Free gym membership

Each day Martin seems to show more progress, particularly his speech which is almost back to normal, except when he gets tired or stressed and then he does a good impression of Joe Pasquale! He was moved to the neurology ward last Saturday evening but by Monday morning he was in a room on his own. Apparently, when the consultant did his rounds he wasn't best pleased that Martin was in the open ward and obviously not getting the care he needed. In fact he had become dehydrated simply because he hadn't got the strength and co-ordination to help himself to drinks. I think that being in a single room is definitely helping. He's getting better rest and sleep although he's still having 4 hour observations. Visiting is a lot easier, we all just pile into his room! In fact, at one point during the week I think we broke the world record for visitors round a hospital bed - 8 of us! Suspect we won't get away with that if Mart is moved back onto the open ward. After a couple of false starts this week Martin has begun what's likely to be daily physiotherapy in the hospital gym. It seems as though the physios are pleased with his progress so far although he still has a way to go to gain full control over his muscles and co-ordination. It's coming though, I've noticed that as the week has progressed he's been able to lift a cup (Tommy Tippee style) and give himself a drink. This is a big step forward! It's especially good because it reduces his reliance on the nursing staff who in honesty haven't always got the time or sometimes even the language skills to apply the care we know they'd like to. This happened on Thursday evening, remember his speech is not 100%, but it's pretty close.... Martin: (buzz) "Nurse, could I have a blanket please, its a bit cold in here" Nurse: "Paracetamol?" Martin: "No, I'm cold, could I have a blanket?" Nurse: "Paracetamol?" Martin: "No, a blanket, I'm cold". The nurse disappears for quite some time and returns later with...liquid paracetamol! Martin takes it anyway so's not to cause offence....it helps. Martin: "Nurse, could I have a sheet?" Nurse: "Blanket?" ....you get the idea! What affected me most this week and gave me some idea of how this nasty disease affects anybody was when Martin described how for the first time in weeks he was supported on to his feet. Although he knew he was standing and the floor was beneath his feet, he had no feeling whatsoever. Totally numb. But, overall, it's still enormous progress over the week. As Mart is already being asked whether he has a big house does it means an earlier than expected release from hospital? Hopefully, this weekend we get to wheel him around the hospital for some fresh air....where's the nearest pub ;-)