The end of another week. Paul remains in the High Dependency Unit at Rankweil. He is steady and stable. Dr Elier is pleased with his progress to date. The post operative recovery from the skull reimplantion continues. He remains under very close observation as this recovery continues. This is still a critical period for him. It is one day at a time.
I am back in London for a couple of days and will be back in Austria on 13th May.
XX PENNY XX 08 May 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Howard's Reef !
I visited Paul 3 times over 2 days (1st and 2nd May) with Penny, on my way home from ski-touring Italy.
Paul was delighted to see Penny. She is really marvellous with Paul and she seems to have an endless supply of energy, such that I commented to her that I felt a bit like Margaret Thatcher's PA at times during my 2 day stay!
I shook Paul's hand and he had a firm grasp. I was surprised and delighted when he said, 'You've been in the Pyrenees?'. Penny had told him this the previous day. I told him a bit about what I had been doing. Among other quite brief exchanges, I talked about our impending trip to St Kilda at the end of May. Afterwards I did feel that perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned it due to his obvious inability to participate, but Penny assured me that any subject, that sparked interest, was worth discussing.
We visited twice the following day. It was too cold out side to do anything more than give Paul a change of scene from his ward and wheel him around inside the hospital, and we did manage a look at the beautiful cherry blossom in the gardens.
My overall impression was of Paul slowly 'waking up' from a very dark place. His improvement in awareness over the 2 days was really quite marked. There will be minefields to cross, and there will also be highs and lows. However, Paul's essential and unique character appears to be more or less intact.
I wanted to put together a DVD of life back home for Paul and perhaps repeat this every so often, (say monthly). Thus I hope to film activity at The Whitehouse, puffins on the Treshnish Isles, fishing, and include clips from friends for example. I have the editing software and the camera, but I'd be grateful if people could e-mail me any video clips or photographs which might interest Paul. I can convert most formats so don't worry about the file type nor size (say up to 70mb). Paul adores watching The Salmon fishing DVD and I think would really appreciate visual news from home and friends. An idea would be for friends to record a brief greeting to Paul with some news! I can put it all together so please send in video clips and photographs to ulvahoward@aol.com
I said goodbye to Paul and suggested that we organise a fishing trip to 'Howard's Reef' (a good fishing spot near Iona) when he got home. He said 'Ok, next April!'
JAMIE HOWARD 03 May 2009
Paul was delighted to see Penny. She is really marvellous with Paul and she seems to have an endless supply of energy, such that I commented to her that I felt a bit like Margaret Thatcher's PA at times during my 2 day stay!
I shook Paul's hand and he had a firm grasp. I was surprised and delighted when he said, 'You've been in the Pyrenees?'. Penny had told him this the previous day. I told him a bit about what I had been doing. Among other quite brief exchanges, I talked about our impending trip to St Kilda at the end of May. Afterwards I did feel that perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned it due to his obvious inability to participate, but Penny assured me that any subject, that sparked interest, was worth discussing.
We visited twice the following day. It was too cold out side to do anything more than give Paul a change of scene from his ward and wheel him around inside the hospital, and we did manage a look at the beautiful cherry blossom in the gardens.
My overall impression was of Paul slowly 'waking up' from a very dark place. His improvement in awareness over the 2 days was really quite marked. There will be minefields to cross, and there will also be highs and lows. However, Paul's essential and unique character appears to be more or less intact.
I wanted to put together a DVD of life back home for Paul and perhaps repeat this every so often, (say monthly). Thus I hope to film activity at The Whitehouse, puffins on the Treshnish Isles, fishing, and include clips from friends for example. I have the editing software and the camera, but I'd be grateful if people could e-mail me any video clips or photographs which might interest Paul. I can convert most formats so don't worry about the file type nor size (say up to 70mb). Paul adores watching The Salmon fishing DVD and I think would really appreciate visual news from home and friends. An idea would be for friends to record a brief greeting to Paul with some news! I can put it all together so please send in video clips and photographs to ulvahoward@aol.com
I said goodbye to Paul and suggested that we organise a fishing trip to 'Howard's Reef' (a good fishing spot near Iona) when he got home. He said 'Ok, next April!'
JAMIE HOWARD 03 May 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
My Visit to Paul - 27th April
On 27th April I visited Penny and Paul in Feldkirch, Austria. He had had his skull replacement surgery that morning. When Penny and I arrived at ICU at Feldkirch hospital that afternoon he woke up to Penny's conversation, which amazed me. It was fantastic to see him, and though he was constrained by lots of tubes and wires (post surgery), it was clear from his expressions, not least when Penny tried to feed him some banana yoghurt, that Paul was very aware of us and his environment.
On Tuesday morning we visited him again, and we spent a short time with him as he was being organised to return to his High Dependency Ward at Rankweil, where his bed was waiting for him, along with Dr Elier and his team. This is a short 12 kms drive from Feldkirch.
Once back at Rankweil, we read to him and Penny was able to open and show him some of his post. He was able to hold and look at the newspaper and postcards. Penny and I were shown the scans by Dr Elier. The progress is clear and the medical staff pleased with his recovery to date.
My overriding impressions were that Paul is in a very good place in terms of the quality of the medical team and the facilities. He is very fortunate to have the strong support of Penny and close family and friends. His accident was very severe and he is very lucky to be alive, let alone to have made such progress. He is very early on the road to recovery however, which will take many many months.
Paul's character is coming through and he clearly enjoys Penny's company and smiled at humour and understood what was read to him.
His determination to recover is very apparent and whilst I was there he took on board the medical advice to exercise and use his right arm. All postcards,letters or visits are much welcomed and I would urge those who know him to send messages of support. He will see and appreciate them.
Russell Duckworth
On Tuesday morning we visited him again, and we spent a short time with him as he was being organised to return to his High Dependency Ward at Rankweil, where his bed was waiting for him, along with Dr Elier and his team. This is a short 12 kms drive from Feldkirch.
Once back at Rankweil, we read to him and Penny was able to open and show him some of his post. He was able to hold and look at the newspaper and postcards. Penny and I were shown the scans by Dr Elier. The progress is clear and the medical staff pleased with his recovery to date.
My overriding impressions were that Paul is in a very good place in terms of the quality of the medical team and the facilities. He is very fortunate to have the strong support of Penny and close family and friends. His accident was very severe and he is very lucky to be alive, let alone to have made such progress. He is very early on the road to recovery however, which will take many many months.
Paul's character is coming through and he clearly enjoys Penny's company and smiled at humour and understood what was read to him.
His determination to recover is very apparent and whilst I was there he took on board the medical advice to exercise and use his right arm. All postcards,letters or visits are much welcomed and I would urge those who know him to send messages of support. He will see and appreciate them.
Russell Duckworth
Monday, May 4, 2009
My Two Days With Paul
Penny has just posted a blog entry sharing news of Paul and so it makes no sense for me to cover much of the same ground in this entry.
Charlotte and William’s visits were, in my view, important milestones, in every sense. Reflecting over the last ten weeks, I really feel that their visits, with their Mother, were a turning point for Paul. Charlotte’s visit was hard. She had to “break the ice” as the family was reunited for the first time since the accident. William’s visit followed. It was hard for the two of them, and I think especially for Paul, but since the time they spent together as a family, Paul has progressed in leaps and bounds. I think the visits were a real tonic.
I have but one moment to share from my trip that perhaps indicates just how much progress he is making. Paul, as we all know, comes from Yorkshire. Seeing him engage with the two speech therapists during my visit reminded me that he has a very stubborn streak in him. I had to laugh - they just could not induce him to engage and speak. Nothing they said could induce him to co-operate. However, when I stood up to leave him late on the Friday afternoon in question and I told him I would return the next day in the early morning, he did respond. In his very quiet and faltering voice, he just reminded me that I should not come to see him in the morning. It was too busy. Come later, he said. That was all. We had sat quietly, without any exchange for some twenty minutes, and then he shared that clear, parting thought. Having not really said that much to me over the two days, I was thrilled.
Humpty Dumpty did have a great fall, but we are seeing him put together again. Even Paul smiled when I shared this thought with him.
Since my trip a week ago, Penny reports that he has engaged with her more and more. He really enjoys getting out into the garden during the day. He is talking to her more in his rather soft lilt – the strength to his voice will return in time. There are times when he is fully lucid. Then he heads off on a tangent. I gather this is to be expected as he overcomes a long period of vocal and indeed mental inactivity. Sometimes the wires in the “telephone exchange” do cross and remarks are made out of context. His brain, we must not forget, has had a really bad bash and the weeks ahead will, I truly believe, see it reconnect. And after awhile, he just dozes off. He still gets quite tired.
His swallowing has improved hugely over the last few days. The muscle memory is returning. Kit Kats are welcome treats with afternoon tea in the garden.
As Penny indicated in her last entry, the Doctors are working out when to move him from the high dependency unit. This will see him transfer into another area of the hospital in Rankweil where they will commence the next stage of his treatment and rehabilitation. Walking perhaps? The next week will be an important one as they assess his medical condition, and if they are comfortable, they may elect to remove the “trachea device”. This will be another milestone. The skull replacement surgery has been a success and I understand it is healing properly.
We are engaging with the Medical Team as they start to assess and plan next steps. This planning “will take the time it is going to take”. Their measured and considered approach will help us map out the road ahead. Dr Eiler and his team are reflecting on what will be right for Paul on his own unique patient pathway. I am confident that on my return to Feldkirch, in some two to three weeks time, they will be able to share with Penny a sense of what the next steps could be. Certainly there will be several more weeks ahead of us in Rankweil, but beyond that we cannot speculate. We have time and as Penny indicated, we must ensure we do what is right for Paul.
The constant prayers, thoughts and care of the community for Paul and his Family are making a difference. Taken together, they are a powerful force and mindful of the hope that the Easter message brings us, I believe we all have so much to be grateful for, nearly eleven weeks on from the accident. My visit left me encouraged, but at the same time, we know we have a long road ahead as Paul starts to regains his strength, and engages, all the time recovering at his own pace.
We really do have much to be thankful for.
As ever, Charles
Charlotte and William’s visits were, in my view, important milestones, in every sense. Reflecting over the last ten weeks, I really feel that their visits, with their Mother, were a turning point for Paul. Charlotte’s visit was hard. She had to “break the ice” as the family was reunited for the first time since the accident. William’s visit followed. It was hard for the two of them, and I think especially for Paul, but since the time they spent together as a family, Paul has progressed in leaps and bounds. I think the visits were a real tonic.
I have but one moment to share from my trip that perhaps indicates just how much progress he is making. Paul, as we all know, comes from Yorkshire. Seeing him engage with the two speech therapists during my visit reminded me that he has a very stubborn streak in him. I had to laugh - they just could not induce him to engage and speak. Nothing they said could induce him to co-operate. However, when I stood up to leave him late on the Friday afternoon in question and I told him I would return the next day in the early morning, he did respond. In his very quiet and faltering voice, he just reminded me that I should not come to see him in the morning. It was too busy. Come later, he said. That was all. We had sat quietly, without any exchange for some twenty minutes, and then he shared that clear, parting thought. Having not really said that much to me over the two days, I was thrilled.
Humpty Dumpty did have a great fall, but we are seeing him put together again. Even Paul smiled when I shared this thought with him.
Since my trip a week ago, Penny reports that he has engaged with her more and more. He really enjoys getting out into the garden during the day. He is talking to her more in his rather soft lilt – the strength to his voice will return in time. There are times when he is fully lucid. Then he heads off on a tangent. I gather this is to be expected as he overcomes a long period of vocal and indeed mental inactivity. Sometimes the wires in the “telephone exchange” do cross and remarks are made out of context. His brain, we must not forget, has had a really bad bash and the weeks ahead will, I truly believe, see it reconnect. And after awhile, he just dozes off. He still gets quite tired.
His swallowing has improved hugely over the last few days. The muscle memory is returning. Kit Kats are welcome treats with afternoon tea in the garden.
As Penny indicated in her last entry, the Doctors are working out when to move him from the high dependency unit. This will see him transfer into another area of the hospital in Rankweil where they will commence the next stage of his treatment and rehabilitation. Walking perhaps? The next week will be an important one as they assess his medical condition, and if they are comfortable, they may elect to remove the “trachea device”. This will be another milestone. The skull replacement surgery has been a success and I understand it is healing properly.
We are engaging with the Medical Team as they start to assess and plan next steps. This planning “will take the time it is going to take”. Their measured and considered approach will help us map out the road ahead. Dr Eiler and his team are reflecting on what will be right for Paul on his own unique patient pathway. I am confident that on my return to Feldkirch, in some two to three weeks time, they will be able to share with Penny a sense of what the next steps could be. Certainly there will be several more weeks ahead of us in Rankweil, but beyond that we cannot speculate. We have time and as Penny indicated, we must ensure we do what is right for Paul.
The constant prayers, thoughts and care of the community for Paul and his Family are making a difference. Taken together, they are a powerful force and mindful of the hope that the Easter message brings us, I believe we all have so much to be grateful for, nearly eleven weeks on from the accident. My visit left me encouraged, but at the same time, we know we have a long road ahead as Paul starts to regains his strength, and engages, all the time recovering at his own pace.
We really do have much to be thankful for.
As ever, Charles
Sunday, May 3, 2009
News from Penny
I thought I would like to try and bring many of you up to date as to where we are on this journey. I know Charles is putting together a blog entry; he came out for 3 days recently.
Paul is making very steady and encouraging progress. Dr Elier and his neurosurgeury team at Feldkirch are very pleased with the progress to date. The skull replacement, a 2 hour operation, was for the young Dr Markus Donat, a very satisfactory procedure. He had seven broken pieces of the skull, 4 of which he skillfully put back together, like a jigsaw puzzle he told me. On seeing the CT scans the day after the operation, Dr Elier and Dr Donat were pleased. They both wished me to see it. They showed me the comparison from 7 weeks ago, and I could see why they were so delighted.
The next big hurdle Paul needs to overcome is swallowing. Some of you may already know that this is a huge challenge for head/brain trauma patients. Naturally, we all take this so terribly for granted. This is a very slow process, and Paul is beginning to take a few small spoonfuls of pureed food. He is keen to feed himself, with his right hand. All of this is exhausting for him, but he is making every effort he can. He is still being fed through a tube into his stomach.
When a friend arrived yesterday, he just looked at him and said ''I'm knackered''. Philippe and I took him into the gardens, put a hat on him, and placed in him the warm sun and breeze, and he went to sleep.
Paul is able to speak, when he wants to. He is not always able to communicate verbally. Again, this is a very tiring process for him. The hardware is still trying to reconnect.
Charlotte and Will have both been so to see their Dad. I am very proud of their incredible courage and bravery. It is truly shocking for both of them to see their Dad so critically injured.. Coming to terms with the enormity of their Father's accident is brutal. There are no other words to describe the impact on our family.
This journey/recovery is not a straight line. There are many unknowns, and as a family, we will not probably know for at least another year or so, may be more. All I do know, and I feel very strongly about this, that this accident is life changing for us.
As Charles so aptly writes in his blog entries, ours is the burden of time. He is right.
I remain measured and deeply cautious as I tread along this tough road. I try not to predict the future. My role is to remain steady and strong for Charlotte and Will, have the ability to make the right choices for Paul and keep The Show on the road. As I have said before, I could not do this without the enormous love, strength and support from all of you who are doing everything you can to support us. I am deeply grateful. Your visits, phone calls, text messages, e-mails, all give me the strength I need to cope.
Dr Elier is hoping to move him out of the high dependency environment by the end of next week and into the next level of his recovery journey. The next steps/decisions of where we go from here will unfold. Charles and I are working on it. Paul deserves the best. We are very fortunate to have received such outstanding medical care out in Austria.
I return to London on the 6th May for a week, and will be back in Austria on the 13th May. I am working around Will's school dates. I will be in the UK for Will's half term. Charlotte is holding the fort at Elm House. Both she and Will are doing well, they are organised and very self sufficient. Will has his GCSE's coming up.
This comes with my love and best wishes to you all, and thank you for all your concern and interest in Paul.
PENNY 2 MAY 2009
Paul is making very steady and encouraging progress. Dr Elier and his neurosurgeury team at Feldkirch are very pleased with the progress to date. The skull replacement, a 2 hour operation, was for the young Dr Markus Donat, a very satisfactory procedure. He had seven broken pieces of the skull, 4 of which he skillfully put back together, like a jigsaw puzzle he told me. On seeing the CT scans the day after the operation, Dr Elier and Dr Donat were pleased. They both wished me to see it. They showed me the comparison from 7 weeks ago, and I could see why they were so delighted.
The next big hurdle Paul needs to overcome is swallowing. Some of you may already know that this is a huge challenge for head/brain trauma patients. Naturally, we all take this so terribly for granted. This is a very slow process, and Paul is beginning to take a few small spoonfuls of pureed food. He is keen to feed himself, with his right hand. All of this is exhausting for him, but he is making every effort he can. He is still being fed through a tube into his stomach.
When a friend arrived yesterday, he just looked at him and said ''I'm knackered''. Philippe and I took him into the gardens, put a hat on him, and placed in him the warm sun and breeze, and he went to sleep.
Paul is able to speak, when he wants to. He is not always able to communicate verbally. Again, this is a very tiring process for him. The hardware is still trying to reconnect.
Charlotte and Will have both been so to see their Dad. I am very proud of their incredible courage and bravery. It is truly shocking for both of them to see their Dad so critically injured.. Coming to terms with the enormity of their Father's accident is brutal. There are no other words to describe the impact on our family.
This journey/recovery is not a straight line. There are many unknowns, and as a family, we will not probably know for at least another year or so, may be more. All I do know, and I feel very strongly about this, that this accident is life changing for us.
As Charles so aptly writes in his blog entries, ours is the burden of time. He is right.
I remain measured and deeply cautious as I tread along this tough road. I try not to predict the future. My role is to remain steady and strong for Charlotte and Will, have the ability to make the right choices for Paul and keep The Show on the road. As I have said before, I could not do this without the enormous love, strength and support from all of you who are doing everything you can to support us. I am deeply grateful. Your visits, phone calls, text messages, e-mails, all give me the strength I need to cope.
Dr Elier is hoping to move him out of the high dependency environment by the end of next week and into the next level of his recovery journey. The next steps/decisions of where we go from here will unfold. Charles and I are working on it. Paul deserves the best. We are very fortunate to have received such outstanding medical care out in Austria.
I return to London on the 6th May for a week, and will be back in Austria on the 13th May. I am working around Will's school dates. I will be in the UK for Will's half term. Charlotte is holding the fort at Elm House. Both she and Will are doing well, they are organised and very self sufficient. Will has his GCSE's coming up.
This comes with my love and best wishes to you all, and thank you for all your concern and interest in Paul.
PENNY 2 MAY 2009
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