Update on the update

Good news! Mum is back at home. She's feeling much better, though her foot is still sore and she's walking with a frame (have to say I find that hard to imagine!) So - won't be posting again (about this). Thanks for your mails, calls, comments etc.

Quick update

Happy to say that Mum is feeling better - her temperature is down and her blood pressure is up! (to normal that is). She's feeling tired - as you do after a high temperature - and her calf still hurts.  But she is off the drip and is looking better in general. (Have to say that this is Tuesday's news as Mike couldn't get to see her yesterday due to work commitments.) 

If I have any more news tonight I'll post again.

Back in hospital, but not to worry

Mum is back in hospital  - the Norfolk and Norwich this time - with an infection in her leg that is painful and causing a temperature. It's not related to the heart issues she had in the summer - something completely different the doctors say.

She is on antibiotics and could be in hospital for anything from two to five days.  She's feeling very tired and so best not to have any visitors till further notice. We're hoping she'll be home soon anyway.

If you would like to contact her, could you please do it via the comments box in this blog? (Just click on "comments" below and a comment box will open up. Write your message and then press the "publish" button  - you won't see it immediately as all comments go via me first.)

We will collate all comments and pass them on to her. That way neither her inbox or her postbox will be be overflowing and have to be "dealt with" when she gets back home. 

I'll post again as soon as we have any more news.

Thanks - and please pass the message on to anybody who may be interested!

Thanks from Mum

Mum has asked me to say a big thank you from her to all the people who have sent her cards. They really helped her keep her spirits up and she felt cherished and supported while she was in hospital. So here it is for all of you - A BIG THANK YOU!

Mum is getting better every day and had a great piece of news today - she can start driving next week.

I'm leaving Fieldside tomorrow morning, quite confident that she will be able to manage on her own. And if she ever feels she can't, she has numerous neighbours that she can call on. Richard will be going to Norfolk next week, and of course Michael is around as well.

So that's it from me - signing off!

All good news

Sorry not to have posted for a while. Life has been quietly hectic. Mum is feeling much better, still gets tired, but less so every day. All the minor issues are getting better, but not quite there yet.  She's being very diligent about doing her exercises, and is walking further and faster every day. 

And now she is now counting the days until she can drive again (early September - so watch out!).

I have just updated the diary for the next week. Now taking booking for the week after!

And she's home!

Just a quick note to say that Maria is well and truely home now. As you know I will be here in August to help her settle back in. 

However, I have quite a lot of work on just now, so we have hatched the following plan. I will work in the mornings, and Mum will potter till lunchtime and then have a rest till about 3.30. That will leave the afternoons from 4-6 free for visitors. If you would like to come round, perhaps you could call in the morning so we know who to expect. Thanks!

Great news!

The ward sister has just called to say that they are discharging Maria today (Tuesday) - not to the N&N - but home directly. So I'll be buzzing up to Papworth after lunch and hope to be back in time for supper! 

I'll now start keeping the Diary page up to date with hospital appointments, planned visits and so on. And get in a few boxes of tea bags and a couple of cakes as well. We'd love to see you.:O)

4th August 2012. I saw mum last night and she was in good spirits. No news as such. She still has a machine attached to her leg which is draining fluid and this is preventing her from going home or to another hospital. If a bed becomes available at the N&N then she will be moved there. Now Sarah is going to be at Fieldside from 6th onwards it may be that mum will come straight home. As always we will keep you posted if there news. But best thing to say is mum is so much better now. Mike ;-)

Update 31 July

Mike's been to visit Mum at Papworth this morning. (He's not able to post as he's off on his holidays!) He found Mum well and cheerful - and as he put it - "practical".  What she is being practical about is that she is now hooked up to a machine that is sorting out the infection in her leg. She is able to move around still, which is good, so she can get to the phone and so on. But of course this treatment will take a few days yet - no-one can say how long - which means we haven't got any dates re going to Norfolk/home.

I (Sarah) am planning to arrive in Norfolk on Monday 6th, and hopefully Mum will be home soon after.

Change of plan ...

We've had another call to say that Mum has an infection on her leg which they can't treat at Dereham ..... so .... she'll be at Papworth for a few more days.

We'll keep you updated.

Maria coming to Norfolk ---At last

I've just had a call from mum to say she is being moved to the Dereham Hospital this afternoon (30.7.12) . Address is Dereham Hospital, Northgate, Dereham, NR19 2EX. She will be contactable on 01362654904. I don't know what the arrangements are for visiting (yet) so please call the Hospital if you intend to go to find out first please. I will post arrangements again when I know. She sounded really good and was able to talk properly which is great. She has been climbing steps too which is great progress. Mike P

Phone calls and visits

Happy to say that Maria is feeling much stronger - she's now walking up and down the corridor and the physio had her tackling steps today. All that yoga and swimming is paying off!

Phone calls

Her voice is much better (she had been very hoarse). So if you would like to call her, this is the direct line to her room:

0706 9190009 extension 548

But be warned! the calls are 20p a minute from a landline, and considerably more from a mobile or if you are calling from abroad.

Visits

I'm sure she would love a visit if you are in the area. As far as the family is concerned, Richard is visiting on Friday 27 and Saturday 28. Mike is visiting on Tuesday 31 and Friday 3.

They prefer visitors to go in the afternoon - times are flexible, but between 2.30 and 6.30 is probably good.

However - phone first to check she is still in Papworth. We're hoping she will be moved to Norfolk very soon.

20-7-2012 Update

Richard has spoken to mum and she, whilst not being able to talk very well, is much stronger and is "happy". In as much as one can be happy in a hospital bed! She has a upset tummy which has meant her release from Papworth is now restricted until she has recovered from that and can be transferred to the N and N. So it seems she will be at Papworth for at least another 4-5 days. She is responding well to Physio and is walking unaided. ;-)
I am going to see her with Samuel and Ella tomorrow (Saturday) and will take all the cards etc sent to Fieldside, for which thank you very much.

Mike P

What about John?

Several people have enquired about Dad as well. This may be one of the times that his condition is a blessing in disguise - he is being well cared for at Brooke House and is unaware of Mum's situation. They have changed some of his drugs and he is sleeping the night through now and appears to be content.

What next?

Wed 18th:update


Mum is doing really well, no tubes, eating much better and best of all she is walking a little which makes her feel so much more independent. She's still very tired, but that is only to be expected.


Papworth say she no longer needs "Papworth care" and they have referred her to the Norfolk and Norwich. Once there is a bed free there - or at any other nearby hospital - she will be sent there for a couple of weeks to continue with physio, occupational therapy and so on.


We're hoping she will be ready to go home towards the end of July/beginning of August. Sarah is planning to stay at Fieldside for as much of August as necessary. And then we'll see.

Cards and flowers

Thanks for all your cards and good wishes - Mum really appreciates them.

If you do want to send a card, please send it to Fieldside and we will make sure Mum gets it. (see post headed "What next?")


Some people have asked about flowers - sadly hospitals do not allow flowers - so thanks, but no thanks :O)

A quick overview

Where we were, and where we are now


A quick summary post for those of you who may not have the whole story. Mum was admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich hospital at the end of June because she had been feeling unwell. 


After some tests they sent her to Papworth (near Cambridge), where they did a triple bypass on Friday 2 July. It was successful, but she was in Critical Care until Wed 11 July because of one or two minor issues. 


These have been resolved and she is now on the Varrier Jones ward and making a good recovery.