5 o'clock and all's well

gerding gerding

I'd post a picture of the old chap post op, but he looks exactly the same
except take away the oxygen tube.
Yup he's cheery and chatty and quite comfy thankyou!

pre-op

Video

All seems well

Nurse tells me that Dad is back from theatre and is comfortable, sitting up in bed with a cup of tea...so that's good news.

I may or may not make one more visiting hours run today, but Mum is pretty tired and I think Dad would forgive us if we just parked out for the rest of the day. Emotionally there has been some tension that only good news and a glass of wine can alleviate!

Ps. Mum enjoyed the marimba concert sitting out in the sun and eating cake with a cuppa or two.

Op

Dad went down to Theatre at 2.30
He'll be conscious throughout the op.
He was quite cheerful and comfortable.
I'll be taking some time off to help with the rehab but hopefully he'll be back on his pins quite quickly.

Saturday plans

Shortly Mum and I are going over to Banbury in the hope of seeing Dad before his op. Thereafter we shall return to Forty Green for lunch. The family is giving a Marimba concert in Chinnor High Street this afternoon at the Congregational Church. It's a charity fund raiser where you donate for tea and homemade cakes while listening to (or having a go on) the instruments. That's from 3 till 5 and thanks to the glorious weather I expect mum will be happy to be with us there.

Judy and Stan had mum over last evening as we were booked to be out. She enjoyed that and we picked her up on the way home. Mum slept well in Amy's bed (as Amy and Beth are currently 'camping out' in our African tent in the garden). Gave mum a very warm bath this morning and and a little luxury treatment with all the various creams and ointments because your worth it. Breakfasted well and we are now ready to be off. Would love to have booked a hair dresser but on a Saturday morning, no chance.

Hospital said there's no set time for Dad's op. Could be this morning or this afternoon, dependent on when a theatre becomes available.

Updates later...

OP

Good Luck Patrick. I will be playing sublime Beethoven all day today with you very much in my thoughts. See you very soon.

Dear All,

Thank you all for your intervention and updates, I really appreciate it. We will try to contact Dad later, i.e. saturday morning on the nummbers Peter has left. Lets all pray for Mum, Dad and the medical team, that they respond well and positively to the situation. We will be arriving in UK on Thursday morning and staying overnight in the Four Pillars Hotel in Oxford.

Cathy, we wish the boys all the best with their exams, Peter; your girls too. Ours are all done and the kids are all on Holiday as of today. Claire (must run in the family) fell awkwardly during football practice two weeks ago and has a very bad sprain and damage to ligaments so she won't be running around much for the next 6 weeks. She is participating in an Outward Bound course currently and although under strict instructions not to stress out her ankle, came home with it all swolen on Friday, so I think I have to start the 6 weeks count again.

So sports injuries seem to be a common thing what with Dad rucking with the wheelie bin.

All take care, no more accidents heh! Holidays are comming.

Love,

Nic and Family

Update on fracture

Sorry all,

confirmation of fracture by scan means that Dad will go into theatre tomorrow, but no timings available.

Pete

Update

3.35pm and no news from the scan yet...Nurse suggested I phone this evening as Dad will be staying in overnight with a view to theatre tomorrow (if necessary).

She also suggested that just one person keep in touch and relay messages to relatives so just keep watching this space...

Love to all

Pete

Further update...

Dad had a CT scan this morning to review the initial diagnosis from the x-ray of a hair line crack in his femur. At last discussion the docs were upbeat that it might not be broken (in which case he will not need an operation) but in the meantime, while we await the results of the scan, he is still in pre-op mode (no food by mouth, on a drip...etc) but pretty comfortable. You can contact F ward on 01295 229196 and visit officially from noon to 1.30pm and from 3 to 8.30pm. Mum is back with us at Forty Green for the moment. Dad's consultant is Mr Singh and his is being looked after by the blue nursing team headed by Ni and Shargee if you wish to quickly establish the latest directly.

Ruth rang while we were visiting and spoke to Dad on my phone which was a little bonus. he is in good spirits and singing on the ward. "Just think of all the money we're saving with me in here!" says he!

Love to all.

Hip Fracture Screw and Plate Info

Dad's having a CT scan this morning with possible op tonight.

A fractured hip can be a life-threatening problem. The hip fracture itself isn't usually a difficult problem to treat with surgery. But once the fracture occurs, it brings with it all the potential medical complications that can arise when aging adults are confined to bed. The goal of treatment is to get patients moving as quickly as possible after surgery. Fixing the fracture with a compression hip screw and metal plate is fairly simple and usually allows patients to get up and start moving shortly after surgery.

LINK This guide will help you understand

a) what your surgeon hopes to achieve
b) what happens during the operation
c) what to expect during your recovery

Update on Dad

After Dad had a dance with the wheelie bin he went over on his left side, landing against his hip, elbow and head. He was fully conscious all through and called out for help. A nice man over the road scraped him off the tarmac and a chair was brought and he sat at the end of the drive until an ambulance came. He was unable to stand on the left leg but hopefully didn't compound any injury by getting moved.

Hospital told us last night that there is a very fine crack part way across the ball of the femur but the good news is that it is all still in place...not like the normal case scenario of a broken hip bone. This means that it will repair fairly quickly provided all goes well today.

If they were to leave it to repair by itself, it just wouldn't happen in Dad's case, being his age and all. He would risk losing some of the blood supply to the top of the bone which would cause further damage. The doctors therefore told us Dad would have to have a screw put into the bone to strengthen the weakness in order to help it heal. The doc reckoned on Dad being able to walk almost immediately afterwards but I guess we are looking at a couple of days at least, even with just bruises and no crack in the bone.

Obviously with his age and the need for another general anaesthetic there are risks involved. This is considered major surgery at 83 especially with his history of a stent in that leg. They were at pains to state this last night...risks of stroke, heart attack, etc. All jolly stuff but Dad was happy to be advised.

I've stayed with mum last night and understandably she is a bit shaky and worried this morning. I will take her home with me to Forty Green for the weekend after we have been over to see Dad this morning, assuming we can get a viewing. Thereafter we will have to play it by ear as we are all back to school on Monday.

Love to all....and if there are any cavalry out there, now is your Alamo moment.

Let's have a forum moment

Dad's had a fall

He's in for an xray, in pain but hopefully nothing broken - lots of blood from a facial wound. Doesn't want to pay for a taxi so nothing changed there arrf arrf Pete will pick im up presuming he's comin ome
j

Mum is with Alex and Lil next door

Steve's in Sussex

LHR

Just found out our upgrade was worth £15,000.
If you wanted to book the 3 bed Villa for 10 nights it would be €1700 per night.. Yikes

Wanted

works
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

Bedding Plants Rockery Plants and a big refectory table and eight chairs plus a decent gas barbeque with a lid and temperature gauge!
I think hand rails would be useful with some upright timbers and cross beams to get some climbing plants up so create some shade.

It was over 77 degrees F today back there.

At the moment the surface is washed stone gravel.

Enough already!

Just a few more to go folks!

Family

Family
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

shortest on the left

Lady Victoria Elizabeth

One of the best

if not the best Auntie in the Whole Wide World

Molly Morgan

MollyBroach
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

Grandma looked the part of a very proud Grandma at Gemma and Clive's Mauritian Wedding Barbeque

Gemma and Clive get wed

photo
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

A Stunning Bride in a Stunning Dress in a Stunning location.
We were all getting very jumpy at about noon. Would the rain hold off, would we all get to our various hairdressers and make up artists? Plus we must prevent Clive seeing the dress and make sure Martin remembers his jacket is in my room.. then I really must look at my speech and make sure Grandad doesn't wander off or turn up early.

Auntie June did a wonderful job looking after Grandma while things were being prepared and all the while in the background at the villa preparations were being made by Prakash for our wedding feast.

Are you married yet?

What, no news yet!?? You must be married by now!

Enjoy the day my luvvers....

Hurrah!

International news, keep it coming. This is the first opportunity I've had to look at the computer so I'm please to see you all got there alright, and some have been able to enjoy themselves, lots of love Cathy.

bring a Mac

bring a Mac
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

oh dear rain all day today all over Africa and The USA too boohoo

Well deserved nightcap

photo
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

After a really tough day staring at waves and brushing sand out of between our toes, we top off the day with a glass or two. Granddad's walking has improved noticeably as he gaily totters off for another crepe suzette! Sometimes its a two man job as he returns double quick from the buffet aided by a couple of waiters laiden down with giant extra portions of profiteroles... LOL.. I asked a dusky waitress if there were any wheelbarrows available!

upgrade

upgrade
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

Poor old dears look at them ..hotel has upgraded us to a villa so we have a butler to see to us but unfortunately we don't need anything. Steve & Will spent a gorgeous day on the beach while Gemma and Clive have been upgraded to Constance Prince Maurice Hotel until Friday.
We had a tiny downpour of about ten drops of rain this afternoon followed by a magnificent rainbow but the breeze is warm and the sun soon returned.
We came back to an empty villa.. the reprobates having found a source of draught beer.. hence the little dance!

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday you jet setting octogenarian darling I hope the flight to sun, sea and your first grandchild's wedding goes well, if not it's nearly over. Have fun soak up the sun and enjoy the luxury and smiles, All our love Cathy, John, Edmund,Thomas and Kate. xxxxxxxxxx

Hey Pete, I've just heard(radio 4) that people are stealing hives of bees as they have become so sort after. Whatever next! love Cath xx

Bon Voyage!

Hello all you wedding folk off to the beach, and of course Gemma and Clive the very almost nearly weds! I hope we are not too late to wish you all a Bon Voyage, Happy Frolicking, and a blissful hitch-getting! Wish wish wish we were coming too. All our love for the best day of your lives and see you in Oxfordshire very soon!

(Steve, thank you for the message about the car. We will sort it out when you get back. I will try and pick it up on the evening of the 25th if that suits you. Ot at another time if not. You're a star!)

Oh, my dear Cathy

O, my dear Cathy - life's a bitch sometimes, Eh? Allow me to help out in a small way and don't say no!! We leave UK tomorrow for the Indian Ocean. Steve will drive us to HR. Much love from Dad

Life doesn't stop cause you need a rest does it!

Having waved Gemma and Clive off on Monday at about 4.00 p.m. James(Jo and Liza's Dad) came around with a delivery of horse poo for the garden, then tea and chat about bees, apparently we have some sort of nation/international bee expert in our midst, John Gregory's wife(I can't re mender her christian name at the moment)It was their house that we first stayed in just outside the village whilst Arwel was being done up and Edmund was a backwards crawling baby of 7 months,Ahhh! then I cooked tea followed by a short flop onto the sofa and bed.
Then it was Tuesday and I thought that I would just spend the week doing a bit of light tidying up and gardening...but no! The boss from my cooking job phoned at ten to ask me if I would be able to fill in for the permanent chef, full time for the next 5 months starting Monday...Whow... I said yes, this means that our financial situation will be vastly improved but I will have no time and miss Edmund's last summer at home and not be about for Thomas's GCS or Edmund's 'A' levels and I bet it's going to be a splendid summer. But we couldn't afford for me to say no and I do enjoy it there, if I can manage the exhaustion. I should get more efficient shouldn't I?
So still reeling from this bit of news, the next day(yesterday) John had a phone call form the head of sixth form to tell us that Edmund has missed his deadline and is now out of the UCCA system and won't be considered for any university, because if you don't say yes to one of the offered place they assume you don't want one, fortunately John is a whizz on the phone and has managed to get Swansea to hold open his place for him but he is still out of the UCCA system so if he doesn't get his predicted grades he will have to take a year out, so much for all those discussions about which University to choose, I still can't shake off the charisma of Cardiff, so I do hope he will be happy with Swansea...but that's all a long way away and I now know anything could happen.
More bad news I got another speeding ticket going through Lea in Gloucestershire 9.05 Sunday before last 35mph, second one in in six months after 35years with no tickets so I am never going the A40 way again, as I dove through there so carefully but clearly not carefully enough, be warned people!!
I hope every one's preparations are going well for the wedding lots of love Cathy.

We got bees!

This little swarm is a little shorter in length than a wine bottle. It was hanging in a plum tree in a garden in Risborough and I was asked by the local swarm officer if I wanted to collect it. Having just finished working the hive at school, I was all togged up so set off and snipped it out of the tree with the help of a step ladder, a rake, a pair of secateurs, a cardboard box and an old sheet. It now (I hope) resides in a small nucleus hive in next door's garden. I will feed the bees some sugar syrup first thing in the morning to encourage them to stay, but so far so good. Hopefully they will feel they are on to a good thing, start laying down new comb and her highness will begin laying eggs. Once things are underway I'll transfer the colony to my full sized hive and start to keep bees proper.

Did anyone else see any bee swarms yesterday? It seems the timing was right for there were several about. If you get wind of one, let me know. Not that I have anywhere to put one, but it's fun driving around with them next to you in your car with just a sheet and a cardboard box to protect you!

Landing in MRU (Mauritius)

We'll be on a Boeing 747 400 Jumbo









I'm starting to believe we're actually going now
The fields in the video are sugar cane (and not a single swine pig to be seen Mum)

We wish to add our thanks

I hope we did not spoil anybody's weekend with our non compliances. It was a cold weekend and we felt very sad that we could not take part in a more family way. We would have loved to join in at the birthday bonfire, but age tells on one and it was very sweet of Cathy to ferry us back to the warmth of Nythfa. The welcome, as usual was heartfelt and both John and Cathy, plus the family, made us so welcome, even to Edmund once more giving up his bedroom for us. The food was super, especially the roast pork lunch, but we could not join in with the ample offers of beer and wine. There is nothing worse than seeing aged parents staggering about after too much alcohol, but the offers were well meant. Bang goes my "non fat diet"!
It was lovely to see Gemma and Clive enjoying themselves and we are glad they found somewhere lovely to stay.We were well treated by Steve also who drove us home in a different way, but past many watering holes which Mum was very grateful for.

We are so looking forward to the holiday and the wedding and we hope we will all enjoy the prospect of sun, food and rest.

My day-out in Northampton was uneventful, but in in a way was quite enjoyable. The 3-hour course on the Highway code was well presented by two Advanced Driving Instructors and we learned a lot about speeds which can harm, or even kill!

I still have my annoying cough, despite having a week of anti-biotics, which is even more annoying to me than it is to all in earshot. I hope people do not think I have swine flu'.
After our Indian Ocean holiday we are looking forward to meeting you all at the Reception at the Fleece. It promises to be a gass. Love to you all from Dad (and Mum, who is still in bed)

The aftermath

My kitchen has return to its bombsite mode, I manage to keep it tidy and clutter free for about 20 hours after my lovely kitchen fairy went home, but 8 of those hours everyone was asleep so not making mess until yesterday, the kitchen was overwhelmed by the tide of bank holiday chaos, come back Mum I need you!!!!!!
It was so lovely to see you all, I hope you have recovered from the experience.
We still have three cheese sandwiches to offer and birthday cake, a bit of cold pork and some cauliflower in white sauce, don't all rush at once!

Congratulations Edmund

Well, somebody had to do it!

Thanks to you all

Thank you all for a lovely weekend & your hospitality (plus the unforgettable clientele of Foelallt Arms!). We just got home 30 mins ago so wedding dress and suit are now hanging up safe. We shaved 30 mins off the journey - so we're v pleased and we didn't even nearly die this time (we nearly bought the farm at Bwlch). It was one long gloomy cloud all the way to Oxford though the drizzle ended at Lampeter.

Love to all and see you in June.

Gem & Clive xx

Gemma and Clive;homeward bound

Gemma and Clive have just headed for the hills with wedding togs on the back seat all finished. Its drizzling here and its rather later than I had hoped for them but perhaps the journey will go well,good luck!
So pleased that Steve, Mum and Dad got home in good time, was there dozing amongst the passenger?
So lovely of you all to come, thank you. Lots of love Cathy

tarah nythva

tarah nythva
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

Llandewi -,KS

four and a half hours including 6 pit stops

a40 to Newport M4 M5 A46 M40

Home Safe

fire2
Originally uploaded by ezappy

just arrived 22.15

fantastic week-end of home cooking, bonfires and bonhomie with Edmund and family..

1991 seems like yesterday... shutup Steve etc

Party

smiley
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

mmmm lemom cake!

Happy 18th Birthday Edmund

We couldn't decide between these two pictures so have both. Hope you approve!

Clive and I are driving down tomorrow (we've booked in at a b&b in the village for the night).

Hope you feel better very soon Grandma xx

love Gem and Clive xx

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY TO EDMUND

We hope to be travelling down to LL/B this morning, provided Mum is feeling OK.

She was again feeling a bit crock yesterday and I had arranged a Doctor's appointment in Brackley as the Kings Sutton clinic was fully booked. When the time came she did not feel she could travel to Brackley and I switched the appointment to a home visit and the Doctor who does the K/S clinic came in to see us before returning to Brackley. He was very nice and ordered some anti=biotics to try and get her back on to an even keel. The man from Boots delivered the packets and we went straight on to the anti-biotics. I hope that will do the job. She did rally in the afternoon, and i hope she keeps well over the weekend.
Lets hope that a bit of sunshine and some happy company will put her right!
love from Dad.