The week would have been longer and a lot more boring than it was without them - and I am delighted to report that not one single minder held back on the Mickey taking stakes. Bless them. I have laughed a lot.
Of course, being me and being a nurse I sort of assumed that this week would see a return to pretty much normality but that hasn't proven to be so. I have had a number of "absences" which I now know to be petit mal seizures. The give away is that I smack my lips and pick at my clothes apparently!The main surprise has been how incredibly tired I have been. I have needed to go to bed shortly after lunch every day (sorry Jeremy...) and sleep for 2 hours. On the other hand, I have not had an unbroken night's sleep either, Saturday was the worst night's sleep in ages. Loads of dreams, not one of them nice - the worst of all of them that I was back in theatre scrubbing for a major spine but all my runners kept leaving me on my own with a contaminated sterile field, the wrong kit and no gloves...
Why the title? L. and I want to spend more time together but we weren't quite anticipating so much of it being in our Area Health Authority's various scanners!! L. is having a CT as part of her annual MOT so we will have sampled the one at home and the one in the main hospital between us soon. We will award points for style, presentation and technical excellence of course but so far the prize for sheer noise goes to the MRI scanner at the local! I had absolutely no conception (or as my dear old friend Seymour would have said, contraception) of how loud it would be inside it. My choice of baroque horn concerti beautifully played by the Tyslar brothers (yes, I like their Czech vibrato - a lot) didn't stand a chance. Anyway, that's why this particular blog is called "A Tale of 2 CTs"....
I really want to maintain the positive and forward looking stance of the first blog but it's tough. At the moment I am finding it incredibly hard see beyond the stark reality of not being able to drive for 12 months and the crushing realisation of what this will mean for me and for us.Being able to "nip to the shops" etc is something that I will never take for granted again - but I bet I will! I knew it would be at least 6 months but having spoken to Epilepsy Action (http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/) 12 seems likely. Other restrictions are that I still can't be left alone, can't climb ladders (so my loft conversion study is out of bounds) and I am not allowed to run. I'm seeing my GP in the morning and I hope that some of the restrictions will be eased. I won't be started on any drug treatment before my EEG (8th May).
The whole thing is extraordinarily tough on L and E; neither of them are sleeping well either and I must admit I do feel a bit like that well known Intensive Care Nurse's Anthem by the Police - "Every Move You Make...."
That's enough moaning now. I feel very lucky to have such wonderful friends and family who have really meant it when they have said to let them know if there is anything that they can do. It is extraordinarily humbling. Musical talent has come to the fore and the rescue - my beloved wife has started a song (to the G&S "Major General" tune)....
He is the very model of a modern disability: epileptic, diabetic and he cannot hear a thing you say; He cannot drive nor eat your sweets nor listen to his iPod play. Too young for Saga, old for Scouts, few pleasures left- just eating sprouts...
Further contributions welcome. Truly, they will be!
Last night (Saturday) saw another minor milestone - went out for a curry with my friend Phil and E, where E out ate both of us! 2 starters, a main, poppadoms and a pudding.....
At least I haven't really missed out on my debut (Stratford) Marathon which should have been today, 29th April. Floods, fallen trees and missing marshals due to 24 hours of lashing rain and howling gales meant that it was cancelled at the last minute
I have come to the conclusion that I am Deafabetileptic? Any ideas for a better term?
This week, on reflection, has continued to be about being careful what to wish for (less travel, slower pace of life, see more of each other etc) but has also given me occasion to count my many blessings. OK, life might feel "over" in some respects but it most emphatically is not and I will overcome epilepsy in the same way that I have given diabetes a damn good thrashing. I will be back.....
And Finally....One of my minders, cousin Katie, is a sympathetic hospital Dr. She felt that my care needed a little revisit and started by redoing my CAT scan. It explains a lot......
I LOVE the CAT scan... I wonder if cat's brains actually look like that? Good to hear you're getting all the care and attention you deserve and I know if anyone can kick this in the rear end it is you...given the whooping you gave diabetes; you are an inspiation!
ReplyDeleteTake care Nigel, I am thinking of you and your family and look forwards to hearing your updates...
Jenny...Hugs : )
Here is my feeble effort Nige!!Obsessive running, biking, gyming, all are part of Nigels life. He plays in bands and orchestras that never do involve his wife,but underneath he is a man who really loves his family………family?Mmmh! But I can say that to them he will always make a homily
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