15/12/2008 - 21/12/2008
Days 115 - 121
Tuesday 16/12. Today we went back to Charing Cross hospital to see the surgeon. Mr Mendoza. We went through the Mri scans on the pc and Margaret was fascinated with the First one taken of the massive clot. Margaret wants to put in an order for some copies.
Will scan them in if we get them.
Margaret was given the all clear by the surgeon.
We then went shopping in the new Westfield centre opposite the BBC studios in Shepherds Bush. It only opened a few weeks ago and was surprisingly quiet. Getting closer to Christmas.
Tuesday night was the final session with Emma the speech therapist. Many thanks for her help and we may see her again next year.
Margaret is continuing with Kinga at the West Mid Hospitals and is getting plenty of homework to keep her going over the holidays.
Christopher is over for his work and also his Staff Party on Thursday night when he is staying in London.
Wednesday 17Th: Lisa and Sam Norton visited from work today. Margaret enjoyed the visit and a chance to catch up and the interaction with other people.
Margaret is still keeping up her exercises and showing a lot of improvement. She is very persistent.
I had sent half a dozen letters out with Christmas cards this week to inform some friends and relations about Margaret's condition.
Many thanks to Collette-Anne Geddes and Joe Farrell for their kind and supportive responses.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Home Week 6
8/12/2008 - 14/12/2008
Days 108 - 114
Another week at the office. Margaret's motivation is not yet waning. If anything her determination and drive to get herself back to normality is increasing.
Her exercise regime goes on for most of the day. She will do her arm stretching and leg exercises each morning but constantly works on the arm, rubbing and flexing the shoulder, elbow and fingers to keep them supple. She can now raise her arm to about 11 o'clock, which is a great feat.
Sometimes she feels her speech is going backwards. I believe it is more down to the fact that as the brain matter itself has been healing then her full vocabulary has returned but she still has to remember that although she now knows what words she wishes to say she tries to speak too quickly and stumbles on occasion.
I still think she needs to make more contact with others every day to practice her speech. While she does her 'homework' there is no feedback or others to interact with. Have told her that she must speak with someone else each day, whether it is by going to the garage or shops, or calling someone just for a quick chat.
Chris and Celeine were in New York this week so could not get an update on Sarah's baby, hopefully he will update this for me during the week.
We put the decorations up this week-end. Roll on Christmas.
Next week it is physio on Monday, to the hospital on Tuesday to see the consultant, Emma's last visit for speech therapy on Tuesday night, a visit from Lisa and Stella from work on Wednesday afternoon, the West Mid for therapy on Thursday and back to the GP on Friday to have her blood pressure checked.
5 minutes with nothing to do, give Margaret a call....
Days 108 - 114
Another week at the office. Margaret's motivation is not yet waning. If anything her determination and drive to get herself back to normality is increasing.
Her exercise regime goes on for most of the day. She will do her arm stretching and leg exercises each morning but constantly works on the arm, rubbing and flexing the shoulder, elbow and fingers to keep them supple. She can now raise her arm to about 11 o'clock, which is a great feat.
Sometimes she feels her speech is going backwards. I believe it is more down to the fact that as the brain matter itself has been healing then her full vocabulary has returned but she still has to remember that although she now knows what words she wishes to say she tries to speak too quickly and stumbles on occasion.
I still think she needs to make more contact with others every day to practice her speech. While she does her 'homework' there is no feedback or others to interact with. Have told her that she must speak with someone else each day, whether it is by going to the garage or shops, or calling someone just for a quick chat.
Chris and Celeine were in New York this week so could not get an update on Sarah's baby, hopefully he will update this for me during the week.
We put the decorations up this week-end. Roll on Christmas.
Next week it is physio on Monday, to the hospital on Tuesday to see the consultant, Emma's last visit for speech therapy on Tuesday night, a visit from Lisa and Stella from work on Wednesday afternoon, the West Mid for therapy on Thursday and back to the GP on Friday to have her blood pressure checked.
5 minutes with nothing to do, give Margaret a call....
Sunday, December 7, 2008
BABY NEWS
Congratulations
Congratulations to Celeine's sister's youngest daughter, Sarah, who gave birth to a baby boy at 2:02am on Saturday 6th of December 2008.
Callum Edmund Ince-O'Keefe weighed in at 5lb 15oz and both mother, father (Ciaran) and baby were surprisingly well.
In the couple of days following the birth Callum suffered from low levels of blood sugar and was kept in the hospital so he could be given high-glucose fluids. He was released into the care of his mother on Thursday 11th and since being home is doing extremely well.
Here is a short video of Callum, taken about 15 hours after birth, in the arms of doting Aunt Celeine (really she is a Great-Aunt, but don't say that too loudly - I suppose that makes me a Great-Uncle!).
Best wishes to Sarah, Ciaran and all their families.
- Chris
Congratulations to Celeine's sister's youngest daughter, Sarah, who gave birth to a baby boy at 2:02am on Saturday 6th of December 2008.
Callum Edmund Ince-O'Keefe weighed in at 5lb 15oz and both mother, father (Ciaran) and baby were surprisingly well.
In the couple of days following the birth Callum suffered from low levels of blood sugar and was kept in the hospital so he could be given high-glucose fluids. He was released into the care of his mother on Thursday 11th and since being home is doing extremely well.
Here is a short video of Callum, taken about 15 hours after birth, in the arms of doting Aunt Celeine (really she is a Great-Aunt, but don't say that too loudly - I suppose that makes me a Great-Uncle!).
Best wishes to Sarah, Ciaran and all their families.
- Chris
Home Week 5
01/12/2008 - 7/12/2008
Days 101 - 107
Advent Calender
On Monday Barbara Steele came to visit. Barbara is on a visit from Offally, Ireland. We have known Barbara for about 20 years since we moved to London. Barbara kept Margaret entertained for the afternoon while I was at work. I got a reprise of the news about Ladbrokes people who we used to work with. It was fun to catch up if a little bitter sweet. Half the names mentioned had died and the other half were Directors of divisions, some with other bookmakers.
Wednesday was a busy day. The physio came in the morning to take Margaret through her paces. In the afternoon Sam Mumby came from Bupa,with the usual entrance fee of a bottle of wine, to see how Margaret was doing and anything the company could do at present.
In the evening Emma came for her speech therapy session.
Thursday was the visit to West Mid for a session with Kinga. I was banished for this session. I think my snoring disturbed them the last time.
Friday Happy 40Th Jason Cook. Margaret had her first night out. We went to the Harrow pub for a little celebration. We stayed for an hour and a half, half bottle of wine and some excellent Asian snacks, we took Joseph home with us for the night.
Saturday was hairdresser day. Mandy Hawkett from work came over to give Margaret's hair a trim and tidy up. Mandy had commented on how much Margaret had come on in the three weeks since her visit to work. As I have probably said before, it is more difficult for me to notice the subtle changes on a daily basis although her right arm movement is more pronounced now along with shrugging her shoulder ans able to raise the arm to almost full extension above her head.
Days 101 - 107
Advent Calender
On Monday Barbara Steele came to visit. Barbara is on a visit from Offally, Ireland. We have known Barbara for about 20 years since we moved to London. Barbara kept Margaret entertained for the afternoon while I was at work. I got a reprise of the news about Ladbrokes people who we used to work with. It was fun to catch up if a little bitter sweet. Half the names mentioned had died and the other half were Directors of divisions, some with other bookmakers.
Wednesday was a busy day. The physio came in the morning to take Margaret through her paces. In the afternoon Sam Mumby came from Bupa,with the usual entrance fee of a bottle of wine, to see how Margaret was doing and anything the company could do at present.
In the evening Emma came for her speech therapy session.
Thursday was the visit to West Mid for a session with Kinga. I was banished for this session. I think my snoring disturbed them the last time.
Friday Happy 40Th Jason Cook. Margaret had her first night out. We went to the Harrow pub for a little celebration. We stayed for an hour and a half, half bottle of wine and some excellent Asian snacks, we took Joseph home with us for the night.
Saturday was hairdresser day. Mandy Hawkett from work came over to give Margaret's hair a trim and tidy up. Mandy had commented on how much Margaret had come on in the three weeks since her visit to work. As I have probably said before, it is more difficult for me to notice the subtle changes on a daily basis although her right arm movement is more pronounced now along with shrugging her shoulder ans able to raise the arm to almost full extension above her head.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Home Week 4
24/11/2008 - 28/11/2008
Days 94-100
Margaret is progressing well.
She has had a lot more telephone conversations this week and is using her diary for appointments.
The physiotherapist came on Wednesday for the first time and took Margaret through her paces. She also showed Margaret how best to get up off the ground should the need arise. She will be returning next week with the occupational therapist.
Speech therapy is 2 sessions a week up until Christmas when the private sessions will stop. Hopefully Margaret will be confident enough by then to go for extra sessions by bus and also to the Therapy centre in Hounslow for some group sessions.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY's
Happy birthday to Mum who is 80 this week. Margaret is dissapointed that she cannot be there to join in the festivities.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Geraldine 50 ssssshhhhhhhhhhhh dont tell anyone.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Anne - ?? - somewhere in between
Days 94-100
Margaret is progressing well.
She has had a lot more telephone conversations this week and is using her diary for appointments.
The physiotherapist came on Wednesday for the first time and took Margaret through her paces. She also showed Margaret how best to get up off the ground should the need arise. She will be returning next week with the occupational therapist.
Speech therapy is 2 sessions a week up until Christmas when the private sessions will stop. Hopefully Margaret will be confident enough by then to go for extra sessions by bus and also to the Therapy centre in Hounslow for some group sessions.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY's
Happy birthday to Mum who is 80 this week. Margaret is dissapointed that she cannot be there to join in the festivities.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Geraldine 50 ssssshhhhhhhhhhhh dont tell anyone.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Anne - ?? - somewhere in between
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