Penny Returns to London on the 17th June, Back on the 21st June

On the eve of the start of another week, and after visits from Charles, and Peter & Melissa Briggs, both of whom have reflected on their time with us this past week, I thought I should also write a few words.

I have not written much during the past few weeks for the blog. After some unsettling weeks of cerebral spinal fluid leakage, the neurosurgeons in the end elected not to operate. The three weeks spent on the neurosurgical ward at Feldkirch Hospital, undergoing countless tests and procedures to determine the site of the leakage, was difficult for Paul. Having decided not to operate, Paul returned to Rankweil to the wonderful Dr Eiler last Monday for further observation.

We have come a long way in the past month. Paul continues to amaze the medical team here, both at Feldkirch and at Rankweil. His inner courage to beat this injury is very tangible. He has virtually willed himself to be able to get out of bed and the distances covered walking increases daily. His cognition improves weekly, his short term memory is not so good, but that is all part of where we are. His long term memory appears intact.

He is desperately frail. It is going to take a very long time to rebuild him. We have been guided, by Dr Eiler, to a state of the art Neurological & Neurological Rehabilitation Clinic in Germany - The Schmieder Clinic. There are six of them and they were founded over fifty years ago. Paul will be going to the one at Allensbach on the shores of Lake Constance, Germany. Dr Eiler has guided us well, and both Charles and I have been told that it is one of the leading neurological centres in Europe. We also believe that Paul will respond very well to the Clinic’s stunning rural surroundings and its view over the Lake. This is an important part of the rehabilitation process.

I am very much hoping that, once we have completed Paul's stay at the Schmieder Clinic, he and I will return, as guests at the Hotel Alpenrose for a couple of days, enabling us to absorb the joys of this very charming town in the Austrian mountains. The Alpenrose has been very much my home for the past four months and I have developed a strong affection for Klaudia and Klemence and their Grandmother, Granny Alpenrose, and all the staff. They have all seen me through a very tough period and I am truly indebted for their kindness and warmth they have all shown me over the past four months.

We would also like to catch a glimpse of Dr Eiler, Dr Diem and Dr Donat, as after all, it is their three medical teams who have given us back Paul and the chance of a future. I want Paul to see them before he heads back to London in some nine weeks time.

Penny