Miles of Smiles...

So today!  Well I arrived at the hospital this morning and David told me that as Alan's stomach is fine, he's been moved from the surgical consultant's list to the medical consultant's list and the new consultant would be round to speak to us, which he did.  Thankfully he is a very nice man and did not make us go outside the curtain!  

He explained that CT scan of stomach was fine, but that the scan had also imaged the lower part of Alan’s lungs and showed  significant infection so diagnosis is chest infection and pneumonia.   He then went on to have the difficult conversation of if Alan took a turn for the worst, would we want him resuscitated? I was a bit alarmed and taken aback by this ((although I had previously thought it strange they didn’t have that conversation when he was going for his op) and we said of course we would!  He has a good quality of life!  ( I made David bring his holiday photo book into the ward tonight on the pretence Alan wanted to look at it, just so the nurses could see what he’s like when he’s healthy and what a great life he has!)   Once that was clarified he then said he hoped if Alan kept responding to the antibiotics, he might get home on Wednesday!  One minute we're discussing resuscitation, the next getting home.  He did say he wasn't expecting Alan to take a turn for the worse, so that was a relief.

David came home for the afternoon for a proper sleep and I asked the nurses to get Alan into his wheels.  He immediately looked much better.  They are giving him ongoing drugs to combat the nausea and the plan is to try and get the nausea stopped so he can get his medicine via his peg.  Once he can and not throw it back up, he can get home.

Jenny, the nurse in charge (amazing woman.  Gets things done) asked if Alan might want some dinner.  I asked him and he said yes.  She asked what he would normally eat and I told her so she got Amy, the healthcare assistant to phone the kitchen and ask if they could do him mashed potatoes, chicken and gravy.  Well guess what was already on the menu for tonight?  :-)    He also said he wanted choc buttons but I didn’t have any so Amy went to the shop to try and find some.  They didn’t have any so she brought magic stars instead and he had a few but they’re small and he as struggling with them so I stopped. 

Dinner arrived and it was lovely!  He scoffed it and half a packet of chocolate buttons.  He would have eaten more but didn’t want him to feel stuffed and risk being sick.  He says I’ve to take in macaroni cheese for lunch tomorrow.  He must be feeling better.

David came back to the hospital just after 6pm to pick me up and we came down the road for dinner, leaving Alan in Ed’s capable hands and the nurses looking at his holiday photobook.  It had the effect I’d hoped it would.  

Just awaiting my bedtime update text from David and fingers crossed, Alan will have kept his dinner down!

PS  David popped into the restaurant this afternoon and explained the situation.  They were very sympathetic and said we don't need to let them know till Thursday and not to worry if we did need to cancel.  I am relieved and happy.  We should definitely know by Thursday whether or not it's going ahead.



PPS  David's just texted to say Alan kept his dinner down!  Yay :-))))


Time for bed.  I'm exhausted but cautiously happy!