Mea Culpa John is quite correct I am around but simply have had no time (or much inclination) to trek upstairs to the mail computer to indulge in the list (Paula's computer is downstairs so when I was in hospital. she could pretty much write updates fairly comfortably). I have been on facebook using my phone to be honest.
Well as you know I was rushed into hospital unconscious and suffering from what I am now told was/is Toxic shock syndrome and I was in an induced coma for nearly 4 weeks, during which time I am told I was a breath away for totally cashing my chips in (dying) - my liver and kidneys closed down and my heart was wavering. I had multiple infections, but the main one would not react to most antibiotics. All credit to the medical staff, they put me on temporary dialysis and somehow figured out what I had - apparently its ladies who mostly get this, though men and children can also get it -0 they also got me started on the long road back. Eventually they brought me out of the coma then after a while I went from the ICU to the high dependency Unit and then to a ward where I was in Isolation and on then to a normal ward. The last 2/3 weeks were spent in a nearby care home in what is termed as a "Kick Bed" (Strange as I couldn't have kicked a balloon at the time) working with Physios - I learned that everything they showed on last week's Panorama is not just confined to those 2 homes featured. to learn to walk again and use my hands (another reason I have not been on much, it hurts my fingertips to type) as my muscles had atrophied when in a coma and not being used. Progress is definitely happening, but frustratingly slow. I can now walk short distances around the home, my writing is crap as there is no strength in my hands and my fingers are constantly sore. I have ulcerous wounds on my lower left leg which require dressing by the district nurses at least every 2 days - soon to be every day for a week which they try compression dressings. I have passed a test for me to drive as we have an automatic, but I am really sparing with this as I don't feel entirely safe for other road users. Just to complicate matters Paula hurt her foot treading on some glass and the wound got infected and worsened and she has now been in hospital for the past week and has had her right big toe amputated! We expect her to still be in for up to the next 7 days (Visiting her at the LGI is the sparing use of the car I mentioned - thankfully we have a mobility scooter and hoist in the car so I can get around the hospital) - even the cat has a kidney problem and has to have medication daily! >From all of this you can probably see why I have not been around, but from this believe me I am keeping up as best I can and am always checking the results however I can. I apologise for not telling you all this earlier (Sorry Guy) I will be properly back, but it may take until next month yet . Best wishes and grateful thanks for your care and concern all Steve Gillen (a lifelong, and hopefully much longer, Leeds United fan) -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Guy Thornton Sent: 05 May 2014 18:47 To: [email protected] Subject: [LU] Steve Gillen Haven't posted for some time, don't suppose anyone's noticed but then things have been so depressing I suspect others didn't feel like posting as well. However the principle for reason for the lack of posting has been (another) period of incarceration in hospital and it's been enough of a problem trying to keep up with things and access mail and the internet, never mind actively mailing. All of which leeds me to the purpose of this mail. Before I went into hospital I had seen the news about Steve and Paula's mails updating us on his condition. In fact one of my last mails to the list was a reply to one of Paula's posts. However I haven't seen anything for some time. As I've missed a lot of list mail as well this is probably not surprising but can anyone update on Steve and how he and Paula are? Guy _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/le edslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] John 'Grampa' Sykes Rest In Peace old lad 28th Oct 1938 - 12 Nov 2013 MARCHING ON TOGETHER _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] John 'Grampa' Sykes Rest In Peace old lad 28th Oct 1938 - 12 Nov 2013 MARCHING ON TOGETHER
