Bit of a set back

Neil was having breathing difficulties towards the end of last week and eventually, after a lot of persuading, he let me ring the emergency doctor. He saw the doctor who sent him straight to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill to have a chest x-ray. They admitted him on Saturday afternoon and are treating him with antibiotics for a chest infection. He is having a scan today to rule out the possibility of a blood clot on his lung. Hopefully, if the scan is clear, they might not keep him in to long. When I saw him yesterday he was a lot brighter.

Coping

Life is a permanent haze at the moment and we are existing day to day. The world is still spinning and life is continuing for everyone - our world has stopped. We have been so lucky to have so many wonderful friends and family surrounding us at this dreadful time and we know you all wish you could more. Your support is enough and we thank you all. We went up to Royal London last Thursday for an appointment with a consultant. Firstly we visited the ICU and met a lot of the nurses and doctors who treated Neil, which was fantastic. They were so pleased to see him looking well and walking and gave us great big hugs and said how amazed they were with his recovery. We then visited the Harrison Ward where Neil had been after ICU and saw more people he knew. They too were delighted to see him and we took them some choccies and biscuits. Neil wants to see James who was a patient he had made friends with. He was poorly when Neil had left there as he had spent 3 months in Intensive Care and wouldn't eat. We found him in very good spirits and had put on a lot of weight and was recovering well. We also visited another patient I had got to know through her family and she was doing quite well but sadly remains paralysed but is very positive.

I took Neil to The Good Samaritan pub and we had a lovely meal. This is the pub we used to go in frequently when we visited Neil and he agreed it was a good place to go.

We then went to see the consultant and he asked how Neil was. Neil explained his breathing was improving but not as good as it was and his leg was still troubling him. The consultant was very negative and said Neil would never be the same again, his lungs would never be as good as they were and his leg may stay the same. He said only 1 to 2% of people who suffer an injury like Neil's survive and we should be realistic about the seriousness of his injuries. He told Neil he'll never run a marathon again but might be able to jog. Well that all came as a bit of a kick in the teeth but we're remaining positive and intend to prove him wrong. Perhaps he was having a bit of an off day!

We're off to a support group we've joined for bereaved parents tonight so that should be helpful. We have a follow up appointment next week at Royal London (not with the same consultant thankfully).

Some of Luke's friends popped 'round after school yesterday which was lovely - Will W, Andy W, Luke M and George S. It was good to see them but a little sad too when they'd gone. Thanks boys.

The girls are dropping in Friday so that will be lovely too.

2nd Update From Me!

Hi to you all. Nothing has changed at home, as I feel totally empty especially at night and in the morning. My head is all over the place. I'm very fortunate in the day to have Sal and see so many family and friends which keeps me going. People keep telling me that I'm doing really well and getting better all the time but as I've told alot of you I would change my life for Luke anyday, please understand. Luke had many many years ahead of him. I now won't see him grow up to perhaps one day get married and be a father and then I would be a grandad (what a great and wonderful feeling). I still believe Luke is coming in the front door after school or maybe later after seeing his mates, and to tell him to get on with his homework or have a conversation about whats been happening during the day.
I'm off to London Hospital in Whitechapel this Thursday for a heart scan. The most important part is I can't wait to see the other patients who are having a tough time of it, they all mean alot to me. Also I look forward to seeing the doctors and nurses, who as you all know do a great job!!.
That's me done for now, to all of you keep smiling as you all mean the world to me. Take care x.

Hi Everyone It's Me!!!

At last you've got a message from me!!
Words can't describe how fortunate and heartwarming it is to know what wonderful people you all are. Which without this I would not be alive today. Sally my wonderful wife and I can't thank you enough for all the hard work, messages of support and comfort you all bring to us both. My family have all said what great people you have around you.
Luke and Sal are and still will be my life. To all of Luke's friends I love you all, please please come round to my house even if I haven't met you before, I would like to meet you. You are all welcome anytime I really mean that!
Since I've come out of hospital I'm finding it really hard to adjust to some type of normality as our house feels empty without Luke. Like alot of Luke's friends have said he had a great outlook on life, he was always smiling and wouldn't hurt anyone. For me being a proud father I miss him every minute of the day. Sal and I have to keep ourselves busy all the time by visiting and having family and friends over during the day.
My injuries are healing all the time but getting very frustrated with my left leg as it might still have to have some surgery. Breathing is also an issue but I'm still being told it will take sometime to recover as I did quite alot of damage to my upper body.
Please everybody and I mean everybody! keep in touch and love to you all. Neil x