Well it’s been a difficult few days with a happy ending! I just didn’t feel like writing during this period but I’m ok again now.
This blockage at my pyloric muscle at the base of my modified stomach has stopped almost everything getting through including pain medication so I’ve had a few very painful days and nights and therefore no sleep. I’ve been absolutely exhausted. Ironically the only relief I got from the pain was from walking so I was walking up and down the ward corridors through the night. The best parts of my days were Neil’s visits when we’d get out for some fresh air.
Obviously one’s body needs nutrition and sleep for healing so without this, things are not good. I tried the fortified drinks which made me feel so ill with painful diarrhoea that I was almost sick, so that was no good. Also what was still really difficult was being constantly woken in the night by various staff to take my blood pressure or give pain medication or drain the tube coming out of my nose etc. I might nod off for some desperately needed sleep only to be woken again and I could never get back to sleep due to pain and so I’d walk.
It wasn’t easy for Neil to see me in this way. He wrote a comprehensive letter to the surgeon which I read out to him during his morning round before Neil arrived . I’m having to learn so much medical information to be able to understand his replies to Neil and myself.
But we got results. They changed the way my oral pain medication was administered to coax it through my system by pumping out liquids above the block, then I’d take the medicine which had a chance to get through. Also a kind night nurse decided to give me 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep time. Wow! What a difference!!! Suddenly I slept more and was in less pain.
Today has definitely been the best day since my op. I just feel so much better. Neil and I walked up to Marjon university above the hospital where he swims. It’s a good uphill walk for me in the glorious sunshine and they have a lovely coffee shop there. We chatted away watching the students practice their sports. Apart from a tube up my nose feeding into a bag hidden under my coat, I felt quite normal as we planned all the things we’ll do when this is all over.
Then when we got back, surprise surprise, my lovely nurse Tim took out the many metal stitches from the wound in my back and it’s healed well. I’m so much more comfortable. Things are definitely moving forward.
But my nutrition has become a big issue. What I really need is the endoscopic procedure to open up a hole in my pyloric muscle, but the department which performs this is overloaded and really busy. If they could have seen me today I might be going home on Wednesday but alas. My valiant surgeon pulled out all the stops to get me an appointment for Wednesday so that’s the next big step for me. Food! How will my body cope after 2 weeks without?
Today they fitted a PICC line into my arm through which they will start tube feeding me. Apparently I’ll receive a full day’s nutrition through this, although it hasn’t started yet as they’ve suddenly had new emergency patients arrive. (I’m no longer in my own ward and we have 2 new ladies just arrive.) I’m sure my energy levels will improve hugely with food on board although everyone I meet seems surprised at the distances I’m already walking and how well I look. Long may it continue!!!
This evening after Neil left, I’ve been chatting away with visitors and staff in the ward and I’m just about to settle down to watch a film on the laptop.
So my next big day is Wednesday. Hopefully I’ll sleep well tonight and enjoy tomorrow as Wednesday is the final step in all this (I hope!!) and will come with new challenges. Fingers crossed I’ll be home by Friday.
I’m getting excited!!!!
Ceri's Blog with Neil 
Dear, dear Ceri. Big hug. It was never going to be a walk in the park, but golly, you’ve had a tough time. Fingers crossed for you for Wednesday, and hopefully that nice nurse will knock you out again.
Sending so much love xXx
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Dearest Ceri You are a real trooper. You will start to feel better and just take things step by step. I am sorry to hear that you have been in such pain for the last few days. I replied from my ipad twice over the weekend and see that the messages never sent – sorry. I was staying with my parents for 4 nights while Oliver was up in Scotland tramping through serious bogs and tackling some challenging river crossings, sleeping for 2 nights in remote bothies along with rats, bats and mice. I do hope the next operation keeps on schedule for Wednesday and that you will soon be able to eat – you poor girl! All for now and get some sleep. fondest love Catherine
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Thank you Ceri, how hard setbacks are. You are in such good hands in Plymouth, their great skills in solving problems which could not be predicted are wonderful. Also v impressed by your resilience,
Love
B and B
Sent from my iPhone
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I can see you must be using every ounce of your resources to get through all this. Good job you are such a strong and resilient woman. Best of luck for Wednesday and the next phase of your recovery.
Linda B
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Poor Ceri , you have been suffering in silence for days. Great that the wound in your back is healing well and that those nasty metal clips have been removed. One more step in the right direction.
Thank goodness for the very kind nurses who are helping you through this.
Sending very gentle hugs through cyber space to remind you that you are not alone . Here they come …. xxx
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Brave brave Ceri. Your amazing walking just shows how fit you were before all this – and that’s due to your own lifestyle and the thorough preparation you did beforehand. . I can’t believe you made it to Marjon’s cafe and watched sport!!! Brilliant Neil for carrying all your drips and drains and for you both to have that confidence to escape the ward and enjoy the sunshine. Roll on Wednesday (nearly there) and all fingers and toes crossed that their list will accommodate your procedure. It must be wonderful to have those clips out – Neil says the scar looks really well healed. Great. Once that food kicks in you’ll soon be practising for that singing concert you gave yourself as a target. Much much love. xxxx
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Hi. I don’t have drains anymore and they disconnect my drip so he only has to hold my hand. Ahhhh! Xx
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Oh Ceri I’m so sorry you have had such a rotten time over the past few days. The lack of sleep must have been so so infuriating on top of trying to cope with the intense pain amongst other things. I am glad to see though that in true Ceri style you are back on track now. Much love xx
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The Beacon is waiting for you Ceri, get well & come home soon x
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Your optimism and great attitude will carry you through this next and final step of your recovery, and you’ll be home to restart your married life with the wonderful Doc Neil before you know it. What will your first home-cooked meal be, I can’t help wondering!
Love to you both
Ian and Beti XXXXXX
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Dearest Ceri,
What a narrative, what a journey. You are strong and brave and positive and I have so much respect for you, for your sheer determination and power of endurance. I send my strength to add to yours and here is an extra heartfelt ( but gentle ) hug.
Much love to you xxx
And to Neil? Keep on swimmin’ ! X
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Hi Ceri
Been thinking of you and hope all goes well with the procedure today.
Being “under the doctor” ( a great South Walian turn of phrase) has been an ordeal for you but all for the good. My brother used to say that a bottle of Lucozade seen on the bedside table in the ward was an essential part of being ill in South Wales. So Neil….get to that shop and buy Ceri the biggest bottle possible.
Enough of this ribbing of us Welsh. Hope you will be no longer “under the doctor” but home soon!
Lots of love Gill and Gwyn xx
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Dear Ceri,
Thank you for sharing this very exhausting & painful journey you are a total inspiration. Sending lots of love and positivity for the next step…. looking forward to a walk up the beacon. Lots of love to you both Kay and Mark xxxxxx
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