The Mattress saga

Yesterday I told you about the new mattress we are buying for our back cabin bed and I said we had problems with one company. Well here is the e-mail conversation Keith had with this company.

 

Dear Sir/Madam, we are looking to replace our custom made mattress in our working narrowboat. It consists of 3 separate mattresses each measuring 24" by 48" by 4" thick. It is made this way as one of the sections forms a seat (for which we only require the foam as it will fit inside the existing "cushion" cover) and the other 2 sections to be complete mattresses in removable covers, one of which lives inside the cupboard opposite the seat, this cupboard serve 2 purposes to be ⅓ of the bed and to store the 3rd section of mattress and bedding during the day. The cupboard door folds down to meet the seat opposite, so by removing the centre section of mattress from the cupboard and placing on this cupboard door we have a 4' by 6' bed.

So if I can reiterate we require 2 mattresses fitted with removable covers measuring 24" by 48", and 1 piece of foam only (uncovered) measuring also 24" by 48".

We also require them to be orthopedic for both of us suffer with bad backs.

Could you please quote a price for the 3 sections of mattress.

Keith Lodge
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was their initial reply:-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi

Please would you be able to send a hand drawn template for this and we can then quote for you.

Kind Regards

?????
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well I thought this only deserved one reply as follows:-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear ?????, Template? Doesn't your company know what a 24" by 48" by 4" mattress looks like? To me it looks like a mattress that measures 24" by 48" by 4". I thought you were in the mattress making business? Seems not from your reply.

Keith Lodge
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To which I received the following reply this morning:-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi

Apologies for this.

So all the pieces normal mattress shaped then? I will get back to you with prices.

Kind Regards

?????
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was soon followed by a further email with quoted prices and delivery estimate, to which I replied as follows:-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many thanks for your reply, however we have opted for another companies offer.

Keith Lodge

Now my thinking is if you are part of a mattress making company you should be able to read dimensions and know what the customer wants. The company we have gone with Foamforcomfort, immediately rang me with answers to my questions. Another company Trusleep, answered one of Keith’s e-mails and we have not heard from them since, they have not even answered my phone call, even though I left a message and my number on their answering machine, despite the fact they said they will return the call as soon as they can, that was now 2 days ago. So that is two companies who lost our business. In this present climate companies need to step up to the mark if they want sales.

A few days on.

Hello, hello, hello.

An update on me and my Palpitations. Well I saw the practice nurse and she did BP, Sats, and checked to see if I had a beating heart and it appears my diagnosis of Palpitations was correct, which was a huge relief in many ways. She recommended me trying Kalms, which is a herbal remedy, rather than taking anything stronger, which I was of course happy to go with. Two tablets three times a day and see how I go was her recommendation and I have to say, so far so good. The Palpitations have settled a lot, that could be due to the tablets or due to the fact I have been sleeping better since Keith came home. Anyway I am fine.

Keith has been taking things easy, with a short walk in the Arm each day, to try and build up his muscle tone. I am not going to allow him to over do it, so it is gently does it. He is eating much better already and enjoying everything I cook for him. Today’s delight was Liver, mashed Potato, Peas and Carrots. The Liver was good for the iron, which he probably needs as well. I am happy cooking what ever he fancies at the moment.

A part from doing short walks every day, Keith is able to lounge in his recliner and watch Film 4 during the day, which will do him the world of good whilst he still recovers. He tried stopping the Paracetamol, but has gone back on to them due to pain coming back. So we will leave it a few more days before trying that again.

Everyone has been so wonderful with messages online on the blogs and facebook, but also our friends around us have given us such wonderful support. It is at times like this when you realise who your real friends are.

Paddy is still happy to have his dad home. He keeps going up to Keith to make sure he is really home, whereas Marmite could not careless. Paddy would really love to get up on to Keith’s lap for his cuddle, but that is not possible yet, so he has to come on my lap instead. Marmite did jump on Keith this morning, and thankfully there was no damage done.

Today I have ordered a new mattress for our back cabin bed. We have had the old one for some 6 years now and it has done its job. With Keith’s bad back and my sciatica a  new mattress was called for and with Keith not having any meat on his bones at the moment, he is finding the old mattress really uncomfortable. We went to Foamforcomfort, who were actually the only company who answered our e-mails or phone calls. One company actually asked us to send a template of the mattress. Duhhh if your a company that makes mattresses, should you not know what one looks like, especially as wen gave them all the dimensions. They did not get our business, but Foamforcomfort did. We now look forward to our delivery and a really comfortable nights sleep.

The weather is doing strange things. It is very mild and so we get sun one minute and showers the next. It must think it is already April.

All the bulbs we planted in the Arm last November are coming out.

Seeing the bulbs blooming has been a real delight for Keith, because he thought he may miss it all. So yesterday’s jaunt was to see the bulbs in bloom.

Home at last.

After 42 day’s of torture and worry, I finally got my darling man home yesterday. I went to the hospital as usual and there he was ready and waiting to get dressed. We did not leave the hospital until after lunch, which for Keith was chilli with rice and sprouts (Don’t ask, what a combination). Thankfully he did not eat the sprouts. With letter and medications in hand, a porter pushed Keith down to the main entrance and I rang for a taxi. We were home by 2.15 pm. Paddy was very excited to see Keith, Marmite on the other hand totally ignored him, as she knew she was going to lose her bed at night.

All settled in Keith really fancied Ravioli on toast for tea. He had really missed toast whilst in the hospital, so that is what I made him. At the moment Keith can have what he wants to eat, if it means he puts a little weight back on.

As you can imagine both Keith and I slept really well last night. We woke at 3 am and sat in bed drinking tea. After that we settled back down to snooze until 6.30 am ish. The problem for us both is we have been in our own routines, Keith is in the hospital routine and me with my own, so now we need to get back to our old routine before Keith was poorly. I made us some toast for breakfast and then we got up at 7.30 am. Paddy needed walking first and then I sorted the saloon stove out. We have no plans for the day, so it will be a nice quiet affair.

I have booked an appointment with the GP to see if they can help with some palpitations I have been having for the past couple of weeks. I think they are probably due to anxiety, but better to get it all checked out.

THANK YOU for all your messages of support and love. Keith and I have really gained strength from them xxxxxxxxxxx

Coming Home.

Update for anyone reading this now. Keith is coming HOME today..... So excited to be getting my darling man home at long last. All your crossing of fingers, toes etc really made the difference thank you so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Days 40 and 41

Friday Day 40 and I slept well last night, which was wonderful. I think it helped having dinner out with Val and Terry and a nice pint of Ruddles at Wetherspoon’s.

Up early and jobs done, I went off to the hospital as usual. I think I could probably walk the route with my eyes closed now.

Keith had had a couple of dizzy spells and had to be helped back to his bed. Over night he had his last antibiotic and then went on to have the shivers and shakes again, which is not what he needs right now. Once he was feeling better, we headed off to the bathroom to do his wash and shave. Even this task wears Keith out.

Every day I look at his charts and it showed his temperature was 37.4c  in the morning and in the afternoon it went up to 37.6c. It has to be hoped it does not continue upwards. During the morning one of the doctors came to take Keith’s blood, but despite four attempts in different places, Keith was not giving his blood to anyone, so Tom the doctor said he would return later for another go, but during the afternoon another doctor arrived and he took blood from Keith’s groin, which worked perfectly. They are checking his bloods to see if the levels change, which may suggest his infection has not gone away. They are due to do it again on Sunday.

Keith managed to quite a bit of his lunch and the yogurt I had taken in for him, so that as an improvement. He felt well enough to walk into the day room to watch the Curling men’s final which we sadly lost, but still we came home with a Silver medal. All this excitement wore Keith out and so it was back to bed. I left Keith ready for a snooze. The walk back was done in  Wintery sunshine, but even the sunshine does not make the hill any better. Back at the boat, I got the coal in for the night, checked the post box, but nothing for us and then fed mog and dog. After something for dinner, I settled in to watch the TV, which included Wales v France. Wales hammered France. It was then away to my bed, where Marmite had already found her spot for the night on Keith’s side of the bed.

Saturday Day 41.

Sleep was difficult, I had so many things running around in my head, that I kept waking up, so at 2 am I was sat up in bed drinking a cuppa, whilst Marmite lounged by my side. I hate this non sleeping lark, but I know it will get better once Keith comes home.

I was up just after 5 am drinking yet more tea, and thinking about what I was going to do before heading to the hospital. I pottered around the boat until 7 am, I then went and fed the birds, because Mr Robin was sat waiting for his breakfast. Every morning he waits for me to feed him.

He is a scruffy little fellow, so he needs feeding up to get his feathers in better condition. Birds fed, Paddy got his walk and was then fed along side Marmite. I then made myself some toast for my breakfast. It is clear to see the pecking order on our boat when the animals get fed first ha ha ha. 8 am I got the hosepipes out of the lockup and filled the water tank. I have not used much water over the past fortnight, but I like to keep the tank topped up, so whilst the tank filled, I stood on the bow and enjoyed the peace of the arm and listening to the bird song and the traffic noise which was building. With the sun shining, it felt so mild and as if Spring is on its way. Some of the bulbs we planted in November have begun to flower, so we have Snowdrops and Daffodils out and Crocus beginning to flower. Photos will follow.

With all the jobs done on the boat, it was time to walk the walk to the hospital.

Keith was suffering from a sore throat, which was not good, but hopefully it will not make him feel to poorly. The nurses are allowing him to suck throat sweets to help with the soreness. He did eat most of his dinner and the yogurt I took in for him, which was great. His blood tests which were done yesterday showed Keith has low Potassium, so they are giving him a supplement. We sat in the day room and watched some of the Winter Olympics, but Keith found sitting to much so it was back to his bed.

Monday’s Discharge Day is still on.

Day 39

Day 39... Looking good. For those of you waiting glued to your computer, laptop, ipad or phone for an update, here is today's. Keith very much enjoyed a visit from his sister Valerie and Terence. Keith was having a hot flush this morning and felt a bit under the weather, but as the day went on he brightened. His surgeon was very happy with his scan and so they have clamped off his tube from the t-piece to see if the bile will reach his bowel. They are stopping his antibiotics tonight and will keep a close eye on him over the weekend, to see if his bloods stay level and his temperature down. They will also check to see if his bile is reaching his bowel and that he does not turn Yellow. If everything does as it should, then my darling man could possibly be coming home on Monday. So please will you keep everything crossed over this coming weekend.

Over the Rainbow

Yesterday we had the most amazing Rainbow when I got back to the boat.

Day 38.

Potential good news for a  nice change. Keith had a dizzy spell this morning and felt under the weather, but this afternoon he was much better. He did eat some of his lunch and enjoyed a yogurt I took in.
Keith finally had his Cholangiogram this afternoon, after I think the Registrar kicked up because it had not been booked on Sunday as was first thought. According to what the guy who did the dye and the scan said, he could not see a stone or restriction, which if right is great news. We should know from the surgeon tomorrow.
Once maybe is forgivable, but twice I find annoying. Again Keith's antibiotic was forgotten last night and this time it was the Gentamicin. The Registrar was not to impressed and it was therefore given to Keith at 11.30 am and changed on his drug chart to be given in the 2pm session when he has his Tazocin, instead of 6 pm, so they cannot forget to give it to him. Makes me cross that they forget to give drugs, which are important. The Registrar told me that missing the odd one was not so important, but to me if the drugs are written up then they should be given on time.
But on a brighter note Keith could be coming home next week if all goes well. But not going to count my chickens just yet LOL.

Day 36.

I know that my blog readers probably popped in yesterday for an update. I apologise for not posting, but there was little to post about.

I have decided only to post when there is something to tell you, so please do not worry if there is nothing written.

Today’s Update. Keith was not so good again today. I think the Cholangiography, which will be done this week will be very important, because I think they are worried the bile is not reaching his bowel properly. This could be due to a stone blocking the tube, or a restriction, or it could be just be all the bile is heading into the bag, but from speaking to Phil the doctor he would expect some of the bile to be reaching the bowel by now. If there is no issue when they do the test they may cap off the tube into the bag and see what happens then. So time will tell. Keith is quite weak and down today as he does not feel hungry and has not had breakfast and only a couple of forkfuls of his lunch, which is not great. Here's hoping tomorrow is better. xxxx

Days 33 and 34.

Keith sent me a text to say there was Norovirus again in the hospital, but this time on the 23 hour ward, so we were back to restricted visiting times, which was not great because Keith's sister Wendy was coming to visit from Whitney. I could not go to the hospital until the afternoon and therefore Keith waited for his wash etc. Wendy arrived at 4.10 pm and we went to the cafe until 6 pm when we could then visit Keith again. It was great for Keith to have a different visitor and Wendy really cheered him up with her conversation. *pm we had to leave and so we headed into Warwick and Wetherspoons to get an evening meal. With it being Valentines Day we expected it to be busy, but it was in fact not to bad. Wendy stayed on the boat with me over night in the howling gale..

Saturday morning we were awake at 1 am with the noise of the wind, so I made Wendy and I a cuppa, before we went back to bed. By the time we got up, the sun was shining and the wind had dropped a little. I checked the hospital website and it said that despite the 23 hour ward still being closed, the rest of the hospital was open for visiting as normal. So after breakfast and the usual chores Wendy and I headed off to see Keith. Once there, I got Keith ready for the day and then we enjoyed a lovely morning with him. After his and our lunch we then wheeled him down to the cafe for a change of scenery.

Keith was so pleased to have Wendy come to see him, it was nice for him to have a different person to chat too. Wendy left us at 4 pm and I stayed on for a while after wheeling him back to the ward.

Keith is now waiting for his next test the Cholangiogram to his bile duct, which should happen this coming week.

Day’s 31 and 32.

I do apologise if you came in for an update yesterday and were disappointed not to find one. But there was little to say.

Yesterday Keith had his CT scan and had a pretty good day. They are giving him Salt tablets to bring up his Sodium level, because it is to low.

So today we waited with baited breath for the results of the CT scan. He still has a patch of fluid, but it is only a small one, so the docs are really happy, which makes us happy. He is still staying on the strong antibiotics, so is not coming home just yet, but we are getting closer. The surgeon wants a test done on the t-piece connecting the bile tube to the bag I think its an angiography, but that will happen at some point before they decide to take the bag off. He was on about sending Keith home, but this would of meant us going to the hospital 3 times a day for his antibiotics to be given, as they are toxic and cannot be given at home. So we told him we don't have a car, and this would completely wipe Keith out energy wise. so he scrapped that idea. Not only that they need to keep an eye on Keith's bloods, which cannot be done at home. Keith is quite happy to stay where he is until they have him sorted properly. We had a bit of a walk, did two lots of stairs and a walk to the cafe, this did Keith in, so a snooze was called for before lunch. But he is in good spirits which is important. The surgeon has made it quite clear he is not ready to let him go until he is sure Keith is clear of infection, so the wait for him to come home properly is still on. Oh and Keith has put on 2 pounds in 3 days, which is fantastic.xxx

Day 30.

I am not going to ramble on about not sleeping or the boat chores because you have heard it all before. I did take the bus to the hospital this morning, because the weather was foul and I really did not want to get soaked.

It seems hard to believe that Keith has been in hospital for 30 days or a month. Which ever way you say it, it is a long time and we know he will be in there for at least this week. He has to wait for his CT scan and then we will know where we stand. The doctors prescribed him Salt tablets today, because his Sodium levels are to low. Apparently they taste dreadful, so rather Keith than me.

He was in good form today despite his bag leaking in the night, which meant the nurses had to change him, his bed, and the bag. They have put an even smaller bag on, so they will be opening it even more often, so I expect it will leak again. There is no real news because it is all a waiting game. He is still on two antibiotics and pain relief, but keeping cheerful.

Day 29.

Last night I had a nice evening with my friend Jack, she and I enjoyed a glass of wine and had a nice natter. When I got back to the boat, I took some Nytol again and off to bed I went.

I went to bed at 9.30pm and did not wake until 3.30am yippee, I had a good 6 hours. Because I was wide awake, I got up made myself a cuppa and then went back to bed. having then tossed and turned, I got up at 6am and got on with the mornings chores.

Off to the hospital, walked there is a heavy frost, which was a surprise after all the rain we had had.

I had a good chat with Keith's doctors today, in particular the naval surgeon and the blood doctor. The surgeon who did Keith's op is back from his holiday, which is good and he saw Keith at 6 am. Keith will be having a couple of scans towards the end of the week to see if the fluid build up has diminished or is the same or more. If it is more or has not diminished then they will do another scan to see if his T piece in the bile duct is leaking. Now if it is leaking he may have to have another operation to repair it, but we will cross that bridge when we get there, if we get there. He has to eat more salt because his sodium levels are to low, this is due to the bile he is losing. He also has to increase his calories because he has lost another 5 pounds and is down to 10 stone, 3 pounds. In himself he is looking much better and we had a good walk this afternoon, so it is all down the what the CT scan says now. His blood results are up and down. He did not have any Gentamicin today because the toxic level was to high. The doctors need to speak to the microbiologists to see where they go next with that. At the moment his Liver and Kidneys are coping alright with the heavy antibiotics which is great news. So that is where we are at today.

Day 28.

What a dreadful night. The wind was blowing a hooley and the rain was lashing down at times as well. I had taken Nytol to help me get to sleep and they did absolutely nothing to help. Maybe it was because of the weather outside, or maybe they just do not work. It meant I had an awful nights sleep, waking up every hour for the first few hours. I got so fed up I got up and made myself a cup of tea and went back to bed. I then fell asleep with Marmite beneath the duvet and woke up at 7 am. The wind was still blowing, but thankfully the rain had stopped. I could have quite happily have stayed in bed, but with another day at the hospital calling, I had to get up. Not only that Marmite was making it known she wanted her breakfast and I know Paddy cannot cross his legs all day. So up and dressed, I folded the bed away and started my day with toast for breakfast. Paddy then got walked and the fire stoked. With mog and dog fed, it was then time to get myself organised for the trip to the hospital. I think if I closed my eyes, I could get there without even looking now. I had thought of catching the bus, but the service is not great on a Sunday, so I walked which left me with a blister on my right heel. My new walking boots are extremely comfortable, but for the new blister. Still I put a blister pad on and everything is hunky dory again.

Another pretty good day. Keith was very chipper and had a couple of short walks and a spell in the day room to see some of the Winter Olympics. According to his notes they have written up the Gentamicin for 12 days as from the 7th Feb, which seems to have upset the pharmacist, he is also on the Tazocin for 14 days. It seems that the Gentamicin should only be used for 5 consecutive days and therefore the pharmacist wants the doctors to go back to the microbiologist if they want to use the Gentamicin past the 5 days. I know it is very toxic, they call it the domestos of the antibiotic world so they are keeping a close eye on Keith's renal levels every 2 days. He certainly seems to have picked up since they started him back on both these antibiotics. He has an appetite now and enjoyed his roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, cabbage and roast parsnips today. It was a pleasure to sit there and watch him tuck into his lunch. Keith’s sense of humour has remained throughout this ordeal of his Gallbladder bursting, I really do not know how though, because he has been through so much.

I hope that this coming week will give us an idea as to how things are going to carry on improving from now on.

Day 27.

Last night Keith rang me to let me know the visiting restrictions have been lifted, which is excellent news, so it will be visiting as normal for me. Keith was very unhappy about his mattress, which is an air mattress which is to stop him getting bed sores, but the problem for Keith is one of the ridges is right under his bottom and it is causing him some pain. Keith does not have much padding on his bottom at the moment due to his weight loss and he cannot lie on his sides due to the bile bag on one side and the PIC line on the other, so he is getting very uncomfortable. I told him to speak to the doctor to see if he can get the nurses to change the mattress, because they do not seem to be listening to his concerns, which means he is not sleeping and therefore not healing.

I went to bed at 10pm and sort of slept ok, I woke a couple of times in the night and then was awake at 5.30am, so got up and made myself a nice hot cuppa. Lay in bed until 6.45am and then got up to begin my day.

It was soon time to head to the hospital, so I walked in the Winter sunshine and a blowing wind.

Keith has had a good day today. He was much brighter when I arrived, so we headed for the bathroom for his wash and shave. Keith was still receiving fluids via his PIC Line and they had his antibiotics. They did a blood test to check his blood levels, because they cannot give him Gentamicin if it is still in his blood stream as it is so toxic. We did manage a couple of walks, which is so important to do to rebuild his strength. I think he was so much better today, because the stronger antibiotics are now working (fingers crossed). They are still keeping a close eye on his bloods, but he has had a good day. He has certainly got his appetite back and his colour. He must be getting better, because he was getting grumpy with me hahahaha. Keith managed to get the nurses to change his mattress, so he can at least get some proper rest now. The visiting restrictions have been lifted which is good news.

Day 26.

It is almost a month since my poor darling was taken into hospital and there are no signs he is coming home yet.

Due to the restricted visiting hours due to the Norovirus, I had a morning to get things done, so I made myself a shepherds pie for lunch. I took in a food delivery from Mrs Tesco today, because it was a woman driver. After a nice hot shower and a good lunch, it was then time for me to head into town, on the way there the winter moorers were asking how Keith was doing. I so long to be able to give them good news for a change, because they have all been so supportive. In town I wanted to see if my walking boots could be fixed, because the sole had sprung a leak. Unfortunately they could not be repaired which was so unfair, because the boots themselves were great, I just needed new soles. So with the boots in the bin, I bought a new pair from the Factory Shop. I hope they last for some time. Things done in town, I caught the bus to the hospital and because I was an hour early, I got a cup of tea from the cafe and sat down for the hour to chill out before visiting.

Keith did not look very perky. He had a disturbed night and when he got up this morning, he was sick. The nurse gave him something for the sickness which helped, but it did mean he did not feel up to much. Washing was abandoned for the day because they wanted to do an ECG on him and he then had some fluids put up and his antibiotics. Keith spoke to one of the doctors this morning and was told his blood tests were a little better today which is great. I am so hoping we are now heading in the right direction. But I am not going to get to excited just yet, but long for the day when they say Keith can come home.

Visiting was over in 2 hours, which just was not enough, but until the all clear is given over the Norovirus it will have to do. I caught the bus home and got a few things done.

Day 25.

We are creeping ever closer to 1 month and hopefully my darling man will be coming home soon.

After a rock and roll night, this morning was peaceful and bright, but it is the lull before the next storm. I really feel for all those people who are flooded out, or have had to leave their homes due to the possibility of damage. It makes our problems seem so small.

I slept somewhat better last night, having gone to bed at 9.50 pm, I woke again at 12.30 am, but managed to get back off to sleep until 6 am. I think I may have slept longer, but Marmite was wriggling on my pillow, so she disturbed me. Once up it was a chance to make a Shepherds pie for my dinner, because eating at the hospital, could cost me a fortune if I do it to much. Yesterday I had their Chicken Tikka which was very scrummy. So Shepherds pie on the go, I put it on the saloon stove to cook all day nice and slowly, the potatoes would be added later. Paddy was then walked and he and Marmite got fed. I made my breakfast and the first cuppa of the day. I like to have the news on in the back ground, to catch up on all the latest. It gives Keith and I something to chat about when I go in.

Having not really done much boat work over the past week, the hoover came out and the dog hair and dust was hoovered away. I do so love it when it looks clean and tidy. I got a bag of coal out of the hold and got the saloon stove stoked up for the day. With jobs all done there was time for a coffee and I packed my bag for the day, remembering to add some coffee and a brush for Keith. Everyday I come home with a list for things Keith needs and I always remember to leave the list out where I can see it for the following morning. If I am really organised I add the things to the bag the same evening.

Time to head to the hospital, this morning I walked as it was dry. Nothing really to report, he was looking rather peaky, after a difficult night due to pain and his neighbour kept everyone awake. He saw the doctors this morning and they are keeping a close eye on him. He has been getting pain, which they say is healing pain, but he needs Liquid Morphine to cope with it. I walked him to the bathroom and got him ready for the day. Keith could probably do it himself, but he would then be worn out for the day ahead. I got told by the nursing staff that there is Norovirus in the hospital again, so there is restricted vising again grrrrr, so I will not be seeing that much of him until the restrictions are lifted, which I hope will be quick. I am going to find it hard not seeing him in the mornings, but I do not want him catchinhg the Norovirus and so it is important to stick to the restrictions. He is eating well, which is a good sign, he had a chicken curry for lunch and really enjoyed it. More importantly it did not upset his tumm, which he is chuffed about because he loves his curry. Tomorrow I will see him, but not like I usually do and that will be hard for me. xx

Day 24.

The PIC line went in last night and they started his IV antibiotics of Co-Amoxicillin. Then this morning they got the blood tests results back which show an elevated white blood cell count, which was not what any of us wanted to see. So he is now back on the antibiotics Gentamicin and Tazocin, which is what he was on in the first place. His Potassium is also high 5.7, so they are keeping a close eye on that as well. In himself he is fine and ate all his breakfast and lunch. They weighed him today and he has lost another 6 pounds, but now he is eating properly I am hoping that goes back on fairly quickly. The physios walked him and got him to go down and back up some stairs and have discharged him from their care, so that was some good news. Today was his 3rd discharge day and he has missed it. One of the nurses indicated that that Keith would probably be coming home with antibiotics very soon. But on speaking to one of his doctors, they are in no hurry to let him go whilst he is still so unstable, which is a huge relief. So an up and down situation today.

Day 23.

Another day at the coal face.
I did not sleep that well, but that was because my mind was racing after yesterday’s scan that Keith had. We did not get any results yesterday, so I think not having those results meant my sleep was disrupted. But hey ho a lack of sleep is a small price to pay for get my darling man well and home.
Having had a disturbed night when I eventually slept I did not wake up properly until 6 am and then I lay in bed thinking about the days chores. I also had a list of things to get for Keith from town, which included E45 for his legs which are so dry at the moment.
My sciatica had decided it was time to kick off, so the bus was going to be my mode of transport for the trip to and from the hospital.
When I got there, Keith was looking a bit brighter, although he had had a difficult night with stomach pain, so they gave him some liquid Morphine to settle him.

I saw the surgeon and got the result of Keith's Ultrasound. It showed that the drain put in last week had done its job, so that was to come out. Oh boy when they took it out, it sent Keith through the ceiling, he found it so painful as the line had gotten stuck. The scan also showed up two small pools of fluid, which could be infected or become infected. They cannot be drained, so the surgeon decided that Keith would have a long line inserted in his upper arm if they could find a vein. This will be done in theatre and with the use of ultrasound. This long line can stay in for up to a month and they can give him IV antibiotics again. Keith is finding it difficult to swallow all the tablets they are giving him. So the IV antibiotics will be so welcome. In himself today he was cheerful, even though he had a difficult night with stomach pain. His wound is almost healed up now which is great news. So we will wait to see how he gets on with this new line, because the ordinary cannulas were difficult to get in to Keith's veins as they had shut down and even now they find it hard to get any blood from him for his daily blood tests. So some positives from today.

Day 22.

I had a pretty good nights sleep. I went to bed at 10 pm and slept until 4.30 am. I lay awake till 5 am when I got up and made myself a cup of tea. As I sat in bed enjoying my first cuppa of the day, I could hear a Fox calling close by. I know we have Foxes here as they have been seen (not by me) on the opposite bank. The dawn chorus was also getting its voice. It was such a wonderful way to begin my Monday. Marmite came and said “Good Morning” as she crept beneath the duvet to get warm. I did not bother relighting the back cabin stove last night, so the cabin was a tad chilly. Tea drunk, it was time to get up at 6 am and to begin my day.

I had a list in my head of the things I wanted to get done.

1. Fill the kindling bucket.

2. Fill the coal box in the back cabin.

3. Fill the coal bucket and stoke the saloon stove.

4. Walk Paddy and fed him and Marmite.

5. Feed myself

All of these things got done before I caught the bus into Warwick to get Keith a few things.

Today Keith was not so good and I knew it no sooner I saw his face. I did manage to speak to the Naval Surgeon and he is not worried about the amount of bile Keith is discharging, so that is good. However Keith was feeling hot, but felt cold and was sweating so as a precaution they have put him back on the antibiotic Amoxicillin 625 mg three times a day and still have him down as Sepsis. Keith went for an Ultrasound this afternoon, to see if the drain needs moving or it is not doing its job. I will know what they think tomorrow hopefully. Keith ate breakfast, but was not allowed lunch due to the scan, so I hope he manages something for tea, but he was feeling very yuck. Another step back after a few steps forward. In himself he just does not feel right. I managed to give him a wash and a shave this morning, but that did him in. They have him down for Wednesday home, but it looks like he may miss another Discharge date.

Day 21.

Last night I had a very nice meal with a friend who offered to cook me dinner. It was lovely to have an evening of chatter and a glass of wine with Jacquie. Thanks Jacquie for a wonderful time.

I went to the hospital today, hoping to see further improvement from Keith, but Keith did not have a great night with pain, so they gave him liquid Morphine. His and everyone else’s night on the ward was made worse by the fact that a new patient came in from a side room and he shouted all night. The poor man was very confused and I have to say his language was also very colourful, so no one in the ward slept. They even tried putting cotton wool ear plugs in to see if that would help, but no. I did feel for the elderly gentleman, who kept calling out. Oh god please help me. I am done for and so lost. Please someone come and help me. From other things he was saying, I would say he was once a military man and very much in control of his life and now he finds himself without any control over what he is doing. he was getting very annoyed by everything happening in the ward, shouting at people for things that were happening. So very sad really.

Today Keith has been hot, but feeling cold and sweating. His BP was up this morning, but this afternoon it had come down again. He did not eat breakfast, but did manage a small amount of lunch. I left him dozing, so hopefully he will have a better night. If they can knock the other gentleman out. They all tired ear plugs, but they did not even work.

I am getting a bit annoyed that I have had to keep asking to get Keith’s drain flushed and this happened yet again today. When they eventually flushed it, it was blocked at the point of entry to Keith’s chest. I was told that they are short staffed due to sickness and whilst I do feel for them, my responsibility is towards Keith.

Day 20

Todays update. Keith was good in himself, just tired and light headed. But after the night from hell what can you expect. Two patients from another bay in his ward tried escaping though Keith's bay, and day room. So the nurses had to bar the door into and out of the day room, once they had got them back to their beds. So little sleep was had and they had to empty his bile bag a couple of times in the night. The main concern is his bile drain. They emptied it at 1am and from then till 4pm when I left he had produced 830 ml, which seems like a huge amount. It has been said it should be slowing down by now, so I hope to speak to someone on Monday. But In himself he is doing just fine and he ate his lunch completely which was a first in almost 3 weeks. So we will see what happens Monday.