Day 18 – Sunday 15th May – Part Two
Another storming day for Karen !! She is on fire !!
Let’s get the negatives out of the way first.
I felt that the stroke was showing itself more than previous days. Her left eye, mouth, arm and legs aren’t as responsive as previous days, but I am not overly worried about this as I am sure these things come in fits and starts.
She had a temperature after the journey, but I am pleased to report that after much wiping of kp’s head, arm and legs and the cooling blanket, this was normal by the time we left. The nurse advised us if it didn’t drop, there was a possibility the operation would go ahead as planned. Hopefully it will stay down.
kp got a little distressed and wanted to tell us something but waited until there were no nursing staff within earshot. She relayed the fact she had overheard a nurse at Gateshead saying how distraught I was that kp may not pull through this (to another nurse). When kp first went in, there was big doubt she would make it through the first few days, and indeed we did nearly lose her on the first night. And I and the family were distraught at times. But since then, with her boundless determination and strength, the situation is very different and although I occasionally have a cry, I am not feeling as desperate as the first few days. Karen is such a carer, and overhearing such a conversation would play more on her mind than the medical predicament she finds herself in. So we reassured her that this was old news and we were so proud of how far she has come. She was reassured by this. She knew the nurses meant well by saying what they said, but they shouldn’t have said it in her presence.
Positives
She had a good night sleep the previous night, no vomiting !
She has been off the main ventilator all day, and on the bellows which is a kind of halfway house between full ventilation and free breathing. And to our great delight, she has had the voice gadget fitted all day !!
We have been howling with laughter at some of the things she has come out with. She has been doing the biggest of smiles in return.
Jane Burns (Karen’s best friend and who has been a great rock to me) was next to her bedside and Karen was asking why Tony (Jane’s husband) wasn’t here today. She wanted to see him tomorrow and when she sees him she is going to “tweak his noise” (Karen showed Jane how she was going to tweak his nose). Given kp couldn’t have lifted her right arm a week ago, we were over the moon that she was doing it and with kp humour intact ! 
Jane also mentioned to Karen that I was missing sexual services from Karen so she had better get well in time for my twice yearly servicing in July otherwise we would have to get a phillipino woman in to help out ( a private joke ), to which Karen replied “Yes, because they are cheap [to hire] aren’t they”. We laughed, kp did the biggest of grins.
That’s about it for the day, but I want to record one other thing to tell Karen about when she is better. Karen didn’t spot this today, but she will find it funny in a month or so’s time.
Karen has been quite demanding on the staff today (no surprise there). The nurse was struggling to get blood out of Karen’s line in her right arm. Karen (of course) does this for a living, being a venapuncturist for the Blood Service. So, Karen said something like
kp :- “You should try holding my arm tighter” (or something like that) and then added
kp :- “I do this for a living”
To which the nurse (totally unaware that kp is a venapuncturist) replied :-
“What, you’re professionally a temperamental person”
Karen didn’t spot what she said. I felt it best not to mention it to Karen or the nurse.
Something for another time…..
May 16th, 2005 at 12:57 pm
great to hear you had a good trip
and so glad to hear you have got your humour intact Karen.
keep them on their toes kid
Margo
May 16th, 2005 at 1:10 pm
Karen and David. Fantastic diary, cancelled my paper cos I now have something important interesting and funny to read. Great to hear of every forward step. If you need advice on places to go out just ask, I was in Sunderland 3yrs. All our love and best wishes to you both. Bill Justine and Rosie
May 16th, 2005 at 2:45 pm
Hi Karen …..Its Gill here, on behalf of the Knight branch of the family…So pleased that you are on the mend and getting back to your old self. Your amazing courage, strength and determination has shone through and conquered all, in the face of adversity. (Auntie Mary lives on, she would be so proud.) As we all are…Good Luck for tomorrow Karen, I know its the big one. Yet another obsticle for you to overcome, but I’m sure you will reign supreme after all your outstanding achievements so far. We will be thinking of you, as we have done everyday since day 1.
Lots of Love
Auntie Lily, Uncle Bernard, Gill, Marie, Susan, Bernard, Michael and families xxxxxxxx
May 16th, 2005 at 3:29 pm
Hi David
Not forgetting about you….Just to say thanks for all KP updates, which were awaited with anticipation everyday….overjoyed that each text was better than the last….and what a great pleasure it is to read your diary on internet. Thanks again!
Whats our Karen think about being famous on WWW?
May 16th, 2005 at 9:00 pm
I will read all these messages out to kp.
Thanks Margo
Thanks Bill
Thanks Gill – what does kp think of her fame on the www ? The Queen is not amused !
May 16th, 2005 at 9:47 pm
David & Karen. In tears reading much of this (it’s obviously a family trait) – but it’s great to hear Karen’s progress. Thinking & praying for you both every day. You should take Bill up on his offer for hints on going out and about in Sunderland. I should think the pubs and clubs are the only thing he does know about the city – after all, that’s where he spent 24 hours of every day!
Love, Catherine
May 16th, 2005 at 10:08 pm
hi david,thanx for all the updates you’re doing a fantastic job, they’re really cheering all her friends at the n.b.s. up. Looking forward to seeing kp when she’s feeling better(if she’ll let us in!). Hope kp enjoys the video her team made for her,it’s winging it’s way to you now. Julie really enjoyed being the director/boss, her usual role at work(when kp isn’t there of course!) KEEP MAKING GOOD PROGRESS KAREN,lots of love
Julie and Ciona
May 17th, 2005 at 7:04 pm
David, god knows what ive done but the comments have made well…there out there somewhere in cyber space…lol…told you i was ‘Doh’ with the internet…anyway just to quickly repeat..your doing a fantastic job…well done to you and all kp’s friends and family…great job…
May 17th, 2005 at 7:07 pm
Karen….aka Parttime pollard…
well done kp..on all your progress, but wiat till you see the stuff thats been told about your antic’s./……how rude…lol…did post a few other’s but they never got through..tippicl,you would have ignored then anyway…lol…we miss you hun, keep up the great work…and i know you know this but david is one in a million…. did i sk if he’s got a brother???
xxxxxxxx
ps wait till you see my new ‘friend’s….there fab….
marshy..
May 17th, 2005 at 10:49 pm
Thanks Margo, Bill, Gilly, Ciona, Cathering and Deborah. I will read out your comments !!!
And Deborah – I think I know which friends you’re talking about !!!
I could do with some of them !!
dp