Author: brendawontbackdown

First shower…check

The armchair analyst (aka me) believes that the post-op euphoria of ‘I’m alive, its over, recovery here I come’ has given way to…’oh it is a week later and I feel crappy and I’m still full of holes and tubes.’ I would say that the mood has plateaued to a degree and at bedtimes definitely dipped

However, with these ups and downs good news can be just around the corner. A visit from Mr Moran (World’s equal finest surgeon (IMHO) with Riaz Khan) precipitated the removal of the ‘snoz’ tube today, which made Brenda feel better. This was followed by the arrival of our anaesthetist who said that he’d been given the go ahead to remove Brenda’s remaining stomach drain, her large chest drain and to reposition her mainline. A short trip to theatre later Brenda re-appeared slightly the worse for wear and with the mainline awkwardly set in her neck. After a snooze Brenda perked up somewhat realising that with fewer connections she was slightly more mobile in bed. Dianne, B’s Mummy, and I left her looking forward to a 6.30pm date with the physiotherapist. Fingers crossed that she has a good night.

A nice message from the ladies of the City Women’s Network today, thanks all.

Here’s something for Brenda to aim for, what a cool thing given Brenda’s motivational song choice, many thanks Josh and Alex.

Lots of physio today with a walk all the way down the corridor. Maive (the Super Matron) took over the management of this evening’s plans to make Brenda’ night more comfortable. Madelaine braved the traffic and arrived with a super pillow to support Brenda’s lower back…so all good this evening.

Not a good night at all for various reasons including a deflating bed.

On a positive note the Gabbadooodle is on her way! Thanks Gab for a fun visit, the goodies, the hairdressing and of course our very own Hillary.

With the help of three acolytes Brenda walked the length of the ICU unit this morning. A new twist on the term meals on wheels as she takes her big ‘Harrods bag’ of nutritional goo everywhere she goes. Despite the smiles this took a massive effort and she had a good sit before returning to bed. Once tied up and stationary two of her stomach drains were removed making her considerably more mobile (only two acolytes.) A further landmark was reached when, at 2pm, Brenda left Intensive Care and was taken to her own room. We were able to arrange her cards, put up photos and sort out her things. The one to one care she has received to date will continue but many of her levels have stabilised which means fewer intravenous concoctions.

In the afternoon Brenda had further physiotherapy and ventured out of her room and down the corridor. All in all, it was quite a day and by the end of it poor Brens looked completely tired out.

A patchwork of small wounds, she looks thin and exhausted and I find it heart-breaking. Hopefully, she will rest well and bounce back tomorrow. That said she has just texted me saying that she loves my cricket bat and me…how about that (insert smiley face.)

Okay, that is pushing the song titles a bit I’ll admit. Unpacking Brenda’s ward bag for tomorrow. Brenda loves Gabrielle’s Wonder Woman light. Epidural out Brens is looking good. As Maive, the matron says ‘She isn’t sick, she’s just recovering ‘

The children came along today and the Bonz waived through the window. Brenda should be moved from intensive care tomorrow.

Brenda’s walk this morning took an enormous effort. Two spells sitting in a chair as well took a toll comparable to that of running a marathon. Periods of proper deep sleep, punctuated by breathing exercises and physiotherapy. Hopefully she will have a comfortable night. She has found them to be intolerably long so far.

The whole ‘fam damily’ is going to pay a visit including the Bonz.

A little physio today, some baby steps and sitting upright. Overwhelming tiredness today which is no bad thing. Dianne got to see her little girl and a nice visit from Bridget.

With sparkling  gnashers and phone in hand Brenda looks fab this morning. The phone isn’t staying but it is good to see her  reunited with a gadget. Fab balloons from Brenda’s New York team today – thanks guys.

Chemo is now all finished.

I visited Brenda this morning in the Intensive Care Unit. I found her in a very much post-op state. Still on the ventilator and very subdued. She mouthed ‘I’m alive’ to me and I was able to give her a kiss and hold her hand. Almost immediately I was asked to leave while some of the drains and the ventilator were removed. An hour or so later I returned to find her in acute discomfort despite a self-administered morphine drip. A doctor managed to give a boost to her epidural and eventually the pain eased.

A visit from the x-ray department meant that she had sit up and she found this helped with her breathing. This perked her up to a degree and she was able to talk. The arrival of her running buddy Madeleine was a great distraction and she and I chatted while Brenda was happy to zone out.

This afternoon she underwent another dose of chemo (I believe there will be one or two more), which left her feeling nauseous and tired. I left her this evening, eyeshades in place, pretty zonked out. The doctor will add morphine to her epidural to help her sleep tonight.

On the positive side the doctors are very happy with her progress and are amazed by her fitness. A patient’s heart rate might be around 100 after an operation such as this – hers is 50.

Bullish as ever, she is doing her breathing exercises to aid her recovery but, it goes without saying that she is quite poorly. Thanks again for all the great messages it was great to be able to read them out to her.