A period of mixed blessings ..........

Sorry for the delay in posting an update but I was holding off pending the outcome of Dougs eye tests on Friday 5th.
Like so many things recently, the results were good and not so good. Unfortunately it was decided not to remove the last stitch in the left eyelid at this point because the blink reaction had not improved sufficiently to ensure that the eyeball would remain fully lubricated.
This was a very great disappointment to Doug, who I fear had really been setting his heart on its removal. In consequence he was really quite upset on Friday evening but by Saturday afternoon he appeared to have rationalised the situation in his own mind.
The plus part concerned the fact that both eyes are essentially in good condition and any vision issues are nerve related and therefore subject to gradual improvement. The vision in his right eye can (and will) be improved by a pair of glasses; the vision in his left eye will remain slightly blurred mainly as a result of the eye ointment being used as a replacement for tears (the natural lubricant). However, when the blink response comes back it is possible that a less viscous ointment can be used, thus reducing the blurring effect.

He also had a series of swallow tests using fluoroscopy techniques and this showed that, although there was a continuing improvement, he really had to do more swallow related exercises. Never the less he is able to have his occasional cup of thickened coffee, which goes down a bundle!!

He is presently working on bed - chair - bed transfers aimed at hopefully getting him home on a day pass. I guess it'll not be a full day, given that he still needs peg applied medication and fluids, but even a couple of hours would be great!!!!!!!
If this works, we can think of a repeat at Christmas time but we are NOT building our hopes too much at this point.
His other physio is coming along, although as the physios say "he has great potential, if he could just get with the programme" - Doug of course agrees that he is lazy and needs to get his backside in gear :-)

I continue to be impressed by Doug ....... I'm not at all sure I could have dealt with the eye test business as well as he has done. I just hope that there are going to be some real positives in the near future. He badly needs a confidence builder to boost his morale. Having said that, he generally manages to talk a storm when visitors come in - so much so that they have difficulty getting a word in edgewise!!

Thanks to everyone ................ Sheena and I don't know how we could cope without you all.

Iain