Strange day today. It started off so badly. My pain medication wasn’t working well so I barely slept and I had horrible dreams. I didn’t want to get up and I couldn’t contemplate walking the corridors or doing my breathing exercises. I was useless.
My surgeon Arun Ariyarathenam who’s been working with me since Grant Sanders took some leave has been great. He arranged intravenous pain medication for me to get some rest. He also decided to put me on a nil by mouth diet all morning to prepare for a barium meal X-ray to see what exactly was happening with my stomach. Then we’d make further decisions based on that.
By the time Neil arrived I was exhausted and unhappy. Neil gave me such a big hug and I cried.(Unfortunately it hurts to laugh or cry at the moment so luckily the crying in rare but I have had some hysterical moments with many, even with Arun!) I cried for the very first time in all this, not because I felt sorry for myself, but that I felt so hopeless.
Neil was lovely. He put me to bed and I slept uninterrupted for 2 hours! When I awoke he explained that he set himself on guard duty and wouldn’t let anyone in. (I have a private room daaaaarrling). He banned the cleaner and all sorts in non essential nurses. He was sooo bad!!! It seems Neil on guard duty is quite a force to be reckoned with!!!
So after my 2 hours sleep I felt a million times better and planned our escape. The lovely nurse Sharon told us about a secret exit to the back of the hospital.
First we went down to the depths of the hospital for my barium meal. I drank sips of it standing in front of a big lead wall as he took various X-rays as I swallowed. He did front, back and sides then we returned to put our escape plan into action.
I put on my shoes and dressing gown and we set off down the lift and out to the back of the hospital. It felt wonderful being outside again. Neil carried my drain for me (so romantic). We found a lovely leafy area with picnic tables but each table was full of smokers. My lungs aren’t working well anyway without that stink. So on we walked and found a bench in the sun hidden away by itself overlooking a pond. Albeit a rather scruffy pond, but hey! We were soaking up the autumnal sunshine outside. It felt glorious.
Going back I felt elated. Neil had once again worked his magic on me. I was told I couldn’t leave the hospital with a drain attached, but we did anyway which made it feel even more exciting.
So…. back at the ranch, changes were afoot! Arun came back and said the results of the X-rays were very encouraging and some food is getting through. And also , after a lot of jocular banter going back and forth he surprised me by saying the final drip can come out!!! Yay!! I’m so fed up carrying it everywhere and it will make a big difference to my sleep. When the nurses extracted it I asked to see it. Do you know it was about 14” long inside my body!!! Wow!
So now, all I have left is a tube up my nose which has to stay until my swallowing is totally sorted out.
I feel so elated. Every tiny step is significant for me. Neil has been with me every step of the way and I love the fact he’s here every day. I love him so very much. There’s a university swimming pool just 15 minutes away and he’s now swum 41km of his 100km goal!!!
What a topsy turfy day! Such are the vicissitudes of life (especially mine!!)
Ceri's Blog with Neil 
You’ve done so well, Ceri – I suppose it was too much to hope for that everything would be straight line, super smooth – quality rest and sleep are so important for our resilience so a big ‘hurrah’ for ‘Neil the Rottweiler’ – a bit of a departure for him, but cometh the hour, cometh the fiersome hound etc etc
Loved hearing about you two breaking out like two naughty children ….. – 🙂
Anyway, onwards and upwards our brave girl – – let us know if you would like a cake with a chisel smuggled in – lots of love
Linda G xx
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Oh Ceri. What a rough day (and after a week of rough days, really). I’m so pleased you have Neil to guard, mind, look after and love you. Well chosen! Fingers crossed now for the rest to fall into place. Sending good vibes and lots of love from Lancashire 💕
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Very well done Hilary xxx
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cheering for you xoxox
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I think your amazing….just a small blip that’s behind you now 😁 it sounds like you have found such a lovely lovely man, I just want to hug him 🤗 well done Neil. Both in my prayers lots of love Justine xx
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Poor you having such a miserable start to the day. But your Prince Charming came to the rescue ! So pleased you got to enjoy some of todays glorious sunshine – thats best medicine xx
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So happy to hear you’re doing so well! Hope everyday continues to be better until you are discharged. Sending you prayers for healing and continued good health! Tom and I are coming for a visit when you are back home and healthy again!! Love you! Cindy
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Hero Neil to the rescue. Hugs and medals to be awarded later to you both – one for uplifting ability and one for bounce-back-ability. (NOTE to self: beware and remember Neil has another side! Ha ha!) Thanks to him, and the drip and the good news, and the sunshine a horrible start turned into a positive end. But I’m SOOOO glad they are keeping you in till everything’s sorted. Love you lots.
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PS. re: the photo:- Initially I was just awestruck looking at you outside with your drip. Amazing. I’ve just seen the notice on the fence -duh!!!! How terribly funny, appropriate, clever of you to find it, hilarious. xxx (Makes you wonder though, why they need such a unit? scary thought!)
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You are so totally amazing ,so open and honest in all your blogs , Yes you have to some release and give in to a good cry ,always makes one feel better.
I said to Neil ,(naively,maybe stupidly)if I have to have to have cancer ,I would choose yours ,only because what an amazing thing you are doing letting folk know what to expect ,such an example . Lots of admiration and love liz
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Thanks Liz. Apart from the terminal cancers, this is a bad one. The op is huge and a painful recovery. I won’t update the blog for a few days but it’s been difficult. And the harder it gets the more heroic Neil is. He’s been here almost all day and just left at 8.30. I’m so lucky. I can’t wait to get home but it looks like late in the week as I’m still not eating yet. I’ll get back to Voiceworx as soon as I can!! It’s my first goal, after being able to eat!!! Lots of love xxxxx
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Full Recovery seems to be right around the corner! Youve got this Ceri. Loads of love to you both. Beti and Ian. Gentle hugs.
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