From the Vicarage - October 2011

Stephen is now in the rehab unit undergoing assessment.   He has been to University College Hospital London to have a PEG fitted - if you really want to know, that's a "Percutaneous endoscopic gastrosstomy" - a tube which will enable him to be fed directly into his stomach so that he no longer needs to have a tube up his nose and down his throat.   This has not been helping his vocal chords, thus hindering getting him speaking properly again.   He is still unable to cope with normal eating and only has a few sips of water.   He has lots of exercising to do, including working on a treadmill and exercise bike to both strengthen him up and help control his spells of dizziness.   This will be taking place 9 to 5 every day with rest periods so I have gone back to workand am visiting at weekends as he will be busy during the weekdays.   It is not certain how long he will be at the assessment centre.   In October he is undergoing ratiotherapy.  

It has been a real bonus to Stephen and the family that he has recently been able to spend a couple of weekends at home.

As I have not been able to offer my thoughts in church for a couple of weeks, I would like to thank all of you for your continued support.   One of the biggest things to thank you all for is your patience and understanding.   Also to thank you for the continued flow of cards and various anonymous gifts of flowers and other kindnesses which have helped me on my way, not forgetting the most enormous bunch of flowers from you all delivered by Pam.   You have all been fantastic.  

Love Sue x