I went to bed last night at 9.30 pm, mainly because I was tired, but also I 
could not sit and watch the TV any longer because my mind was not switching off. 
Being on my own with my thoughts, gives me way to much time to think about what 
has been happening over the past few weeks. I think to be honest I could get 
depressed if I allowed myself too, but that would get neither myself or Keith 
anywhere, because he needs me to be strong for him, because I am his voice. 
Because of all the drugs Keith has had pumped into his body, he is finding it 
hard to remember anything, which means even of he is told things by the doctors, 
physio’s and nurses, he does not remember it all. So I am his eyes, ears and 
voice, when I get the chance, this comes with issues, because my brain does not 
shut down when I get home and therefore sleeping is sometimes a major problem. 
Last night as I said I went to bed at 9.30 pm, all snugged down in the back 
cabin with the stove still toasty warm. Marmite was curled up on Keith’s side of 
the bed, so I did not have the heart to disturb her. 
I woke up at 12.10 am, which was not ideal, so I turned over, snuggled back 
down beneath the duvet and slept till 4.45 am. Marmite had disappeared from 
Keith’s side of the bed, she was in the galley looking through the porthole, 
probably watching for anything walking past. Laying awake, I listened to the 
Blackbird and Thrush belting out their dawn chorus above the sound of traffic on 
the road. There is something so comforting about listening to the dawn chorus, 
although I would have wished to have slept a bit longer. 5 am I got up got the 
back cabin stove going, as it was on its last legs and then made myself a cup of 
tea. Paddy was still snoozing, but Marmite was up to speaking to me. If only I 
knew what she was saying. 
6 am with no further chance of me going back to sleep, I was up and dressed. 
The bed was rolled up and stowed away in the back cabin bed ‘ole and it was time 
to get on with the morning’s chores. Fire’s done, Paddy walked done, Animals fed 
done, my breakfast eaten, everything laid out for the days visit to the hospital 
done. I now get so ahead of the game, my routine is like a finely tuned engine. 
I left the boat and headed off to the hospital, not sure what I would find 
today.
Last night Keith had a temperature, the shakes and then hot flushes, plus 
pain, so they got him extra blankets and more pain medication.
When I got there this morning he was sat in the chair with a pained 
expression on his face and feeling sick. He was not drinking either his water or 
protein drink due to the sickness feeling. He really wanted to go back to bed, 
but before going back to bed the Physio's walked him down the corridor which he 
managed very well, even though he was a bit wobbly on his pins. I think they had 
a job to keep up with him. I requested a visit from the doctor, so I could get 
answers to many questions, which have been keeping my mind racing, when I am 
supposed to be sleeping. That happened after lunch and I had my mind put at 
rest. They will not re-open him up unless they absolutely have to because of 
further infection, which was music to our ears. After the registrar had gone 
Keith was much more his old self and got up again. I walked him to the bathroom 
and gave him a spruce up and finally he got rid of the hospital gown and got 
into some snazzy hospital PJ's.
Although it has to be said the top was a little tight. From speaking to a 
couple of the registrar's it seems that Keith is having a CT scan next week, to 
see what is going on. He will have a dye put down him to show up if there is a 
further perforation going on or if the drain has moved, either of these could be 
causing him pain and the continued infection. If it is another perforation that 
could explain his temperature and shaking again, but positive thoughts we hope 
it is not that. He is still on the antibiotics for a few more days and still no 
eating. So all in all a good day. Keith sends you his best wishes. 
Yes he really was wearing the sick bowl. He is beginning to get his sense of 
humour back which is lovely to see. 
Back at the boat now and it is raining again, what a delight. I am going to 
have dinner, walk the dog and then settle in for the night. I hope Keith has a 
better night tonight.
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3 comments:
Hey Jo & Keith, Just a quick message, I haven't had the chance to back track, but I can see all is so not well with Keith, just to say I'm thinking of you, and hoping all will be well as soon as. Thinking of you both, and see you when I get back. All the very, very best of wishes. Jacquie xxxxx
So good to see Keith's sense of humour pushing through the discomfort! Hope you manage more sleep tonight....
Thanks for keeping us up to date Jo; hang in there, girl.
Hope the CT scan shows what's up tomorrow. BTW, I'm not sure you've ever told us which hospital he's in?
Take care
Love
Bruce and Sheila
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