A Few Steps Forward and a Few Steps Back

Penny is returning today from visting Austria. She arrived in Austira on late Wednesday evening from a trip via Glasgow, Amsterdam and Zurich. She starts her journey back to Mull on Saturday afternoon. William and Charlotte are at The White House for Easter.

Penny has been to see Paul twice a day. It has been a difficult few days. In talking to her, the enormity of the road we are following becomes clearer. We all need to recognize there are many challenges ahead of us and these will all have to be surmounted. And so, for us far removed from his ward in the mountains in Austria, we need to reflect and acknowledge that the next several months ahead will be paved with steps forward and steps back.

Paul has not had an easy few days. He currently has a lung infection, and although not too severe, he has been running a higher than normal temperature – last night it was at 39.8 degrees C (103.6 F). He is also coughing badly. All this has made him very tired, and as a result, he has not been as engaged as he has been recently. The antibiotic regime is working, but it is taking a lot out of him. Swallowing remains a challenge. The muscle memory is not there yet. A few swallows – yes – and then nothing but unwillingness. He has not been speaking, in his halting ways, over the last few days, but this is expected as he has been feeling just so low. There has also been an increase in fluid levels in the brain. The neurosurgeons in Feldkirch are contemplating another drain and perhaps the planned procedure to reinstate the piece of skull that they removed to accommodate the swelling of his brain after the accident will be brought forward. They believe this reinstatement may stabilize the fluid levels. Additional CAT scans are being scheduled for the week ahead.

Paul's right arm now has some movement, but it is very slight. So, yes there are still positive signs to report. However, sitting upright is now a challenge as this results in elevated blood pressure. The tracheotomy is still in place.

In my previous blog entries, I have always reflected our hope that Paul will emerge and indeed recover in his own time, and we know he will, particularly given the care he is receiving. However, the burden of time is still ours. We remain patient. We also continue to reflect and offer our thanks to those who look after him. We all continue to pray, especially at this Eastertide, for his continued recovery, and for his further well being.

As ever, Charles

Jeremiah 17:14-17

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise.
Behold, they say to me,
“Where is the word of the Lord?
Let it come!”
I have not run away from being your shepherd,
nor have I desired the day of sickness.
You know what came out of my lips;
it was before your face.
Be not a terror to me;
you are my refuge in the day of disaster.

Book of Common Prayer Daily Office April 8, 2009