Easy Does It

Before I start today’s update I’d like to apologise for the lack of information this past week. Elizabeth and I have both had to return to work so it’s been difficult to find the time to write worthwhile articles for you all - I promise to try harder this week!

Anyway, I'm pleased to report that Frank is making good progress. He's still in hospital but has been moved to a pre-release ward, this is a good sign as it shows the hospital is getting ready for him to ‘check out’. He‘s been disconnected from the monitoring equipment and is no longer reliant on oxygen.

The physiotherapy team are still trying to get him mobile although it's hard as he's been in bed for so long. This problem isn’t helped by his constant weariness due to lack of sleep. The medics have tried to help him with this although it's hit and miss with the drugs - nothing a night or two in his own bed wont fix.

Speaking of drugs, the medics are also trying to figure out the correct dose of anticoagulants to prevent any blood clots. He’s at risk of clots because his heart’s not beating like yours or mine. This means that blood could potentially stop moving which could form a clot. If this were to happen it could cause serious problems so they’re trying to get his blood ‘clotability’ to an appropriate level.

The other fly in the ointment is fluid on his lungs. This isn't fluid in his lungs (as that would drown him) but fluid between his lungs and the membrane they're surrounded in. This fluid is accumulating due to Frank's condition and lack of activity. The medical team have given Dad diuretic tablets to try and flush this fluid out, although this is making him need to loo very regularly (another reason he's not getting a good night's sleep!).

The good news is that these are all common problems and, all things considered, he’s actually doing pretty well. He’s much brighter and looks much better now than he did a week ago. He’s able to walk un-aided now and we’re looking forward to him escorting us to the door tomorrow!