Day 99 – Friday 5th August
Today went from bad to excellent.
I didn’t arrive until about 10.45am as I was picking up a hot chicken and fresh rolls from Sainsburys. By the time we had chatted it was 11.15am. This left us 45 minutes to have a bath before lunch arrived. It normally takes an hour and she still wanted to go for it.
We did the bath thing, but it was disjointed, rushed and every so often in my haste to dump kp in the bath, I would move a limb like it was a joint of beef with the resultant pain. If she was double-jointed, I could have got the bath done in 45 minutes no problem, but no I chose a wife whose joints bend only in one direction. But that’s a 12 year old mistake which I won’t rake over now 
At the end of the bath, kp was ratty with me and I was ratty with her. We were ready at 12pm (on the dot) but both had faces of stone. Normally, kp’s room being next to the kitchen, she gets her food first, but today they had started at the other end of the ward (working back to the kitchen) so we had 20 minutes to lighten up our moods. Which we did !
Our last bit of rattiness was how long before the trolley arrived I should butter the bread for the hot chicken sandwiches. Once the chips arrived, we both enjoyed our lunch and the morning trials were behind us. Things got great from there in.
kp had a sleep between the bath and physio and I did some Su Doku puzzles left by Linda Mac.
Physio was awesome ! Marie had come early to see the standing and the 3 physios, Karen, Marie and I were in stitches within seconds of getting in the physio room. The first stage was getting Karen sitting on the edge of the bench and loosening up her leg muscles. The lead physio got kp to stretch one of her legs up in front of her. As she did this, she leant back and had the sensation that she was going to fall on her back. The physios reassured her that this wouldn’t happen, but kp still grabbed out at the physio on her left.
Physio :- Hey, watch my [plastic] pinny ?
kp started laughing at this. Really belly laughing. Her laughter spread round the room and we were all laughing. It took about 5 minutes to calm down. Not at all funny in the blog, but hey.
After these warm-up exercises, it was time for “The Stand”.
kp had told me earlier in the week that she was concerned the stand wouldn’t be any easier than last week.
She needn’t have been concerned.
She went from sitting to standing much quicker (probably about 3-4 seconds, instead of 6-7). All the physios remarked about how much less they had to do this time. She stood for a minute (not 20 seconds) and was over the moon about the fact it was easier than the previous week. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t easy by a long shot, but last week was such a struggle.
After a few minutes of rest after the first stand, she went on to do 2 more stands (1 minute and 30 seconds respectively). The physios were VERY pleased at this and kp was chuffed. After the second stand, she was starting to feel sick, so the 3rd stand was a real bonus.
I haven’t got any video footage 
as I was the fourth “physio” taking care of kp’s left arm (from the front) with no time to get the camera out.
Marie really appreciated being there for the stand. It is hard to put into words how wonderful it is to see one’s loved one standing after 100 days (tomorrow) in bed. Marie had a side-on view for the stands and she remarked that the physio behind Karen didn’t do anything for the final stand ! All I did was take care of her left arm, and the 2 physios (1 for each leg) probably only help kp lock her knees into place.
So, I don’t think it will take too long to get kp to stand freely herself. She is amazing !
To finish the day (for me), we had some more laughs with one of the nurses. She did some impressions for us and we were all howling. I was in pain I was laughing that much and it is so lovely to see kp grab her belly and laugh till it hurts.
August 5th, 2005 at 9:19 pm
this is all great stuff well done,very proud of you love yvonne
always knew you would do itxx
August 5th, 2005 at 9:26 pm
Hi Karen
Just want to say it was great to get a text from you the other day.
Hopefully I’ll be in to see you soon, but with the summer holidays it’s hard to find babysitters. Is weekends ok to come visit you? I don’t want to intrude when other people can only make it then.
Karen your strength and determination is amazing, you will get through this and come out the other side smiling as usual!
Everyone at work reads the blog wondering how you’re getting on, we’re all thinking of you, though I don’t think they can compete with Deb’s and Lydia when it comes to blogging!!
I’m thinking of you Karen, just keep smiling, keep laughing.
Lots of love Steph xxx
August 5th, 2005 at 10:05 pm
Great news Karen that you are back on form, (didnt I tell you David)
Sounds like you had a great day with your physio standing 3 times is smashing and this bath lark seems to be getting good as well. Who would have thought even 2 weeks ago that you would be taking baths, standing up, going home for tea. Just shows what determination can do and you have shown everyone Karen. Well done kid, keep up the good work everyone Margo
August 6th, 2005 at 12:35 pm
hey well done the team……and of course the star herself….
kp 3 stands in one day, most people would have stopped at 2 when the sickness came on…oh but not kp…this shows us all the determination,strength,patience and sheer bloody minded-ness you have not to mention the ability to rip a pinny or two……lol…well done hun, were all so proud of you….
am off on my holidays tomorrow carnt wait….just one more shift left…will send a postcard or two just to keep you updated and will text ofcourse……
when i get back will be in to see you as soon as can be arranged…..
keep smileing hun and YOU GO GIRL….. we’l have to get you some trainer’s befor long (with go-faster stripes of course)lol…(hummm wonder if dunlop do go-faster????)…lol
and next time david tries to move ya leg into the old lotus postition try clobbering him with a wet sponge…lol…then again maybe not.. it may just turn into a water fight…..mind it could be fun too…lol
ok love keep up the great work and see ya soon..lots of love
debsxxxxx
August 6th, 2005 at 12:42 pm
Karen,
what a star you are. I was at Alans last Sunday – family lunch. I showed Irene the web site and she was thrilled to see the pictures of you standing. With Irenes face two inches from the computer screen (why I bothered buying those glasses for her, I don’t know) she just kept saying:
“Oh look at her” Well myself and our Karen would have done but we could only see the back of Irene’s head.
“Oh doesn’t she look wonderful”
“Oh she’s so brave”
“Oh well, that’s marvellous, isn’t it”
All of which, we totally agree with.
She was so enthralled with the web site and kept saying “Whats that say” (I swear she’s blind) Jack just kept saying “Nanna JUST read it”. There was loads more “Ohs” of affection. Even though I’ve told her all about the web site, she was just simply enthralled to see it and the pictures of you. The continued “Ohs” of affection were for David.
“Oh well, isn’t he JUST marvellous”
“Hey there’s not meny men that would do all of that”
“And he VISITS EVERYDAY!” (She knows that already but it was just seeing the web site that bowled her over).
Yet again, we all agree with Irene’s comments – Dp you are great too.
I have a printer at home but its not connected to my lap top – why, cos I can’t be arsed to figure it out. Its a bit like my new DVD player Dad bought for me (actually he saved up tokens out of the Daily Express for it but thats by the by) its still not connected to the telly. I did have a very old DVD player (given to my and installed by Phil) which I unplugged to plug in the new posh slim line version, but some how I don’t seem to have enough plug sockets for the scratch lead (or whatever you call it). Any way thats a very long winded way of telling you about Irenes amazement that I would be able to print the picture of you standing. She said, “Can you really”, “Well isn’t that amazing”. “Who took the pictures?” David did. “Well isn’t he good, blah, blah” “Keith look at this!” I print the picture, only to discover Alans ran out of some colour cartridges and picture simply printed in shades of red only. Alan said he’d print some when he’d got some new cartridges, “Oh no” she said “this is fine” and lovingly folded the paper and put it in her bag! We all dispair, I swear she’s colour blind as well.
Everyone was thrilled at your achievements (me included of course) well done. And yes there will be days when you don’t feel up to it, but ride the wave and wait for the next day. What a massive effort you have made! Things going slowly at this end. I will pop another letter in the post. Jane rang to say you’d got the last one, it was good to hear from her, I’ve been thinking about her and all this horrible summer weather. I didn’t realise she was away for so long.
It’s good to see we have another blogging convert, I presume its your Yvonne? Our Karen’s away in Bruge, with Roys two boys. She’s rarely here these days. Anyway, will write soon. Take care, keep your chin up.
Lots of love,
Veronica
XXX