h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

oooh, bless, the RINGS!

Still not sleeping well. More worryingly, he has no appetite at all. I had to almost force feed him with half a toasted pancake at breakfast, since all the meds require to be taken with food. But he refuses to countenance lunch. I worry that without proper nutrition, his body will struggle to heal properly.

I'd hoped that now he's finished to course of antibiotics he'd be feeling a bit brighter, but today's been tough so far.

Are you in touch with hospital about him? It does sound worrying, that he's not eating.
Would milkshakes and smoothies work?

Also if he has been doing antibiotics his gut bacteria flora isn't what it should be. Try getting some active youghart cultures into him. That might improve appetite.

I was going to suggest fresh juiced stuff too, if you have a juicer. Homemade chicken soup?

Got him some Complan/ Build-up type milkshakes. The pharmacist said she wouldn't be overly concerned unless he was servely underweight.

And I'll encourage some yoghurt (though it might just be Petit Filou rather than active cultures). Spirulina has also been suggested.

I know you wanted to have him home, but it sounds as if he wouldn't be able to be on his own, and such things always make me wonder what the hell the hospitals think how people will get on once they are chucked out.

they take care of the medical stuff and rely on family members like Bea to do the nursing

Yes, they do here at least. It always makes me wonder what happens to those who don't have a family/neighbour/friend to care for them.

Oh they wouldn't have released him without someone available 24/7 for at least 2 weeks!

And I do think hospitals should only be for those who absolutely need to be there - much easier to recuperate and rest in familiar surroundings. And lower risk of infection from MRSA and the rest.

But yeah, I underestimated how much of a toll this would take on me, and whilst I do have a support team, I should have marshalled them all a bit better.

He's perking up a bit - so far today he's had half a pancake, 1 grape, some strawberry Build-Up, a petit Filou and a Pear Pickin' Porky. And water and some flat coke. So I'm a bit happier that he's at least eating Something!

I'm happy he's at least snacking on a few things! Hope it goes further that way!

Not fruit juice or smoothies! He hasn't had anything in his stomach for several days! It would surely irritate his innards. We're not in Kansas any more. A single grape is good. Otherwise, bland foods to slowly crank up his digestive system (not medical advice, but based on experience.)

Bea, you could also consult websites which recommend which foods are acceptable after fasting - I did a fast once and we had very strict instructions for the first 6-10 days afterwards.

But common sense (which you have in spades) should tell you enough, really, as well as, of course, listening to what he says he fancies - i.e. follow your instincts.

nice to hear bea, hope all as gone well, im slumming on the pc at the cyber, dont get here much with the poor weather, good wishes all round jim

Thanks Jim, good to see you!

It's been a frustrating day today: I feel like I'm a terrible nurse. He won't do as I ask, and he's still not feeling any better. And I don't know if these are connected, or what I should do differently. Or if it's OK, it just takes a long time. I'm trying to get hold of the rehabilitation nurse, but there's no answer.

Ha! Sometimes having a brain helps.

I didn't trust the extension number given, so asked the switchboard instead. Here we are 10 minutes later, with an appointment for tomorrow morning! Result!

If it helps, the one time I had an op which involved being under an anaesthetic for hours and copious amounts of antibiotics afterwards, I felt like utter utter crap for ages and ages. And my op was much less serious. So.

But good to have an appointment.

with it all, Bea.

Bea. Sorry I couldn't make it last night, didn't think about how much you'd need a break as well!

Tough day today - he'd been complaining about shortness of breath, and we'd had some blood tests done at the suregery yesterday, They phoned this morning, ot say the results were back, and the doc would call later to discuss them. When she did, and chatted about his symptoms, she said she'd like to see him. So off we trooped at about 1 pm (his Mum was en route to visit, so I was trying to keep her informed).

Doc wasn't happy with his symptoms, and felt she'd like them checked out by the cardiology experts at the hospital, so wrote a referral letter and packed us off to A&E. Where we were seen quite quickly, and a troop of medical superstars crowded round 9uttering worrying things like OMG and oh dear, and Hmmmmmmm. Ultrasound revealed a build-up of fluid around the heart, and at 5 he was whisked into operating, where they drained off 1.5 litres of fluid! No wonder he was short of breath!

So he's back on the cardiology ward for a few days.

Which does mean I get a few night's sleep and might even get to the gym!

But most importantly, means his recovery should be back on track.

And did I say how absolutely stonkingly marvellous the NHS is?

Oh, the good treatments you can get! Now off to bed, sweetie, and let the nice people at the hospital take care of your loved one.