Friday and Saturday's Update

I arrived bang on 2.00 pm having been driven up by my boss, Chris. Neil was looking good. Alan hadn't long gone and Neil was, as usual, pleased to see us. Bradley (the Senior House Officer) came to check him out and try to extract a bit of blood. Neil hates having blood taken and couldn't look. Bradley couldn't find a vein in his arm after trying for a while so had to take some from the back of his hand - ouch! He checked out the lump on Neil's leg and explained he would need a scan and possibly an operation. The trauma consultant at Gatwick Park Hospital had gone on holiday for two weeks leaving another consultant in charge. Fortunately that consultant is a Mr Campbell who Neil knows well, as he has operated three times on his knees over the past 15 years - the most recent of which was last year. Mr Campbell said he remembered Neil and accepted him as a patient. If all is ok with Neil's heart he could be transferred Monday afternoon. Chris spoke to James, the hit-and-run patient opposite Neil, and explained he might be able to help him with his accident (he is a personal injury solicitor!) Poor guy he's in a bad way, still unable to eat solid food but alive and making slow progress. Neil's Mum and Dad arrived at 4.00 pm and we filled them in with today's news. Neil was really pleased and is now looking forward to being transferred Monday but realises this may happen if his heart still has fluid around it. Chris and I left at 4.30 (really good time - not - took us an hour to do two miles!) I wanted to get back earlier so I could come home to Glenfield Road. My sister, Nikkie, was coming to live with me for a while so I can get used to being back there. She bought and made me dinner (such a sweetie) and is looking after me really well. Neil's friend from work, Colin, dropped in to see him later that evening.

Saturday I was collected by Simon, who chauffeured me, my sister Diane and my Mum and we arrived at the stroke of 2.00 pm. Neil was ok and had been moved to the room before his old ward right by the window which he was pleased about. A new part of the hospital is being built and the view from the grubby window by Neil's beside is over the garden courtyard and lovely building works outside. He had been hopping around the corridor on his zimmer this morning and went on a further hop shortly after we arrived with Simon. He was pretty exhausted afterwards and felt a bit sick. He wanted to watch the Man United and Arsenal game and hopped to the day room with all of us at 5.00 pm. He settled down in the chair with a couple of pillows and had only watched about 20 minutes when a consultant arrived to discuss the x-rays of his knee. He had to hop back to his bed and unfortunately missed two goals in the process!! The consultant explained the lump on his leg was due to the trauma received and that bone had begun to grow within the muscle tissue. Neil needs to see how well he rehabilitates and whether this growth will cause any restrictions. If it does they could operate but it could be tricky, as it may damage muscle tissue. He suggested we speak to Mr Campbell at Gatwick Park Hospital, who is a knee specialist and could probably give a clearer diagnosis. Neil was disappointed with this news and began vigorous exercise immediately!.