At 10.00 last night I returned to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Worcestershire UK, with my 2 boys Sam and Dom and My sister in law Helen. We were there to switch off the machines supporting my lovely wife Sarah who had undergone a "catastrophic" brain haemorrhage with less than 5% chance of surviving. An arduous process involving the organ donation team and the transplant team required a number of physical and mental functioning tests and involving the coroners dept. On arrival we were greeted with a summons to see the consultant to be informed that Sarah had undergone the tests and had shown physical functionalty on both the left and right sides and a degree of instructed response. As a result of this the original prognosis was called into question and further tests and scan performed. At 12.30am we were told that based on the presenting evidence the initial diagnosis was no longer valid and at 12.30 am she was transferred to the Neurological CCU at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham where we agreed to a brain drain. This took place at 5.30 am. Returning to the ward at 7.00 am it was noted that Sarah was now showing more capacity and even trying to wake up. By 8.00am she was awake briefly but clearly understanding where she was and its purpose. By 10.00 she was breathing unaided and the intubation was removed. Throughout the day she continued her improvement and by the time we left last evening were comforted by the improvement in her condition. We have agreed with her medical team to restrict our visiting, their point being "you want to see her awake and responding, whilst we want to see her asleep and healing" Her survival is still in the balance but the signs are very good, there are very great risks ahead and her recovery will be slow and long.We have been told that there is likely to be some impairment but the scale and nature of that is uncertain. In a period of 30 hours we have gone from desolation to elation and we feel emotionally battered. We are trying to be realistic because of the extremely dangerous condition she remains in...........we have been inundated with messages of support and offers of help. At the hospital yesterday every one who arrived to support us brought a picnic....thank you.....we don't need to shop until Christmas (2013). Please keep singing catters......its working and thank you all for your messages of support. I will try and update as and when.
Love and Peace
Frank, Sam and Dom (and of course Sarah !!)
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