Update from 2pm visit
Our visit, Bev and Max- input from Bev and written by Max
I'm so pleased to have seen Sarah today. We left Martha and Katy with Grandma downstairs. They were brilliant - entertaining themselves with Bev's iPad (we're waiting to see the distorted photo's they took of Grandma) and whizzing up and down in her wheelchair. As we walked into the hospital Bev reminded me that Sarah would probably be very swollen and bruised so I would not be shocked when we got to her. There was no need - Sarah looked amazing! There was still a little swelling around her left eye and a little bruising underneath but nothing like the photo from yesterday when she looked like she'd been 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Bev was gobsmacked and could say little else than 'I can't get over how good you look' for the first few minutes we were there :)
Sarah has had a busy morning leaving her a little more off colour (!) than she had wanted to be. She'd had a shower (making certain not to get her head wet) and Occupational Health had been to see her. The surgeon had also come this morning to Sarah giving her reassurance. Sarah said she sensed from the surgeon the pride in what she had done for her, leaving Sarah feeling that every that could have been done was done to the best. The MRI taken yesterday was ' a good one' although there was no more information on Shirley or the next step. There is still no discharge date although Sarah is more than happy to stay in hospital. I asked Sarah how much pain there is now (the last time I saw Sarah was before her op when the steroids were working but she was still suffering). Sarah replied "I know the pain is still there, but why should I feel pain. They (the nurses) keep coming round asking if I'm in pain, I say yes, they give me pills. They come round again and ask me again and I say yes. The nurses ask if I'd like something stronger and I say yes!!! They are going to have to teach me to say no!" Her sense of humour seems undented and I'm delighted to say my sister appears to be re-emerging from Shirley's evil grip!!
Bev had done some filming this morning with M & K on K's new iPod. Sarah sat on her bed, eating meringues, watching her daughters dance, sing and play the guitar for her. She was thrilled with what they had done, especially the Cup song (hopefully appearing on YouTube sometime) which she watched several times. She was able to record a video message for them. My wonderful sister started this recording with 'hello my special girls' and promptly belched...loudly! Bev and I were not able to compose ourselves as well as Sarah did and fell around laughing while Sarah continued with a polite apology to camera.
We did a lot of talking and laughing (something Sarah finds difficult because it hurts to smile). She laughed at the photo's Louise had sent in for the Book of Laughs saying 'What were we like?' and 'I was drinking from a funnel....something I would not recommend'. Sarah is becoming increasingly aware of how bad she was and for how long by comparing how she is now, so soon after the op.
Her mindset is soooooo positive. She believes she can win Wimbledon (if anyone told her to try) because she now knows if you set her a challenge she do it because everything bad was to do with Shirley. All the 'why can't I do....' was all Shirley. Sarah feels fantastic knowing this.
Ed sent some yummy cakes and biscuits to be shared for which we say a huge thank you. Sarah was excited to try one and saved one for later. She felt the urge to pass the tin around the ward before remembering that most of the rest of the ward were nil by mouth...more laughing.
I feel the need to pass on Sarah's disappointment when she visited the toilet. She really felt like she might actually need to have her first poo but sadly it was just a fart. Even more laughing!! Grapes have been ordered and instructions given to help 'get Sarah moving' :)
Sarah has now seen her scar. She had a period of worry in the night about it. After fretting for a while she rang for the nurse who very helpfully sat and talked with Sarah until she was no longer worried. She is happy to have been told 'do NOT touch your scar'. We were happy that Sarah had spoken to the nurse and not continued worrying and got some sleep. More photo's have been taken for Sarah to add to her record.
We left Sarah worn out but happy, with meringue crumbs everywhere, looking forward to a snoozy afternoon. We will not be visiting later.
Thank you for all the cards we delivered to the hospital today. Sarah read them all.
Much love
Maxine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bev xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
