevent bedsores. He has a video player next to his bed and huge monitors display all his vital measurements on a big screen all the time. The staff are very good.
His blood pressure was low so they gave him a drug to increase it and it's ok now. Tomorrow they will get him out of bed. He is currently nil by mouth.
He was very chatty today and enjoyed receiving visitors. He has started to read a book that Clive gave him and is enjoying it very much –about the Celts.
He says he is very happy to be alive and now has a different view of life. He is aware of how precious life is and that you are only living at the moment you are in.
Note for visitors – the High Dependency Unit is Ward 81 and the visiting hours are 2.30 to 7.30 - different to Ward 82.
Bye for now
Anne x x
Structure of the Blog
Hi Everyone
This blog is a bit confusing so I will explain the structure for you all. It is not completely ideal as it is a blog structure, but it is what could be achieved in 5 minutes earlier this week! I think we can continue to work with it.
The blog has an owner (me, Anne). Although everyone can post a comment, I am the only person who can post new messages to the blog. Messages are what appear at the top of the blog when you load the page.
The titles of all the messages posted by me can be viewed in the lower half of the left-column on the web-page. If you click on one of these you can then view that message.
At the bottom of each message, you can view any comments to that message that others have posted. At the very bottom of the message page, you may post a comment to THAT MESSAGE. This can only be viewed by people who look at that message and scroll down.
So, to see what everyone else is posting, scroll down when you view a message, then post a comment yourself if you want to.
It means that you have to look at all messages to see all comments but if we don't keep making comments to very old messages, things should not get lost.
If you want to submit a new MESSAGE ie the text that appears at the top of the blog, you can send it to me and I can then post it as a new message.
When I see Jerry, I take a printout of all comments you have made.
Hope this is clear. If not please let me know.
Anne x x
This blog is a bit confusing so I will explain the structure for you all. It is not completely ideal as it is a blog structure, but it is what could be achieved in 5 minutes earlier this week! I think we can continue to work with it.
The blog has an owner (me, Anne). Although everyone can post a comment, I am the only person who can post new messages to the blog. Messages are what appear at the top of the blog when you load the page.
The titles of all the messages posted by me can be viewed in the lower half of the left-column on the web-page. If you click on one of these you can then view that message.
At the bottom of each message, you can view any comments to that message that others have posted. At the very bottom of the message page, you may post a comment to THAT MESSAGE. This can only be viewed by people who look at that message and scroll down.
So, to see what everyone else is posting, scroll down when you view a message, then post a comment yourself if you want to.
It means that you have to look at all messages to see all comments but if we don't keep making comments to very old messages, things should not get lost.
If you want to submit a new MESSAGE ie the text that appears at the top of the blog, you can send it to me and I can then post it as a new message.
When I see Jerry, I take a printout of all comments you have made.
Hope this is clear. If not please let me know.
Anne x x
Thursday 1 April 2010
From Clive
This is a message from Clive who saw Jerry Thursday evening:
Hello everyone - I visited Jerry late this afternoon (Thursday) soon after he had come round from his operation. He looks great - good colour; very animated and feeling good.He said that his message was "he's feeling over the moon - he's survived the operation" which he never thought he would do!
I was also there when the surgeon came round. His view was that everything was going according to plan and the operation had gone well. They had not removed the spleen which Jerry was worried about. The surgeon's comment to Jerry was that everything was fine and he should just relax (no comment!!).
He is currently in the high dependency unit in St James's (Leeds) but despite it's name the ward is great - modern, very spacious and comfortable, NO TELEVISONS etc. He has lots of wires coming out of him and he is so animated the one on his finger keeps falling off resulting in the monitor seeming to announce his death! You can tell he seems remarkably well despite what the monitor says!
He looks well and is in great spirits. All he wanted was my strawberry lip balm as his were dry!
Best wishes to all of you
Clive
Hello everyone - I visited Jerry late this afternoon (Thursday) soon after he had come round from his operation. He looks great - good colour; very animated and feeling good.He said that his message was "he's feeling over the moon - he's survived the operation" which he never thought he would do!
I was also there when the surgeon came round. His view was that everything was going according to plan and the operation had gone well. They had not removed the spleen which Jerry was worried about. The surgeon's comment to Jerry was that everything was fine and he should just relax (no comment!!).
He is currently in the high dependency unit in St James's (Leeds) but despite it's name the ward is great - modern, very spacious and comfortable, NO TELEVISONS etc. He has lots of wires coming out of him and he is so animated the one on his finger keeps falling off resulting in the monitor seeming to announce his death! You can tell he seems remarkably well despite what the monitor says!
He looks well and is in great spirits. All he wanted was my strawberry lip balm as his were dry!
Best wishes to all of you
Clive
After the operation
Hello all
Jerry has woken up from his operation and I have just spoken to him. He sounds as bright as a button even though he is not fully recovered from the anaesthetic. I've left him to have a rest now until later. He has had an epidural and doesn't have any pain. The operation took 4 hours.
More info tomorrow after I have seen him.
Anne x
Jerry has woken up from his operation and I have just spoken to him. He sounds as bright as a button even though he is not fully recovered from the anaesthetic. I've left him to have a rest now until later. He has had an epidural and doesn't have any pain. The operation took 4 hours.
More info tomorrow after I have seen him.
Anne x
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