Dad Home - a Family to be proud of !

My first day at home

- not too bad - your ma now has a duty in life looking after me and very happy at that .

I think she enjoys the role - we are both sleeping downstairs but go upstairs once a day to have a shower - James has put a plastic chair in shower for me to sit on if get tired etc. I am very anaemic so supplementing with flat Guinness!

I ordered 34 meals from Wiltshire - look on web - they have great reputation and recommended by hospital. They are being delivered tomorrow.

Yesterday - Judge James should have been on duty in Sheffield but fortuitous for me he was free - i telephoned for him at home at 10am and he was in bed - it transpired he had been at HRI with Ma and Phil for 6 hours the previous night and didn't get home until 2am. Your Ma's warfarin was causing bleeding and has been reduced but no further DVT.

He came into ward to help pack and maneuvered my wheelchair expertly from the ward to the entrance -some distance so i could not walk

- it was like a scene from Little England BBC series - he parked me in HRI front portico in such a position that the rain blew over me , whilst he went for his wagon. I had to stand up and move .

Philippa has been the perfect daughter in a crisis and unbelievably capable looking after Ma and house and remaining cheerful. I never doubted she had qualities but even surprised me - i hope she gets a job soon but not at any price as she told me she lies on couch after lunch to listen to play of day on radio 4 and often has a zizz. Quite.

James and Phil disappeared to town centre for 4 hours - a quiet lunch in Shabab and then they did some shopping at M&S for us of superb ready meals - we are having one tonight . Phil returned home that night and spoke today - gym and weight watchers.

I have never been so impressed by a hospital - it was spotless and cleaned all time = plus now we have joined with Halifax - 400,000 catchment - there is a new generation of young Consultants doing the most complex surgery - previously only in teaching hospitals . We are obviously financed and have critical mass to sub specialise . The contrast with Bart's in London was profound - i would never go in for surgery if avoidable as agency nurses and change very night -many do not speak English.

I had every complication but survived and onwards - looks like 6 months of chemotherapy but you do not loose hair ! at least if i look like Yul Brynner can you tell the kids to pretend not to notice and not laugh! Particularly Issie! I may need a transplant! as we have a posse of grand kids with excess hair as i tease.


Dick came into hospital 3 times to see me - the last only 5 mins as i was vomiting so he did a runner.

Tim telephoned this evening from Marbella - like Ottawa 30 today and they were sitting in terrace with drinks - knowing Deidre - why not champagne- she has a glass a day.

Plus interesting Paul H has telephoned a couple of times and says when convenient he wants to come over to see me.

As my title says what a family above the call of duty

Angela
started ball rolling in Ottawa taking us at short notice to airport - the only occasion when my facade nearly slipped when Adam asked me to hold his hand and Issie came down to play Grandad a farewell tune on guitar. I shall have to send a short email to say survived! Let me know news.

Chris came up with Aiden

- a treat for ma in many ways , as she loved teaching Aiden and he soon picked up. I may have mentioned new Suzuki - he drove and they has splendid meal at pub on moors - apparently waitress bent over backwards to get Aiden suitable food ,which impressed Chris . He only had to drive to Birmingham as they were spending weekend with Edinburgh friends . used to examine and great a city centre .


Phil loves the Corolla and is having touched up tomorrow so pristine. A daughter in million - when better i am going to get her kitchen done - it will cost 30k - she can put on mortgage as small and interest rates low. I will help with fittings etc .


James also - he has never been away - poor Sara - he is bringing kids on Saturday for lunch and going to park afterwards.

The Wigan crowd sent me a beautiful box of lowers from M&S - Proteus etc and would have been very expensive - they never forget.. The dinner in Burton Agnes is going ahead - it is 6 week for me so should be able to join in hopefully particularly after missing Italy!

Doing fine - love to everyone

Dad xxxx