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Wednesday 30 October 2013

Vampifan's Views 40 - Monthly Musings 23

A get well soon e-card designed by Irqan. I love it!
It's that time of month for another of my Monthly Musings posts. I thought I'd do something different this month and tell you about my stay in hospital. I was rushed by ambulance to my local hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the day I fell ill (Wednesday 5th June 2013). I spent eight weeks in a critical care unit, followed by four weeks on a special needs ward. I was then transferred to Southernwood Care Home for further physiotherapy treatment and I spent just over two weeks there. I never imagined that I'd be in hospital for so long. But I also never realised how serious my illness was. I certainly had plenty of warnings that things were not going well, but being a typical man, I ignored all the signs, falsely believing that things would get better. I was losing my energy and my appetite. When I met up with Joe and Mathyoo earlier this year, I could tell that I wasn't 100% fit then. After that, things gradually got worse until that fateful morning when I realised that I simply had to get medical aid.
Me in the critical care unit on day 1 of my hospital stay. So many tubes!

Here I am doing my best zombie impersonation. No make up needed!
I dialed 999 and the paramedics were with me within minutes. I was so weak that I didn't even have the energy to get dressed. I was rushed into the Accident and Emergency department and was diagnosed with a hole in my bowel, which was leaking poisons and toxins into my stomach. The medical terms were peritonitis and septacemia, both of which can be fatal. My mum later told me that the surgeon who operated on me only gave me a 50/50 chance of surviving. I knew nothing of this as I was in an induced coma to aid my recovery.
My first trip outdoors. That's my mum holding my hand.
My first attempt at walking, with Kerry my Physio
I have very little recollection of the first couple of weeks in critical care. If you look at the second photo of me you can see that I have a tube that went down my throat. This was called a tracheotomy and whilst I had that tube, I couldn't talk. This meant that I could only communicate by sign language and that was extremely frustrating for me. I was given a notepad and pen but my handwriting was so shaky that they were of little use to me. It was such a relief when the tube was removed and I could talk again.
One of the best things about being in critical care at the QE was that the staff kept a diary of my progress. Each day, whichever nurse was assigned to look after me would write a report of my progress in the diary. Quite often, the staff would take photos of me, and the photos I have included here came from my diary. I was not allowed to see my diary until the day that I was discharged from the critical care unit. I thought that the idea of the staff keeping a diary for me was a brilliant one. It is something that should be rolled out across all hospitals in the UK. Some have taken up this scheme but most haven't. 
Mastering the use of a zimmer frame with nurses Jacqui, Andrew and my mum
I must praise all the staff in critical care for looking after me so well and for looking after my mother as well. She visited me every day that I was in hospital and the care home, which I appreciated very much. It was nice to have my brother visit me and I was delighted that he was able to keep my blog followers notified of my progress. I had a couple of visits from Joe aka Zabadak and they cheered me up no end.
Whilst I was in critical care I lost three stone in weight, which certainly delighted me, as I wanted to lose weight. I went down from sixteen stone to thirteen stone. However, I would not recommend this weight loss scheme to anyone. There are far easier ways to lose weight!
I had to learn to walk again. In this I was greatly aided by my physiotherapists. Two in particular stand out for me, First was Kerry, a wonderfully enthusiastic person who was a bit of a bully but a bully in a nice way. She left to go to Sunderland Hospital and I must admit she was a big miss when she left. I really liked Kerry. Fortunately she had a great replacement in Andrew. Andrew was the complete opposite to Kerry. He was very quietly spoken but a thoroughly nice person. My mum and I loved Andrew. He wrote a very moving and heartfelt message on the last page of my diary. Kerry and Andrew appear in two of the photos I've included.
When I was transferred to the special needs ward things got a lot different. I no longer had the one to one care I received in the critical care unit. Fortunately, I was looked after by a number of people who I already knew from my time in critical care. Special mention must go to the rehab nurses Andrea, Sonia, Susie and their boss Eileen. All four were an absolute delight to know and once again, they looked after me and my mum really well. They went above and beyond the call of duty and I will never forget them. It was always a joy to see them. I am sorry that I have no photos of my time in Ward 9 or of my stay in Southernwood, It was there that I went for extra physiotherapy treatment. With the help of two more wonderful physiotherapists, Mel and Sue, I learnt how to walk with walking sticks instead of a zimmer frame.
Now that I am back home I can get about the house without any aid. When I go outside I usually take one stick. I do have two sticks but I find that one is enough for me, I imagine it won't take long for me to walk unaided outside as well as indoors.
Happily my strength is back, as is my energy and my appetite, I am almost fully recovered. I'd like to thank everyone once again for their well wishes and support. It meant a lot to me.
On the hobby front I am painting 4 Zombie Plague Survivors, 5 Copplestone Castings Urban Cowgirls and 7 Eureka Schoolgirls with guns. They are all just about finished. Having gone four months without buying anything hobby related I have really splashed out. I have made pledges for three Kickstarter projects - the ATZ 28mm scale figure collection (an obvious choice for me), the Reaper Bones 2 collection (again, an obvious choice seeing as I bought so many figures from their first collection) and finally, the Mars Attacks project (the Martians don't interest me that much but the human survivors and soldiers do interest me a lot). I'm still waiting for my Zombicide 2 parcel to arrive and for the zombie figures from the Zombie Plague project. Both items are due soon, so hopefully I'll get them in time for my birthday next month.
Thanks for taking the time out to read my musings. I know it was different from my usual musings but I wanted to share my experience of being a hospital patient. Until this happened to me, I'd never been in hospital as a patient in my adult life.

58 comments:

  1. Blimey, Vampifan, it looks like you only just made your saving throw! Hope you recuperate well.

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    1. Yep, I definitely did make my saving throw, Barks. I got lucky. It could very well have gone horribly wrong.but I think the gods were looking after me.

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    2. They say a picture paints athousand words and these really illustrate how serious things were. I'm very glad that you are well on the way to recovery.

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    3. Thanks, Phil. I'm very glad the nurses took these photos, especially the first one as I have no recollection of my first two weeks in critical care, which is probably a good thing.

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  2. Yay for the NHS! Also, thanks for telling us all this; it really helps to put things in perspective.

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    1. Absolutely yay for the NHS, Hugh. I have nothing but the highest praise for them.

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  3. Sounds like your a very lucky man Bryan!! Well done to all the hospital staff who helped you on your road to recovery!

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    1. I guess I was lucky, Ray. Presumably it wasn't my time to go, thank God.

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  4. Well done and now you're back with us. Take it easy.

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    1. Cheers, Bob, and a huge thank you for the Vampirella get well soon e-card. It made my day when I saw it.

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  5. Glad you are on the mend. Are you well enough for us to take the piss out of you yet? I do hope so!

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    1. Thanks, Clint. And yes, I am well enough for anyone to take the piss out of me. Once I've answered all the comments here I'll send you an e-mail.

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  6. Good lord Bryan! Making a saving throw is right!!! Glad to hear you are doing better....

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    1. Believe me, WarRaptor, 50/50 odds are not good. So roll a d6. on a 1-3 you're dead, and on a 4-6 you pull through.Fortunately I am doing a lot better now.

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  7. So glad you mnade it through and that you had so many wondeful people around you to support you when you needed it most. Look after yourself sir.

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    1. Thank you very much, Adam. Every one of the hospital staff who looked after me were wonderful. They deserve every penny they earn and a lot more.

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  8. Welcome back - sounds like you had a lot of great support from friends and family. It was not your time, thank the Lord. Best, Dean

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    1. Indeed, Dean, it was not my time and I was very relieved at that. I'm only 55 years old and that is far too young an age to die.

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  9. Very serious indeed. So glad you manage to pull through. What great staff as well. The idea of a diary is a good one and should be rolled out everywhere!

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    1. Simon, I love my diary. I keep going back to it and reading the many comments inside gets me very emotional. The critical care staff not only looked after me very well but also my mum every day that she visited me. They were absolute angels and some shone brighter than others.

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  10. Shocking tale but glad you're better and able to look back at it my friend.

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    1. As I keep on saying, Fran, I have been very lucky but thank God I have been gtiven the opportunity to carry on my life.

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  11. Scary to see how serious it got, but we're all glad to have you have you back, and with the strength to do the things you enjoy in life.

    Since your in on the Mars Attacks KS, I thought I'd post this to cheer you up.

    http://www.romitaman.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_814/reesevamp.jpg

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    1. Carl, my friend, you have made my day with that picture. It's brilliant but I suspect the Martians will be very sorry they've kidnapped Vampirella. It'll take more than a bunch of scummy Martians to put her down!

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  12. Wow that was very serious I'm glad you're back home and nearly 100% again.

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    1. Onwards and upwards is my motto, Robert, and I have certainly lived up to it since being admitted to hospital.

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  13. Yes really scary that this sort of thing could happen. I'm so happy for you Bryan, you succeed and you will! you are strong for going through these difficult times. I can't come to see you and your family from France but i would just come to speak with you if i could, and maybe i have a present for you :) . Everybody here loves you. Long life to Bryan!

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    1. Ah, bless, what a lovely comment. You have got me blushing here, my friend.

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  14. Ahh I wasn't expecting to see those images when I saw Vampirella... they brought tears to my eyes.. they reminded me SO much of what happened with Gareth, almost exactly the same, so I know what you had to go through :( I'm really glad you are ok and on the mend now, and I hope you continue to do well! It's good to have you back :)

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    1. Carl, I can only apologise if I have caused you any distress but I assure you that was never my intention. I simply wanted my followers to see and read what I had to go through as it was such an ordeal for me. I'm glad to be back and even more happier that I'm a lot fitter now. That weight loss has done me the world of good.

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    2. I'm glad the you are feeling much fitter now :) And it's ok, I just wasn't expecting it, it's never easy seeing anyone in a bad way, but the main thing is you're better!

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    3. I hear what you're saying, Carl. I had a similar experience with my father. He was in and out of hospital six times in the year that he died (2011). My mum and i were with him at his bedside when he died, so believe me, I know what you're feeling.

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  15. Thanks for sharing your story, Bryan. Powerful. I'm so pleased to hear you are doing well. I'm also delighted to hear of the tremendous care you received while in hospital. I am a hospital chaplain in the States and I know how important that kind of spiritual/emotional care is for a patient and his/her family. The diary sounds like a wonderful resource for your ongoing healing. I'm going to mention it to the administration her at St. Anne's. Could be a great gift for families and patients. God bless you and your mum.

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    1. I never knew that you were a hospital chaplain, Ironmonk. There were a team of three chaplains at the QE Hospital and I became very friendly with them. One in particular, Jonathan, knew me well as he was with my mum and I at my father's bedside when dad died. The hospital chaplains do a grand job and I have a lot of respect for them. They were a great comfort to me and my mum. Please do mention the idea of keeping a diary to your admin team. It is a book I shall treasure for the rest of my life.

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    2. I'm glad to know you had such great support. I love the work I get to do with patients and families. The opportunity to share life with people in their times of greatest need is humbling and amazing. People are incredible. Sometimes it is challenging and it can be very sad but it is a great joy when people come through as you have. Again I say, God bless you.

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    3. Of course working in the hospital means that when the zombies rise I will likely be one of the first to go... Ah well, c'est la vie. : )

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    4. Thank you for giving me an insight into your own life, Ironmonk. Everything you said is so true.

      I wouldn't want to be in a hospital when the zombie apocalypse kicks off but you have a big advantage to surviving in that you know a lot about zombies from your zombie gaming experiences and being a zombie gaming blogger. just keep your head down and get out at the first signs of trouble.

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    5. Haha! Will do! Thanks for the good advice.

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  16. It's wonderful to see you are recovering so we'll keep up the good work

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    1. Cheers, Kim. I am so delighted at the progress I have made. At the beginning my mum feared I wouldn't be back home for Christmas but I really surprised her with the speed of my recovery.

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  17. That was close! I didn't realise you'd been that ill. Congratulations on such a impressive bounce back Bryan.

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    1. Yep, too close for comfort, David. However, I was determined to get better and having such a positive attitude was a great boost to my recovery.

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  18. These sorts of things are usually really hard for me to read and comment on. This one was no exception. I'm VERY glad you've come out the other end of this Bryan. I hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly, and I'm definitely glad you're back.

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    1. Thank you, Jon. I understand your point of view but many thanks for your support. It is greatly appreciated.

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  19. With halloween on the horizon it's probably a timely reminder of your own experiences of your personal "Night of the Living dead".

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    1. Ha, that's a good one, Joe. Vampifan returns from the dead!

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  20. Onwards and upwards. I like that Bryan. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
    Mikie

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    1. Is there a blue moon out tonight? You almost never leave a comment on my blog, you little scamp! Yes, I'm immensely looking forward to meeting you this weekend, All the best to you, Mikie.

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  21. My brother you have been thru hell with Churchill and kept walking until you came out the other side!
    I am eternally grateful to the great staff there for bringing you thru this. I would think they added quite a few modifiers to your 50%. Nothing beats a great medical staff. My mother had a super staff as well for her blocked arteries so I can appreciate that you did indeed have a very special group of people.

    The diary is an incredible idea. I am not sure it would work in the states due to our culture of litigation. I'm really glad you have it though.

    Looking forward to talking with you about kickstarters, zombies, painting and all. Cheers Bryan!

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    1. Many, many thanks, Roger, my friend. I, too, am looking forward to chatting with you about all the things you've mentioned. Take care, Roger.

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  22. Really glad to have you back and I appreciated seeing this recap of your ordeal. One question though, does this mean that you will be painting up a new skinnier version of you for the game board?

    Huzzah,
    Jacob

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    1. Ha, ha! good question, Jacob. No, I'll stick with the old, fat version of Vampifan.

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  23. OMG, shocking story Bryan,i had no idea you were that sick, im glad you are on the road to recovery :-)

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    1. Thanks, Shinto. yes, thankfully, I am almost fully recovered now but it was touch and go at first.

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  24. Whow, I knew you were really ill but these photos make it that more graphic. On the first few you looked terrible, man. I would not have recognised you in that state. And like Carl, not expecting this I had some horrible flashbacks. But that's okay, thanks for sharing such intimate stuff and I am so glad that you're back with us.
    Take care, my friend.
    Stefan

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    1. Those first few photos are quite scary, Stefan. But they help remind me of just how bad I was.

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  25. Jeez buddy,

    That is taking the role playing a BIT too far !!!

    Delighted you came through and here's to another 40 years (at least !!!)

    CS

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    1. Many thanks, Colonel. Another 40 years would take me to 95. Yes, I'd be happy with that kind of innings.

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