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Friday 23 August 2013

Harvey's Wish . .

Harvey got granted a wish from 'make a wish foundation' his wish, (which I had to make for him) was to go to Legoland in Windsor. So, last week was the time but the morning we were due to go, Harvey had to attend an appointment with his consultant. Although Harvey in himself was ok, his bloods were bad, that bad his consultant wanted him admitted immediately and started on 2 antibiotics and also to have treatment for his clotting  (in his blood) as it was out which put him at great risk of having a big bleed!! As you can imagine, we was gutted. We was all packed and set to go once his appointment was done. I tried so hard to convince his consultant I was able to look after Harvey and administer his antibiotics but it didn't work.. We was sent to the ward. Our appointment was at 10.30, it got to 3pm and I was still trying to get Harvey out. By 5pm I was talking to another consultant, he explained their concerns but I felt I could manage Harvey so I self discharged him with antibiotics.. Bet your now thinking I'm silly.. Well I know Harvey and i also know when he's ill before anybody else and before his bloods show it. There was nothing to suggest that I wasn't able to look after him at home, after all, the nurses wouldn't be doing anything different for Harvey than what I could at home. By 6.30 he was discharged and in the car on the way to Legoland. I did doubt myself briefly a few times about if my decision was the right one, deep down I knew it was. I'm so glad I got him out the hospital though, he had a great time at Legoland and was laughing and smiling all the time. Within 5 minutes of being in the hotel suite he trashed the place.. We had to rearrange everything and also move everything out of sight into the bathroom and shut the door so he couldn't get it all! We spent all of Friday in the park itself, Harvey loved going on rides and the atmosphere. Saturday we had to travel back but we spent the day in the park again before we left. We had to stop off at hospital on the way home for Harvey to been seen and have a dose of antibiotics before being able to go home for the night and then back to hospital on the Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Turned out, Harvey had Klebsiella in his urine again.. It's a nasty bug and can cause potential life threatening problems if untreated. Harvey showed no signs in himself that he was unwell, it was only his bloods that showed he was ill. He's a little monkey for that.. It's quite scary really. He's just finished his 7 days of antibiotics so we has to do a repeat urine test today to check the bug has gone. Fingers crossed.. I'm hopeful it has cleared up, Harvey's not been sleepy in the day and his pain has settled down again so my feeling is that he's recovering well. He was almost back in hospital Tuesday night, his potassium result came back that it was dangerously high. Doctors wanted it repeating before rushing him in to the nearest hospital. I wasn't clear as to why there was a big urgency to repeat the test so I asked.. Well, if potassium is high then it puts pressure on the heart and the muscle. it works too hard/faster or something and similar effects if potassium is low. The muscle doesn't work well enough. I now know and will not question that again!!  Luckily though, the second sample showed his potassium levels were perfect and needed no treatment. 
Harvey is able to enjoy the bank holiday weekend and not have to attend hospital until Thursday which he'll be happy about. 
Apologies for not updating as regular as what we should, things have been more manic at home than what they were in hospital. I'll make sure his blog is updated more regularly. 

A few pictures from Legoland and Harvey being Harvey!! 















Monday 12 August 2013

A Month On . .

Well, it's been almost a month to the day when I was discharged and things have been good. Think a few people thought I'd of ended up back in hospital with minor blips but no, nothing. Even the prof was surprised at how well I am doing and on my first appointment was happy go 2 weeks until he wanted to see me again which will be this Thursday coming. A few of my blood results from last week were slipping but we've not had to make any changes to my cares or TPN so see what my bloods this week show. 
Since discharge I've been full of smiles, giggles and cheekiness. People only have to look at me or walk into the living room and I'm in full belly chuckle laughter! It's been great being back home, I think the time felt right for me. 
I've had a few off days, but hay, that's going to happen right?! Past couple of days my pain has been up, and on Saturday I was bleeding from my stomach. I've also got a nasty cough which Is causing me to retch. I've needed oxygen a couple of times intermittently in the day because my breathing rate when up and I was working a bit harder to breath. This settled after a few hours and I was able to have a few hours without oxygen. 
In the month I've been home it's been spent mainly taking it easy and resting but in between we've been to Trafford centre where I rode the carousel, Stockport for shopping and costa (quite a number of times), tesco's (far too much!!), the pub for tea and breakfast once too, Buxton park, cinema to watch monsters university, Sheffield twice weekly to take bloods and pick up medication, visited my M2 family and friends, and went for a ride to Krispy Kreme with my dad and sisters yesterday. I've probably done more but just can't remember it all! 
My sleep hasn't been too bad recently, the first week I was waking early hours but after more sleep meds I managed another few hours. I've needed it a couple of times since but not much. The first week of being home was spent sorting out, putting things in place and getting used to being home. It didn't take long because now it just feels like we've never been away. 
I do miss my extended family, quite alot actually and even mummy said its not the same not being around them but at least I still get to visit them and take them cakes :). I love them all loads and can't thank them enough for everything they did for me, and my mummy during our stay. They weren't just nurses, they became our friends and without them well, who knows what position we'd be in. Love you all millions xxxx

I guess it's time I got to bed before mummy starts telling me off!! I've added a few photos of home life - 1 month on . .