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

Peter and Melissa's Visit to Paul on June 11th, 2009

After a quick visit to see the flowers above Verbier and a day on Lake Maggiore, Melissa and I dropped in to see Paul and Penny at Feldkirch. I hadn't seen Paul for a few weeks and his recovery is nothing less than a miracle and, although he is still very frail, he is lucid. I had warned Melissa not to expect too much, but what we found was the old Paul, quite battered, but back with us after just over four months. His recovery at Feldkirch is due, in no particular order, to the skill of the doctors and nurses, the dedication and love of Penny, the support of many friends and relatives, and the power of Prayer. On Thursday evening Penny, Melissa, Charles McGregor and I went out to celebrate Paul's recovery with a few bottles of local wine. We all, fortunately, made it back to the hotel in one piece. The next day we all went to visit a specialist clinic on Lake Constance in Germany. This is only an hour from the doctors at Feldkirch and has views over the lake, a lovely place to visit or stay. Here Paul will continue his recovery and regain strength over the next eight weeks so that he can return to the UK hopefully in good enough condition to be able to return to Mull. Charles has put a lot of work into ensuring that this next move is the right one for Paul. We also spent some time looking for a suitable hotel for Penny as she will have to move from the friendly Hotel Alpenrose. This will not be that easy.

Peter and Melissa Briggs